KHPC Fabric Team

As the old year comes to a close; People's thoughts are often turned to what has happened in the past year. For many it can be a time of sadness and reflection, and for others it's a time to look forward--- to many new things. It does seem hard to believe that we are only 8 days away from the anniversary of the Great Storm which damaged our High Roof and much has been lost to us over this past year. However; in many ways we have been most fortunate, we have been tested in various ways, we have found a new fellowship and we still have a vibrant congregation who care about each other and the place in which we live, work and worship. The coming year will see changes for many, the effects of the Global Economic Downturn is never far from the front pages of the Newspapers, we can only hope and pray that those who may suffer from this will know that we at KH care for them. It has ever been thus that when times are hardest, people will seek out truth and enlightenment; we hope to be a...

Well that's Christmas done for this year! Unfortunately we didn't manage to have our traditional Candlelit Carol Service this year-----but next year is another matter! We ran out of chairs for those attending the Watchnight Service on Christmas Eve and I wonder if the Carol Singers at the Entrance Door helped or hindered? Whatever!----we certainly enjoyed a 'Good Sing' as others joined in, singing those long cherished carols, on a very crisp and clear night. We certainly didn't notice the cold, and Christmas Day Communion was busy as well with friends,family, neighbours and visitors all joining in worship of the New Born King. And then on Monday 29th., we had our last wedding of the year when two of our congregation were married on yet another crisp, cold but sunny day. The oak panelling in the 'New Session Room' glowed warmth from the rays of the sun.and it was indeed a very happy occasion. Thankfully for the guests standing around and waiting we were able ...

Look who turned up on Saturday? It was the KHYD's Christmas Party on Saturday and their special visitor also popped in to check us out. Apparently the party went very well. It certainly sounded like it. I also know the food was good, because those of us manning Open Church were each given a party box of eats. Much appreciated, (although I still don't like carrots, even if they are cut up into nice batons. But I did like the cheese and jelly bean combo!)

Detail from the windows in KH, this particular Lamb is particularly vivid, and it also illustrates that not all of the Stained Windows in KH need as much work as those on the Observatory Road side of the Church. When you get really close up, you notice just how much this particular glass glows..

So ---- now that the Fabric Convenor's sore knee is a lot better, and the walking stick has been cast aside it was long overdue, to go back up the Scaffolding. Gosh! it was very cold, it is very high up, but like climbing most hills and mountains the view was worth it.

I did promise that I would add the photo of the previously hidden signature. So here it is!

I like clear skies; it means that we don't have to worry about the weather too much and the rain doesn't get in through the Fleche. Keep on hoping that we can get away with this dry weather for a bit longer.

A week ago tonight, it was cold and clear, and in the night sky above Byres Road you could easily spot the con trails from overhead planes. Perhaps heading for warmer shores, perhaps not. Perhaps only carrying mail to far-off lands. Whatever; it got me to thinking of long-known Christmas Carols and the story of the journey to Bethlehem, the Nativity and of Shepherds and Wise men watching the Night Sky. Next week in the run-up to Christmas Day itself, various Services will happen, telling of those long ago days. As Advent draws closer to its finale we continue to watch and wait. The repairs to the Teacher Memorial window continue, and this week the Stone Masons have been working on repairs to the Stone Traceries. The remainder of the window has now been removed to the Studio for restoration and we look forward to its return. I took the opportunity to join them at the top of the Scaffold and inspect the work myself, while up there, I was able to hear the children playing downstairs, Clu...

Today Susan from Stained Glass Partnership called me, to apologise for missing the Christmas deadline for the reinstatement of our Memorial Window. I did say that it was OK as we weren't going to make it back into the Sanctuary for Christmas anyway.However she did confirm that all was going well and the window would be back with us in the New Year. It turns out that the window is signed by the Artist and Susan is forwarding a photo of the signature to me , as soon as I have it I'll post it on the Web; as it quite likely that it will be hidden again when the window goes back in to the Church. So now we look forward to our Christingle Service on Sunday Afternoon. Many of our friends from the local community will be joining us and some will be participating in the Service. Good wishes to all of them. I wasn't able to speak to our Architects today, as they were both away dealing with another client in the East, ---perhaps even, a little more famous than us! So that update can ...

Gosh! It's really difficult sometimes, to turn the other cheek, to smile and to love your neighbour,-------to walk with God: -------and even more tricky if you're a Fabric Convenor. Sometimes it seems easy to just let it all go, to let the building rot and decay --- but there are the people to consider, the community around us; those with faith, those with a different faith and those with none. They either live or work among us, and have come to know our presence and through that we hope to know God and Jesus Christ. Its all very well being flashy and hip when that is what is required, to provide soup and cafes and shelters. The clever trick is to be able to identify the gaps within peoples perceived options and that, my friend, is real Marketing. Within our own community there are many attractions which seem shallow and materialistic, every third shop is a cafe or bar -- and when did we come to need so many opticians? But just around the corner from the heaving hedonistic crus...

Oh! a frosty Tuesday Morning ----- again! I haven't stepped outside yet, as I've been ensconced in my office working on Client Reports since 7am. This evening, a visit to Glasgow Presbytery beckons, and the telephone has been red-hot since yesterday. Whilst working this morning on a Major Client file I found this picture of St Cecilia; she is in a building, with which we are involved professionally, and the glass design is by Burne-Jones, just like our Childrens' Window, which also has a depiction of St Cecilia in the upper rondel. This got me onto a train of thought; as to how many musical depictions are throughout KH. (Apart from the obvious ones of the Choir and Dr. Galbraith) I haven't counted them for they are many, as too are the Angels. After last weeks events, it strikes me just how many Hidden Angels are known to us, and also how many, are not known. As we go through Advent together let us all watch out for the hidden angels. They are among us as we wait.

Sorry for leaving this update so late, I have just returned from the frozen South after a nine hour drive. It did seem strange driving on the M6 on its 50th. Birthday and also being able to use the latest section to open, on the day it opened. Flying down on Wednesday over a frozen landscape was absolutely glorious. Thank goodness I was warm and not having to put my feet on the ground after Tuesday's freezing weather. Tuesday was a very busy day for KH much was achieved and KH was assisted by some very helpful and kind people in this endeavour. Some people went out of their way to help and for that, I for one, am very grateful. My own Tuesday started at 8am as I left my own house to go to the Church to allow the Electricians access to the Church Kitchen and Hall. Then, it seemed that I saw my own feet in front of my face. At that point, I bounced a little better than our Session Clerk did later in the afternoon. The long and short is;-- a nasty fractured Left Wrist, and plaster fo...