Christmas Day 2007

What a fabulous Christmas Day we had!!

Our day began by all attending a short Christmas Day
family service at Hopehall church.
When we got back to my flat we had drinks and snacks
whilst dinner finished cooking. Everyone wanted to help,
but I wouldn't let them all in the kitchen at the same time.
Dinner was a great success (even if I say so myself).

Bora, Heather, Lisa and Sugu

Fu Yu, Lynne and Jessica

Opening presents was great fun ...

The rest of the day was spent playing games, watching TV,
and generally enjoying the day together.

Aberfoyle Walk

Munish and Kate joined us for our annual Hopehall walk

from Gartmore to Aberfoyle with a very welcome lunch and
coffee at the Wool Centre. It was a cold, icy day but the
sun shone and everyone enjoyed themselves.

TABLEtalk - Christmas Party

A great time was had by everyone who came to our

2007 Christmas Party.
Twenty-six students came and were joined by more than
a dozen volunteers and hosts.

A HUGE THANK YOU goes to Ernie Lindsay who did a
fabulous job in the kitchen - it was a great meal!!
Other than eating, drinking and chatting we spent time
singing some Christmas carols and learning
'The 12 Days of Christmas'


Eric Garner performed an excellent monologue entitled
'The Innkeeper'

Jenny He (China), Graeme & Christine Clark,
Elaine (UK) and Munish (India)

Bora (China), Lynne, Tom (China), David Kennedy,
Tereza (Czech Rep) and Jessica (China)

Nan Magee, Raymond (China), Oliwia (Poland), Jack Peakman,
John Stickley, Arthur (China), Sebrina (China), and Billy Magee

Joyce (China), Ania (Poland), Anne-Martine (France),
Florent (France), Audrey & Scott McPhail

Fu Yu (China), Sugu (Malaysia), Cheryl & Roy Adair,
and Lena (Russia)

Aileen & David Clark, Pavas (India), Raj (India),
and Chang (China)

Jenny Wang (China), Tina (China), Mary & Eric Garner,
Hafsa (Pakistan), Peace (UK) and Kate (China)

Commemorative Ceremony

On Friday December 7th I was thrilled to be invited to the
Commemorative Ceremony for the official name change from
Paisley University to the
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND.
This change of name better represents the university,
which has campuses not just in Paisley but also in Ayr, Dumfries
and, most recently, Hamilton


Among the four people who received honorary doctorates at
this event was ALAN JOHNSON, the BBC correspondent
who was kidnapped earlier this year in Gaza
and held for four months.
His speech was very inspiring.

TABLEtalk: St Andrew's Night

I think it would be safe to say that a great time was

had by all those who came along to our

St Andrew's Night @ TABLEtalk

Many, many thanks to Gordon Whyte & Derek Peakman who provided our music for both song and dance!!!

A BIG thank you also goes to Alison Peakman who prepared a traditional feast of haggis, tatties & neeps!!!

For many of the students the ceilidh dancing was a new experience and they needed to listen intently to the instructions given ...

International Bible Study

We have been meeting together since mid-October and have been enjoying studying various Bible characters together and thinking about the challenges the lives of these people can have on our own lives.

Tereza - Lynne - Bora - Jean - Arthur

A Chinese Meal

A big thank you goes to Chang for coming and cooking us a fabulous Chinese meal. Thanks too to Bora and Sugu for their help.

This is us all waiting eagerly for our feast:

Alison, Derek, Lynne, Sugu, Chang & Bora

Fireworks & Hot Chocolate Night

17 students joined us for our annual

Fireworks & Hot Chocolate Night

- fireworks courtesy of the local council

and hot chocolate courtesy of Christian Growth Centre!

Jenny Wang, Tina, Tereza, Munish, Sumin, Jenny He, Ellen & Arthur

Raymond, Bora, Ania, Jessica,

Oliwia & Chang

Chang, Lynne & Raymond

Jessica, Oliwia, Bora & Janet

No, honestly, it wasn't that cold ...

Back to the Christian Growth Centre for some very welcome hot chocolate, fun & games - and a bit of a chat ...

Peace the 'professional'

Polish/Scottish Night

Several students came to the Church of the Nazarene in Erskine for a Polish/Scottish evening, that was part of a whole weekend of events. We all enjoyed many Scottish dances and the challenge of a Polish Polka!! There was a great buffet too with many delicacies from both nations.
Many thanks to Paul & Cathy and everyone who helped to make the evening such a great success. Thank you too for being soooooooooooooo welcoming!!!

Peace & Chang ...

Tina, Jenny & Ellen ...



John, Katrina & Bora ...




Some of these photos are a little blurry - but no-one would stand still ...