CUPAR OLD PARISH CHURCH

“A church where everyone matters”

PARISH NEWS

Spring 2014

Cupar Old and St Michael of Tarvit Parish Church Kirkgate, Cupar, Fife KY15 5AN www.cuparold.org.uk

Interim Moderator Rev Dr James Connolly 5, Westwater Place, Newport on Tay, DD6 8NS Tel: 01382 542626 email: [email protected]

Minister Rev Harry Brown 6 Hall Street, Kingskettle, KY15 7QF Tel: 01337 830088 email: [email protected]

Session Clerk Mrs Jean Martin 1 Garliebank Crescent, Cupar, KY15 5JL Tel: 01334 652100 email: [email protected]

Treasurer Mr David Stevenson 10 Holly Park, Cupar, KY15 5DB Tel: 01334 654262 email: [email protected]

Secretary Mrs Liz Nelson Quarry Road, Cuparmuir, Cupar, KY15 5QP Tel: 01334 652077 email: [email protected]

Children & Miss Trudi Newton Families Worker 51 Crawley Crescent, Springfield, KY15 5SF Tel: 01334 656124: Mobile: 0795 192 6160 email: [email protected]

OPC Host Mrs Jill Brown 26 Upper Dalgairn, Cupar, KY15 4JJ Tel: 01334 657712 email: [email protected]

Property Convener Mr Hamish Ferguson 33 Maitland Drive, Cupar, KY15 5EU Tel: 01334 208518 email: [email protected]

Church Officer Mr George Brown 26 Upper Dalgairn, Cupar, KY15 4JJ Tel: 01334 657712 email: [email protected]

DEADLINE:

Articles for the Summer 2014 edition of Parish News must be in the hands of the Editorial Team by Friday, 2 May 2014 Editorial

Welcome to the first Parish News of 2014, a year which will challenge us as a congregation, as we wait to begin the search for a new minister. I hope that you, like me, will find the articles in this issue prove that we go forward in good shape and spirit. I would like to extend a welcome to Rev Dr James Connolly, our Interim Moderator, who will guide us through the next few months till we are able to begin the Vacancy process. It is a vital task to keep the Congregation fully informed of the various stages we are about to go through, and I promise that I will do everything in my power to make the way ahead as clear as possible.

As ever, I am grateful for the great faithfulness of the contributors to this issue of Parish News, who have taken the time to keep us abreast of the many and varied activities which are going on in the months ahead.

Colin Maclean Editor, Parish News

Congregational Register

Members Joining 26 Nov Alex and Ina Strachan

Deaths 8 Nov Margaret Peattie 11 Dec Robert Dewar 11 Dec David Wilson 13 Dec William (Bill) Hastings 21 Dec Isa Robertson 11 Jan Amelia (Amy) Cape 11 Jan Alan Doig 1 Feb R Douglas Cape

Baptisms 17 Nov Erin Catherine Farmer 24 Nov Struan David Kirk 1 Dec Isla Isabel Gibson 15 Dec Frederick Alexander Donaldson-Malloch 22 Dec Olivia Sue Macdonald

Hilary Webb Rollkeeper Interim Moderator

I have been asked to introduce myself and to explain how I understand the way ahead. First, let me begin by saying that I am very pleased to be of help to you during this time of transition. I am encouraged that you have an excellent preaching and pastoral care team. Your locum, Rev. Harry Brown, is well known to you as are Elspeth and Brian. I am grateful to your Session Clerk and the rest of your leadership team for all the support they offer. I hope to meet with the rest of the staff soon.

A little about me - I was ordained in 1982 within the Free Methodist Church working in the North West of England as a church planter. I was called to Balmerino (including the Gauldry) and Wormit in 2004 to be their Minister. I also work with NHS Fife as part of the Spiritual Care Team in St Andrews Community Hospital. I am Padre to 2345 Air Cadets at RAF Leuchars. I have served the Presbytery of St. Andrews as its Convener of Faith Matters and last year as Moderator. My main areas of interest in ministry are marriage formation and spiritual care within a palliative setting.

Presbytery has yet to form a ministries plan and as a result Vacancy Process is on hold. The Kirk Session will shortly produce a Vacancy Schedule showing that you are able to sustain the appointment of a Minister to this Charge. They also have to arrange an Electoral Register of the communicants of this parish which will also include, if registered, the names those who are not members of any other church and are in good standing at the time of the vacancy. The register will be laid on the table in church for inspection once complete, in order for folk to check their name is included and finally it will be attested by the Session Clerk and myself as the register of the congregation and sent to the Presbytery Clerk.

Once Presbytery allow us to make a Call, the Congregation will appoint a Nominations Committee, consisting of an odd number to a maximum of 13 elected from the Electoral Register, who will be tasked to bring one named individual before the congregation to preach and immediately followed with a ballot on whether or not to Call. This Call will be signed by communicant members - there is also the opportunity for non-members whose names are on the Electoral Role to sign a paper of concurrence. If the nominee is successful, Presbytery arrange for the induction and if needed, ordination of the new Minister.

Please remember in your prayers all concerned and I trust that we will know the Lord’s richest blessing as we work together and move forward, under God, into new blessing.

Your servant in Christ Jesus, Rev. Dr. James Connolly

Session Clerks Ramblings

By the time you read this we will be over two months into the vacancy. On Sunday 2nd February the Rev Dr James Connolly preached the charge vacant, in other words, his service marked the official start to the vacancy. Jim will be our interim moderator through the vacancy period. He will be responsible for advising the Kirk session and the congregation on what is required of us and what steps we need to take at the various stages of the vacancy. He will also provide us with valued spiritual guidance.

The vacancy could last for 12 months, perhaps longer. The St Andrews Presbytery needs to draw up what is called a Presbytery Plan; all presbyteries have been required to do this by ‘Head Office’ at 121 George St . Until that is done and approved we will not be able to start the process of ‘calling’ a minister. One good thing is that our own Brian Porteous is convener of the committee which is drawing up the plan, so he has a vested interest in getting things done just as quickly as possible.

