Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Kiltarlity and Wardlaw Churches
FROM THE INTERIM MODERATOR
Dear Friends,
In 1872 the poet Christina Rossetti wrote a poem which we know as "In the Bleak Midwinter." Rossetti was a devoted follower of Christ who for many years volunteered at the St. Mary Magdalene "house of charity," a refuge for women coming out of a life of prostitution in London. Some of the "women" were only twelve years old. Rossetti's efforts in offering Christ and helping find better jobs for these marginalised women came through in some of her poems. This carol pictures a Saviour who entered our world of suffering and brokenness — a world much like "the bleak mid-winter" of Rossetti's native land.
Well over a century later human trafficking remains a serious issue. One of the Guild projects which came to an end this year was “Terrify no More” which supported International Justice Mission’s ( IJM ) work on human trafficking in Cambodia. In order to get the local prosecutor in Siem Reap to issue arrest warrants for the perpetrators IJM investigators had to obtain critical evidence to prove that minors were being made available to customers. Sometimes informants came forward with incriminating information and a case was built up. The police were then able to rescue the girls. Throughout the long ride from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, they pressed their faces against the windows, pointing to the passing scenery, in awe of the beautiful landscape: a vivid image of newfound freedom. All the girls went to IJM aftercare homes where they received counseling and care to begin a new life.
Rosetti’s poem remains then very pertinent. In the light of Christ's great power and love, she asks: What can I give Him, Poor as I am ? This question would have weighed heavily on women struggling to come out of a life of prostitution. With their broken lives, what could they possibly give to Jesus ? According to Rossetti's poem, there is one thing that all of us can give Christ—no matter who we are. She wrote :
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb, If I were a wise man, I would do my part, Yet what I can I give Him, Give my heart.
None of us are perfect. Regardless of our tainted past or our present struggles, there is one gift that Christ wants more than anything — our hearts. No matter who we are or where we've been we can give him our heart.
With best wishes
Edgar Ogston Page 1 of 24
Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Advent purple 'belongs to Cadbury'
The Meaningful Chocolate Company has been forced to redesign its faith based range after it was advised that ‘Advent purple belongs to Cadbury’.
Last year the Manchester-based Meaningful Chocolate Company designed chocolate tree decorations to help parents and grandparents share the Christmas story with children. The box they came in was advent purple with a picture of Mary and Jesus on the front. In the box was a copy of the Christmas story and a Nativity character sticker set, used to decorate five blank chocolate discs.
The Meaningful Chocolate Company has been advised by its legal team that Cadbury has secured the rights to the colour purple in the UK. And so this year the Meaningful Chocolate Company has changed their packaging of religious Christmas Tree Decorations to a warm red.
David Marshall said that in any case, there would have been “little chance of confusion. Our box of Meaningful Christmas Tree Decorations are very different from Cadbury’s own decorations in a number of ways. Our chocolate is Fairtrade, Cadbury’s is not. A charitable donation is made from every sale, Cadbury’s do not do this. We have Jesus, Mary and characters on the front of our box and a copy of the Christmas story inside, Cadbury have a mostly white box with a snowman on the front and secular tree decorations in a plastic cover. The reason we use purple is that it has been used for centuries by the church during advent…. but apparently no longer…it appears that the association is now with Cadbury.”
St Nicholas – another look at this much loved saint
The true story of Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, began with a man named Nicholas who was born in the third century in the Greek village of Patara, on what is today the southern coast of Turkey. His family were both devout and wealthy, and when his parents died in an epidemic, Nicholas decided to use his inheritance to help people. He gave to the needy, the sick, the suffering. He dedicated his whole life to God’s service, and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. As a bishop, he joined other bishops and priests in prison under the emperor Diocletian’s fierce persecution of Christians across the Roman empire.
Finally released, Nicholas was not bitter, but all the more determined to spread abroad the news of God’s love. He did so by giving. One story of his generosity explains why we hang Christmas stockings over our mantelpieces today. There was a poor family with three daughters who needed dowries if they were to marry, and not be sold into slavery. Nicholas heard of their plight, and tossed three bags of gold into their home through an open window – thus saving the girls from a life of misery. The bags of gold landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. Hence the custom of children hanging out stockings – in the hope of attracting presents of their own from St Nicholas - on Christmas Eve. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols of St Nicholas.
The example of St Nicholas has never been forgotten - in bygone years boys in Germany and Poland would dress up as bishops on December 6th, and beg alms for the poor. In the Netherlands and Belgium, ‘St Nicholas’ would arrive on a steamship from Spain to ride a white horse on his gift-giving rounds. To this day, December 6th is still the main day for gift-giving and merry-making in much of Europe. Many feel that simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Thank You!
Kiltarlity Church of Scotland –“Raise the Roof” Appeal
The year of fundraising is now over – and we beat our target!
Tomnacross Church has replaced its roof at a cost of £53,287. From October 2011 to October 2012 we set ourselves an ambitious target of raising £20,000 and Mrs Ann Gloag very generously offered to match, pound for pound, all money that we raised. The addition of a £10,000 grant from the Church of Scotland General Trustees would take us to the total target of £50,000.
Now that the fundraising is over, we would like to thank
everyone who contributed to our appeal.
The total amount of money raised was :
£55,443
The breakdown is as follows: Individual Donations £6,985 Silent Auction £10,226 Christmas Wreaths £510 Ceilidh ( x2 ) £760 RagBag Collection £227 TCC Coffee Donations £70 Coppers’ Bucket £304 Gospel Choir £370 Smartie Tube Donations £389 Christmas Quiz £573 Tea Towel & Bag Sales ( incl. Kiltarlity Gala ) £946 Car Treasure Hunt £250 Belladrum £152 Gift Aid £1,605 Mrs Gloag Matched Funding £23,236 Church of Scotland General Trustees £10,000 ( Subtract Costs / Expenses ) -£1,160 Grand Total £55,443 Last Updated 21 November 2012
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
KILTARLITY CHURCH of SCOTLAND “RAISE THE ROOF” APPEAL.
