Carry the Light

There is a new song!

AYR COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR
Summer Concert 2nd June 2013

A wonderful evening of praise, entertainment and glorious music; provided by QV Brass, The Gordon Anderson Praise Band, The Salvation Army's Erskine Community Choir, and our own Ayr Community Gospel Choir (A.C.G.C.).

A.C.G.C. continues to raise funds for chosen charities. For our 2013 summer concert the recipients were “The Salvation Army-Scottish Summer Music of School” and “Vulnerable Families in Pregnancy”.

QV Brass started the evening with a rousing rendition of The Champions.

Hosted by Castlehill Church of Scotland the Rev. Liz Crumish once again welcomed The Salvation Army to Castlehill.

Straight into the programme the A.C.G.C. accompanied by Robert Dibden on piano, performed two songs, first “There Is a New Song" the theme of our concert followed by "You Are The Light".

The Worship Band led the congregation in songs like “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” and other favourites.

QV Brass delighted us as cornet soloist Alex Ramsay played “My Love is like a Red Red Rose”. This was followed by our guest choir who treated us to a beautiful rendition of "The Rose" accompanied by Ian and Rebekah Pye on the violin. There followed another soloist from QV brass with a rendition of "Take up Thy Cross" played by Luke Williams on trombone.


Stuart McKinley entertained us with his presentations, the first an amusing monologue based around a director of a theatre group assessing their performance of Shakespeare's “Hamlet”. Stuarts’ second item was "The Conversion of St Paul" by John Betjeman.

Back came the A.C.G.C. with "Thank You Lord" then a stirring rendition of "Covenant" Lt Cheryl Stone joined Bobby Irvine in a duet before being joined by the choir in an uplifting finish.

Well into the second half QV Brass received tumultuous applause as they presented "Fire in the Blood" by Paul Lovatt-Cooper and "Crimond" by Peter Graham.

The joint choirs sang "Only thy Blood", "I Believe", an arrangement by Robert Dibden, and then closed with "David Danced". The solo part was performed by first time vocal soloist Andrew Irvine.

For the finale QV Brass raised the roof with their rendition of “River Dance”.

Note: You can view photographs of this and other Gospel Choir concerts by clicking here.

One Year to Go!

Don't miss this!

Doors flung open to welcome public!

And so, after many months of prayer, planning and preparation the big celebration weekend finally arrived and Jesus’ name was uplifted by the many people who joined in the festivities.

The theme for the weekend was “A New Beginning” and began on Friday 26 April by welcoming Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Relations, to speak on the contribution of faith groups to society.



A strong Christian herself, Ms. Hyslop congratulated The Salvation Army for its ongoing and significant contribution over many decades. She was keenly interested in the Army’s investment in a former Church of Scotland parish church and looked forward to the realisation of the many benefits expected from the corps’ community services both those recently established and those yet to be implemented.



Other speakers included Lt. Col. Alan Burns, Scotland Secretary and Mr. Ali Gilmour, from Riverside Church. Riverside Church is a close working partner of the Army in Ayr collaborating on many initiatives ranging from kids clubs, hospitality for those recovering from addiction and provision of food parcels for the needy and vulnerable, working in consultation with a wide range of local statutory and voluntary agencies.



Saturday 27 April was a busy day led by special guests for the weekend Lt. Cols. Ivor and Carol Telfer from THQ in London.

Although they had travelled a long distance to lead the weekend, the Telfers were no strangers to Ayr, and Ivor had spent the first 18 years of his life as a member of the corps.

Even the weather was good on the Saturday! A wide range of public figures attended, including church leaders, local councillors, and Mary Kilpatrick – the Depute Provost.



There were so many people waiting outside for the opening that even the main road, John Street, came close to be obstructed by the sheer number of people present.



Key events included a formal ribbon cutting ceremony, where Col. Telfer was assisted by Robert Sands (89) and Jack Simons (8) – the oldest and youngest soldiers on the corps roll.

This ceremony was followed by the unveiling of a plaque and a short service where Francis Aitken, DDBA, informed the public of the expenditure incurred and the funding sources used for the building project.



Later in the afternoon, the recreation hall hosted an exhibition featuring the work of the Salvation Army and local partner organisations – Voluntary Action South Ayrshire, RecoveryAyr, Access To Employment – and key contractors such as main contractor (Waterside Developments), and architects (LMA).

