Parish Profile of Kirkmichael, Straloch and Glenshee linked with Rattray

Charity Registration Numbers: SC 008021 (Kirkmichael, Straloch & Glenshee ). SC 000323 (Rattray)

Welcome to

Kirkmichael,

Straloch Kirkmichael Church Rattray Church And

Glenshee

Linked with

Rattray

Glenshee Church

Welcome to our linked parishes situated in central , a most beautiful part of , and within easy rail and road reach of the cities of Perth, Dundee, , and Aberdeen. Kirkmichael, Straloch and Glenshee linked with Rattray currently has a vacancy for a minister due to the retirement of our previous minister; we have been given permission to make an unrestricted call and pray and hope that we will be successful in attracting a person who will carry us forward in our current endeavours within worship, youth work, outreach and service to our community.

These two parishes were linked in 1997 and, although very different in character, work well together, supporting each other’s activities and worship.

Where we live Rattray is semi-urban, situated some five miles south of the junction of Glenshee and Strathardle, beside the River Ericht and overlooking the Strathmore valley. The postal town is Blairgowrie, with Rattray being on the other side of the river from Blairgowrie. However Rattray has a strong community spirit and many activities still take place within Rattray itself. This is the centre of the famous soft fruit- growing area and whilst this is now not as large an industry as it once was, it is still famous and productive. Agriculture is important in this area and the leisure and tourist industry is becoming increasingly active with ski-ing, especially these past two winters, and also very popular with walkers during the summer. Rattray has a mix of council house estates and private housing. A development for 81 new houses has been given approval in principle to be built on a large field just down from Rattray Church. This will create a significant increase in the population of Rattray with the potential to gain new members for Rattray Church. Within Rattray itself there are also three establishments with special facilities for the care of older people, two of which are visited on a regular basis as part of outreach.

Kirkmichael is situated some 13 miles up Strathardle and covers a large rural area extending over two glens with a road and a river in each, converging at Bridge of Cally, and includes the settlements of Ballintuim, Blacklunans, Bridge of Cally and Kirkmichael itself. The community spirit is very much in evidence within the area, the main activities being agriculture, with hill farms being predominant, and tourism. It has all the positive features of a rural area, such as beautiful scenery, good support for social events - the Strathardle Highland Gathering is renowned - and organisations eg WRI, Youth Club, Brownies and a Scottish Country Dance group. It also has the problems of similar areas, lack of affordable housing and employment opportunities.

Glenshee is some 18 miles up from Rattray, at the foot of the ski-ing and walking area and has a very small collection of homes spread along the glen, two excellent hotels and of course the church.

The Old Bridge at Glenshee

Where we worship Rattray Church was built in 1820 and therefore has all the problems of an elderly building but is a beautiful church with a distinctive square tower of Italianate design, of which we are all very proud. The Wyvern Sonata organ was installed only recently thanks to a legacy and fund- raising efforts; it is a lovely instrument and has a wonderful rich sound. Rattray is wired with a microphone and loop system for the benefit of our members with hearing difficulties.

Rattray Church Kirkmichael Church was built in 1791 and is a small church sitting peacefully beside the River Ardle within its own graveyard in the centre of the village of Kirkmichael. Worship is led by an organ and Kirkmichael also has a microphone and induction loop system installed.

Interior of Kirkmichael Church

Glenshee Church was built in 1822 and sits beside the A93 at the . The congregation is drawn from the surrounding rural area, and this small church is a popular venue for weddings throughout the year with young folks returning home to be married and others who just fell in love with the area. Straloch Church, which had been further up Strathardle, has been closed for some time.

Sunday services are at 9.30 am at Kirkmichael and 11.15 am at

Rattray. Twice a month there is an evening service at Glenshee (4 pm

in the winter months and 6 pm during the summer). The Sacrament of

Holy Communion is held 3 times a year, on the first Sundays in

February, June and November and the Glenshee Communion is

generally in September. Outreach services led by members of Rattray

congregation are held once a month at both Hope Park Care Home and

Ashgrove Sheltered Housing.

