Five years ago, I saw a lot of the inside of the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre as a patient.  Since then I've seen a fair deal more of it as a friend, as a volunteer, and as a minister.  Over that time, what was once the ubiquitous 'friends of' chairty has emerged, butterfly like, as the Beatson Cancer Charity and is combining the challenge of on the ground support - from free drinks in waiting rooms, to complimentary complementary therapies and more - with fundraising for research at the Beatson Institute.  I know oodles of people who have been treated at the Beatson, several who work, or have worked, there, and one employed by the charity.

So I am very thrilled that our joint serives of lesson and carols on Sunday will include a retiring offering for this charity.

I realise that if you are reading this in Auckland, NZ or Northampton, England, or somewhere else not Glasgow you can't come.  But if you are in or near Glasgow and have nothing else planned, please do come along, sing some traditional carols, listen to adult and children's choirs, hear the old old story, and have some fun.  And maybe bring a friend or neighbour too...

Lesson & Carols

Wellington Church of Scotland

Corner of Southpark Ave and University Ave

Glasgow

Sunday 20th Dec 7 p.m.

Today's choices are a bit odd (in my opinion) ... when I had a car I was a courtesous driver who let people in/out; when I do cook it is from scratch - and when I use ready meals I don't call it cooking!  So my only option today is the long queue of any shops I may be in... which probably means I have to go to the mini tesco at lunchtime as anywhere else someone will be lurking to monitor the queues and call out "first in here" to minimise wait times.  It's either that or the very inefficient post office (won't say which of three possibles that might be!!)