Meantime we have appointed Rev Harry Brown as our locum minister. He and the pastoral care team of the church will together be responsible for continuing pastoral care, so we know that this part of our church mission is in good hands. We have a worship team consisting of Harry Brown, Elspeth Smith and Brian Porteous; they will share the weekly Sunday services and they are doing a great job.

Looking ahead we will be continuing the Discovery Process, which we started at the end of 2013 with the Discovery suppers. Look out for more information about this in this and future issues of the Parish news as well as in other church notices. We are also looking ahead to 2015 when we will celebrate 600 years of worship here at Cupar Old. We hope to have a full year of celebration. We will be looking for volunteers to help us plan and organise our celebrations, not just members of the Kirk session but everyone who feels the desire to help us mark this great event and help us to look forward to many more hundreds of years of bringing Christ’s message to everyone in Cupar and beyond.

We have big challenges ahead but great opportunities as well. Please continue to keep our Kirk, the session, our worship leaders and interim moderator in your prayers.

God Bless us all.

Jean Martin Session Clerk

Treasurer’s Report

When I sat down to write what is my first report in the Parish News, I had hoped, as your new treasurer, to bring you good news, but I am afraid I am unable to do so at this time regarding our finances. Indeed it seems that every day brings about more bad news in the form of another account to be paid. However, as treasurer, my remit is to improve the finances of our church and, with your help and support, I am sure we can overcome our present difficulties. Most of you will have received my letter regarding our serious financial position and I have to say that there is no improvement to the figures contained in that letter. For year ended 31 December 2013 we are likely to show a deficit of over £30,000. The two most significant items leading to this deficit are a gas bill for £11,000 for the period 2008 to 2011 but was only raised by Scottish Gas in 2013. The other large item causing our deficit was the non-receipt of our Go for It Grant until 2014. This amounted to £15,000 and may well turn out to be even less. We will have had further discussions with the grant authorities by the time you read this report.

To say that the above items alone contributed to our deficit would be wrong. I believe that for a number of years we had a culture of spending all the cash that was available. This money was spent with the best of intentions, but we were continually eating into our cash reserves to further our work. These reserves have now been exhausted and we must now only use our cash, firstly to pay off our debts and secondly, to prioritise our expenditure during 2014 so that we do not repeat this year’s results.

Some members have mentioned that the congregation wish to have more transparency with regard to our finances. I will do my best to keep you informed but you must realise that some things which must remain confidential. I can, however tell you that when the manse is vacated before the end of February we shall then prepare it for renting out during the period of the vacancy which has yet to be determined. As you would expect, we have already implemented some our cost saving plans and I hope to report on the progress we have made in my next report. Whilst we may be able to bring in measures to cut costs, it is you as members of the congregation who determine our income by way of your giving. In my letter I asked you to support our Gift Day on 9th March and, if you have not already done so, may I ask you once again, to support this appeal by donating as much as you can afford at this difficult time. I fully realise the responsibility you have placed upon me as treasurer but with your prayers and support and God’s help we shall once again have a thriving church of which we are proud to be members.

David Stevenson Treasurer

Property Convener’s Report

2013 passed with the Church, OPC and Manse basically requiring annual maintenance. We have excavated an open drain in the field behind the manse which should eradicate the threat of flooding the minister and his family experienced prior to Christmas 2012.

A Quinquennial visit in November 2012 resulted in some additional work being carried out. Every ten years Presbytery appoints a professional surveyor/architect to carry out an inspection of all Church Properties. This used to be carried out every five years (hence the name) but now it is the responsibility of each congregation (via the property committee) to carry out an intermediate inspection after five years.

The Quinquennial Report was received in February 2013 and divides all items noted into three categories, Urgent, Essential and Desirable. Urgent items require the work to be completed within twelve months. Essential items should be done within five years and Desirable items are deemed beneficial but can be delayed. The Property Committee is pleased to report that Urgent items should be completed by the end of this month. Items in the essential category will be budgeted for, to be carried out over the next two to three years.

One item noted in the urgent category was the poor condition of the boundary wall between the OPC car park and Short Lane, noting sections requiring repointing and repairs/replacement of numerous coping stones. After consultation with volunteers and costing new material the Property Committee decided to completely refurbish this whole wall which included rebuilding a badly bulging section, renewing all coping stones and repointing whole length. We are grateful to David Galloway, Ian Hutchison who between them supervised the volunteers who have successfully revamped this wall.

The Property Committee wish to offer their thanks:-

To Bobby Houston and his Thursday work party (currently on a winter sabbatical but will resume in April) for the maintenance tasks, too numerous to detail, which they carry out with a substantial saving to the Church budget,

To everyone who helped decorate the Christmas trees, and to everyone who has contributed in some way to help maintain our property to a high standard.

