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Kiltarlity and Wardlaw Churches
FROM THE INTERIM MODERATOR Dear friends,
This morning’s news told of the kidnapping of a bishop in Syria whom I met when I was there in Aleppo in 1995. Alas it’s a tiny though nevertheless horrible part of the current Syrian crisis – and a reminder of there being nothing impersonal about struggles and suffering in today’s world. Whether or not we know people caught up in the Boston bombing or the earthquakes in Iran and China, each and every human being are known and precious. ( How much we come to realise that when trouble comes close to us ! )
I preached recently on a passage in John’s gospel where people were asking hard questions. Quite right, for the next issue is what are the good answers ? People ask very reasonably, what is good religion; how important is faith ? How do we answer that ? Around Jesus, and I suspect in many people’s minds nowadays, understandably, feelings ran high that someone who is very fired up by their faith is dangerous. They are potentially unstable, a firebrand who could cause damage as much as bring help. So are we just going to be moderate and reasonable and perhaps not too much one way or the other ? The food for thought is how Jesus dealt with this.
Jesus had a strong faith. There was teaching that he was utterly committed to, an outlook on life which he would not compromise. And his primary response to those who asked, is all this passion a good idea, was to say well, let’s think about what actions have followed. Certainly there are passions which are destructive, so let’s use as the acid test of good believing the nature of the good life. Jesus offered his own conduct up as a witness to what he held dear in his faith.
Well, I rather like this. I believe it matters hugely how we live. How we live is very much a sign of what we believe. Yet as human beings we are remarkably good at masking realities. It isn’t just politicians who are good at flannelling ! So I offer you the challenge, which I know I myself am also challenged by. How might I live well ? What faith, in God and in my fellow human beings, might encourage me to incarnate the best humanity ? How do my deeds speak to others ? Am I someone who believes only in me and my own prosperity ? Or do I not need to grow in generosity of spirit; to grow, offering love and service to my fellow human beings and the world in which we are placed ?
Jesus gave an alternative to perpetually sitting on the fence on the one hand, and on the other to misguided passions or just shifting always with one’s opinions and moods, i.e. being kind one day and rather miserable the next. So he draws me to be led by him; so, vindicated by God through his death and resurrection, he lives to challenge us all.
Praying for you to be a blessing,
Peter
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 1 of 22
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The U in JesUs The Gardener’s Hymn Before U were thought of or time had begun, God even stuck U in the name of His Son.
And each time U pray, you'll see it's true You can't spell out JesUs and not include U
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan ?
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
"Now go into the world and tell them it's true That the love I have shown is not just for U."
So many great people are spelled with a U, Don't they have a right to know JesUs too ?
It all depends now on what U will do, He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U.
th When - Saturday 18 May 2013 Where - Tomnacross School, Kiltarlity Thanks to Maureen Matheson for this contribution Time – 2 – 5 p.m.
Various stalls; bungee trampoline; Being happy doesn't mean everything is roundabout; ribbon and fan dancing; perfect. It means you've decided to see birds of prey display; tug-o-war; teas beyond the imperfections. and food; live music; dancing and much, much more. The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts, Come along and enjoy a great family the safest place to be is in someone's prayers, afternoon out. and the very best place to be is ...... in the hands of God
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 2 of 22
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It all began in 2008 when the then Moderator, Very Rev. David Lunan, challenged all Presbyteries to raise money for the HIV / AIDS Project, as it was then known. Enterprising Lothian Presbytery minister Rev Dr Robin Hill dreamt up “Souper Sunday” as a way of raising £10,000 in one day, while also giving ministers a day off. He wrote a complete order of service which could be led by elders; with the content focussed on the HIV / AIDS Project, the service was to be followed by a fellowship lunch with soup, and donations invited for the Project. Robin persuaded all the churches in Lothian Presbytery to do this on the same day – “and we raised £12,000 in only two hours !”