A change of venue saw the Kiltarlity “Raise the Roof” committee and friends meet in Brockie’s Lodge Hotel for a celebratory meal to wind up their year of fundraising. A most convivial evening was had in celebration of the fantastic achievement of having exceeded their ambitious target of £20,000, thanks to the generosity of all those from far and near who worked so enthusiastically and gave so freely in donations and in supporting the variety of fundraising activities that were held. The committee expresses its heartfelt thanks to all those who helped make the year an outstanding success. It is good to see this handsome building and iconic parish landmark wind and watertight hopefully for years to come.
The evening ended on an optimistic and encouraging note with the committee not disbanding but deciding to meet again in the New Year to organise some social events for the church family and the wider parish.
Left to right Louise Watson, Ellenor Thomas, David Garvie, Ian Morrison, Anneliese Garvie, Margo MacLennan, Sheila Moir, Gina MacLean, Ron MacLean, Hamish MacLennan, and Annabel Fraser.
Committee members not in the photograph are Elizabeth Fraser, Ethna Ferguson, and Marjory Sandilands.
Thanks to Annabel Fraser for the photo and article.
Lord’s Prayer, updated
I had been teaching my three-year old daughter, Caitlin, the Lord's Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, she would repeat after me the lines from the prayer. Finally, she decided to go solo. I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word right up to the end of the prayer: "and lead us not into temptation," she implored, "but deliver us some e-mail.”
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Plot of land at rear of Wardlaw Church update
In the last month we have had an official note of interest in the site from Rhona Simpson of South Forrest on behalf of a person presently living locally and wishing to move into the Kirkhill village. The next stage is for the prospective purchaser to consult with the Highland Council planners and their own architect on a possible property build plan before making an offer.
The plot is still presently advertised at the Highland Solicitors Property Centre in Inverness, and on their web-site, along with the Church of Scotland web-site. The plot is now advertised on the LCD screen in the Cobbs Café at the Highland Industrial Supplies premises.
However, if you know of anyone who is interested, ask them to contact Anne Steele at the Church of Scotland Law Department at 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN Tel: 0131 240 2263 without delay.
Queen’s Chaplain to be next Moderator
Reverend Lorna Hood, a Queen’s Chaplain originally from Kilmarnock has been nominated to be the next Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. She was chosen on 30 October by the Committee to Nominate the Moderator in Edinburgh as Moderator-Designate. Mrs Hood will take up the office of Moderator on Saturday, 18th May 2013 on the opening day of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Mrs Hood who was born in 1953 and went to Kilmarnock Academy, was educated at the University of Glasgow graduating with an MA in 1974 and Honours BD in 1977. She began her church career as a probationer assistant at St Ninian’s Corstorphine Church in Edinburgh and was ordained there in April 1978. In 1979 Mrs Hood was called to Renfrew North Parish Church where she has served for the last 33 years.
For 22 years she served as chaplain in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she was responsible for the Women’s & Children’s Directorate and was part of a team which pioneered the care plan for those who had suffered loss during pregnancy or shortly after, with an annual memorial service. For this work they were awarded in 1992 the Association of British Insurers Medical Community Award. Mrs Hood has also been actively involved with the local hospice ACCORD, speaking at fundraising events and dinners and supporting staff and patients when called upon.
Mrs Hood has served on various committees in the Church of Scotland. In 2001 Mrs Hood was appointed a General Trustee and is presently Vice Convener of the Assembly Arrangements Committee and Vice Convener of the Business Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
In 2011 she completed her training for the Church of Scotland’s mediation project, “A Place for Hope” and has served in various capacities, including at present a group set up to consider the theology of mediation and reconciliation.
Mrs Hood married her husband Peter in 1979 and the couple have two children, Laura and Michael.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
OUT of the MOUTHS of CHILDREN …….
NUDITY - I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked ! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, 'Mum, that lady isn't wearing a seat belt !'
OPINIONS - On the first day of school, a four year old child handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, 'The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents.'
KETCHUP - A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. 'Mummy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle.'
MORE NUDITY - A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's changing room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, 'What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy before?'
POLICE - While taking a routine vandalism report at an primary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, 'Are you a policeman ? Yes,' I answered and continued writing the report. “My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right ?’ ‘Yes, that's right,' I told her. 'Well, then,' she said as she extended her foot toward me, 'would you please tie my shoe ?'
ELDERLY - While working for an organization that delivers lunches to the elderly I used to take my 4- year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, 'The tooth fairy will never believe this !'
DRESS-UP - A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, 'Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit.' 'And why not, darling?' 'You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning.'
DEATH - While walking along the pavement in front of his church, our Minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and some straw, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased. The Minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: 'Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goooes.'
SCHOOL - A little girl had just finished her first week of school. 'I'm just wasting my time,' she said to her mother. 'I can't read, I can't write, and they won't let me talk !'
BIBLE - A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. 'Mum, look what I found,' the boy called out. 'What have you got there, dear ?' With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, 'I think it's Adam's underwear !'
NOW IF THIS DIDN'T BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY, GO BACK TO BED AND FORGET EVERYTHING.
Thanks to Mary Bell for this contribution
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
KIRKHILL GUILD NEWS
Members from Kirkhill Guild accepted an invitation to join the Beauly Guild meeting on the evening of 5 November. We were made most welcome, along with guests from Muir of Ord Guild. The main speaker was Marjorie Clark of the Church of Scotland HIV Programme. Marjorie emphasised the effect of the Guild’s support ( both financial and otherwise) for the Programme, highlighting the positive results that had been achieved, but also warning of areas of concern.
The Kirkhill Guild meeting on 7 November was attended by Guild members and other members of the congregation alike. Our main “speaker” was Keith McClelland, who let his photographs and video footage speak for itself. Since moving to the Highlands in 2010, Keith and Mary have revelled in recording the beauty of the scenery and wildlife in the Highlands, and their love of the area was well demonstrated. Keith also masterminded and produced the now famous 20 minute film that is to be used to hopefully attract a new minister for us all.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 5 December at 2:30 p.m. in the church. Anne Lyle is going to follow on from her very enjoyable presentation on Easter flower arrangements in April, and give us a master class in floral arrangements for Christmas. If you want to join in with this, please bring a bunch of carnations or similar, or maybe a few silk poinsettia flowers, and a sturdy pair of scissors. If you can bring some winter evergreen foliage, even better. You can bring your own container and oasis, or otherwise these will be available on the day for 90p ( to include flower dish and oasis ). We look forward to seeing you – all welcome!
