Annual Financial Report

BUSBY PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
Trustees' Annual Report, Year ended 31st December 2010 (continued)
Achievements and Performance:

                   A sense of wellbeing and happiness starts every New Year in Busby with the immediate after effects of Christmas and the euphoric performance of the drama group pantomime.    Then it is back to reality with the
weekly activities starting afresh and everyone settling into their familiar routine.    This normality lasted until early May when events to mark the 175th Anniversary year of the Church here in Busby began with a magnificent
ceilidh on the Friday night followed on the Sunday with a special Service, conducted by a former Parish minister
the Reverend Lawrence Whitley, after which all present enjoyed a lunch in the hall.
              When we consider events such as Sunday Services and social gatherings have taken place in these church premises for 175 years, it is a fantastic achievement for the village of Busby and its Parish. Did our forefathers envisage a 175 years of Church life when they built the Church? Their enthusiasm for the teachings of the Word of God and the need for a separate place to worship God was their motivation. Is ours any different? I don’t think so, and to our advantage we don’t need to build new premises, but we still need the enthusiasm for the teachings of God and use the legacy given to us by those who have gone before to best advantage.

                We need to continue to live and show example through our beliefs and to develop through our best efforts interest in others to join with us on lives journey from this centre in Busby. Can we consider another 175 years? We as mere mortals cannot, but through our Christian commitment during our time on this earth we should encourage as many as possible to join with us on our journey through life.

                  This could be easier said than done and I would like to draw your attention something which the Kirk Session considered necessary to take action on. That was the simple matter of general conduct within the Sanctuary during weddings and christenings, something which many of us considered common courtesy in respecting other peoples space and environment. Our dilemma was to welcome strangers and provide them with guidance yet at the same time be sensitive to their feelings and uncertainties. An exercise in balancing guidance and political correctness, something which we hope we have achieved. I hope this provides an insight to what challenges each and every oneand every one of us face on a daily basis and the need for us to call upon the teachings we have received through our Faith to guide others into making the world a better place.

                      As always the year has provided us with highs and lows, joy and sadness, and so many other conflicting emotions and feelings, yet we continue on through life stronger, more compassionate and more determined helped along the way by the teachings of our Faith.