"The first time I went to Abronhill I got lost. What's new? People have been getting lost traveling through Cumbernauld for years. And of course you just needed to stop and ask someone and they showed you the way. And that's what happened. This was in the days when I couldn't drive and enjoyed walking round Abronhill as I went about my visits. How things have changed. As I recall our time with you I think of how in such a short time so many changes took place
I enjoyed hearing of the early days in the hut and I recall how much my ministry was helped by my predecessors' hard work and the continuing support of everyone involved in all the busy life of the congregation. I think of building problems but mainly I remember faces...in sunshine or in shadow. It is easy to reminisce about these days, harder to keep this short for there were many highlights.
One thing that was always very important to me was worship, whether it was the sadness of a funeral, the joy of a wedding, or the great gathering for public worship. What mattered most though were the kirk people involved in the life of the community, living out the Christian way in the ups and downs of life. There are always ups and downs in life, even in a congregation's life, but the story of history is HIS story and in the ups and downs of our lives God is with us. Even when we think we have lost our way.
Yes, the first time I went to Abronhill I got lost, but there Anna and our family found great friendship and love and support. And always in the work of the Kirk, great enthusiasm and commitment.
We wish you well and I know that you will continue to show people God's way. Reaching to those who are lost and helping those in need ...through the many organisations that try to reflect this concern for outreach...by your commitment to your church....in helping your minister and the office bearers in their task. I hope that you will always travel with christ by your side and in the words of Sydney Carter's great hymn you'll sing "And it's from the old I travel to the new. Keep me traveling along with you""
"I have many fond memories of Abronhill, with its friendly people, its many activities, especially the youth activities and even the business of trying to figure out that beastly boiler at midnight. I hope nothing falls off or through the roof at the wrong time (rain for instance) and that the congregation will continue to grow and prosper.
With fond memories and best wishes from Gloria, David, Duncan and myself."
"I Look back with the happiest possible memories to 20 October 1965, when the congregation was launched with my induction in Kildrum Parish Church. That evening I invited all the Abronhill folk present to come along to the manse on Sunday morning at 11 o'clock and some 24 people (about 50% of the parish population at the time) did. Never again have I had such a high percentage turnout
From then until Christmas, we met regularly for fellowship at the Manse. Those were the happiest of my ministry - perhaps just because we were not deaved with maintenance of buildings. It was all about PEOPLE with common faith and a common purpose.
Much has happened since then. The holy spirit has guided us along different ways but still faith and fellowship are the important things".