Rosemary Mortimer
CAN YOU HELP ? Wardlaw Church is looking for volunteers to deliver a Christmas card to every household in the parish of Kirkhill in week commencing 10 December. The delivery area covers Kirkhill village, Easter and Wester Lovat, Inchmore, Drumchardine, Newton Hill, Cabrich, and Bunchrew. Deliveries could be done at the same time as part of a healthy daily walk, or your daily dog walking, etc. Please speak to Iain Mortimer ( 782 648 ) with an indication of which area you are able to cover. Thank you.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Church of Scotland HIV Programme
Responding to the challenge of HIV at home and abroad
HIV continues to be both a cause and consequence not just of ill-health and death, but also of poverty and lack of development around the world. With five people infected with HIV and three dying of AIDS every minute of every day, the need is obvious. World Aids Day on 1 December each year looks to highlight this, with wearing of red ribbons and various events around the U.K. Wardlaw Church has joined landmarks in Inverness in being floodlit in red on the night of December 1st.
People living with HIV throughout the world do not look for our sympathy but our solidarity and practical support. The HIV Programme aims to provide that support around the world through its partnerships with church-related and other faith-based organisations and so to bring hope. The Church of Scotland is the only Church with a dedicated HIV Programme. The programme aims to fund church-based initiatives which will help those infected and affected by HIV to become more self-sufficient, through income-generation schemes leading to greater food security, providing new hope for some of the world's most vulnerable and overlooked people. The Guild has been a very effective supporter of the HIV Programme over recent years, adopting it as a Guild Project.
The Project was conceived because of the difficulty which people living with HIV often face: while they might be able to access the vital antiretroviral medication, it was difficult to take that medication without food. It can really be a matter of life and death, and therefore so important to help people access the food to take with their anti-retroviral drugs.
The HIV Programme's aims are to...
• Break the silence on HIV/AIDS. • Stand together with partner churches. • Offer practical support. • Speak up for the voiceless. • Involve every member of the church.
Some statistics from the 2011 UNAIDS Report
• AIDS-related deaths of children under 15 have dropped by 20% since 2005. • Annual new infections globally have fallen by 21% between 1997 and 2011. • Scientific research has shown that antiretroviral medication is 96% successful in preventing onward transmission of the virus.
BUT
• There are still 34 million people worldwide living with HIV. • Less than 50% of those who need HIV medication are able to access it. • Global funding for the AIDS response fell by 10% in 2010. • There are over 4,700 living with HIV in Scotland, with 400 new infections every year. Rosemary Mortimer
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
VACANCY – THE NEWS THIS MONTH IS ….
Two congregational meetings, one in each Church, took place on Sunday, 28 October 2012 following the worship service to elect 9 members of the congregation to serve on a Nominating Committee. Kirkhill elected 5 members – Angie Cosens, Iain Marr, Moira McDonald, Alasdair Morrison and Rosemary Mortimer. Kiltarlity elected 4 members – David Garvie, Sheila Moir, Ellenor Thomas and Neil Watson.
The Vacancy Advisory Committee from the Presbytery of Inverness ( Rev. Fiona Smith – Convener, Mrs Vivian Roden, and Mrs Joy Gillies ) met with the joint Kirk Sessions of the two linked parishes, along with the 9 members of the Nomination Committee ( N.C. ) at Wardlaw Church on Monday, 12 November 2012.
The meeting started with a showing of the film made by Keith McClelland of the two parishes and surrounding countryside and attractions. Minor changes were requested and these have been acted upon. You are able to watch the film via the internet - www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk then click on the “News” header, then click on “Vacancy News” and you find a link to YouTube to click on. Points covered at the meeting were :
Type of Minister – Rev. Smith impressed on the N.C. that they should gather information from other members of the Kirk Sessions and congregations which would help guide them in their search for a suitable Minister.
Parish Profile – a draft profile will be written and submitted to the N.C. for their additions, amendments, adjustments over the next few weeks.
Decision-making process - Concerns were raised from the floor about the process of making a decision on the charge, and specifically the voting on the sole nominee by the congregations. Rev. Smith explained that the decision-making process was a matter for the General Assembly and emphasised that the responsibility for making a decision lies with the N.C. It is imperative that the N.C. do their homework properly in order to recommend a suitable sole nominee to the congregations. Rev. Smith encouraged the N.C. to visit candidates in their home environment. It was agreed that it was more important to select the right candidate than select a candidate quickly. The N.C. was urged to resist any pressure to rush into appointing a candidate simply because time was pressing.
Approaching candidates – Rev. Smith suggested that it was in order to be pro-active in finding suitable candidates, i.e. make a direct approach to a suitable candidate. This has, of course, to be done with the utmost discretion. Members of the congregations should be encouraged to provide information about Ministers whom they have personally met / heard on their travels. Any such Minister’s name should be passed to the Convener of the N.C., Dr. Alasdair Morrison. The N.C. are the sole decision makers on whether that Minister’s name submitted is progressed, and they cannot offer any feedback to the congregation on the progress, or otherwise, of that name within the due process.
Confidentiality – There was a discussion about the difference between ‘confidentiality’ and ‘secrecy.’ It was agreed that it was important to involve both congregations as much as possible by sharing non-confidential information about the process, and in helping to identify the type of Minister desired. However, it is also important to ensure that certain details, including the identities of potential candidates are kept confidential and not discussed outside the N.C.
