John St. Progress

You're probably wondering what the inside of our John Street premises looks like these days?

To satisfy your curiosity we've compiled albums of photographs showing the work going on month by month.

Just click here.

"…and it doth not yet appear what we shall be…" 1 John 3:2 (KJV)

Sing This Christmas

Transformations

Work continues on renovating our John Street premises. We have received these photographs showing some of the progress.
You will note from the dust, even on the camera's lens, that it's appropriate for us to have alternative venues in which to meet during this time!
View the other photographs here.

Making Progress

Ayr Citadel Renovation
Project Update 2, September 2012

Whilst work continues, Sunday worship will be held at 10.45 in the Castlehill Church, North Hall. Please do tell us if you know anyone who needs transport.

The renovation project is focussed on making The Salvation Army’s John Street buildings watertight. Features include new electrical cabling, upgraded central heating and installation of a new commercial kitchen (for which we have just approved the layout). In due course, the walls and ceilings will also be redecorated. All this work should be completed by Easter 2013.

To date, the key progress points are:-

• Following a tendering process, Waterside Developments Ltd. of Kilmarnock were appointed as the primary construction contractor supported by SMS Ltd. for electrical and central heating work.
• Scaffolding is already in place, external work has started e.g. repairing and waterproofing the roof, and the ground floor pews have been removed.
• We are in discussion with various contractors about audio-visual, security and IT requirements and initially seek to ensure the necessary cabling infrastructure is in place.
• We are also liaising with various voluntary and public sector bodies to identify mission outreach opportunities and will keep you updated on progress.
• Fundraising is required for the project including:

1. establishment of a cry room
2. purchase of audio-visual / IT / security equipment
3. installing partitioning and new / additional doors (internal and external)
4. planning permission for removal of the pulpit and “change of use” for the halls.

Please let the Project Steering Group (PSG) know if you have any ideas for fundraising or if you would like any further information.

The PSG comprises: Douglas Johnson (chair), Robin Black, Bobby Irvine, Ruth Irvine, Leonard McIlloney, Mel Dunnachie, John Smith, Tim Stone, David Tomlinson, John Wood and Marjorie Wood.

Sing it louder, sing it stronger...

Calling all singers who would like to sing in The Salvation Army’s

AYR COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR.


As the summer draws to a close the Ayr Community Gospel Choir is calling all singers from 14yrs upwards (no limit!) to begin rehearsals for our Christmas Concert. Under the guidance and care of Bobby Irvine and the Salvation Army Ayr we are a non-denominational choir and extend a warm invitation to all members of the community, of whatever faith (or none), who enjoy singing. So come along and be part of something really uplifting and inspiring.

Now in our fourth season, Castlehill Church has become our home for our Christmas Concert which this year will be held on Sunday 9th December (time to be confirmed).
Rehearsals will be held in
Riverside Evangelical Church Hall
John Street, Ayr KA8 0BS

Thursday 27th September Rehearsal from 7.30 to 9.30pm.
Thursday 11th October Rehearsal 7.30 till 9.30pm.
Thursday 25th October Rehearsal 7.30 till 9.30pm.
Thursday 8th November Rehearsal 7.30 till 9.30pm.
Thursday 22nd November Rehearsal 7.30 till 9.30pm.
Saturday morning 24th November (to be confirmed)
Thursday 6th December Rehearsal 7.30 till 9.30pm.
Sunday 9th December Carol Concert in Castlehill Parish Church (time to be confirmed).


To join our choir please come along to our first rehearsal on 27th September at Riverside Evangelical Church Hall or to register online go to www.salvationarmyayrcitadel.info

There is a registration fee of £5 to cover the cost of music and refreshments and for those 14-16 years of age we will also require parents’ consent.

On the road again!

While the renovations on our building take place we have to move to temporary accommodations for many of our activities.

Starting on Sunday 23rd September until the end of 2012, we will hold our Sunday Worship in the Castlehill Parish Church Hall at 1 Old Hillfoot Road, Ayr, KA7 3LW.