During the day, Jim McGinlay of LMA presented Ayr Salvation Army with the deeds of its former hall (now owned by the architects’ practice), which were signed by William Booth, the Founder of The Salvation Army.

On Sunday 28 April, the day began with a worship service led by the Telfers. A skit from Dads’ Army delivered a clear message that it is vital to get our priorities right.



The evening meeting was full of heavenly highlights, featuring the corps band, songsters and the 100+ members of Ayr Community Gospel Choir (led by corps musical director Bobby Irvine) the rafters were raised with praise to God. We look forward to God’s continued blessing as we seek to make disciples in His name.

Tim Stone 

Cafe Hope opening announced!

Ouch!

It hurts us to say it, but in all the recent reconfigurations, we lost the list of people who had subscribed to our "Happenings!" emails. So it's time to 'fess up, make our apologies, and ask you to resubscribe.

It's very easy to do, just find the "subscribe" box on the right-hand side of any of our web pages and enter your email address. To avoid the tribulations of spam, we ask you to verify by sending an email to the address you give - just click on the link and you are all set up!

If you are on social media, catch us on Twitter - @AyrCommunityChu - or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AyrSalvationArmy

Again we're sorry for the inconvenience, but perhaps you could use it as an opportunity to invite your friends to subscribe too!

Everything is new!

Since it seems that everything around Ayr Community Church is new and upgraded, we thought the website should join in the fun too!

Simpler navigation, a cleaner look, and an ability to display on every device from desktops to tablets to smartphones!

We're still loading photographs to that page, but there's enough to take a short trip down memory lane.

Watch the video about The Table and sign up!

As always, we appreciate your comments, especially if you like what you see!

Just click on the picture above, and you'll be there in a jiffy!

We couldn't wait!

7th April 2013 will always be a very special day in the history of The Salvation Army in Ayr.

For the first time since 2002, the corps was able to worship in its own purpose-built premises. Having received the keys to the renovated building on 28th March, the corps was keen to worship together under their own roof as soon as possible.



The congregation joins in praise.

Thanks to the determined efforts of a wide range of volunteers from the corps fellowship and from a range of community groups including RecoveryAyr, Riverside Church and the Community Service Team, the building was ready to use just over one week later on Sunday 7th April. The work included cleaning 200 chairs that were covered in builders’ dust, then bringing band instruments and songster music back on to site. Then there was an urgent need to find and place for everything and put everything in its place. Easier said than done!

However, that Sunday was also special for at least two other reasons. Bob and Carol Lambie were enrolled as new senior soldiers.

In his testimony, Bob explained that he and his wife had come to know the Army through the Ayr Community Gospel Choir (under the leadership of BM Bobby Irvine). After 30 years of searching, at last Bob had found his spiritual home. After publicly signing his Articles of War, Bob said he particularly appreciated the unconditional friendship extended to him and Carol by the entire congregation and went on to commit his own life to befriending others unconditionally in the name of Christ.


Bob and Carol are enrolled as soldiers.

Also that morning a new local officer was commissioned.

Douglas Johnson became Corps Strategy Director, joining the corps leadership team with particular responsibility for guiding the corps’ mission. His new role includes addressing issues such as deepening the corps’ spiritual commitment, evaluating the purpose of programme activities and encouraging numerical growth.


Douglas Johnson is commissioned by Lt. Tim Stone.

Corps Officer Lieutenant Cheryl Stone said “This fantastic building provides the corps with a wonderful opportunity to welcome the people of Ayr into our church community and break down unnecessary barriers and show the relevance of the church today”.

Lieutenant Tim Stone thanked God for the people God had provided the corps with both in the leadership team and in the wider congregation. “God has a plan for each one of us”, he said. “Together we will discover and live out what true discipleship means”.

We've got keys!

Yes! that's a lot of keys! But these are the keys to our newly renovated facility. After years of being nomads and finally purchasing the Wallacetown Parish Church, we have a place to call "home" which is tailored to our needs and capabilities.

On 28th March 2013 the final handover meeting was held and the project declared "complete".

Now the real "work" of the corps can begin again in earnest!



