Cambuslang Parish Church
Congregational Newsletter
December 2025
A Peaceful and Joyful Christmas to you!
The Joy, Peace, and Hope of the Christ-Child
Dear Friends
‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out’ (John 1: 5)
At this time of year, as the days are short and the darkness deepens, there remains a light that shines!
Just as Christmas lights are switched on and candles are lit, so we are reminded that even in the deepest darkness, the light of love, and joy still shines.
The light which shines is the light of Jesus Christ, who brings hope to whatever darkness we find in our world or in our lives.
As John tells us in the opening words of his Gospel, this light is that of the ‘Word made flesh’ who came among us, and whose birth in Bethlehem we celebrate at Christmas.
Our prayer is that we will all know that light shining in our experience and bringing us the peace and joy of this Holy Season, as we join in celebration of our Saviour’s birth.
Yours in the light and love of Christmas
David
Rev David Denniston
Interim Ministry Update
It seems no time at all since David and I began Interim Ministry in Cambuslang, and we are delighted at the work already achieved by the Kirk session and congregation and express our thanks to you all for the willingness to engage with the challenges and opportunities that are arising, as we minister alongside you to address the goals set by the Kirk Session and also the aims and objectives agreed at the Partnership Support Group meeting in September.
Among work which has already been completed is the creation of the new Session Clerk team, and we witnessed Lorna Morrison, Isobel Allison and Alison Thomson take the Session Clerk’s oath [oath de fideli] at worship on the 2nd November and become our Depute Session Clerk team, working alongside our Session Clerk, Scott Hamilton. We wish them God’s richest blessing!
Other work which is currently on-going includes a review of our communications and administration, and a remit for a new Hospitality Team has been approved by the Kirk Session and the team is at full strength and fully engaged with events in our church calendar. A remit for a new Pastoral Care Team has also been approved by the Kirk Session and work is underway to recruit to this team, while work is on-going in relation to other aspects of the governance of the congregation.
In all these aims, objectives and goal setting, we are working with you to bring the congregation to the point where it is able to call a new minister. We hope, early in the new year, to be able to share a timetable with you which will give clarity about the necessary steps.
Hilary
Rev Hilary McDougall
Welcome to our Four New Members!
On 2nd November Jennifer Doak, Chantelle Dunlop, Lusha McCafferty, and Beth Simpson were welcomed into full membership of the church, at a joyful service of Baptism and Confirmation, as they each professed faith in Jesus.
All of them have been on a journey of faith which has led them to this point. In their own words: ‘I wanted to deepen my faith’; ‘Cambuslang Parish Church has been an important part of my journey towards faith’; ‘when I reached out to him God was there’.
Every blessing to all four!
Discovery Group : ‘Believing & Belonging’
Following the success of the recent Discovery Groups, another group is planned for the New Year. These meerings (lasting about 1 hour or so) will be ay 7pm on Thursdays 8, 15, 22, 29 January, and 5 February, in the Morriston Room.
This group is for those interested in exploring faith questions, or considering baptism, confirmation or ‘church membership’, or wanting to discover more about God and the Christian Life, or wanting to ‘refresh’ what they believe, or if you are simply a bit curious.
For more information speak to, email, or phone David Denniston.
Services in Advent and Christmas
Sunday 30 Nov 10.30am Advent Sunday Service
3.00pm Service of Remembering at Flemington Hallside
Tuesday 2 Dec 11.45am Tuesday Service (11.15: Heavenly Elevenses)
Sunday 7 Dec 10.30am Communion Service
Tuesday 9 Dec 11.45am Tuesday Service
Saturday 13 Dec ‘CHRISTAS TREE FESTIVAL’ Carol Service at 3:30pm
Sunday 14 Dec 10.30am Gift Service
Tuesday 16 Dec 11.45am Tuesday Service
2.00pm Carol Service especially for those who need transport to church (Tea and coffee will follow)
Sunday 21 Dec 10.30am Nativity All-Age Service
Tuesday 23 Dec 11.45am Tuesday Service
Wednesday 24 Dec 7.00pm ‘Messy Christingle’ All-Age Service
11.30pm Christmas Eve Watchnight Service – Carol singing from 11.15pm
Thursday 25 Dec 10.30am Christmas Day Service
Sunday 28 Dec 10.30am Service of Lessons & Carols
There will be no Tuesday Service on 30th December
Sunday 4 Jan 10.30am Joint Communion Service (at Cambuslang Parish Church)
Service of Remembering
Our annual Parish Grouping Remembering Service will take place on Sunday 30th November at 3:00pm in Flemington Hallside Church.
This special service offers a reflective space for anyone who has lost a loved one and wishes to remember them. As we gather, we will take time to give thanks for our loved ones and find comfort in God’s love and the promise of eternal life.
All are warmly welcome to share in this act of remembrance and hope.
Karen Hamilton DCS
On 18 March 2014, Karen Hamilton began work with us here in Cambuslang Parish Church.
Over the ensuing 11 plus years, Karen’s service as our Deacon has touched many lives and affected many people. In addition to her regular involvement in our worship, and her work in pastoral care, Karen has worked with our own young people, who will especially miss her, as well as in many of the local schools.
We will mark Karen’s time among us at the Sunday Service on 21st December (our Nativity Play Service) when we will be able to thank her for her service with us and wish her every blessing for the future.
Sunday Service from January
Changes in worship can sometimes bring a sense of anxiety or uncertainty, as we grow comfortable in the routines we know. However, from January 2026, a small change will be introduced to our Sunday morning service which will enable our children to take part in worship in a more meaningful way.
A new children’s lectern will be placed on the chancel. This adjustable lectern will allow any of our children to read comfortably from it . Alongside this, a Children’s Bible will be introduced. Each Sunday morning, as the Church Officer brings the Bible into the sanctuary, one of our children will carry the Children’s Bible and place it on their lectern.
As normal, the children will join us for the early part of the service and then go off to their Sunday Groups. Later in the service, after the prayers of intercession the children will return and join us, and we will then enjoy our ‘Celebrations and News’ slot and hear what the children have been learning in Sunday Groups.
We will review these changes after a three-month period to see how they are working and to gather feedback.
Worship at Cambuslang Parish Church
Sundays 10.30am Morning Worship (With Sunday Club for children)
Communion celebrated after or during worship on the 1st Sunday
Tuesdays 11.45am Tuesday Service
Additional services as announced.
Contact us
Church Office: 0141 642 9271 office@cambuslangparishchurch.org.uk
Interim Ministers:
Rev Hilary McDougall 07940 455473 HMcDougall@churchofscotland.org.uk
Rev David Denniston 07903 926727 DDenniston@churchofscotland.org.uk
Session Clerk: Scott Hamilton sessionclerk@cambuslangparishchurch.org.uk