Hamish S Ferguson Property Convener Children and Families Worker Report

The past term was very busy with lots of activities for children and families. I would like to share with you the news since the last Parish News and also excite you about what will be happening in our church and community in the coming term…. Since the last Parish News… Messy Church Cupar Old held a pilot Messy Church. This was a great afternoon where families were able to explore the story of St. Andrew the fisherman. Families played games, made crafts, celebrated together and shared a meal together. Thanks must go to those on the team who made the afternoon possible. Christmas Gifts On 6th December, Christmas Gifts was held. This was an opportunity for people in the community to come and make Christmas presents for family and friends. Families enjoyed making a variety of gifts, including lavender bags, candy cane sweets, baubles, bookmarks, calendars, candle holders, heart baskets and decorating their own wrapping paper. Families shared a buffet tea together. It was a great afternoon. The atmosphere was buzzing with families appreciating the time spent together. Of course, Christmas music accompanied the industriousness in the OPC! Once again, a massive thanks to all those who made this event possible. Worship I have to mention again the children’s involvement in worship. The children and young people grow in confidence every month and their authentic prayers and involvement in the monthly services are so appreciated. Training I attended a training weekend in Aviemore in January. With 380 delegates attending, it was a perfect opportunity to network with other children’s workers, reflect on our children’s ministry, and be inspired and enthused with new ideas, some of which I hope to put into practise in the year ahead! Looking ahead to the coming months… Messy Church Since our pilot Messy Church, some of the churches in Cupar have met to discuss holding Messy Church regularly as an ecumenical venture. This is really exciting! The first Messy Church will be held in the OPC on Saturday 26th April from 3- 5pm. There are loads of volunteering opportunities with Messy Church. We need people on a welcome team, to help with the catering, to lead activities, to set up, to clear away and much more! If you would be willing to volunteer, then please get in touch! For more information, we will be having an information / training afternoon on Saturday 15th March in Cupar Baptist Church. Please come along to find out more if you can.

New Daytime Housegroup It is planned to start a new housegroup after the Easter holidays. This will be held in the daytime. It is hoped to have a crèche on offer during the housegroup in order to make it easier for families to come to a housegroup. If you would be interested in attending this housegroup, please do let me know. It would be great if you could come.

Easter Egg Hunt A Family Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday 12th April! More details will follow in the intimations and on the screens but it will be a fun event for all the family. Watch this space for news of the event! So there will be lots of news to tell you about in the next Parish News! We have lots to look forward to in the coming term.

By the time you read this, Lent will be upon us, when we spend time reflecting on God’s great love for us. We are shown again the importance, and the privilege of walking with each other, supporting each other and learning more about God as we do so. Let’s share that Love with our children, families and with each other in the coming months.

Trudi Newton Children and Families Worker

Changes in the Congregational Roll in 2013

At the end of 2013, the number of members on the Congregational Roll was 602. During the year, we welcomed 19 new members to our Church, six by Profession of Faith, three by Resolution of Kirk Session and ten by Certificate of Transference or ‘lines’. Twelve members lifted their lines and, sadly, we recorded the deaths of 24 members of our Church family.

Nine infant baptisms and two weddings were conducted in our Church in 2013.

If you have changed your address recently, or are planning to do so, please give the new information to one of the elders or to:

Hilary Webb Rollkeeper tel 652431 email [email protected]

The work of the prayer groups continue with the offer of prayer after the Sunday service, and prayer is also available for anyone who wishes it in the quiet room during coffee time in the OPC. The Sunday evening prayer group continues, along with the prayer chain for more immediate prayer. Intercessory prayer is ongoing.

The 24/2 event took place from 8p.m. on Thursday 2nd January to 8p.m. on Saturday 4th January at the Baptist church. This event began and ended with a short praise and worship service. I personally felt this was one of the highlights of the Christmas season. Two hours alone – just you and God; what could be more special?

At the start of this year our immediate plans are to try to increase our numbers, so if you feel led to join our team please pray about this, and let any one of the prayer team know. We plan to continue to have our twelve-hour prayer open days in the quiet room and our prayer breakfasts.

Keep Praying Cupar Old Janice Geddes

www.cuparold.org.uk

All those who use a computer to surf the world wide web will recognise the heading above as the address of a website - but did you recognise it as the address of the website of Cupar Old Parish Church? If you are a regular visitor, we hope that you continue to find the site a source of information on what is taking place in the congregation. If you haven’t visited before you are encouraged to do so.

The site contact details for the Interim Moderator, Locum Minister and office bearers, details of church organisations and activities, information for morning and evening services and information of upcoming events. The “listen again” page allows users to play back recent sermons - a chance to catch up if you missed the service. Back issues of Parish News can also be downloaded and read. During the vacancy the site will be regularly updated with news of progress - check the “Vacancy” tab under the “Home” tab on the front page. If you have any comments on the content of the website, or ideas for further items to be included please contact me at the email address below.

Jim Hanson Webmaster email: [email protected] Discovery Suppers Report

The Needs of Our Town and Community

This list of issues has been produced from the Crazy Paving Pathway developed through the 5 Discovery Suppers, which were held towards the end of 2013. The needs are grouped to provide ease of reference.

Transport Lack of transport to villages (post bus), car sharing, transport costs for commuters, later last bus to St Andrews, better bus services to Perth, East Coast trains to stop at Cupar, more x42 buses Young People Youth advocate, help with homework, Outreach relationship with schools, more leaders for older youth groups, After School clubs, Breakfast clubs, support for bullied children, obesity in the young, affordable evening activities for teenagers, supporting and influencing young people, Student discounts for travel to St Andrews Families Single parents, support for new families, childcare for in-service days, help for young parents, dads and lads camping, mums and girls activities, drop-in centre in NW Cupar, family support, cooking skills, baby-sitting circle, budgeting skills, support for carers, better activity times for infants, Homestart, affordable housing Older People Care home volunteers, garden swaps, shopping service, company to take a stroll, encouraging neighbours to drop in, support for the elderly, gardening and odd jobs for older people, help for the housebound especially in winter Major Social Issues Young offenders, homelessness, drugs and alcohol, debt counselling, links to police re petty crime, Credit Union, mental health issues, isolation and loneliness, implications of welfare reform, lack of employment opportunities, disenfranchised of all ages, poverty, careers advice for long-term unemployed Environment Keep the public toilets, improve traffic flow, footbridge at Eden Court, keep recycling centre, repair riverbanks, remove speed bumps, dedicated dog exercise areas, litter, improve the Riverside walk, improve street lighting, weeding Cupar Station, improve the visual amenity, unsafe pavements, traffic – crossing the road, walking routes better maintained and publicised, safe cycle paths Recreation Music for all ages, more allotments, modernise the Corn Exchange, pop-up sports, better advertising of community activities, better use of bandstand, cost of activities for all ages, no cinema, all ages community choir, less expensive venues Retail Empty shops, alternative supermarket, youth-run pop-up shop, lack of shoe shop, petrol monopoly, accessibility to Tesco for people with no car, fruit and veg co-op Other Bereavement counselling, salvation for Cupar, big community events, computer advice, help with filling in forms, listening ear, implications of the court closure, pastoral care outwith church, needs of people in work, immigrant workers, further needs of Foodbank clients, Befrienders, CPR training, visits to local hospitals

Youth Discovery Supper

On the 9th of February the youth of Cupar Old had their chance to contribute to the Discovery process with their own “Discovery Supper.”

