Thought for the Week
Jesus was well known for the stories that he told, and among the favourites is the story of “the Good Samaritan.”
A man on a journey through a place that is well known as bandit country. When he is beaten up and robbed, other travellers on the road pass him by. They are religious people, who ought to have known better.
Finally he is cared for by a Samaritan, a foreigner, someone the injured man had been taught to think of as different and not to be trusted.
The “Good Samaritan” has entered our language as a phrase to mean someone unexpected who helps others, who surprises us by their goodness.
Last week I was at a conference in Coatbridge, with people from different countries in Europe. We shared our stories of the biggest challenges facing our countries.
Time and again we returned to the experiences of people among us who are treated unfairly because they are seen as different. We told stories of refugees who have come looking for welcome, and find hostility and distrust.
We remembered that the challenges we face are about making our countries and our communities places of welcome to people who are seeking safety and security.
We remembered that we, too, have been changed because we have found kindness in unexpected places.
The story of the Good Samaritan is easy to tell, and easy to remember. What is not so easy is to put it into practice. Perhaps we can start by saying “thank you” to our Good Samaritans, people who have helped us in unexpected ways.
But more than this, the story invites us to be “Good Samaritans”, offering welcome and help to those most in need. Rev Dr Leslie Milton Cambuslang Parish Church
It’s going to be time for tea all summer long at Burnside Blairbeth Church.
The Kirkriggs Avenue building will hold Summer Tea events every Thursday in July, finishing up on August 4.
The weekly events offer the chance to drop in for a cuppa, try some home baking and browse stalls offering bric-a-brac and books.
There’s also a chance for youngsters to play, too.
Minister William Wilson said: “What we’re wanting with the summer teas is to have a place where people of all ages can gather together and meet up.
“There are activities for the children, as well as the chance for the adults to have a cup of tea and a chat.
“It’s somewhere where people can relax.
“It’ll be happening right through until the summer, until we start the children’s holiday club in August.
“Everybody’s very welcome to drop in and join us.”
The summer teas take place every Thursday, from 10am until midday.
Burnside Blairbeth has also announced the details of their summer club.
They will be running a holiday club for children from Monday, August 8,until Friday, August 12, again in the Rodger Memorial building on Kirkriggs Avenue.
The club will run from 10am until noon each day and this year the holiday club has a medieval theme called Knights of the King.
Children who have completed primary one to seven will be very welcome.
For more information, please contact Peter Blair, the children’s and youth worker, at the church office on 0141 634 7383 or by emailing theoffice@ burnsideblairbethchurch.org.uk
“What we’re wanting is to have a place where people of all ages can gather together”