The idea was enthusiastically taken up by the General Assembly the following year, and the iconic date of 10.01.10 chosen, when churches throughout Scotland were invited to hold their own Souper Sunday. Many such services were planned, but because of awful weather conditions, many had to be postponed till later in the year; they still went ahead eventually. The date chosen for 2011 also fell foul of the weather, but by then it was realised that it was easier for churches to choose the date which suited them best, any time in the year. In 2012, Souper Sundays were held in every month; in some cases, sandwiches replaced soup, ice cream replaced soup, in Super Sundaes !
In Scotland, the programme are proud to support the work of Positive Help in Edinburgh. There are an estimated 5,000 people in Scotland living with HIV ( about 25% of whom are unaware of their status ). While treatment is readily available to anyone who needs it, the biggest issue facing people in Scotland who are living with HIV is the fear of stigma and discrimination. Established in 1989, Positive Help continues to meet the individual needs of HIV positive people for assistance with day to day living. They recruit, train and supervise volunteers who give practical help through home support, transport and children and young people befriending services.
In 2011 / 12, they had 3,226 requests for assistance with transport, of which they were able to meet 2,000; volunteers did 861 hours of driving. The programme’s grant will enable them to recruit and train 12 new drivers over the next 12 months, and to meet some of the costs incurred by the transport service. It links closely with the other services which Positive Help offer. By providing lifts for food shopping volunteers are also able to offer home support assistance with cooking, cleaning and companionship. By helping with transport to school and holiday clubs they are able to foster relationships with families that can benefit from Positive Help’s children and young people befriending service.
nd Sunday, 2 June is the date for Wardlaw Church’s “Sandwich Sunday” service, the fourth year this type of service has been held. This years’ service theme is “Setting Things Straight.” This service is conducted by a range of Church Elders and members of the congregation. After the service, everyone is invited to stay on for a lunch of sandwiches and home baking with tea and coffee – there is no charge for this, but donations towards the work of the HIV project will be welcome.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 3 of 22
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The night was very dark, but from the deepest of the darkness, the shadow of the trees on the opposite bank, came the sounds of the dragging of the nets and the handling of the boat, by men who spoke not a word. Suddenly, the two young men broke the night air with their challenge across the river, "Who the hell are you ?"
They could get no answer, and then they blazed with their guns, with the unfortunate result that three at least of the offenders were peppered with shot. One, a very decent man called John Allan Fraser, was shot by thirty or forty pellets over the head and face, and he was injured in the left eye so severely that the eye had to be removed, and there was a danger to the other eye, and so of complete loss of sight. The circumstances were these.
Two sons of an American millionaire had fired by night at a party of Scottish gamekeepers, peppering them well and blinding one to the loss of one eye and to the danger of another. On this kind of superficial view, Scotland was ablaze with wrath and Mr. Henry Phipps Juniors’ two sons, who were implicated in the transaction, were arrested. Behold then a telegram ! It was from my clerk asking whether I ( Mr. Shaw ) would accept a retainer to defend the two young millionaires – John Shaffer Phipps and Henry Carnegie Phipps. It may give people some idea of the efficiency of th Scottish criminal justice when I mention that the offence was committed on July 5 of the year 1905, and the investigations were complete and the trial took place at the High Court in Edinburgh in the following month, with Lord Ardwell on the bench. The trial took only one day th and concluded on the evening of August 29 .
The case was as follows. The Phipps family, who had Beaufort Castle for about eight years, were tenants not only of the shooting but also of the right of angling on the River Beauly. This fishing was one of the finest in Scotland, and the right over one or two pools cost Mr. Phipps Senior, over £2,000 per annum. One evening his two sons, strong and handsome specimens of vigorous manhood, heard voices on the river and they suspected some outrage was being committed — that, in fact, this valuable fishing pool, known as "The Silver Pool" outside the very windows of the castle, was being dragged with nets. They accordingly rallied forth armed as described, by way of the gun room and to the river bank.