We started the evening in the OPC by sharing some pizza and ice-cream. We then had great fun as some of the actors in our midst (in costume!) acted out a scenario which Chris had prepared in order to help us all to better understand just some of the issues which might exist in our town. This prompted a lot of discussion when we all thought through what we had seen.

We then thought about the things which we like about Cupar. There were loads of good things and we wrote them all down on pieces of card cut into the shape of buildings. These were glued onto a big sheet of paper to make a “skyline.” We went on to talk about what we thought Cupar needed and we wrote these things down on card “clouds” which were added to the scene.

The needs suggested were nothing if not varied, including housing for the homeless, friendship, a cinema and a KFC restaurant!

We read some verses from the bible which speak about our responsibility to those in need and Chris helped us to understand the main themes. We noticed that some words appeared more than once, such as freedom, justice and love.

All of us were given a small painted stone, on which we wrote or drew something to remind us of one of the needs each of us had suggested. We were then able to take them home and keep them beside our beds as a reminder.

The evening ended in prayer, with everyone naming the things written on their stones.

All in all it was great fun and a very productive evening. A big thank you to all who took part – your enthusiasm and ideas are really appreciated!

.....and remember to check out “Discovery Point” at the front of the church, where the display is continually changing to keep you up-to-date with where we all are on this journey.

Brian Ferguson Statistics for Mission

The Mission and Discipleship Council of the Church of Scotland is to be congratulated for their examination of a simple but revealing question: what do the facts and figures revealed by the 2011 Census tell us about the challenges and opportunities facing each congregation in Scotland today?

If you want to find out more how this question affects us in Cupar Old, please follow the following link for an overview of our congregation, and the wide range of statistics which have been uncovered by the 2011 Census. The profile gives us information about Cupar, taken from Scotland’s Census 2011. http://cos.churchofscotland.org.uk/docs/stats_for_mission/261550.pdf

Resources have been made available to congregations by the Mission and Discipleship Council at www.resourcingmission.org.uk to help make use of all the data. These new training materials include “Who is my Neighbour, and “Future Focus”, which examine the life of the congregation and community.

Colin Maclean

Flower Delivery

When we come into church on a Sunday morning, it is a pleasure to see flowers on the altar. These are kindly donated and arranged by various members of the church family. Some people choose to offer to arrange them on a Sunday that may mean something special to them.

What happens to them after a service? This was a question that came to me many years ago. The minister will nominate 2 people / families to receive the flowers. This can be a huge comfort to the recipients, as it may be that they are unable to come to church due to frailty, illness or major life crisis. The flowers can bring comfort after the death of a loved one or on an anniversary many years down the line.

We rely on volunteers being willing to offer to both donate and arrange the flowers or to be the person who delivers them to people’s homes. Please do prayerfully consider if this is something you could offer to be involved with.

If you would like to know more about donating flowers or delivering them please do contact Janet Connell (church flowers - 655122) or Helen Manson (delivery - 655931).

Cupar Old Parish Church Church and Community Weekly Activities

MONDAY ! 10.00 – 1.30pm W Morning Coffee contact Jill Brown 657712 " 10.15-11.30am W Elderly Forum Exercise contact Iain Anderson 652537 ! 11.45am – 1.15pm W Monday Lunches contact Jean Martin 652100 " 2.00-4.00pm M Hard of Hearing Group contact Monica Mackay [email protected] • 4.00-8.30pm W Judo contact John Buchanan 07718997442

TUESDAY ! 9.30-11.30am; 1-3pm TT Tots on Tuesday contact Sophie Milne 654994 • 4.00-5.45pm TT Yvonne Gray School of Dance contact Yvonne Gray 653253 ! 6.30-8.00pm W Badminton contact Liz Clark 01333 351785 " 7.30-9.30pm TT Cupar Youth Theatre contact Ruth Anderson 652469

WEDNESDAY ! 10.00 – 1.00pm TT Morning Coffee contact Jill Brown 657712 • 10.30-11.30am TT Cupar Pre-School Music contact Alice K!nig 01333 313231 ! 2.00 – 3.30pm 3rd Wed of Month Altzheimers Cafè contact Shena Porteous 653561 Lorna Stevenson 654262 " 6.15-7.15pm W Badminton (Sept – March) contact Frances McBride 655445 " 6.30-9.30pm M Cupar Quilters (Sep – Jun) contact Margaret Sinclair 657442 " 7.00-9.00pm M Julie’s Sewing Bee contact Julie Culton 07956253283 ! 7.30-9.30pm F Guild (Sep – Mar) contact Eileen Spurr 655010

THURSDAY ! 10.00 – 12noon W Morning Coffee contact Jill Brown 657712 " 1.00-3.00pm TT Babies and Toddlers contact Marion Cruickshank 655271 Morag Scott 657290 ! 2.00-4.00pm M Knitter’s Circle contact Robin Rutherford 652716 • 3.45-8.00pm TT Yvonne Gray School of Dance contact Yvonne Gray 653253 " 7.00-9.00pm M Cupar Quilters (Sep- May) contact Margaret Sinclair 657442 " 7.30-9.00pm W Eden Handbell Group contact Elspeth Smith 653269