The Nominating Committee had their first meeting after this meeting, with Rev. Edgar Ogston as Convener, to elect a Convener and Clerk to the Nominating Committee. Dr. Alasdair Morrison was duly elected as Convener, and Mrs Rosemary Mortimer was elected as Clerk. The Committee met again on Monday, 26th November to begin the process of preparing the material which will be used to advertise the vacancy. The main element of this is the Parish Profile which will contain information about the past history and present situation of the congregations, vision and plans for the future, and details about the parish and wider community. Please remember to pray for the committee as they go about this work.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
The Morning after the Frankenstorm
I was up on Tuesday, 29th of October with a “hangover.” It was not from the drink ! It was a beastly storm, Hurricane Sandy, dubbed Frankenstorm because of its Halloween connections. Hell hath no fury like a ferocious storm, and this storm was hell. Willis and I were especially intent on keeping an eye on the storm. We had waited fearfully as Hurricane Hugo in 1989 lashed the Virgin Islands as two of our daughters Wendy and Amy were students there.
Wendy was away from the worst of it, but Amy was there in Charlotte Amalie, and only the grace of God kept her from being blown to bits. We anxiously awaited word from the girls and when it came, Amy said, “I have very few belongings left, but have survived. I have learned that you can live with one bra, one pair of dry shoes, and no makeup. God is good. I’m staying behind to help with hurricane relief.”
And now in 2012, when Hurricane Sandy hit the Eastern Seaboard of the USA, three of our daughters are living in New Jersey. Again, by the grace of God, they have survived the worst of the storm. Our grandson Ryan’s worst fear was not for personal safety but that Halloween might be cancelled, and that there would be no “trick or treating” this year. My feeling is that we’ve had the trick and now it is time for the treat of picking up the pieces and getting ready for another day.
When Willis told me this morning that Sandy had been downgraded from officially being a hurricane to a bruiser of a storm I was so delighted and awed that our smashing God who is the one who makes storm is the same God who takes them away.
I have been thinking about “Sandy”, and also about the storms of life. No matter how many times we try to avoid them, or sandbag them or run away from them, or seek to insure our property against damage, storms will come. But God who gives us the storm is in the midst of the storm, but sometimes very hard to find there. So, for all of those who have managed to escape this one, I have a choice for us, which song will we sing ?
1. “Don‘t know why there is no sun up in the sky, stormy weather, just can’t get my poor self together. It’s raining all the time.”
2. or “I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain, What a wonderful feeling. I’m laughing at clouds so high up above. With a song in my heart, I’m ready for love.”
Take your choice, saints.
The Statue of Liberty in New York City has been beaten and battered many times as she stands in the harbour to welcome immigrants to New York. She is unsinkable. She will never say die. Thanks be to God she has survived yet another storm and continues to “lift her lamp beside the golden door.”
So, with a sigh of relief, I thank God for being a bridge over troubled waters. I also thank God for being a life preserver for our three East Coast girls, Kirsty, Wendy and Amy. Once again they have made it through the storm.
“Let a smile be your umbrella. May life shower you with God’s blessings.”
Pat
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
BEAULY CARE PROJECT UPDATE
When Dr. James McLardy retired, he had an idea for improving the lives of people and their carers in Beauly and the surrounding area. This includes Kirkhill and Kiltarlity. Dr. McLardy’s idea was to have a Care Centre for all those who needed help to stay within their community. In April 2012, 60 people attended a public meeting and a group was formed to take this idea forward.
The next fundraising event is a Soup and Sandwich Lunch th on Saturday, 8 December in the Beauly Church of Scotland Hall on Croyard Road, Beauly. Lunch will be served between 12 noon and 2 o’clock and the cost is £3.00 per person. Christmas Market Stall and Raffle Please come along and support this lunch as all the profits from this event go to the Beauly Care Project.
If you would like further details, or wish to offer your time to assist in any of the aims outlined above, please contact the project’s secretary Belle Maxwell on 783 867 as soon as possible.
The next Third Sunday Praise will be held on Sunday, 20 January 2013.
( There will be no Third Sunday Praise in December due to the Kirkhill Primary School Carol Service being held on 16 December 2012. )
This Wardlaw Church event will be a mixture of praise songs interspersed with short Bible readings and prayers. This event gives everyone a chance to learn and sing new hymns and songs.
People of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, and from all Churches and none, will be made most welcome. There will be tea, coffee and home baking served at the end.
If you are able to play a musical instrument, and wish to share that skill, please speak to Alasdair Morrison – 831 185.
Due to the on-going refurbishment work at the Kirkhill Community Centre, the Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party will NOT go ahead this year
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
LOUISE MONAGHAN WISHES TO SAY THANK YOU !
My great nieces & nephew are great thank you letter writers. When they were small it was great works of art - strange creatures with multiple limbs! - but they have now progressed to well-crafted letter of thanks. It has always been a joy to receive them ! It is good to say thanks!
So I want to say thank you to Kirkhill churchgoers for helping me to get the new standing order giving system in place during 2012. Inevitably there were a few initial gremlins but the system is now working very well.
So onwards and upwards and time for a review ! Where do you want to go from here ?
Would you like to start giving regularly by standing order ? Do you want to increase the amount you currently give by standing order ? Perhaps you would like weekly giving envelopes ? If you are a tax payer and don’t already give through the gift aid scheme you might want a declaration form so that your giving is worth 25% more ! Maybe you just have a question !
You can get the answers, or the correct document, by either speaking to me, Louise Monaghan, in the Wardlaw Church on any Sunday or by sending me an email to [email protected].
Of course a thank you is due to you all for your generosity of giving Sunday by Sunday by whatever means you have chosen !
Copies of the December / January / February
booklet “Our Daily Bread” are available on the
table inside the Wardlaw Church. Please take one
to read daily with your Bible.
If you find this devotional helpful, you can use the
form in the middle of the booklet to arrange to
have future issues posted direct to you at home.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Sunday Lunch Club
Are you 60 or over ? Fancy a nice lunch made just for you ? If so then come along to the monthly Sunday Lunch Club at the Royal Highland Hotel in Station Square, Inverness. The Sunday Lunch Club meet th once a month, and the next meeting is on Sunday, 16 December,
The lunch starts at 1:00 p.m. and is a two course meal followed by tea / coffee.
The cost is £3.50 per person ( plus optional 50p tip ).
If interested, please ring Liz Syred on 07925 145 496 by Thursday prior to each date above to guarantee your reservation. Everyone is most welcome.