The next part of the story is peculiar. There turned out to have been six men engaged in the operation of dragging the pool. Who were these men ?
It sounds incredible, but they were actually the servants of Lord Lovat, the proprietor of the river and fishing and castle, and they were engaged in dragging the pool in the river with nets, the angling on which by rod yielded their master more than £2,000 of rent. But the wonder does not stop there, for they were not poachers in the ordinary sense — that is, for their own profit; they were all respectable men, and they were deliberately dragging the pool so as to keep up the average of fish caught in the river for the credit of the river and the estate, and the fish caught in the net — forty in number in the last haul — were not sold for their own profit, but they were taken and put into the estate account, number and value complete. / Contd. The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 4 of 22
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As the situation developed before the jury, the case took a very different aspect as one might suppose, but still stranger things were to happen. As the trial proceeded, I shall never forget the entry of Fraser, the injured man, into the Court. He was guided to the witness-stand and gave his evidence perfectly quietly. It was my duty to cross-examine him, and he in no way fenced. He was asked by me and afterwards by the Judge why he did not answer the call across the river. He admitted he knew it was young Mr. Phipps that called, that Mr. Phipps had for years been his friend, and that he was young Mr. Phipps’ own fishing attendant. But it then came out, as was by this time suspected, that so far as concealment from the Phipps family was concerned, the whole matter was literally a deed of darkness in which these men were engaged; they had not hinted to anybody about the netting expedition.
The head keeper with five other men under his orders, of whom Fraser was one, had proceeded to the river. Fraser’s position was the humble one of having to obey his head keeper’s orders. Upon the keeper being pressed for some kind of reason for his conduct, he put forward the theory - for which there is a good deal in fishing circles to be said - that the pool was too crowded with salmon to be in a healthy condition and that dragging would do it good. The difficulty about this was that if it was to do the pool good for angling they might at least have informed Mr. Phipps or some member of his family.
As it was the six of them began their operations, forty fish were caught, and three men went off with the forty fish to the nearest ice-house, and three were left, one of whom was Fraser, another Robertson, and a third whose name I forget. When the young gentlemen emerged on the river side, they went to the water’s edge, called across, and getting no answer, fired.
This seems very dreadful, but the defence adopted the line, which the Bench accepted, that the number of shots indicated no desire to injure but merely to scare the men from the river, and Lord Ardwell on the Bench charged the jury that scaring in that sense was a good means of getting poachers to abandon their enterprise and leave their nets, which could then be impounded. All this was a difficult line of legal country; and one had to pick their steps with care.
The next fact - a somewhat crucial one - now emerged. The ordinary breadth of the river at the point of fishing was a hundred yards, and to fire across that distance with an ordinary fowling piece would have been a noisy and innocuous proceeding. The river, however, was very low, and as it happened, at that particular point where the accused emerged from the door of the castle on the river bank, its breadth that evening had narrowed to a space of forty yards. In the dark the men had advanced on to the water’s edge before they fired, and the case was that their firing was a scaring operation, and that there was no real recklessness about it, as the assumed breadth of the river would have made the whole proceeding harmless.
A report of this incident was reported in the Inverness Courier, on 11th July and 1st September 1905.
The building next to the Lovat Estates Office in Beauly, was acquired by the Phipps family, and subsequently donated to the village. Known as the Phipps Institute, it presently serves as a community hall and library.
Thanks to Marie Fraser, Secretary and Genealogy / Newsletter Editor of the Clan Fraser Society of Canada for this article. The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 5 of 22
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Where did Jesus go ?
The Feast of the Ascension, also known as Ascension Thursday, Holy Thursday or Ascension Day, commemorates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. It is one of the ecumenical feasts, i.e. universally celebrated, of Christian churches, ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter, and Pentecost. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter following th the count given in Acts 1:3. Ascension Day is celebrated on May 9 this year.