FRIDAY ! 9.30-11.30am W Secretary’s Consultation contact Liz Nelson 652077 • 10.00-11.15am TT Signs and Rhymes contact Jenni Horn 07967010727 " 10.00-12noon W Patchwork Class (Sept- March) Contact Anne Hoggan 656992 • 10.00-12noon TT Circle Dancing contact Rose Cross 657896 " 2.00-4.00pm M Elderly Forum contact Iain Anderson 652537

SATURDAY ! 7.00-8.00am M Hill Walks (April-Nov) contact Lynne Smith 01337 831230 ! 8.00-9.00am M Rambles (April-Sept) contact Peter Manson 655931

SUNDAY ! 10.15-12noon W Crèche contact Morag Scott 657290 ! 10.30-12noon W Sunday Club/Activities contacts Jacqui Caldwell 653756 Susan Beaumont 01337 827401 " 2.00-5.00pm W Cando Dance Group contact Owen Harrison 01383 415142 ! 6.30-7.30pm F Evening Worship contact Rev Harry Brown 01337 830088 ! 6.30-8.00 F PALS Youth Group contact Chris Palmer 079700 86676 ! 7.30pm F Time of Prayer contact Margaret Gourley 653617

KEY ! Church activities W weekly " Community groups F fortnightly • Businesses M monthly TT term time

If you would like further information on any of the groups included in this leaflet, please contact the person named for the activity listed

VOLUNTEERS

There are many opportunities for individuals to volunteer at the various activities throughout the week. If you would like further information on volunteering opportunities please contact Jean Martin 01334 652100

Sunday Club

I gave him me….. for as long as he needed me We were once again reminded how truly blessed we are by the commitment and gifts of our children and young people. The story of Michael Mouse was enjoyed by young and old, as we heard that there is no better gift to give Jesus today or any day than the gift of ourselves. Special thanks to the Sunday Club team, parents, Pat, Bobby, Gavin and our wonderful Sunday Club members!

The Story, our story, your story It is wonderful to be sharing in our journey through the Story with the rest of the church family. The children's curriculum for The Story is a complete programme for three age ranges (8-11, 5-8 and 2-5 years), suitable for use in Sunday school or children's church, with either large or small groups.

We have been coming together at the start of each week to watch the video clip which is part of the teen curriculum but translates well for all ages. Niamh, Maisie, Connor and Jack enjoy watching this #

This is what the children have enjoyed over the past few weeks……

The beginning of life as we know it

Finlay age 5 enjoyed using puppets for God’s creation. He was a tiger “ROAR”

I like reading the bible together and I liked being a zebra. Janelle age 3

I enjoy colouring in and being a giraffe. Katie age 3

I enjoyed making a Garden of Eden using the iPad and Minecraft programme, it was fun. Andrew age 9 and Ruan age 10

We played corners game for each day of Creation. Adam age 7 !

When we were at Sunday club my favourite week was when we got to play on the iPad to make Creation. Rosie age 10

I enjoyed the story of Creation and making a Garden of Eden using crafts. Amos age 8

God builds a nation We all did self-portraits to create a wall frieze reminding us that we are part of God’s story. You can see the wall frieze in the OPC!

Joseph: From slave to deputy Pharaoh

Jack likes colouring in the stories each week and had fun colouring Joseph’s multi coloured coat. Jack age 5

Out of Egypt

I liked the story of Moses because it’s interesting that he was put in a basket down the river. Rachel age 10

I enjoyed the story of Moses, it’s quite heroic. Archie age 9

We look forward to continuing reading and learning about The Greatest Story Ever Told. We would like to encourage families to discuss the story at home and wouldn’t it be great to hear all ages chatting about the story each week in the lounge after Morning worship.

Why not take a moment to ask the children and young people what they have enjoyed or learned about the story each week?

Jacqui Caldwell Sunday Club Co-ordinator

Sunday Club Family Ceilidh

The rafters of the OPC were surely raised just before Christmas with the fun, games and dancing undertaken by all the folks enjoying the Sunday Club Family Ceilidh. Music was provided as always by the irrepressible Clamjamfry and the Sunday Club leaders were ingenious in the games which were on offer. A magnificent spread was provided for all topped off with some excellent jelly and ice cream.

Santa made his usual appearance with presents for the children and he made time to dance with some special young ladies who had always wanted to dance with him. The evening can best be summed up in the words of some of the children.

“I enjoyed the music and the food at the party because the music was fun to listen to” (Rachel, 10)

“At the party I enjoyed all the dancing and when Santa danced with the little ones” (Rosie, 10)

“The ceilidh was good because we saw Santa and he did not come in a sleigh, he told us he came in a Police car!” (Andrew, 7)

“I liked the ceilidh because I liked the quiz” (Ben, 7")

“I liked dancing with my friend Olivia” (Maisie Mac, 6)

“I liked eating crisps” (Jack, 5)

“I liked eating sweets” (Connor, 5)

Harris summed the evening by saying “ The ceilidh was fun!” (Harris, 7")

Pitstop House Group

It seems a long time since I updated you on what Pitstop have been up to. The Logans have moved house and so has House-group. Everyone has been more than kind coping with the internal alterations we have been undertaking. By the time you are reading this we hope to have a sitting room with comfortable furniture! There will not be a rush for a chair rather than a stool leaning against the window ledge! Despite all the upheaval the group have been so kind in saying our new house is a home. Something Gavin & I set out to offer at all times.

We enjoyed many outings and evening walks during the autumn months with incredible skies and sunsets. It may be a distant memory but when you reflect I am sure you remember how blessed we were during 2013.

During the latter part of the year we studied the book of James and found this a difficult wee book of the Bible. It is very clear how we are meant to live our lives but hard to follow the basic principals.