Please note you cannot make any booking for this lunch direct with the hotel, all bookings must be made through Liz Syred.
A thought for Christmas
This year is coming to an end.
Crowds in the shops Would drive you round the bend. Shop tills are ringing Carol singers singing.
The hustle and bustle Everyone in a tussle. Mothers shopping for food and toys Everyone full of Christmas joys.
When you open your gifts This Christmas time. Remember the best gift you could ever receive Was born in a stable far, far away.
It was a gift to us from heaven above To show to us, our Father’s love. It was the baby Jesus.
So let’s remember his birthday Please note that the ladies are taking a break over This Christmas Day. the Christmas / New period. There will be no By Liz Kennedy Coffee morning on Tuesday, 25 December 2012 and Tuesday, 1 January 2013.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
PARISH NOTICE BOARD
∗∗∗ Kiltarlity Free Church’s First Sunday Praise evening is on Sunday, 2 December, starting at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is most welcome to come along to this service. Tea and home baking is served after the service.
∗∗∗ Mrs Vivien Roden leads our worship on the first Advent Sunday in December. The Rev. Bill Freel, a retired Baptist Minister will take the service on Sunday, 9 December 2012. Rev. Freel has been attending Sunday worship at Wardlaw Church for a few months now and we are very pleased that he has agreed to lead a service at both Churches this month. At the time of going to press we are seeking a preacher to lead the service on 16 December as Iain Todd who was due to come will be recovering from an operation on a artery. Rev. Stuart Jeffrey will lead our service on the Sunday before Christmas Day, 23 December. The last Sunday service of 2012 sees the return of Mrs Joyce Mitchell, a retired Deacon from the Holy Trinity Church in Westerhailes, Edinburgh who now lives in Farr. Mrs Mitchell was last with us back in July.
∗∗∗ The Tuesday coffee / tea and home baking at Wardlaw Church is proving a great success, thanks to Mary, Anne, Maris, plus everyone who comes along to enjoy the refreshments and fellowship. Also a big thank you to all those who bring along home baking each week. This event will continue to happen every Tuesday between 10:00 a.m. and 12 noon. Please note the ladies are taking a festive break and the Coffee morning will not take place on Tuesday, 25 December 2012 and Tuesday, 1 January, 2013. Normal service will resume on Tuesday, 8 January 2013. You are more than welcome to come along and bring your neighbours and friends. There is no fixed charge for the refreshments, but a donation towards the cost will be most welcome. The Church sanctuary will also be open during this time for anyone who wishes to have some “private time” for prayer and thought.
∗∗∗ The Kirkhill Community Centre closed on 20 August 2012 for building and refurbishment work, and is not due to open now until late January 2013. Bookings for use of the Church during the period the Kirkhill Community Centre is closed should be made with Wilma Williamson – 831 737.
∗∗∗ Bulletin on Rev. Willis Jones. It was widely reported that Willis collapsed whilst conducting the Sunday morning worship at Cromarty Church on 18 November. Willis did “faint” and fell to the floor and was taken, under protest, to A&E at Raigmore Hospital by a nurse in the congregation and was discharged after 4 hours. As you are all probably aware, Willis has Type 2 diabetes, and Willis had “forgotten” to eat breakfast that Sunday morning, and this was a major contributing factor to his low blood pressure which was the reason for his faint. So after a check-up and ‘a talking to’ by the medical staff, Willis came home that day and resumed his normal hectic schedule on Monday, a little bit tender where he fell down.
∗∗∗ We have been very pleased over the last few weeks at Wardlaw Church to welcome Maria Taylor to our congregation. Maria is the wife of Ian Taylor of Inuvik, Newton Hill. Ian and Maria got married on 26 August 2011 in Barnaul, South West Siberia in Russia. Bureaucratic paperwork and processes, both in Russia and the UK, have kept them apart since that happy day. May the years ahead be filled with lasting joy and God bless you both with health and happiness.
∗∗∗ On Thursday, 29 November the funeral service for Becky Hamilton of Wardlaw Cottage in Kirkhill was held at Wardlaw Church. Becky, originally from Liverpool, was born in 1915 and is the mother and mother-in- law to John and Marjorie Hamilton. Rev. Edgar Ogston conducted the service at the Church and the interment was at Wardlaw Cemetery following the service.
PEGGY DUNN Rosemary and Iain would like to offer their most sincere thanks for all the help, kindness and support that they have received from the folk of Kirkhill, Kiltarlity and Beauly following their recent and sudden loss of Rosemary’s Mum, Peggy. We were greatly helped and comforted by the attendance of so many friends at Peggy’s funeral on 27 November, Edgar’s kind and thoughtful service, Mary Robb’s music, the discreet help of the members of our Wardlaw family at the service, and the warm hospitality organised by Mary Bell and friends at the Church after the service. We are taking a great deal of comfort from the many messages of sympathy, and for the warmth of the church family around us.
Rosemary Mortimer
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
OPPORTUNITIES to PRAY at this TIME of VACANCY
The power of prayer is awesome and we must not underestimate this power. We, the two Churches at Kirkhill and Kiltarlity, are just beginning on a journey to appoint a new Minister to lead us by the formation of a Nominating Committee. God does have someone in mind for this role for us and we must learn to be patient and trust in Him to reveal to us who that person is when He, God, is ready.
What we can do in the meantime is to lay aside some time to pray to God for the ability to understand His plan for filling our vacancy situation. We all need to pray for our Interim Moderator, Edgar and his wife Jean, and all the Readers, Deacons and Ministers who come each Sunday to deliver His word during our current vacancy. We must give thanks for the communities of the Churches in Kirkhill and Kiltarlity, and rejoice in the fellowship those communities have with one another.
These prayers can be made by individuals at home, privately or with members of their family and friends. However, to aid folk to focus on this very important aspect of vacancy, we are also making Wardlaw Church available during December for people from both Churches to attend for their own private prayer time within the Church walls.
The Wardlaw Church sanctuary will be open for prayer between 10 a.m. and 12 noon every Tuesday for anyone to come along and spend time praying privately. There will be no one present to lead any prayers, but the sanctuary offers a place of calmness and quietness. The sanctuary heating will be operational during these hours.