What goes on Church Activities:

Rattray Church has a very active Guild who meet once a fortnight with a wide variety of meetings. The Guild run coffee mornings and other social events and are also very keen in supporting the Guild Project scheme.

It is hoped that the Sunday School will be restarted in Rattray soon after a break and this is being supported by everyone. Volunteers have been found to help and whilst it is still in its infancy we are very hopeful of this being a success.

A welcome team on a six week rota is always at the church door to welcome visitors and regular attendees alike.

Kirkmichael also has a small but active Crèche and Sunday School which in spite of the harsh winter has continued to meet on a monthly basis. Elders at both Kirkmichael and Glenshee regularly take part in services, giving the Bible readings. Elders and members share the task of welcoming folk to the church. ‘Care in and out of Rattray Church fulfils a need at both Hope Park Home and Ashgrove the Community’: Court with regular services within the homes and also a fortnightly ‘Tea and Chat’ at Ashgrove. It started as a craft group but as the residents became frailer with some unable to do craft, ‘Tea and Chat’ is thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Rattray Church Hall (formerly the UF Church) has been thoroughly renovated and modernised within the last five years and now serves as a Community Hall. A committee formed of members of the congregation and community is endeavouring to widen the scope of its activities and currently ‘Special Treats’, ‘Zumba Dancing’, ‘Silver Surfers’, ‘Buggy Club’ and the ‘SWRI’ all meet there. The Hall is also used for one-offs eg parties, wedding receptions and ceilidhs to name but a few.

Rattray also support very strongly several good causes, eg Mary’s Meals, the Bible Society, Raven Trust and Traidcraft. There is a Traidcraft stall once a month in the church which trades very successfully. Rev Levi Nyondo visited the area from Malawi some years ago and since then there has been a lot of support, prayerful and financial, for his part of Malawi. He was very appreciative of the ongoing support from the Raven Trust.

Kirkmichael Church members renovated their Session House in 2002 and transformed it into an Open Learning Centre under the auspices of the Congregational Board. A part-time Development Worker is now employed and along with a team of volunteers organises a range of activities both in the Session House and in the parish; these activities include art and craft activities, computer and vocational training courses, community drop-in sessions and the annual Summer Festival. A weekly knitting group regularly attracts some 15-20 ladies who have produced hundreds of items which have found their way to help various charities such as neo-natal units at Dundee and Perth, sailors via the Sailors’ Society and reaching as far as Malawi through a local contact with Mary’s Meals. The Management Committee for the Session House includes the members of other local churches and works enthusiastically to serve the community through this valuable facility. The Session House is also used for coffee after the church services, the Crèche and Sunday School and the ecumenical Lent Group, and is involved in the annual ‘Perthshire Open Studios’, bringing together the work of local artists for exhibition as part of this event.

The Young Folks: Youth Work: In keeping with modern demands Rattray has a Child Protection Officer who organises and runs courses within both the church and the local community. As all adults now need to be police checked before being allowed to work with children and vulnerable adults, this is a valuable part of our outreach with the community.

The Youth Forum in Rattray and Blairgowrie are an extremely active group of teenagers; they regularly lead the services, meet together to worship and learn more about Christian witness in the Community. They are an inspiration to all the congregation and it is a pleasure to everyone when they are present in whatever capacity.

iMPACT is a holiday club which is supported by the Youth Forum assisted by some dedicated adults; it is run every school holiday and reaches outwith the church communities to children who might never have the opportunity to learn about Christ and His teachings, and it is hoped they have fun as well.

Communication: Kirkmichael and Rattray both issue church magazines and weekly Intimation Sheets. Rattray Magazine is published twice a year in June and December while Kirkmichael’s ‘Across the Glens’ comes out three times a year and acts as a community newsletter. Both publications fill a need to keep the lines of communication open across the parishes. The Kirkmichael Session House Development Worker also co- ordinates the community website and runs an email news group. Of course there is also the internet and mobile phones - never mind ‘word of mouth’! Good road links keep the communities in touch and for those wishing to go further afield there are road and rail links with easy access to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.