We are now undertaking the challenge of sticking to a study for 31 weeks throughout 2014. We are using the excellent material provided that goes with our Sunday services based on The Story. We have found that by reading the chapter of the core book prior to church on a Sunday we get even more out of the service and then can discuss it further on a Wednesday evening. I would commend to you the full version of The Story if you don’t already have this, as it is a great way to read the Bible week by week.

All are welcome to come and see if House-group is for them.

Jill Logan (655528)

Ichthus House Group

Ichthus House Group has made a good start with the material for 'The Story' and some good discussions have already ensued. It's probably a very good idea for us all to take a fresh look at the whole Bible and we are looking forward to the next few months.

We continue to enjoy the hospitality of Joan and David and their lovely wood- burning stove keeps us all very cosy!

Jane Duckfield

THEN AND NOW

Those of us who are senior citizens or baby boomers have seen so many changes in our lives, and indeed so have younger folk to a lesser extent. Take for example the TV set in your home. For people of my age group we grew up with the wireless as we called it. In the spring of 1953, Coronation Year, I was a National Service man and was back in Aberdeen on embarkation leave before being posted to the Suez Canal Zone. As I was walking down Union Street I stopped and looked into a window. There I saw black and white TV sets for the first time for leasing or sale. By the time I was back in Aberdeen on demob in August 1954 a growing number of families had one. Now I understand that it is possible on some mobile phones you can receive a TV programme. It has been well said that during the second half of the 20th century those of us who live in the Western World have lived at a time of rapid social change and this continues to be so.

If we can look back to our memories of The Church of Scotland then, the Kirk had an assured place in the life of Scotland. Church historians declare that the fruits of Church Union in 1929 when the Established Church and the United Free Church came together to form the present Church of Scotland were realised in the post war years and the Fifties. The total membership of the Kirk was over one million and growing. These were the days of huge Sunday Schools, national church extension in the new council housing estates, the Tell Scotland outreach, the Billy Graham crusade, the beginning of the ecumenical movement and the impact of the Iona Community. There was no shortage of candidates for the ministry. Usually there were about 3 dozen men or more licensed each year as probationers. In 1957 I was one of 55 from the 4 colleges in St Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh to become probationers. Most would later minister in Scotland but some would be partner missionaries abroad. During the 1950s the total membership of the Kirk exceeded well over one million and at the half yearly communion services there were large attendances. Older members of Cupar Old will remember that at the first table elders had to go up to the gallery to serve members seated.

How different are social conditions in Scotland today. Think of the traffic or the plans of many to have a holiday abroad. Think of where we shop. Think of our use of a PC or sending an email rather than phone or post a letter. Throughout the UK and many parts of Europe church involvement is very much less than fifty years ago. The total membership of The Church of Scotland is less than half what it was in 1961. The number of candidates for the ministry, both women and men, is much reduced and many ministers will retire in a few years’ time. At present there is a growing shortage of ministers in the Kirk to fill the many vacancies. The Ministries Council and each Presbytery are well aware of this situation and drafting plans of action but I have the feeling that many church members all over Scotland and here in Fife may be unaware of this. This could mean for us that before a new minister is inducted to serve Cupar Old and the parish there will be a longer vacancy than in recent times.

However in the coming months may we all continue to play our part as members or adherents in sharing in our worship, work, service, stewardship, outreach and in supporting and praying for our elders and office-bearers.

To quote my Godly Granny Maggie Gordon (1863-1946), a devout and practical Christian, may we heed one of her favourite sayings: Glory on.

Peter Gordon

Cupar Justice and Peace Group

Our first two meetings of 2014 are important in two very contrasting ways. In January we held our annual party and enjoyed a time of fun, food and fellowship together. Then our AGM takes place at our February meeting: when we review our activities from the last twelve months and plan for the coming year. So there will soon be information about our public events in the intimations.

In March we will begin the annual Lent Ecumenical Group, which meets weekly at the Lighthouse. This year we start on Tuesday 11 March at 7.30pm and we will be using the York Course: “Build on the Rock: faith, doubt and Jesus”. All are welcome to join us, in what many have said is a very useful preparation as we move towards Easter.

We welcome new members to our monthly meetings at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month in St Columba’s Hall, where we identify issues for regular campaigning for justice and peace in our world and plan public events, thus hoping to obey our Lord’s command to love our neighbours. If you would like more information do please contact me.

Celia A Armitage 01334 656611 or [email protected]

“A STORY TO TELL: THE DIACONATE”

The Story of the Church of Scotland Diaconate goes back 125 years and this was celebrated in 2013 at both meetings of the Diaconate Council. In Dundee in June the Rt Rev Lorna Hood, present moderator, was guest of honour at the celebration dinner. Others guests included Marjorie Paton, national convenor of the Guild and a representative from Life and Work. This was a reminder of the beginnings of the Diaconate in the late 19th century when that man of vision, the Rev Prof Archibald Charteris, through the Christian Life and Work Committee set up in 1869, looked at what was needed for the mission of the church in Scotland at that time. This led to the beginnings of the Woman’s Guild, the church’s magazine Life and Work and to the revival of the ancient and scriptural office of Deaconess. The first deaconess, Lady Grisell Baillie, was set apart in Bowden Kirk on 9 December 1888 followed a few weeks later on 13 January 1889 by Alice Maxwell and Catherine Davidson being set apart in St Cuthbert’s Church, Edinburgh. When the first conference of the Woman’s Guild was held in 1891 it was Lady Grisell Baillie who took the chair.

The second Diaconal council last year was in December in Kirk o’ Field Church in Edinburgh, just beside the Deaconess Hospital, almost exactly 125 years to the day after the first Deaconess was set apart. The occasion ended with a memorable service of thanksgiving at which the Very Rev , former moderator, spoke. John’s long ministry in Castlemilk East where he had always worked as part of a ministry team with deacons made him a particularly appropriate choice as preacher. He reminded us that the vision of Dr Charteris of deaconesses ordained by presbyteries and fully integrated into the church had taken a long time to be fulfilled. It took 104 years before they were integrated into presbyteries and 114 before they were ordained to their office. Meanwhile there was a big story to tell, over 125 years, of faithful loving service of great variety in church and community. Most deacons are employed by the church in parishes, but some work in other fields.