The Guild Room at Wardlaw Church will also be available for private prayer between 9:30 a.m. and 10 o’clock each Sunday before the Sunday service for those attending Sunday worship at Wardlaw Church. Starting on the 6 January 2013 at Wardlaw Church there will be a short prayer for the vacancy immediately following the intimations at the Sunday worship, led by a member of the Wardlaw congregation.
Again there will be weekly Evening Prayer meetings during December that will concentrate on praying for guidance and understanding at this time of vacancy. (There will not be a prayer meeting on 26 December.) Prayers for individuals and their needs, world issues, and whatever else is on the minds and hearts of those present will also be accommodated. Each meeting has a leader to start the meeting with a Bible reading and to conclude the meeting with a prayer. Prayers are both free and fixed, spoken out loud or silently to oneself. The meetings will be held in the Guild Room at Wardlaw Church and the short service begins at 7 o’clock and finishes by 7:30 p.m. Everyone from both Churches is most welcome to join at this time of prayer.
Kiltarlity Church hopes that the congregation will remember the vacancy in their prayers and encourages everyone to pray for guidance for the Nominating Committee as they seek the right Minister to lead our congregations.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Margaret Shiels was very interested to read in last month’s Parishioner that when Marina th Macleod and Paul Marlin were joined in matrimony on 17 October, Wardlaw Church presented them with a Bible on behalf of the Kirkhill congregation. This reminded her that when her mother and father, ( Ian Munro of the Bogroy Hotel ) were married in St. Mary’s th Church on 5 September 1939, her mother, like every other bride at that time, was presented with a Bible by Rev. Kenneth MacLean – see photograph below. Margaret is pleased that this custom has been revived over 70 years later.
Kiltarlity Church Flower Calendar 2013
A heartfelt thank you to all the ladies who provided the beautiful flowers in Kiltarlity Church, each Sunday during 2012.
The Flower Calendar for 2013 is now on our church hall notice board. If you wish to help, or wish to put flowers in the church to mark an anniversary or special occasion, please enter your name and telephone number against the dates of your choice. If you wish, you may share the provision / arrangement of flowers with a friend or family member. If so, both names can be added to the Calendar against the appropriate dates.
At special times such as Christmas, Easter, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday and Communion Sundays we tend to theme the flowers, and when it is possible, place additional arrangements in the church on these occasions.
Please do not feel daunted by feeling that you cannot arrange flowers ! A vase containing a few choice blooms can be very effective.
New flower donors / flower arrangers are most welcome.
If you have any ideas or wish information relating to our church flowers, please contact Mrs. Marie Harvey, telephone : - 741 328 e-mail : - [email protected] or Mrs. Barbara Wilton, telephone : - 741 352 at any time.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Members of our Church family and others to be remembered in your prayers
Walter MacFarlane is in good spirits despite still being housebound. Mairi continues to be Walter’s main nurse and support, and is still troubled by her own back which affects her mobility and keeps her from attending Church. Please continue to remember both Walter and Mairi in your prayers.
Betty Macrae is back home in Kirkhill and in good spirits but lacking a bit of confidence on her feet after so long in hospital. Betty has a zimmer frame to assist her to walk safely around her bungalow. Catherine, Malcolm and a few others are “keeping an eye” on Betty and Catherine is staying overnight with Betty. Please remember Betty in your thoughts and prayers.
Duncan Aitkin was released from Raigmore Hospital on 17 November after a five day stay following an operation to remove some stones. Duncan went to stay with his daughter Robina in Inverness following his discharge. Duncan continues to show improvement and is in less pain each day. Duncan is counting the days down as he is due back in Raigmore on 10 December for an operation on his enlarged prostate. Duncan is very grateful for your prayers and thoughts and he is still in need of the support over the coming weeks.
Lil Wilson had a successful replacement knee operation on Wednesday, 21 November in Raigmore Hospital. Lil was discharged home on Sunday, 25 November. When Mary Bell visited her at home, Lil was stood washing the dishes. Lil is making steady progress and keeping the pain under control with pain killers. Please remember Lil and Waddie in your prayers and thoughts as she recovers from this operation.
Andrew Fraser continues to make a good recovery at home from his open heart surgery in late October at Edinburgh Royal Hospital. Elizabeth reports he is in good spirits and showing improvements each day. Please continue to remember Andrew and Elizabeth in your prayers.
Iain Todd is to enter Raigmore Hospital on 12 December to have an operation to clear a blocked artery. Iain was due to lead us at two Sunday worship services this month. Please pray for a successful operation and a speedy recovery for Iain, and keep Iain and his family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.
YOUR ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT BY THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE
“Dear Lord, as we pray for a new Minister for our Churches, may we not seek our own preferences or bring our own agenda but ask you to fill us with your spirit, to unite our hearts and minds, to be able to discern your will and follow your plan in your time. Lord, prepare the person of your choice and prepare us to accept your choice. Amen“
The Nominating Committee are seeking the congregation’s thoughts and guidance on the type of Minister we are seeking to lead us and the type of prayer opportunities that are preferred. Please speak openly and freely to any member of the Nominating Committee over the next few weeks on this matter. Or give them a ring with your thoughts and desires that are needed to take our Church forward over the next few years. Members of the Nominating Committee can be contacted on :
Angie Cosens – 782 141 David Garvie – 741 038 Iain Marr - 831 609 Moira McDonald – 831 333 Sheila Moir – 741 618 Alasdair Morrison – 831 185 Rosemary Mortimer – 782 648 Ellenor Thomas – 741 330 Neil Watson – 741 876
A teacher asked her children, as they were on the way to the village Christmas carol service: "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church ?"
One bright little girl replied, "Because so many people are sleeping."
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Church Ladies With typewriters . . .
They're back ! Those wonderful Church Bulletins ! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services :
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
Remember in prayer the many that are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24th in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell ?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 p.m. - prayer and medication to follow.
