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