The church and hall is located on the corner of Old Hillfoot Road and Castlehill Road in Ayr.


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From the roundabout at Ayr Railway Station, take the A713 towards Dalmellington and Castle Douglas. The church is about a mile along this road, on the left at the next roundabout.

A limited amount of transportation will be available on Sunday morning from John Street to the Castlehill Church - please contact Lieut. Tim or Cheryl at 01292 265813 if you need this service.

And so it begins

Work has begun on the renovation of our Wallacetown base of operations!

We hope to provide updates on a regular basis, but here are some photographs courtesy of Mr. Alex Mackenzie who is a student architect assisting the developer. Click on the photographs to see more of Alex's work at his own website.

Day Two.


Day Three

Sharing the Vision

Dear friends:

The 2012 Olympics came to a close with last evening’s celebration. The whole world was engaged for 16 days. No doubt its impact was felt all around the world with national pride at its best when the gold medallists stood on the podium, the relevant country’s flag raised and its anthem played.

In an effort to capitalise on the enthusiastic momentum within the United Kingdom, Prime Minister David Cameron has already launched a ‘go-forward scheme’ for young athletes. How far this nation came since London won the bid to stage the Olympics seven years ago! The vision was outlined in the bid but reality was a long way off. Naysayers struck a note of fear because of transportation nightmares, impact on the tourist industry and potential terrorist attacks. But today, only rejoicing and compliments are heard.

There are many stories in the Scriptures that recount similar negative reactions. It was not uncommon for people to see the giants and not the fruit (Numbers 13), the enemy forces and not God’s chariots of fire (2 Kings 6), the dry bones and not an army on the move (Ezekiel 37). It is not wrong to look at the ‘what if’s’ when mapping the future. Some of us are wired that way. We want to count the cost, plan for unsettling eventualities. However, when God paints the picture of the future with his ambitious promises and clear purposes, he asks us to step out in faith and take hold of the future with courage and confidence.

My travels in May to July involved five congresses (Denmark, The Netherlands and Czech Republic, United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland, USA Western, Mexico), the international Conference of Leaders in Canada and a weekend at Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings in USA Eastern. Participating in these events introduced me to visionaries and strategists. Each gathering took months, even years of planning after the initial concept was conceived. No doubt there were unique challenges. Yet the leaders pressed on believing that these series of meetings would be instrumental in bringing the territory together in worship, fellowship and mission. Even more significant was their belief that the Lord would come with blessing beyond what could be anticipated. Prayer undergirded every facet, every dream. And God did not disappoint! Mercy seat responses were unforgettable and new direction was established. Only the future will tell how significant these events were in the life of the Army. Please continue to pray in thanksgiving and in faith for a Spirit-filled Army.

As I write to you, I am aware that what I have shared is on the macro (large scale) level: Olympics, Old Testament accounts of the nation of Israel and Salvation Army territorial or international events. Yes, our God is the big picture God who plans in love for nations and churches. But he also has you in mind when he casts a vision of hope. There can appear to be many hurdles for you to overcome as you face the future, but be assured your God is gracious and mighty. Move forward today with courage and confidence.

God bless you richly and rest in the knowledge that he is with you.


Sincerely,

Linda Bond

General

Ayr bids Parkhills Farewell

Captains Graeme & Wendy Parkhill with children Joshua, Isaac, Rebekah and Luke

[Note: this article is a synopsis of a longer report of the day's activities which you can read here. Click here or on the Parkhill photograph to see more photographs of the occasion. -Ed.]

On Sunday 24th of June 2012, the completion of seven years of faithful service was celebrated as the local Salvation Army congregation and the wider community of Ayr bade farewell to Captains Graeme & Wendy Parkhill and their children Joshua, Isaac, Rebekah and Luke.

In the morning service three new Senior Soldiers (members) were sworn in, and 2 new Junior Soldiers (children) were enrolled by Graeme Parkhill and Penny Sullivan making the day special for Marjorie, Jackie & Fiona and new Junior Soldiers, Rebekah & Jack.