Schooling: Education: Rattray and Blairgowrie both have modern primary schools which feed into Blairgowrie High School. Perth has further education opportunities with Perth College now incorporated into the University of the Highlands and Islands, offering a wide range of 6th form and adult education. Dundee has Abertay and Dundee Universities, the Dental Hospital Training School and Ninewells Hospital which incorporates Dundee University Medical School with opportunities for trainee nursing and medical staff.

There are also primary schools at Kirkmichael and Straloch, further up Strathardle. These are smaller than Rattray but nonetheless valued and active within their communities. Youngsters from these schools also go on to Blairgowrie High School for their secondary education.

School Chaplaincy: The minister is welcomed at all three primary schools and it has become customary for him/her to lead regular services in the schools. Rattray Primary school visit the Church as part of their education and end of term services are a regular feature - weather dependent in the winter months!

Where would you The Manse is situated on the outskirts of Rattray a short distance from live? Rattray Church, standing within its own glebe which is currently rented out for grazing. The house faces south over Strathmore, a wonderful view. There are four bedrooms and three public rooms. The kitchen is large with an Aga in it and the whole house is double glazed with gas central heating.

The Manse and views from the Manse south to the Sidlaw Hills

How many of us are Membership: there? Kirkmichael, Straloch and Glenshee currently has some 116 members and adherents spread widely across a very rural area. During the winter months attendance at services can be on the low side - especially this winter when it was long and cold with a lot of snow which lay for weeks. However what they lack in numbers they make up in enthusiasm.

Rattray currently has 390 members and adherents who live in Rattray and Blairgowrie and the surrounding area.

What happens when Medical facilities are good with two General Practices within folks are ill? Blairgowrie, a Community Hospital, mainly used for recuperation purposes and the elderly, but also a small Accident and Emergency Unit within the complex. Many clinics are held regularly at Blairgowrie Community Hospital saving the need to travel to Dundee or Perth. Dundee and Perth both have large general hospitals; Ninewells is renowned within Scotland and Perth Royal Infirmary plays a valuable part in central Scotland health care. The Ardblair Medical Practice has close links with Dundee University Medical School.

What about the The Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company (BARRC) was in future in the the process of building a small Hydro Electric Scheme on the River communities? Ericht above the footbridge over the river at Keathbank last summer. It was planned to have a turbine on the Archimedes principle which was considered very suitable as there is a low ‘head’ of water which it is hoped would generate about 50 kW. Unfortunately due to damage during the severe winter this scheme has stalled until the spring when it is hoped any damage can be repaired and the scheme taken further forward.

Funds have also been sought and obtained to build a new visitors’ centre further down river within the town itself but again this is currently in abeyance due to the economic climate but it is hoped this will soon progress.

The new housing development next to Rattray School which will eventually provide 81 houses is of interest to Rattray Church with hopefully prospective members both for the church and Sunday School.

Kirkmichael has recently had a small area of housing built which includes both rented and affordable housing, but mostly houses in the parish are spread throughout the area.

For whom are we We are looking for a minister who, within our different communities; looking?  can give leadership within our church life;

 can identify our weaknesses and lead and encourage us within those areas;

 can help us go forward in our outreach to the community and the wider world;

 can lead and encourage our members to use their time and talents to show practical Christianity within our ‘small’ world;

 can communicate both with the young and older folks in our communities.

And no we are not looking for a saint or perfection but a pastor and friend. Impossible - we hope not!

A copy of the Church Profile may be obtained from the Clerk to the Nominating Committee Mrs EM Mowat, Lismore, High Street, Rattray, Blairgowrie, Perthshire PH10 7DG.  01250-870303: email address: [email protected] or by accessing the church web site at: www.rattrayksg.org.uk

Applications should be made to the Clerk of the Nominating Committee together with the names of two referees (one a layperson).

Informal enquiries may be made to the Interim Moderator: Rev Bill Ewart  01250 876897: email address: [email protected]