The architect Mr. Jim McGinlay from Lawrence McPherson Associates explains some finer points.




C.O. Lt. Tim Stone checks that all is in order.

Catch us on Twitter!

If you have access to Twitter be sure and follow us @AyrCommunityChu

We've now gone social! (We're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AyrSalvationArmy)

A New Beginning

Almost done!

In a few short weeks the renovations to our facilities in John Street will be completed.

To see the latest photographs inside the Worship Hall click here.

UWS Enjoys Army Band's Visit at Christmas

Ayr Salvation Army Band Visit


UWS UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND


Christmas Celebration
The University Spiritual Care Team supported The Salvation Army Christmas Toy Appeal 2012.


Ayr Salvation Army Band Ensemble play in the Atrium


A Christmas Celebration supported by members of Ayr Salvation Army Band was held in the Atrium on the Ayr Campus. The service was attended by members of the Spiritual Care Team along with staff, students and special guests. Rather than the usual retiring collection, attendees were asked to bring a gift suitable for a 12 – 18 year old to support The Salvation Army Christmas Toy Appeal. Gifts donated at the service were gratefully received by Lieutenant Tim Stone and distributed to needy people in and around Ayr.

[From the UWS Newsletter February 2013]

New features

The new view from the balcony in the worship hall.

You're probably getting a little anxious to know how the renovation of our premises in John Street is coming along.

Well, we've just posted some more photographs of the progress as of the end of January 2013.

It won't be too much longer before everything is in tip-top shape and ready for worship and service!

Click here to see the progress!

In addition to the photographs, we've added a new page called "Documents". This is a place where we can place longer reference material and documents which we think might be of interest to Salvationists and are of a more general nature than the specific programs in which we are engaged.

Have a look by clicking here.

Let us know what you think!

Tributes to caring Salvation Army man

The following article, by David Kiltie, appeared in The Ayrshire Post on January 25th, 2013 under the headline:

"David became a soldier of God".

Tributes have been paid to a man who became a committed soldier of The Salvation Army.


David Tomlinson, who died aged 61, was a member of the corps leadership team in Ayr.

Captain Graeme Parkhill said: "Wendy and I arrived at the Corps in 2005 and we immediately noticed David's compassion and willingness to be involved in alleviating needs."

David, who lived in Crosshill, was enrolled as a soldier, along with his wife Iris in 2006. And in 2007 he joined the leadership team, with an important community role.

Captain Parkhill addressed a packed Masonhill Crematorium for David's funeral service, and said David pursued his role with great gusto.

Many people were given a helping hand by David, while others were given assistance in unseen ways. The captain added: "On a personal level - there are not eloquent enough words to tell of the worth David was to Wendy and I and the family. He was a great friend."

David had started attending The Salvation Army in the year 2000, when Alan and Ruth Hill were the corps officers. And for a number of weeks he would sit outside the hall in Ayr's New Road trying to pluck up the courage to go inside.

It took him a few weeks, but eventually he made it through the front door. And so began an association and commitment that was to last until his dying days.

David's health was not good, due to suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But he took on the role of lay practitioner, traveling throughout Ayrshire supporting others with COPD.

Captain Parkhill said: "In my view, David was a great example of Christian compassion."

Residents of Aberley House in Ayr paid this tribute: "David was a very gentle and caring man who lightened the burden of so many unfortunate souls that ended up in the homeless system."

A Riverside Church spokesman said: "He was a great character with a huge amount of compassion for others. And he expressed this compassion in very practical loving action."

Glasgow-born David began his working life as a painter and decorator with his dad. He was a keen member of the Boys Brigade, joining the 137th Glasgow, and also serving as an officer. Even in his teenage years he was involved in helping the homeless folk in his native Glasgow.

David had two daughters with his first wife Barbara - Jill, when the family home was in Rutherglen; and Lynsey when they moved to Maybole.

New "Upcoming Events" page added

We have added a new page to showcase upcoming events that we think will have interest for you.

Click here to view the most imminent events.

Our worship centre is taking shape

Lt. Tim Stone surveys his new platform!

To see photographs of the latest progress on renovating our Wallacetown premises on John Street click here. These photographs were taken during the latter part of December 2012. The work continues to make steady and visible progress. Be sure and check back here for more progress reports.