The farewell celebration lunch catered for over 100 people, and tributes were presented from representatives of the corps' youth and adult fellowship. Nicola Black spoke about how Wendy and Graeme had brought so much joy and fun into the activities enjoyed by the young people as well as the example of dedication they had shown. She also noted how much like family they had become.

Bobby Irvine spoke on behalf of the senior fellowship, noting that Graeme and Wendy "came as a package", and how their leadership, musicianship and Love of the Lord had been appreciated throughout the years. The family were then presented with gifts to remind them of their time in Ayr.

The Evening Celebration Service was led by Bobby Irvine, allowing the wider Ayr district to say its own heartfelt thanks.


The Reverend Liz Crumlish of Castlehill Parish Church paid tribute to a couple who demonstrated Christian love and values in all they did. Miss Iris Richardson – Deputy Headmistress at Forehill Primary School - expressed the gratitude of the school where Wendy helped with the Scripture Union, led the Choir, and along with Graeme, undertook assemblies and counseling during tragic events at the school. The Reverend Fraser Aitkin of St Columba Parish Church spoke in moving and humorous terms about Graeme & Wendy, bearing witness to Graeme’s Christian demeanour in all he did.

The crowd of more than two hundred were treated to a number of musical items during the evening, including “Christmas Joy” (Wendy’s favourite march) by the band; “Somebody Prayed for Me” by the Ayr Songsters (choir); puppets by the Performing Arts Club; “This day" by the Ayr Community Gospel Choir; and - by special request - Peter Graham singing "A Different Man" accompanied by his wife Margaret.

Capt. Graeme introduced a special item as a farewell gift from his family. The audience was delighted to hear Wendy, Joshua, Isaac and Rebekah sing “Going Up A Yonder”.


Graeme thanked the Community, the Corps and its Leadership Team for their support over 7 fruitful years of service. He noted that it was God’s plan that has not just brought the Corps home to a permanent facility and the promise of a newly refurbished building, but also to a position where the Lord will fulfill the next part of his plan through the new leaders of Ayr Citadel, Lieutenants Tim & Cheryl Stone.


The evening concluded with a song of affirmation “I’ll Go in the Strength of The Lord”.


After the service supper was provided for everyone, which gave time for fellowship and personal farewells to Graeme, Wendy, Joshua, Isaac, Rebekah and Luke.


Robin Black

Building Renovation update June 2012

Music for a summer's evening

To see more photographs of the concert click on the photograph above or click here.

A near capacity audience enjoyed a fantastic evening of praise and worship at the third annual Summer Concert of the Ayr Community Gospel Choir, entitled, ‘Then sings my soul’.

The concert was held last Sunday in the Ayr Town Hall and featured Queen Victoria Brass, (a brass band comprising players who once attended the Salvation Army’s Scottish Music School), the Ayr Community Gospel Choir and Ayr Citadel’s young people’s singing group.

Gordon Anderson’s Worship Band started the evening with a time of community singing, which was followed by a scintillating opening Festival Fanfare, Horizons, from QV Brass, featuring Chris Shanks on Euphonium. It was a breath-taking start to some fantastic playing from the young people in the band.

The Ayr Community Gospel Choir presented a variety of music - gospel favourites like Singing in the Heavenly Choir, praise like How great thou art and reflective pieces, like Somebody prayed for me.

But it was the young people who stole the show, with their performance of Sing Aloud – with young Luke Parkhill (4) singing in a dinner jacket, complete with tartan bow tie!

Major Catherine Wyles, (DHQ) brought a scripture reading and carefully crafted her message to link perfectly with the spectacular presentation by QV Brass of Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral. Her message was powerful and well received by the congregation.

