CHATTERBOX - Lochwinnoch

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From the Parish Church Look forward in faith, all time is in God’s hand. Walk humbly with him and trust his future plan. God has wisely led his people by his power. Look forward in hope, he gives us each a new hour. A. Scobie © 1988 The Panel On Worship, Church Of Scotland In years gone by, on Hogmanay, our family used to gather around the dinner table. As we ate, we would discuss the past year, remembering the good times; raising a glass to friends and family to whom we had said our final farewells; we would also mention, briefly, the times we wanted to forget. This past year I have learned that I have the wonderful gift to forget hard times. That doesn’t mean I remember the past through rose tinted glasses hankering for a glorious age which never existed; however, it does mean that I am lucky enough not to live in the past. Yet there are lessons to learn from the past and we ignore the past at our peril. The difference is whether we let the past inform our present, or define it. The Roman god Janus gives his name to the month of January. In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. Janus is usually depicted as having two faces, giving him the ability to look forward and backwards simultaneously. He looks to the future, but is forever also condemned to contemplate the past. He cannot contemplate the present; he cannot let go of the pain of the past – perhaps Janus, uniquely, does not have the power to forgive as he cannot let go. The Christian faith is based on forgiveness. When God forgives, God forgets. God refuses to live in the past. Being human we cannot let go of the past so easily. Yet faith is not a magic wand that means when we hand our hurt and pain to God the hurt and pain cease. Nevertheless, when we do hand our burdens to God, our load is lightened. While it is vital to learn the lessons of the past, we no longer live there. If we fail to forgive, in the end it is ourselves whom we hurt the most when we hold on to bitterness that should be laid to rest. We only need to look to the Middle East where the government of Israel and the supporters of Hamas seem unable to let go of the past. Both sides are letting the feuds and bitterness of the past define the present. If people on both sides could learn to let go and forgive then who knows how peaceful the future could be. If the past is a foreign country, so too is the future, yet we do not step into it alone. We step into the future together and with God by our sides. Therefore, we can look forward in faith, knowing that we take the best of the past with us and leave the worst behind. Whatever you face in 2009, may God bless you with health and happiness, Yours, Rev. Christine Murdoch Godspell As you will have read in Chatterbox before, as part of the bi-centenary celebrations of the Parish Church building in Church Street, we will be producing the Rock Musical ‘Godspell’ on the 26 th and 27 th March in the McKillop Institute. Godspell was written by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak and premiered in New York in May 1971. The play contains well known songs, such as Prepare ye The Way of the Lord and Day By Day. While written for 10 characters, the beauty of Godspell is there is a place for anyone who wishes to take part. Rehearsals begin on Tuesday 13 th January in the Parish Church at 8pm. If you cannot come to the first rehearsal but would like to take part in any way, then please contact me on 843484 or by e-mail: rev.christine@btinternet.com This musical is a lot of fun and no matter who you are, no matter how much singing or acting experience you have, we will find a part for you. We look forward to seeing you on the 13 th January at 8pm. Many thanks. Christine Murdoch
Fairtrade and Fair Prices for all Farmers Celebrating our Fairtrade Village Members of Lochwinnoch International Aid and its Fairtrade campaign group recently celebrated the village’s success in achieving ‘Fairtrade’ status with those who helped us reach this goal including representatives of Renfrewshire Council, the Community Council, the churches, LMEG and the Primary School. Thanks to the generosity of local people at Susan Lamont’s annual pupil concert, framed copies of the certificate ‘presented to the people of Lochwinnoch’ by the Fairtrade Foundation (see picture) will be displayed in those shops, caterers and organisations around the village that sell or provide Fairtrade products. We hope this will also remind everyone to support local farmers and retailers during these difficult economic times. The campaign group feels there is no conflict between supporting Fairtrade and, where possible, buying from local farmers and producers – at a Farmers’ Market for example - to ensure they are paid a fair price too. What Fairtrade stands for in Scotland and in the developing world ‘Fairtrade’ refers to products produced and sold with the now familiar Fairtrade logo on the packaging. ‘Fair Trade’ refers to the wider Fair Trade movement and national Fair Trade Nation campaigns. The National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFUS) and the Scottish Fair Trade Forum (SFTF) recently promoted their desire for a fair deal for food producers, regardless of where they farm, whether in Scotland or in the developing world. Their common goal is to ensure producers are paid a fair price for their goods, allowing them to operate sustainably. NFUS focuses on working towards this goal in Scotland while the SFTF works to achieve this in the developing world, through Scotland’s campaign to become one of the world’s first Fair Trade Nations. According to Jim McLaren, NFU Scotland President, “At first, Fairtrade and Scottish farming might seem unlikely bedfellows since Fairtrade is generally associated with the developing world. In reality however, NFUS and the SFTF share key common values. We both work to ensure food is produced in a manner that promotes and enhances the sustainability of agriculture and the wellbeing of families who rely on it. We both want a ‘Fair Deal’ for producers, whether for farmers in Scotland or in places like Malawi.” John McAllion, chair of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, said: “Scotland currently has a campaign to become one of the world’s first Fair Trade Nations, (and) our greater aim is to embed a commitment to fairness at all levels of Scottish society. Buy local meat, potatoes and dairy products to support your local economy and buy quality Fairtrade coffee, tea and other products that can’t be grown locally to help Fairtrade producers in the developing world get a fair deal. In tough economic times like this, buying local and Fairtrade goods is a sure way to get quality products while knowing that you are also supporting sustainable community and environmental development that impacts all of us positively in the long-run.” The Fairtrade symbol guarantees that people in developing countries get a fair price for goods like cotton and coffee that cannot be grown or produced locally. In addition some of their earnings go towards improving social provision such as health care and education which is often non-existent. Jennipher Wattaka, a Ugandan woman belonging to the Nasufwa Co-op committee and its Fairtrade premium committee said, “As a woman, being involved with Fairtrade is very helpful. We understand the coffee business now and Fairtrade has taught us how to improve the quality of our coffee. It also helps women sell their coffee, we have a good market now. Fairtrade is also giving women freedom of speech. When we are paid we buy what we want and don’t have to ask our husbands and we know how to budget for our household needs. We have tasted Cafédirect which has our own coffee in it. It was very delicious!’ What can we do locally? The Lochwinnoch campaign group hopes to gather support in 2009 by persuading more local people to start choosing Fairtrade products and buying from local producers or shops where they can. This will guarantee support for poorer communities as well as local farmers and producers: research shows that 80% of every £1 spent in local shops re-circulates in the community. The bigger aim is to promote Scotland's contribution to Fair Trade with developing countries, working with other bodies, including Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Fair Trade Forum to help Scotland achieve Fair Trade Nation status. During Fairtrade Fortnight from 23 February-8 March 09, we hope to be able to hear from a banana producer who can tell us the difference that selling their produce through the Fairtrade scheme has made to his community. Other events will include fund raising coffee mornings at the Junction and a Fairtrade coffee tasting event. We also plan to produce another shopping bag or a T-shirt to celebrate our Fairtrade village status. If you are interested in helping in a practical way with any of these activities, please contact Bob Turner at Tel: 843068.
Page 1 and 2: Nuisance Nuisance Nuisance Helpline
Page 3 and 4: Antiques, Curios and Crafts A dynam
Page 5: Provost’s Community Awards Nomina
Page 9 and 10: New books for January Being Elizabe
Page 11 and 12: What’s On (Regular clubs, classes

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