In Salvador Dali’s picture of Jesus’ ascension all you can see are his feet ! As we celebrate the event this month, it prompts the question ‘where did Jesus go ?’ Peter says Jesus ‘has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand’ (1 Peter 3:22). However, the New Testament tells us three things about what Jesus is doing at the Father’s side.
Sitting: At Pentecost Peter says Jesus is ‘exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear…“The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand”’ (Acts 2: 33-4). Peter is affirming Jesus’ position of authority and power at the heart of the universe. By pouring out the gift of the Holy Spirit upon us, Jesus gives us a foretaste of the life of heaven, i.e. eternal life, forgiveness, healing, release and God’s provision for our lives.
Standing: When Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was being stoned to death by the Jewish authorities he points out, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ ( Acts 7:56 ). Our experience of heaven is only ever partial, as we live with the reality of suffering and setbacks. However, Jesus is still on the throne ! He has a bigger plan and purpose for our lives than we might imagine ( including the difficulties ), and we are called to trust him daily.
Praying: ‘Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.’ ( Romans 8:34 ). Even when we don’t know how to pray, we have the assurance that Jesus is already praying for us ! He knows our needs even better than we do ourselves, so when we feel condemned or defeated in our Christian lives, we have somebody on our side !
The Ascension reminds us that the risen Jesus lives in the immediate presence of God and both transcends and embraces our present experience. This truth lies at the heart of the language used to describe the event.
‘Heaven relates to earth tangentially so that the one who is in heaven can be present simultaneously anywhere and everywhere on earth: the ascension therefore means that Jesus is available, accessible, without people having to travel to a particular spot on the earth to find him.’ ( Tom Wright ).
What drives you crazy about your neighbour ?
As the warm days arrive and we spend more time in our gardens, what irritates you most about the people next door ?
Here are the top irritants from a survey by BBC’s Gardeners’ World, some of them unexpected : noise from television and radio, late-night parties, children, power tools, house alarms, hot tubs, barbecue smoke, bright security lights, smell of fabric conditioner, musical instruments, dogs barking, the piercing tones of mother-in-laws complaining, and middle aged women shrieking with laughter. Proverbs has another one: “If a man loudly blesses his neighbour early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.” ( Proverbs 27:14 )
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 6 of 22
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The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 7 of 22
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I first started reading this story and was reading fast until I reached the third sentence. I stopped and started over reading slower and thinking about every word. This story is very thought provoking. Makes you stop and think. Read slowly !
You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.
But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast ? Where did the years go and where did my youth go ? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.
But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me but, I see the great change. Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day ! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore, it's mandatory ! Because if I don't on my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit !
And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did. But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last, this I know, that when it's over on this earth, it’s over. A new adventure will begin.
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly ! Don't put things off too long. Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not. You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life, so live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past.
"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL ! ENJOY TODAY ! DO SOMETHING FUN ! BE HAPPY !
Remember "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. LIVE HAPPY IN 2013
Miscellaneous observations on life
A recession is a period where people do without the things their parents never had.
Our prayer and God’s mercy are like two buckets in a well; while the one ascends, the other descends. - Mark Hopkins.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 8 of 22
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Ian Dearing organised volunteers to come along on a bright, windless Saturday morning to tidy up the house plot site and the grounds at the sides of Wardlaw Church. The first job tackled was to set fire to all the old branches from the felled trees in the middle of the house plot site. The fire service had been warned that we were planning this fire and, with over 10 people to watch over this bonfire, it was a safe and successful operation. The day was ideal for this task and 24 hours later, on the Sunday morning, the ground was covered in snow and very windy. Mary Bell supplied sandwiches and Avril Marr baked her ‘non-fattening’ meringues and along with assistance from Rosemary Mortimer served the refreshments to the work-force after a couple of hours of hard work. The picture shows Neil recovering from his labours and Henry seeking his next sandwich. Grateful thanks to Ian Dearing, Simon Fraser, Henry Bell, Neil Wilson, Alasdair Morrison, Eileen Morrison, Iain Mortimer, Mervyn Bowden, John Lyle, Malcolm Fraser and James Byham. Photos by Rosemary Mortimer
The Kiltarlity Church Sunday School & TCC had a fun night at Rollerbowl in Inverness on 28th March, when they invited anyone from the Church to join them for an evening.