A presentation was made to Captain Graeme Parkhill and Daniel Elliott, who had completed a marathon cycle from John O’Groats to Ayr to raise funds for the Corps Building Fund. When added to the fantastic collection at the concert, Captain Wendy Parkhill was able to present a cheque to Cadets Tim and Cheryl Stone (prospective new corps officers) totalling £7,003! An excellent total.

The evening concluded with an arrangement of favourite classic hymns, composed by one of Ayr’s own – Peter Graham, and brought to an end a magnificent evening of Summer Praise at Ayr Town Hall.
Graeme Parkhill

Pastures New

Just the other week, my wife Wendy and I received notification from the Salvation Army that we would be moving appointments. Right now we are the Salvation Army Officers in Ayr, but by the time the summer comes we will be leaving our congregation and moving on to pastures new.

We have enjoyed seven happy years in Ayr, and we will be sorry to leave the many good friends we have made here.

But it got me to thinking that life is never often terribly straight forward. It’s true that life has its twists and turns; its ups and downs – that’s certainly been true in my life.

Christians know that God promises to be with us through it all. He never promises that there will always be good times, but he does say “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you”.

In fact, he recognises and tries to prepare us for the tough times we will go through and promises in his Word “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown”.

Whatever your circumstances, whatever you are going through today, be it good or bad, I trust you will know the presence of Almighty God with you just where you are.

Graeme Parkhill

Cycling for building renovation

During the week of June 10-17 our very own Capt. Graeme Parkhill and Daniel Elliott are planning to cycle from John O' Groats to Ayr in order to raise funds for our building renovation project. They are collecting sponsors for this effort and you can sponsor them online! Capt. Graeme has set up a donations page at http://www.justgiving.com/Graeme-Parkhill where you can support their effort!

Pray for fair winds and strong legs as they undertake this adventure!

Use it or lose it!

Just the other day I was talking with one of the teenagers in our congregation and he was telling me that he has just finished his prelim exams. He’s a 6th year pupil at Prestwick Academy and is hoping to study at the Strathclyde Business School – one of my old stomping grounds.

As we were talking, it put me in mind of a conversation that I had with one of my teenage neighbours a couple of years ago.

She was struggling with higher maths – don’t we all – and she knew that when I was at school, maths was one of my best subjects. So she came and asked if I would tutor her.

I explained that it had been some years since I had studied maths, but agreed to at least look through her text books to see if I could help.

However, although my exam certificate proudly shows an ‘A’ for higher maths, when I looked at her text books, it was like Double Dutch. And I mused – It’s true – “If you don’t use it you lose it”.

Religion is better kept when it is practiced. Faith is about relationships. Christianity – living a relationship with a loving God –relationships are strongest when there is much contact and communication. The same is true with our relationship with God – but watch out – if you don’t use it you lose it.

Graeme Parkhill

Midsummer Concert Announced

You should mark your calendar now to attend this concert on Sunday 17th June 2012 at 6:00 PM in Ayr Town Hall.

Come Sing With Us

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SING GOSPEL?

Calling all singers who would like to sing in The Salvation Army’s AYR COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR.


Following on from the success of our 2011 Christmas concert and visit to Govan the Ayr Community Gospel Choir are calling all singers from 14yrs upwards (no limit!) to do it all again - this time for a Summer Concert on Sunday the 17th June 2012 at 6pm in Ayr Town Hall.


It would be great to see everybody again and you are more than welcome to bring someone new along!



The rehearsals will be in Ayr Community Church Hall 59 John Street Ayr.

• 22 March Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 03 April Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 19 April Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 03 May Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 17 May Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 31 May Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 14 June Rehearsal 7.30pm till 9.00pm
• 17 June Rehearsal 3:30pm and Concert 6.00pm

All new participants will need to register (click here!) and for those of 14-18 years of age we will also require parents’ consent.
We will request a subscription of £5 for the session, this will cover the cost of music and other expenses.

This invitation is to members of the local community and beyond to come together and form a ‘Community Gospel Choir’ which is open to everyone aged 14 and above – you, your friends, local people …. In fact, anyone whether they have a faith or not.