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
This evening at 7:00 p.m. there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Please use the back door.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Free Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
It is a national institution – millions of Christmas dinners are timed to fit around it. All of us know that every Christmas Day, for as far back as we can remember, the Queen has appeared on our TV screens at 3:00 p.m. Well, this Christmas is the 60th anniversary of her first speech in1952. Why not send her Christmas card this year, to Buckingham Palace, just to say thanks ?
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
WARDLAW CHURCH, KIRKHILL TOMNACROSS CHURCH, KILTARLITY
An Advent candle will be lit on each An Advent candle will be lit on each Sunday in December up to Christmas Sunday in December up to Christmas
16 December at 6:30 p.m. 16 December at 12 noon Kirkhill Primary School Christmas Family Service Christmas Carol Service.
Everyone is most welcome to 19 December at 2:00 p.m. come and sing along with Tomnacross Primary School
the pupils and staff. Christmas Carol Service. Everyone very welcome, whether 23 December at 6:30 p.m. connected to the school or not.
Candle and Carol Service with the Celestial Choir. 24 December at 11:30 p.m.
Watchnight service led by the 24 December at 11:30 p.m. Elders and members of Watchnight service led by the the congregation
Elders and members of the congregation
The Church bell will be rung at midnight
Shiny new website !
In early November, David Garvie completed the mammoth task of updating the Kiltarlity and Kirkhill website. The new version of the website now has a fresher look, with new pictures, a typeface that is easy on the eye, and a more logical and streamlined menu structure. The website is a major asset in catching the public eye, informing the congregations, and, dare we say it, attracting a new Minister ! If you haven’t gone surfing for a while, click on www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk without delay !
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
MARRIAGE for the GOOD of ALL
I am sure you are aware that the Scottish Government has announced its intention to change the legal definition of marriage to allow two people of the same sex to marry. Before this change can go ahead the Scottish Government has a number of complicated legal and political hurdles to overcome. Some are outside their control, such as amendments to UK equality legislation.
An umbrella group, Scotland for Marriage, was formed on 30 November 2011 to support marriage as it has been understood for millennia: the voluntary lifelong union of one man to one woman. Care for Scotland, the Evangelical Alliance, and The Christian Institute support this initiative, and the campaign goes on despite the Scottish Government’s announcement.
Opinion polls, as did the Scottish Government’s own consultation, show that most Scots favour keeping marriage unchanged. The polls also show that it is perfectly possible to defend traditional marriage while also respecting the rights of others. Marriage is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It cannot be unravelled without it having far-reaching implications. The Scottish Government is refusing to accept that there will be instances of discrimination if marriage is re-defined.
A national petition for marriage, organised by Scotland for Marriage, has attracted the support of over 30,000 people in Scotland. If you support the current definition of marriage for the good of everyone in Scotland you can sign the CARE for Scotland petition available in your Church, OR by signing online at : www.scotlandformarriage.org Please do not sign the petition in your Church AND sign the on-line petition – a person may only sign up once.
Please pray that the Scottish Government will not proceed with the re-definition of marriage.
CANDLES – be safe !
Did you know – more than five fires a day are started by candles ? It only takes a moment’s distraction for a fire to start, but the consequences can be tragic.
Keep them away from draughts and anything that can easily catch fire like furniture or curtains. Don’t let candles fall over! You need to keep candles firmly upright in a proper holder. Always place candles on a heat-resistant surface. Night lights and tea lights can melt plastic surfaces like TV tops and bathtubs. Don’t place candles under shelves and keep them at least three feet from any surface above the candle. Don’t lean across candles! You could set fire to your clothes or hair. Always leave at least four inches between two burning candles. Don’t let anything fall into the hot wax, like matchsticks. Use a “snuffer” or a spoon to put candles out. It’s safer than blowing them, which can send sparks and hot wax flying. Keep candles out of reach of children, and the vicinity of pets. Candles that have been put out can go on smouldering and start a fire.
The best way for you to protect yourself and your home is to buy a smoke alarm. Make sure you test the battery every week. You can ask for a free fire safety check to assess your alarms by calling Freephone 08000 121312 or look at www.hifrs.org.
Many thanks to Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service for providing this advice.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
WARDLAW CHURCH FLOWER CALENDAR
Thank you so much to all the kind people who gave flowers and donations so generously throughout 2012.
Your generosity makes my task such a pleasure. If anyone in the congregation would like to help with the flowers please get in touch.
If you would like to put flowers in the church for a Sunday special to you, please put your name on the flower calendar which is in the entrance to the Church. A big thank you to everyone. Anne Lyle - telephone 831 453
What happened on Sunday, 11 December 2011 at Wardlaw Church ?
On Sunday, 9 December 2012 we will be celebrating the first anniversary of sitting on chairs, as opposed to pews, in the Church. I think all opposition to the decision to remove the pews was quashed after that first service, and we have total unity now that the chairs have been a success. Iain J. Mortimer
The 2013 subscription for Life and Work is now due. The cost for 12 copies delivered directly to your chair or pew is only £19.50. This represents a 19% saving on the £24 cost of a subscription by post.
Life and Work is the magazine of the Church of Scotland. In a history spanning over 130 years, it has established itself as the pre-eminent voice of the Church of Scotland. Though firmly rooted in the affairs of the Kirk, it also aims to cover a broad range of subjects of interest to church-goers across the spectrum from international affairs and British political and social issues to science, ethics and the arts. Each monthly issue includes a forum for views on current social and moral issues, a monthly meditation and regular articles on the spiritual side of life, reviews of the latest books, videos and Christian resources, and regular features on the Church worldwide.