21 enthusiasts had a smashing time, with Isobel Garvie being one to watch for the future.
The night was a great success, although some of the more experienced participants might need a bit more practice before the next time !
Thanks to Louise Watson for the words and the photograph ( enhanced by Keith McClelland )
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 9 of 22
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Church of Scotland Theological Report published 16 April 2013
The 2011 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland appointed a Theological Commission to bring to the General Assembly of 2013 a report on same sex relationships and the Ministry. All 94 pages are available on the Church of Scotland web-site - www.churchofscotland.org.uk
The report describes the breadth of theological opinion that exists within the Church on the question of whether the Church of Scotland should ordain ministers who are in same-sex relationships. It also offers the General Assembly a choice of either legislating to allow for such ordinations or reaffirming the traditional understanding that it is inappropriate to ordain ministers who are in same-sex relationships.
Neither the report in its entirety nor any individual proposal represents the considered view of the Church of Scotland. The report and the diverse proposals have been put forward by the seven members of the Commission who have a broad spectrum of views.
The General Assembly which is the sovereign body of the Church, will consider the various proposals. On one hand the report offers the Church a way of allowing the ordination of ministers in same-sex relationships that have entered into a civil partnership, while protecting both individuals and congregations who in conscience do not agree with the theological principles which underpin that choice.
On the other hand the report, while reaffirming its belief that homophobia is sinful, invites the Church to reaffirm its traditional stance that the only appropriate expression of sexual activity should be within marriage between one man and one woman.
The report does not offer a recommendation of one option or the other but leaves this open for the Assembly to decide.
The Rev John Chalmers the Principal Clerk to the General Assembly said:
“The Report and the options which it provides are offered at this stage without comment from the Convener or members of the Commission; it will be for the General Assembly alone, based on the substance of the theological arguments to come to a mind on this matter. In the meantime, the report which is wide ranging and detailed is commended to the whole Church for prayerful study and consideration.”
The members of the Theological Commission were John L. McPake, Convener, Alan D. Falconer, J. Mary Henderson, Gordon Kennedy, Jane McArthur, Andrew T. B. McGowan and Marjory A. Maclean.
The Church of Scotland General Assembly this year will be held in th th Edinburgh between 18 to 24 May inclusive.
Reverend Lorna Hood, a Queen’s Chaplain and originally from Kilmarnock, will take up the office of Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on the first day of the Assembly. Rev. Hood will take over from the Very Rev. Albert O. Bogle in this role for the next twelve months.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 10 of 22
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Trusting God
TV serial dramas are regularly filled with family quarrels, fierce domestic arguments, betrayals, fights and even murder ! Many characters demonstrate a deceitful streak and their misdemeanour or affair is sooner or later revealed.
For some reason, many of us are drawn to TV soap operas and witness family problems that display all manner of emotions and attitudes - anger, bitterness, mistrust – to name a few !
The Bible records a number of family upsets, but one ends happily – the story of Joseph. In Genesis chapter 37 we read of Joseph’s brothers turning against him. They plot to kill him but instead sell Joseph to be a slave in Egypt.
Joseph had to cope with a new culture and language. He suffered slander and was imprisoned. Amazingly, later, he was given power and authority. At this point, a TV drama would show Joseph seeking out his brothers to unleash his vengeance on them !
But the Bible story is very different. Joseph is not filled with hatred. As a slave in Egypt, Joseph had a deep trust in God and had love in his heart. So, when Joseph was reunited with his family there was no revenge or malice. He was overwhelmed with compassion for his brothers and hugged and kissed each one !
