1968(Part 1)

The Good News for Modern Man Bible, a new paperback translation (Today's English Version) of the New Testament was published on January 1st by Fontana, costing 5/-. It had already sold 8 million copies since its publication in the United States the previous year.


There was a great deal of damage to the church roof during the storm of 14th- 15th January, and it would have been much worse if not for the prompt action of Rev. James Millar and Mr Bill Strain. Although insured, the church would be out of commission for several months. For three nights in a row Mr Strain led a party of men in the darkness and heavy rain on to the roof to effect emergency repairs. Since rain was still dripping into the chancel area, half a dozen men spent a whole Saturday re-covering the roof with felt. Services were held in the church hall and Communion was held in Castleton School. It was noted how people rallied round to give practical help and words of support, and volunteers went willingly on to the roof at their own risk.


The Sunday School departments and the Junior Bible Class put on the pantomime “Peter Pan”. They planned and rehearsed for almost a year, sometimes under extreme difficulties, and even in the cellar because of pressure on accommodation. The producers were the Misses Kathleen Grant, Irene Sinclair and Christine Stewart and the children whose ages range from 5 to 14 years not only acted and sang but also helped to make the props and scenery. The tickets were 2/6d for adults and 1/6 for juveniles. The proceeds from it, £53 4s 3d, went to Sunday School funds.


The Men's Association had two open nights, a Rutherglen Salvation Army musical evening, and for the first time in the church the Govan Flute Band at a cost of 2/6d.

The minister and Kirk Session decided to mount a campaign “to awaken a greater interest in all our members in the work of Castlemilk West and in the wider service of Christ, through an increased giving of our time, talents and possessions”. This was called “Impact '69”. “The services on Sundays were normally well attended; the youth and other organisations were going well”; they had “a devoted and first class ministerial team, and a host of willing workers”; they had been “repaying the building debt at £1000 a year (£1,300 last year) and had hoped to have it cleared by the end of 1968”, and it appeared that Castlemilk West was “going like a bomb”.
However “the plain fact of the matter” was that “they were working far below capacity”. “If everyone of the 1,200 – 1,300 members were really dedicated workers in Christ's cause”, it was felt that they “could revolutionise Castlemilk in a few months – the IMPACT would be tremendous”. It was stated that the vast majority of the members were lukewarm – content to come to church on Sundays and go away again.
Appeals to them for help fell on deaf ears. They needed Sunday School teachers, leaders for organisations, sick visitors, men to help with the church grounds and do odd jobs and helpers to produce and deliver the Crusader. Most of all they were needing help to go out to the thousands in Castlemilk who had no church connection and who were waiting to be brought into the fold. They were looking to revitalise the church, shake themselves from their nice comfortable rut and begin to move forward to greater rewards.
A massive Stewardship Campaign was to be mounted among the members of the church, spread over the months September to December, always hoping the impact would be felt in 1969. Every member would receive a personal invitation to come to a stewardship meal in the Church Hall, when all aspects of the project would be explained to them. The membership would be divided into seven groups who would come on any of seven evenings, so that no-one would not be able to come because the night did not suit. As they were determined to have as near 100% turnout as possible, babysitters would be arranged for those with young families, and transport would be provided for the old and infirm.


A joint display with the Junior, Company and Senior sections of the Boys' Brigade was held. The Summer Camp with about 40 boys, took place in glorious sunshine on the Isle of Arran, under canvas, and their Visitors' Day was “one to be remembered” with 54 visitors arriving. The Company, with regret, said farewell to Warrant Officer David Maxwell who had accepted an appointment in the Civil Service and had been posted to London.

The Church of Scotland Social and Moral Welfare Board decided to build a £45,000 hostel for 20 epileptic girls in the grounds of the eventide home, Queensbay Lodge, Edinburgh. They already operated a similar one for men in Glasgow.


The Compass Ski Club, Scotland's first Christian Ski Centre was opened at Glenshee Lodge, one and a half miles south of the Spittal of Glenshee. The aim of the club, which was non-denominational, was to provide good ski-ing facilities and expert tuition for beginners. The club was started by Rev. Bill Shannon, Warden of St Ninian's Training Centre, Crieff, and was to be run by Mr Archd Mackenzie, his wife and other members of the Ski Club. It had received encouragement from all the major Churches.


A clear majority of the presbyteries in the Church of Scotland opted in favour of women in the ministry, which meant that the General Assembly could declare women eligible for the ministry on the same terms as men, if it so decided.


On 28th April, Rev. James Millar preached on the words in 2 Corinthians ch. v.1, “We are workers together with Him.”, marking his first 5 years in Castlemilk West. During that sermon he said,”Here in Castlemilk West it has been wonderful to experience the co-operation of so many – all working away in their different spheres and with their different tasks, but together in our desire to extend the Kingdom of God in our midst.” The congregation, for its part, wanted both Rev. James Millar and his wife to know that they appreciated fully all they had done for them and were very grateful to them.


Since the long-drawn-out negotiations towards an insurance settlement had been agreed, work on the repair of the roof after the storm damage was able to begin on the 13th May and would take up to six weeks to complete. It was too soon to say when the church would be ready for use.

Mr Frank Kean of Simshill Road took over as Treasurer from Mr Bob Campbell who had done the job for two years and was now giving up because of business and other commitments. Mr Kean was a chartered accountant, with two young children, Eleanor (2) and Andrew (6months). He had been three or four years on the Board, previously coming from Ross Memorial Church in Dalmuir, where he had taken an active interest in the Youth Club. Mrs Kean was a former teacher in Castlemilk West Beginners' Sunday School.



The long-awaited Community Centre in Castlemilk Drive was opened on 24th April for adults over 18. A week after the opening the ceiling number was reached when 2,000 people had taken out a membership. There was a Main Hall and stage, with an excellent lighting system, a Lesser Hall for smaller functions, a Games Room, a fully equipped Woodwork Room, a Sewing Room, a Dark Room for photographers, a Lounge and a Tearoom. The tea would be 3d a cup, and the opening hours for members were 10.30–12.30, 2-4 and 6.30-10p.m. The warden was Mr George Absolom.

The first “Impact” meal took place on the 16th September, and by that time close on 200 workers had been committed and made into committees for clerical, publicity, visitation, hostessing, catering, transport, babysitting, etc.



Mr Kean, the Treasurer, informed the tax-payers in the church of the Covenant Scheme whereby if they paid more than £80 in tax per year the Church, as a registered charity, could reclaim the tax on the amount they gave to the church, if they were willing to declare it formally by signing a form. If they put 5/- per week, £13 per year, into their Freewill Offering Envelope, the church could reclaim £9, providing they agreed to pay this for seven years. Their Code Number would change slightly and they would pay an additional £2 per year in Income Tax.


Mr Hamish Gardner, Headmaster of Glenwood Secondary School since it opened, retired, and Mr Alexander Wallace, a native of Nairn, educated at Nairn Academy and Glasgow University, took over the job. Mr Wallace was an Honours Graduate in History from 1948, and had taught for 12 years in Albert Secondary and nine years in North Kelvinside Secondary School where he had been Deputy Headmaster and Principal Teacher of History. He had served in the armed forces from 1939 – 1946, and was married with one son of eight years of age.

Miss Jean Grigor, the deaconess, was awarded a scholarship for one year to study adult religious education, in Chicago, America, and would be returning to Castlemilk at the end of that time. Rev. Gordon Keir, assistant to Rev. Wm MacKay in Priesthill Church, came to Castlemilk West in her absence. Before entering the ministry Mr Keir was a member of St. George's Tron Church, where he took an active part in church life.