“A Story to Tell: The Diaconate” by Morag Crawford DCS was launched that day last December and is a fascinating and inspiring read. Morag is the deacon in Rosyth. There has never been a huge number of deaconesses - now all called deacons since men became eligible to serve in this way. Both active and retired deacons are part of the Diaconate Council which meets twice a year. Some also meet in local groups and on retreat days. I never cease to be amazed and inspired by what my fellow deacons get up to! If anyone is interested to know more about us, please speak to me.

Fiona Gordon (652341) WHAT IS A FAIR BANANA? We love bananas – in fact they’re our favourite fruit. In the UK alone we eat over five billion a year. In the last 10 years, the UK supermarket sector has almost halved the shelf price of loose bananas while the cost of producing them has doubled, trapping many of the farmers and workers who grow them in a cycle of poverty. Does that sound fair to you? The campaign in Fairtrade Fortnight (24th February-9th March) aims to transform the banana industry and to make bananas fair. This means that every banana farmer and worker earns enough to have a decent standard of living, works in conditions that are safe, and has rights and benefits. It also means bananas are produced in a way that is environmentally sustainable too. When I write this the local Fairtrade group have still to finalize plans but there will be something with a banana theme in shop windows, a stall in a supermarket, and a quiz to enter while Nepali garment producers will visit the schools. By the time you read this the Fortnight may be over but the work must go on.

Rena Cleland 01334 652261; [email protected]

A letter from Ken Jeffrey

May I ask you, please, to convey to the Kirk Session and congregation of Cupar Old Parish Church my most sincere thanks for the very generous gift which they gave to me on Sunday 5 January, the occasion of my last service as minister of the Old Parish Church. I am overwhelmed by the kindness and good will that has been expressed to Linda, the children and me through this gift. We shall take some time to consider how to use your gift, but expect that we shall buy something for our new home which will serve as a constant reminder of the ministry I have enjoyed among you.

With our sincere and genuine thanks I remain, yours sincerely, Ken Jeffrey Ken Jeffrey’s Final Sermon

There are at least three historic photographs taken of the same scene but with different principal characters, which tell different stories of different journeys taken by those who appear in photographs.

The scene is the doorway to 10 Downing Street, and in the first photograph Sir Winston Churchill is bidding farewell to the nation he had served after a long and illustrious life in British politics. In second photograph of the same scene, taken in 1990, Margaret Thatcher is also leaving No 10, but in less glorious manner having been cruelly ousted from office by members of her own party after eleven years as Prime Minister. There are obviously tears in her eyes as she is driven away. In third photograph, taken in 1997, Tony Blair and his wife Cherie stand proudly at the famous entrance to No 10 after his party won a remarkable landslide victory in the general election.

Each photograph tells a different story of the different journeys taken by the different people who occupied the same office, lived in the same home, and who served the same Queen and country.

Here are several photographs taken around or within the church over the years that, like the iconic photographs taken at No 10, show ministers who have come and gone from this church, who had different journeys, were succeeded by someone who came bright with promise and assuring of change.

1. The Journey we have shared Thus, I followed when I arrived in April 2002, 40th minister of Cupar Old since the Reformation. As an enthusiastic and visionary young man, full of passion and energy, I found a congregation that was ready to go on an adventure and waiting to find someone who would lead and go with them.

We have travelled long and far and achieved a great deal together in the last eleven and half years. It has been an eventful, full, exciting, at times difficult, but always an adventurous journey. a. With you as a congregation C4ward, under the leadership of Peter Manson, with a great team, and the wonderful support of congregation, has restored the church to its former glory, this most magnificent sanctuary and house of God. We created an Old Parish Centre that allows us to serve community through welcome and hospitality; and in Casa Girasoles Ica, we created a home where forty boys live a new life, while other lives changed.

Meanwhile, through the growth of our House Groups, we have built a strong fellowship as you have grown to know, love and care for one another more, as well as grow in your faith and love of God.

Through the faithful dedication of a few over many years, the prayer life of our congregation has flourished, and now many more of us, than previously, pray together and enjoy rich devotional life.

Under leadership of Jacqui Caldwell and her great team of Sunday Club leaders, we have built a remarkable children’s and young people’s ministry where they are nurtured in their Christian faith. In the OPC, we have developed a seven day a week Christian presence that serves our community, which provides lonely and isolated people of every age with a place where they are known and loved.

Through new Cupar Foodbank, we shall begin to reach out to parts of our community that previously we had little or nothing to do with, in this way the Gospel will be proclaimed to poor. b. With you as individuals Of much greater significance and importance has been journey I have shared with you as people. We have shared many joys and sorrows, laughter and tears in baptisms, weddings and funerals.

I have two box files full of letters and cards that contain personal testimonies of your experience of the grace, love of God, of power of Gospel to change your lives. ‘The Lord has walked this land’. There have been sunny days and cloudy days; times of intimate fellowship, strained relationships. I confess I have made mistakes, not prayed enough; I regret I have not always been as faithful, patient, gracious, forgiving, loving as I should have been. I am genuinely sorry, and I ask you forgive me.

2. The Journey Ahead Still, let us look back with joy and thanksgiving. Let us be grateful for all that God has given to us. Let us dare to look forward with excitement and anticipation; be enthusiastic for all He will do.