Joseph said “Now do not be upset or blame yourselves because you sold me here. It was really God who sent me ahead of you to save people’s lives.” ( Genesis 45:5 ) Isn’t this an amazing statement ?
Despite all the physical and emotional pain Joseph experienced, he knew that God was with him. He believed that nothing had happened to him by accident and refused to be crushed by his adverse circumstances. Whether he was in a dirty dungeon or the royal household, Joseph lived with the conviction that God had a specific purpose for his life, and events were being directed by a loving God.
This story is an encouragement to us because it shows that God is close to those who love Him. Even when we are bewildered by troubles, illness, family upsets, hardships and when life deals us cruel blows, God is with us.
Whatever is our personal need, the life of Joseph gives us hope. God will never abandon those who belong to Him.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; Deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. ( Psalm 31:14-15 )
Miscellaneous one-liners .....
Be kind to your dentist. They have fillings, too.
What's the first thing you should learn in chemistry ? Never lick the spoon.
Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 11 of 22
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CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING : The Seriously Funny Tour 2013 is a
Today is the oldest you've ever been, yet the youngest no-holds barred celebration of 21st you'll ever be so - enjoy this day while it lasts. century Christianity. Your kids are becoming you...... but your grandchildren are perfect. Breathtakingly honest about
Going out is good. Coming home is better. themselves, Adrian Plass and Jeff
You forget names.... but it's OK because other Lucas’s most embarrassing stories are
people forgot they even knew you. some of the funniest moments of the
You realise you're never going to be really good at evening. It’s an event full of honesty,
anything.... especially golf. as well as anger, despair, and joy The things you used to care to do, you no longer mixed with the reassurance of God’s care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore. love for this world.
You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV th blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep." Friday, 10 May at
You miss the days when everything worked with Culduthel Christian just an "ON" and "OFF" switch.
You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what ?" Centre, Inverness
"when ?" starting at 7:30 p.m. Now that you can afford expensive jewellery, it's
not safe to wear it anywhere. Tickets - £15 What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
Everybody whispers. Ticket hotline 01254 368709
You have 3 sizes of clothes in your wardrobe.... 2 of or book online at which you will never wear. www.seriouslyfunny.org But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old Partnership with Alive Ministry Movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS.
The next Third Sunday Praise will be held on Sunday, 19 May 2013, starting at 6:00 p.m.
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.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 12 of 22
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PARISH NOTICE BOARD
∗∗∗ We offer our thanks to Rev. Peter Donald, Mrs Vivian Roden, and Rev. Stewart Frizzell for leading our Sunday worship in April. Wardlaw Church is very grateful to Alan Myles of Scripture Union Scotland who came along and gave a short presentation during the service on 21st April. Alan gave an insight to the varied and extensive work that SU Scotland are involved in within our local community and with the young folk in Kirkhill and Kiltarlity.
∗∗∗ In May we welcome Rev. Trevor Hunt to lead our services on the first two Sundays. Joe Barnard will lead the Kiltarlity worship service on 19th May. Steven Barton will take the services on the 26th May. Steven has been a member of the Pastoral team at Culloden Baptist Church since 2005.
∗∗∗ The Tuesday coffee / tea and home baking morning 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. 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.
∗∗∗ Volunteers at the clean-up day on the 6th April were the first to try out the new wooden bench that is now located at the Wardlaw Church door. Thanks to Kenny McColl for making the bench secure. The purchase of the bench was made possible by donations made at the very popular Tuesday coffee mornings – since starting, the coffee mornings have also funded pots of shrubs and spring bulbs at the church doors, the painting of the church doors, and a substantial contribution towards a new microphone and stand. The bench will be useful to those who arrive early for a Church service, or indeed have to queue to get in.
