Hi Folks,

A Good New Year to you all.  That’s the festive season over once again and all I seem to have to remind me of it is a straggly bit of tinsel, an empty bank account and a tin of Quality Street!  Most things I can cope with but I’m struggling with the Quality Street.  It has thrown my life into turmoil.  Should I eat my favourite ones first, ensuring that I get them, or leave them till last so I can look forward to them?  But then I’d run the risk of someone else pinching them first!  Donna came up with a solution.  She would open the lid slightly and I could slide my hand in, grab a sweet, retrieve it, and hopefully my hand as well, before she slams the lid shut again!

Most of us will find 2012 will be a bit like that.  Sometimes we’ll get what we want, other times we’ll be left disappointed and disillusioned.  Usually, it evens out and we end up with something in the middle.  We have to take the rough with the smooth.  Although it‘s hard, when going through a rough patch, we have to believe that there will be something better round the corner.

For me, I know that even if I pick the chocolate coconut the next one will be a green triangle!

.Alison.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

31 December 2011

Dear Alison,

I’d like to thank everyone for the love, sympathy, prayers, support and encouragement I have received over the last few weeks. I’ve been suffering from a condition known as Bell’s Palsy.  This is not serious or particularly painful but it is very visible – one side of the face becomes temporarily immobile and it made speaking, driving and smiling very difficult.

I want to thank the members of my district in Eaglesham who all agreed to accept a telephone invitation to Communion. I apologise to them and to my Good Neighbour recipients who had the November magazine pushed through the letterbox.

I was overwhelmed at the number of friends I have in the Greenbank community and want to thank particularly the members of the choir who were really supportive.

I know that there are many members of the congregation who have much more serious illnesses or problems.  In Scotland, we have a tendency to hide our troubles, keep a stiff upper lip or think that folk won’t want to be bothered.  Not being able to hide my problem unless I locked myself away has made me realise how much people sympathise and how much a word of concern can make one feel better.  So, confide in your friends and, believe me, you’ll find that every member of Greenbank is your friend.

Yours sincerely

Liz

GREENBANK ADVERTISING INITIATIVE

We are now into our third year of this initiative and you will notice some of our advertisers have changed.  There is a waiting list but not too large and any future recommendations would be appreciated.

Reports by our sponsors have been positive and the take up for the next twelve months has also been encouraging.

May I thank all who have supported our sponsors and thank the sponsors likewise.  Please continue to let our sponsors know you have seen their adverts.  That is one good reason why they have returned to support the cost of publishing the Good Neighbour.  I can be contacted **  if you know of any individual, local or small company who may be interested in such advertising.

Robin

P.S.  Greenbank Church will not be held responsible for any contract negotiated by or on behalf of any person purchasing or receiving services provided by our Sponsors.

CHURCH TRANSPORT

Drivers wishing to change their turns, and passengers not attending church on any Sunday, should notify Jim Guy**

CHRISTIAN AID

You are warmly invited to attend the following forthcoming events.

1. The Annual Art Exhibition and Sale – Saturday 10th March, 10am to 4pm, Clarkston Halls

2. An Evening with Christian Aid and Close Shave – Sunday 25th March, 7.30pm, Greenbank Church Halls

Please note these dates in your diary.  There will be more details in the next issue of Good Neighbour.

Allan  & Anne

GREENBANK COLOUR CIRCLE

Greenbank Colour Circle will be making an exhibition of itself on Saturday 11^th February from 10am – 2pm when we will present our twelfth annual exhibition and art sale in aid of C.H.A.S.  Please come and support this worthy charity with your presence – and bring your friends!

Tickets are available from any member of the Circle or at the door on entry.

Thank you

Bert