Your cheque or cash for your subscription should be given to your Church representative, or Church Treasurer, as soon as possible or at least by the end of January 2013
Wardlaw Church – Moira McDonald / Louise Monaghan Tomnacross Church – Eileen Maclean / Ian Morrison
If you don’t currently subscribe to the magazine and would like to, speak to your representative and they will organise it for you.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
A Christmas Card from Culbokie ( dedicated to the Grandmothers and Grandfathers in the Special K’s )
Last night I dreamed a dream, which inspired this postcard to you for the December edition. I dreamed that our grandson Jack came to visit me in my beautiful, elegant, spotless Edinburgh flat ( only in my dreams is it mine ! ) The dream inspired me to write a sonnet to Jack who is always welcome in our Manse – along with our darling daughter and our son-in-law – Heidi and Tony Hercus. Here’s the sonnet ( don’t expect Shakespeare ! )
How do I solve a problem like my grandson ? Trashing antiques in my Edinburgh flat Bashing my Chippendale that was handsome Biting the dog and terrorising the cat Staining my carpet – not filling his nappy Here comes trouble his special intent Jack turns a three ring circus into one ! Pandemonium reigns when Jack appears He shines more brightly than the morning sun ! A little terror but my dearest dear I’ll drink to Jack ere his childhood passes With my Edinburgh crystal glasses !
Here’s to you – Jack – and to all of you and your dears during the Advent season Love, Peppermint Pattie
OGSTON NEWS UPDATE
It looks like we are on the move. At the time of writing I have been invited to be sole nominee for the parish of North West Lochaber based in Mallaig. I will preach for the charge on Sunday 9th December.
I realise that this will come as a bit of a surprise. The seed of the idea began in May when the General Assembly introduced more flexible retirement arrangements for Ministers and it became clear that we could offer a parish five years.
Lochaber was where we began many years ago and we would welcome the chance to go back. It feels like familiar ground. The core of the parish is the villages of Mallaig and Arisaig but there are preaching points on the Small Isles - Eigg, Muck, Canna and Rhum, plus Knoydart, Lochailort and Glenfinnan. As Jean is a Reader we feel we can cope with this quite well together.
If all goes well on the 9th December an induction around the end of February is the likely scenario. I anticipate that I will remain Interim Moderator until the Presbytery of Inverness meeting in February 2013.
Edgar Ogston
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Wardlaw Church contact Kiltarlity Church contact Maris Elkin 831 590 David Garvie 741 038
Interim Moderator – Rev. Edgar Ogston 782 260 or [email protected]
Kirkhill Sunday School – Margaret Birkbeck 831 518 / Flora Morrison 831 373 Kiltarlity Sunday School – Linda MacKenzie 741 313 / Anneliese Garvie 741 038 The Parishioner – Iain and Rosemary Mortimer 782 648 E-mail – [email protected]
CELESTIAL CHOIR 2012
Photograph by Rosemary Mortimer Back row – left to right Ian Morrison, Ian Dearing, George Fraser, Alan Jamieson, Trevor Jones, Gordon Simpson, Jock Fraser, Ron Maclean, John McLellan, Mary Robb.
Middle row – left to right Liza Quinn, Avril Marr, Mary McClelland, Ethna Ferguson, Margaret West, Flora Morrison, Vivien Reed, Jeanette McLellan, Maureen Matheson. Front row – left to right Betty Lowrie, Liz Robertson, Jean MacLean, Julie Fraser, Carol Jones, Lindsay Stout, Wilma Williamson, Margaret Johnstone, Bunty Dunbar, Jacqui Wilton. Jane Byham is missing from this photograph
The Celestial Choir, led by Mary Robb will be performing at the Candle and Carol Service at Wardlaw Church, Kirkhill on Sunday, 23 December at 6:30 p.m.
CAN YOU PLAY AN ORGAN OR PIANO ?
Wardlaw Church is seeking someone to play at least once a month at their Sunday morning services and at other times. Wardlaw Church has an excellent Allen organ or a clavinova piano available to play. A fee will be paid for this service. Further details are available from Mary Robb ( 795 553 ) or Iain Mortimer ( 782 648 )
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.
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Wishing all our readers a season of blessings from heaven above – Happy Christmas
Diary dates for DECEMBER 2012
2 December Worship at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. and KILTARLITY at 12 noon. Preacher is Mrs Vivien Roden - First Sunday of Advent 2 December First Sunday Praise at Kiltarlity Free Church at 6:00 p.m. 4 December Coffee / tea / home baking at Wardlaw Church at 10:00 a.m. 5 December Guild meeting at Wardlaw Church at 2:30 p.m. 5 December Prayer meeting at Wardlaw Church at 7:00 p.m. 9 December Worship at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. and KILTARLITY at 12 noon. Preacher is Rev. Bill Freel - Second Sunday of Advent 11 December Coffee / tea / home baking at Wardlaw Church at 10:00 a.m. 12 December Prayer meeting at Wardlaw Church at 7:00 p.m. 16 December Worship at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. and a Christmas Family Service at KILTARLITY at 12 noon. Preacher to be advised - Third Sunday of Advent 16 December Kirkhill Primary School Carol Service at Wardlaw Church at 6:30 p.m. 18 December Coffee / tea / home baking at Wardlaw Church at 10:00 a.m. 19 December Tomnacross School Christmas Carol Service at Kiltarlity Church at 2:00 p.m. 19 December Prayer meeting at Wardlaw Church at 7:00 p.m. 23 December Worship at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. and KILTARLITY at 12 noon. Preacher is Rev. Stewart Jeffrey - Fourth Sunday of Advent 23 December Candle and Carol Service at WARDLAW starting at 6:30 p.m. This service will be led by Rev. Edgar Ogston along with the Celestial Choir 24 December Watchnight Service at WARDLAW and KILTARLITY at 11:30 p.m. These services will be led by the Elders and members of the congregation. 30 December Worship at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. and KILTARLITY at 12 noon. Preacher is Mrs Joyce Mitchell Please note the Tuesday Coffee morning at Wardlaw Church will NOT take place on 25 December 2012 and 1 January 2013. Normal service will resume on Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Why you forget where you put the keys …..
In the run-up to Christmas most of us get forgetful at some point or other – and can be left wandering the house wailing ‘WHERE oh WHERE did I put the .....’ whatever it is you’ve lost.
It seems there is a good reason for this. People forget where they have left their keys and other household items because our brains are wired to recall emotionally charged events, rather than the mundane ones. That is why you can remember your first kiss beside the Christmas tree, which may have taken place decades ago, but you can’t remember where you left the car keys.... or even, the car !
The January 2013 issue of The Parishioner will be published on Sunday, 30 December 2012 Page 24 of 24