Our pastoral tie and relationship will be broken at end of January; I shall no longer be your minister. Our journey together will end, and we shall go our separate ways. I shall begin travelling to Aberdeen University to begin my new job, you will remain here, and someone else will come to baptise your children and grandchildren, marry your children, and bury your spouses and parents. This is very difficult for me to accept because God has graven you upon my heart, you are the first and only people God has asked me to be minister of. We have shared deep secrets and painful experiences together as well as tremendous joys, but now our journey together is about to end.

God has called me and is leading me in a new direction, to help train and equip ministry and church leaders. At the same time, God is calling you to a new and exciting future with a new 41st minister who will come to lead and guide you, and who you will learn to accept and love as your new shepherd. They will not be like me, and you should expect that our church will change as they lead you through the next part of your journey as the people of God in this place.

I do not welcome change very well. It can be difficult and brings with it all sorts of challenges, trials and tests, but change is woven into very fabric of God’s eternal purposes and sovereign will. Thus, when His people were dealing with enormous change in their circumstances in exile in Babylon, God spoke to them through prophet Isaiah, ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?’ Again, in Revelation, God spoke to John on the island of Patmos, He said, ‘I am making everything new’. God is in the business of change, of making things new. This is what He does in people, communities.

Here and now, in my life and in yours, God is in the process of making something new. Throughout this period of change, you and I hold a special place in the plans and purposes of God, and these will continue to be revealed and unfold as we acknowledge, seek and commit ourselves unto Him.

In truth, you belong to God; the church is the bride of Christ. You are engraved on his heart forever. This is how and why I am able to leave you, because my faith and my confidence lie in Him. Your future and my future lie in His hands and in His keeping and there they lie secure.

Let us part from one another today, looking not simply at one another with tears in our eyes, but let us look above and beyond unto Him whose name we bear, unto Him whose arm is strong to save, unto Him whose hands are sure to hold us, unto Him in whose loving care we shall always remain. Here, in the power of Christ, we shall stand. He is our strength and help, and we believe in Him. Let us ‘glory on’, believing that… ‘All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well’, because underneath are the everlasting arms.

Ken Jeffrey

CUPAR OLD RAMBLERS (open to any age!) - 2014 -

Date Departure Details Miles Approximate Difficulty time duration (Km) (hours) (excludes driving time)

Saturday 9.00am MONCRIEFFE HILL – 5 2.5 ** 12th April Circular walk in beautiful (8) Woodland Trust area with good views of Ochils & Fife. Saturday 8.30am BRAAN WALK & THE 4 2 ** 3rd May HERMITAGE – circular (6.5) walk to see waterfalls and follies. Saturday 8.30am STONEHAVEN – lovely 3.5 1.5 * 14th June walk along cliffs passing (5.7) Dunnottar Castle. Saturday 8.30am DOLLAR GLEN – A 5.5 3 ** 12th July moderate walk up a ( 8.8) wooded glen, passing Castle Campbell on to open countryside and return. Saturday 8.30am LEITH WATER – Gentle 3.5 1.5 * 9th August linear walk from Dean (5.7) Village to Edinburgh’s port. Saturday 9.00am BALMERINO – Clear paths 8.5 4 * 13th & farm tracks make up one (14) September of the best coastal walks in Fife – with fine views over Tay.

NOTES:- 1. Strong footwear should be worn 2. Waterproof clothing should be taken 3. Packed lunch or snack and water should be taken 4. In case of fine weather, remember your sun block and midge repellent 5. Cars will leave the OPC car park promptly at the times noted above 6. Confirmation to Peter Manson – 01334 655931 – on the Friday evening prior to each ramble - of your attendance would be helpful 7. The star ratings for difficulty are - 1 star = easy to 3 stars = hard

East Fife Community Transport & Good Neighbours Service The Royal Voluntary Service can provide you with an informal helping hand, similar to that offered by a close friend, family member or good neighbour. All Services are carried out by volunteers who give up their spare time to help their local community.

Good Neighbours including Community Transport

Royal Voluntary Service provides volunteers to help people with transport and assistance, such as taking you to medical appointments; personal business; or social events. Our volunteers can assist you to carry out tasks such as collecting library books and assisting with shopping. There is a charge of 45p per mile, to cover volunteers out-of-pocket expenses – approximate costs will be given at the time of booking

Community Minibuses

We work with Fife Council to provide two 15 seater minibuses which are available for hire to local community groups. Both minibuses have a passenger lift and low level step and can accommodate up to 2 wheelchairs.

Volunteering Opportunities

If you have time on your hands, why not help us to help those in your local community. The tasks we ask our volunteers to carry out are things that a good neighbour, or friend might do.

For more information, Contact 01592 269654

East Fife Community Transport and Good Neighbours is funded by Fife Council

Morning Service Calendar March – June 2014

2 March A Few Good Men and Women (The Story 8) Mr Brian Porteous (With Holynotes)

9 March Lent 1 Communion Rev Harry Brown

16 March Lent 2 Mr Brian Porteous 23 March Lent 3 Mrs Elspeth Smith 30 March Lent 4 Rev Harry Brown With Sunday Club

6 April Lent 5 With Holynotes Mr Brian Porteous 13 April Palm Sunday All age service Mr Brian Porteous 20 April Easter Sunday Rev Harry Brown 27 April Low Sunday With Sunday Club Mrs Elspeth Smith

4 May The Faith of a Foreign Widow (The Story 9) Mrs Elspeth Smith (With Holynotes) 11 May Standing Tall, Falling Hard (The Story 10) Mr Brian Porteous 18 May From Shepherd to King (The Story 11) Rev Harry Brown 25 May The Trials of a King (the Story 12) Mr Brian Porteous With Sunday Club

1 June Ascension Sunday Mr Brian Porteous With Holynotes 8 June Pentecost Sunday Communion Rev Harry Brown 15 June Trinity Sunday Mrs Elspeth Smith 22 June Sunday Club end of term All age service Rev Harry Brown 29 June The King Who Had It All (The Story 13) Mr Brian Porteous