FOCUS The Church Newsletter of Parish Church March 2020 MARCH 2020 FOCUS Dear Friends I would like to record my sincere thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make the church look so lovely over Christmas, including the Flower Team and the Property Team. Thanks must also go to our Young Church for the excellent Nativity Play and it was great to see so many children taking part. I would also like to thank all those involved in the redecoration of the church and installation of new lights. In particular, thanks must go to Lorrie Bilsborrow who oversaw the redecoration work. The Presbytery Plan is proposing a union between ourselves, Cults, , Mannofield and . This is a major proposal and requires a lot of thought. It proposes that all the buildings (apart from Kingswells) are retained, but that one charge is created with a team ministry. It would mean a major change in the way that we operate as a church. The Kirk Session will be discussing this soon and I will keep you posted on developments. Finally, and most importantly, I’m delighted that a Youth Alpha course has started up in the church, led by our student assistant Fiona Lister. This is great news and should be encouraging for all of us. We are very fortunate to have a small group of young people still active in the congregation. We are also fortunate to have Fiona, who is doing such a great job in our congregation. Yours sincerely John Ferguson

Traidcraft The Senior Young Church continue to run the Traidcraft stall here at the church. We have decided that this year it will go down to a monthly stall and the next one will be Sunday 22nd March. We would love to hear your thoughts on what is for sale on the stall. Are we getting it right? Let us know what you would like to see. Traidcraft have introduced a new tea range from The Tea Company with a variety of flavours to choose from. The new catalogue for Spring/ Summer is also out.

www.culterkirk.co.uk 2 MARCH 2020 FOCUS

An Alpha course started with the church youth on Sunday 9th February. We are meeting together most Sundays for food, some games a video and some really good discussions. Eight youngsters, aged between 13 and 15, have come along to find out more about what it means to be Christian, who Jesus is and why we have church. This is an exciting activity to be doing and we would welcome your prayer support for this venture. So many youngsters feel disconnected from church, it is a great to see these young people interested in exploring faith. Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Hats to Pastor Howard at Harbour Peterculter Parish Church and friends have delivered 273 knitted hats to Aberdeen Harbour throughout 2019 for Seafarers. For anyone who requires a pattern to knit a beanie hat please speak to Dayer Colburn. Finished items can be handed in to Church Office on a Wednesday or Friday morning or given to Dayer Colburn who is happy to deliver them to Rev. Howard Drysdale. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT

www.culterkirk.co.uk 3 MARCH 2020 FOCUS

Singalong-a-Corrie We are continuing with monthly Sing- Alongs at Coronation Court Lounge on Mondays at 2 pm on the following dates: 10th February, 9th March, 6th April, 11th May, 8th June. We sing a variety of songs for approximately an hour and printed sheets with the words are supplied. All are welcome to enjoy a happy time of singing. Please phone Moira Connon (01224 734054) if transport is required.

Flowers We would like to thank all of those Norman Bruce who kindly donated towards the Arthur Beae church flowers for December, January and February. Myra Leiper Convener: Violet Smith 01224 733317 Mr & Mrs Cecil Crichton Treasurer: Mabel Taylor Bob Laing 01224 732030 Linda Rae & Family Sylvia Nicol Norma Rothwell Dayer Colburn Mrs Beryl Adam & Family Dorothy Reid Sheena Caanach Ethel Morrison

www.culterkirk.co.uk 4 MARCH 2020 FOCUS

A Message From Instant Neighbour “We were delighted to welcome new volunteers Edna and Jean from Peterculter Parish Church who have started helping out at Instant Neighbour St Machar Drive foodbank. Thanks so much!”

Giving Tree 120 gifts were handed in to Instant Neighbour from Peterculter Parish Church members. Thank you to everyone!

Christmas Fayre The Christmas Fayre back in December raised a total of £ 2,935.80. An excellent amount. Thanks to all who helped, contributed or bought!

www.culterkirk.co.uk 5 MARCH 2020 FOCUS

Nativity Play 2020 Well Done Everyone!!

Outdoor Carol Service

www.culterkirk.co.uk 6 MARCH 2020 FOCUS

Christingle Service

Young Church Carol Singing at Coronation Court

www.culterkirk.co.uk 7 MARCH 2020 FOCUS

Coffee Time Teas, coffees and home baking are served every Thursday and Saturday from 10.00 am - 12 noon. Also stay for our short service of worship on Thursday at 11.30 am. All Welcome!

