Our Parish Profile
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FINDOCHTY CHURCH LINKED WITH PORTKNOCKIE CHURCH Children’s Ministry Lunch Club Community Outreach Guilds Country Dancing Prayer Groups Bible Study Coffee Mornings OUR PARISH PROFILE Findochty Church linked with Portknockie Church Two villages, Two churches Linked by history, desire and faith. Both perched and nestled by the sweeping waves of Moray. Small boats sway in harbours, The wind whispers and shimmers on the barley, The gorse dazzles the senses. Sandy beaches, bottlenose dolphins, golf and whisky. Fishing, food, fine cloth, farming, oil, renewables, services. Road, rail and nearby planes. Church work shared to lighten the load, Children's Ministry, lunch club, country dancing, Guilds, bible study, prayer groups. Their work increasingly woven into their communities. Searching. For what? A preacher, a builder, a visitor, a listener. Searching. For His choice. Is it you? If you are a minister interested in the vacant position, please contact the Nominating Committee Chairman Mr George Sinclair. Tel 01542 840953 Mob 07751590505 Email [email protected] Informal enquiries may be made to: Interim Moderator Rev Douglas Stevenson Tel 01542 841963 Mob 07912570393, Email [email protected] Want to find out more? Facebook - Findochty and Portknockie: Church of Scotland www.findochtyportknockiechurch.co.uk Our Parish Our parish is situated on the beautiful shores of the Moray Firth serving the historic fishing villages of Findochty and Portknockie and their immediate rural environs. Our picturesque harbours are now a haven for lobster potters, crabbers, anglers, pleasure craft, and sailing enthusiasts. The villages are just 1.9 miles apart, around 4 minutes by car, and each have a population of just over a thousand souls. Findochty Portknockie Church Information We worship every Sunday morning at 9.45am in Findochty Church and 11.15am in Portknockie Church. Each week in Findochty and regularly in Portknockie the congregation is encouraged to enjoy fellowship by spending time together over a cup of tea or coffee after the service. Worship is currently conducted by our Locum Minister. Supportive volunteers within our congregations provide help with bible readings, weekly orders of service, hymns on PowerPoint, etc. Roll Congregational Roll Findochty Portknockie Members 41 60 Adherents 24 11 Total 65 71 Children’s Ministry Portknockie Sunday School has approximately 30 children aged 3 – 12. They attend the first part of the service before going to the nearby hall. The time together starts with singing followed by a bible story then linked activities –crafts, games, quizzes, baking, etc In June we have our annual picnic and prize giving. Kids’ Clubs The Church has close links with the Primary Schools in both Findochty and Portknockie; we run Children’s Clubs in both villages which are well attended by children from all faiths and no faith. Saturday Morning Kids’ Club The Findochty Kids Club meets on the first Saturday of every month where Bible stories are weaved through our activities which include games, crafts, singing and baking. The Club is aimed at children aged 4 – 12 years. October Holiday Club We hold a holiday club in Findochty over three mornings during the October school break which attracts between 20 – 25 children from the local area each day. A theme- based club, the children enjoy lots of activities whilst learning about God. Thursday Club Held in Portknockie Church Hall. The Thursday Club caters for children aged 8 – 11 and attracts 12 – 14 children weekly from October to May. God’s love is shared through drama, bible stories, crafts, games and singing. Our Christmas Party is great fun and everyone looks forward to the beach BBQ and Church Picnic. Guilds, Prayer Groups and Bible Study Guilds and Bible Study groups meet regularly during the winter months and provide an important focus for our fellowship and spiritual development. Our Prayer Groups meet on a monthly basis throughout the year. Within Our Communities Lunch Club Run by Church members, this was set up to help social isolation and has now become a regular weekly fixture for residents and visitors alike. All ages enjoy friendship, fellowship, and a general chat and catch up. Scottish Country Dancing Group Meets weekly from September to May. Fun, friendship and fellowship await all who attend this popular community activity. Other Community Events - Coffee mornings - Soup and Sweets - Pancake Teas/ Strawberry Teas/Daffodil Teas/Afternoon Teas - Quizzes - Military Wives Choir - Male Voice Choirs Both Churches are continuing to actively pursue their community links. We regularly share in community services in each village including: - - Easter Sunrise Services - Remembrance Services at War Memorials - Christmas Light Illumination Services - Christmas Week Services We join with other denominations to celebrate Holy Week, Christian Aid and the Keswick in Buckie convention. We support others in a variety of ways including Christian Aid, Jars of Grace, Moray Food Bank, Mercy Ships, etc. Sharing Gods Love Together Our churches come together at Easter, Harvest Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our Buildings Portknockie Church Large church hall nearby Findochty Church Church hall attached The Manse Well-maintained four/five bedroomed detached family home Private side and rear garden Spectacular views View from the Manse Window Finance Finances are always a challenge but in addition to our weekly offerings, our Churches hold regular fundraising events to help boost our funds. With regard to buildings, in 2016/2017 substantial work was undertaken on the Manse, the Church Bell at Portknockie and the rewiring of Findochty Church Hall. Both Churches have been proactive in undertaking active stewardship campaigns linked to Time, Talents and Money. Additional Information Environment Portknockie and Findochty are on the superb Moray Coast – an area which offers a wonderful quality of living. Situated between dramatic cliffs and low hills, these coastal traditional fishing villages and their rural surroundings offer inspiration all year round. Between Portknockie and the neighbouring picturesque village of Cullen is one of the finest sand beaches in Scotland while the countryside has diverse flora and fauna and is particularly beautiful in spring when the gorse is in bloom. The Moray Coastal Path links the parishes and provides wonderful views north over to Caithness and Sutherland, while the Hill of Maud and Bin of Cullen to the south are areas of mature woodland with many paths and tracks which encourage exploration. Economy The neighbouring town of Buckie, with a population of over 8,000 people is the main place for the provision of jobs and services including Supermarkets, independent shops, and GP Practices, hospital and emergency services. Findochty has a Post Office, a general store and a chemist. Portknockie has a Post Office, general store, two hairdressers and a chemist. There are licensed restaurant and hotel facilities within both villages. Fishing and fishing-related industries are the traditional mainstays of the area although farming is important in the landward area around the parishes. The oil industry is now an important source of employment. The area is immensely popular as a destination for holidaymakers. Visitor numbers in Moray are in excess of 750,000 each year many drawn by the area’s famous clear blue coastal waters and sandy beaches. Hallmark events include the Keswick in Buckie Convention, Piping at Forres, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Speyfest and various Highland Games gatherings. The Malt Whisky Trail highlights the area’s numerous distilleries. Education Each village has its own Primary School with Nursery provision. Secondary education is provided at Buckie High School and there are further education colleges within easy travelling distance, with Moray College, Elgin being part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. There are two universities in Aberdeen. Nearby Activities Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Boys Brigade, Junior Football, Bowling Clubs, Fitness Classes, Walking Groups, Golf Courses, Leisure Centre, Swimming Pool, Mountain Biking, Sea and River Fishing, Rowing and a Highland League Football Team (Buckie Thistle). Therefore, we are two active Churches – Searching. For what? A preacher, a builder, a visitor, a listener. Searching. For His choice. Is it you? .