Mid Week Lunches A two course lunch is available on the first Wednesday of each month in the large hall. at 12.30 pm. The price is only £3.50. We would love to see you there.

Prayer Time - First Sunday of the Month On the first Sunday of every month, after morning worship, there is a short Prayer Time, which is an opportunity to pray for others. Prayer request cards are available on the table at the extension door and should be placed in the box provided.

Bible Study Group The Bible Study Group meets on Thursday evenings in the small hall. All very welcome.

www.culterkirk.co.uk 8 MARCH 2020 FOCUS

Sunday 8th March, 2pm - 4pm Senior Citizens’ Afternoon Tea With entertainment from The Drama Wifies & Callum Cruickshank Tickets £3 - payable on the day

Friendship Club The Friendship Club is to meet on the 3rd March in the Heritage Hall at 7.30 p.m. The talk is about how the Culter Tapestry was started. All are Welcome.

Sunday 15th March Souper Sunday In aid of the Church of HIV project After Morning Worship

Wednesday Club The next meeting of the Wednesday Club is on 26th February in Peterculter church at 2pm. The speaker is Robert Cook on the subject of Antiques. Members and friends are invited to bring along small items for him to value. The March meetings are on the 11th at 2pm, where we can listen to a talk by Cybil Semple entitled "Myanmar (Burma) in the Colonial Days” and March 25th when we welcome back Yvonne Morton with more songs and stories.

www.culterkirk.co.uk 9 MARCH 2020 FOCUS Young Church Young Church raised £115 for Guide Dogs for the Blind at a recent coffee morning.

Volunteers Wanted Lack of volunteers meant that Thursday and Saturday coffees were suspended for longer than in the past in December and January. As well as the loss in fellowship and coming together, it also means a loss of income to the church. If you can help with the coffees, please phone the church office. From September 2020, Thursday coffees and mid week worship will become fortnightly.

Church Directory

Funerals 8th January Maurice Grieve, North Deeside Road, Peterculter 16th January Bob Burne, Malcolm Road Peterculter 22nd January Nan Robertson, Eastleigh Nursing Home, Peterculter 4th February Dylan Devine, Crown Place Peterculter 5th February Sandy Ross, St Ronan’s Drive, Peterculter 7th February Annie Douglas, Coronaon Court, Peterculter 19th February Harry Anderson, Coronaon Court, Peterculter

www.culterkirk.co.uk 10 MARCH 2020 FOCUS WORSHIP

1st March 10.30 am - Thinking Day Family Rev Dr John Ferguson Service, followed by Prayer Time 8th March 10.30 am - Morning Worship Rev Dr John Ferguson

15th March 10.30 am - Souper Sunday Rev Dr John Ferguson

22nd March 10.30 am - Morning Worship Rev Dr John Ferguson

29th March 10.30 am - Morning Worship Rev Dr John Ferguson followed by Communion

HOLY WEEK: ADVANCE NOTICE The Holy Week services will take place this year from April 6th - 10th at Peterculter Parish Church every evening at 7.00 pm. This year, Cults Parish Church will be joining us for the Outdoor Service on Easter Sunday at 9.00 am at the glebe and we very much look forward to welcoming Shuna Dicks and members from Cults to our service.

Peterculter Parish Church Online We regularly update our Facebook page and Twitter feed with details of all our activities as well as making everything available on our main . Follow us, like us and visit us! Website www.culterkirk.co.uk Twitter @culterkirk Facebook www.facebook.com/CulterKirk

www.culterkirk.co.uk 11 MARCH 2020 FOCUS Peterculter Parish Church Mission Statement The purpose of Peterculter Parish Church is to celebrate our faith in God and in the Good News of Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship, teaching, outreach and pastoral care and to participate in the work of the worldwide church.

Minister Magazine Editor Rev. Dr. John Ferguson Val Muir Tel: 01224 735041 Tel: 01224 735001 Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] Church Office Session Clerk Margaret Bruce Dave Gordon Tel: 01224 735845 Tel: 01224 732036 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Church Office Hours Wednesdays & Fridays : 9 am - 1 pm

Next Issue - April 2020

Material to editor Sunday 22nd March Ready for distribuon Sunday 29th March

Scottish Charity No. SCO01452

www.culterkirk.co.uk 12