∗∗∗ Christian Aid Week runs from 12th to 18th May 2013 and the theme this year is ‘Bite back at hunger.’ Donation envelopes will be available at Wardlaw Church on Sunday, 19th May and should be returned by Sunday, 26th May. Add 25% to the value of your gift, at no cost to you, by completing the Gift Aid form on the inside flap of the envelope. Mary Bell has kindly stepped in to co-ordinate the distribution and collection of the envelopes this year as Rosemary will be away on holiday at this time. Christian Aid work alongside communities to find long-term solutions to chronic problems, to provide urgent, practical assistance and to tackle the root causes of poverty.
∗∗∗ Wardlaw Church is delighted to once again be holding a special family Sunday service on 19th May to mark the start of Kirkhill Gala Week. All Kirkhill folk are warmly invited to this service, which will be led by Rev. Bill Freel, who has retired his ministry but is still very much in demand. Bill and his wife Betty have become frequent members of the Wardlaw congregation whenever Bill’s continuing preaching commitments allow. Please do come and join in this celebration of the Kirkhill community and its church.
∗∗∗ There are a couple of Youth group meetings planned in May. The first is on the Sunday, 12th May at Kiltarlity Church and the next one on 26th May is at Kiltarlity Free Church. Both meetings start at 7:00 p.m. If you require any further information on these events please contact : Anneliese Garvie ( 741 038, [email protected] ), or Joe Barnard ( 741 099, [email protected] ).
∗∗∗ Sunday, 2nd June is the date for the Wardlaw Church “Sandwich Sunday” service. This service is conducted by a range of church elders and members of the congregation, and centres on the work of the Church of Scotland’s HIV project. After the service, everyone is invited to stay on for a lunch of sandwiches and home baking with tea and coffee – there is no charge for this, but donations towards the work of the HIV project will be welcome. Please contact Avril Marr – 831 609 - if you can assist with sandwiches and home baking. Kiltarlity’s worship service will be led by Mrs Morven Archer on this date.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 13 of 22
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The story below may be compatible with your beliefs at Easter, or you may regard it as merely an apocryphal tale. Whichever applies, it can be worth thinking about it.
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales conference in London. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding. ALL BUT ONE!!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his colleagues to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived in Glasgow and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind ! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this £30 for the damage we did. Are you okay ?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus ?" He stopped in mid- stride.... and he wondered. He gently went back and said, "No, I am nothing like Jesus - He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place." The girl gently nodded: "I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me, so you are like Him - only He knows who will do His will. Thank you for hearing His call, Mister."
Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus ?" Do people mistake you for Jesus ?
That's our destiny, is it not ? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though you, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit. Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know. Thanks to Maureen Matheson for this article
Some general observations on the spiritual side of life:
Can't sleep ? Try counting your blessings. Fight truth decay - study the Bible daily.
Plan ahead - It wasn't raining when Noah started If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows to build the ark. U-turns."
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www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk
Plot of land at rear of Wardlaw Church update
There is still no further definite news to report on this matter. The two enquires made in late February have still not materialised into anything more definite. Both parties have indicated to Anne Steele that they are seeking further information and costings before making a formal offer. The Highlands Small Housing Communities Trust have indicated that it is unlikely they will be unable proceed to making a formal offer. The Highland Planners have indicated that they would be unwilling to approve plans for them to build 3-4 units on the site, the minimum the Housing Trust would need to meet our selling price.
The plot continues to be advertised at the Highland Solicitors Property Centre in Inverness, and on their web-site, along with the Church of Scotland web-site.
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.
The power of prayer is awesome and we must not underestimate this power. We, the two Churches at Kirkhill and Kiltarlity, are on a journey to appoint a new Minister to lead us. 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. Members and friends of both congregations are encouraged by the Kirk Sessions to pray for the Nominating Committee as they seek guidance in their search for a new Minister.
The Nomination Committee are seeking the assistance of any member of the congregation in the coming weeks. If you hear of, or witness, any suitable Minister that could be considered for our vacancy, please pass the details onto any member of the Nomination Committee. Please mention this to family and friends as they may have heard a good potential candidate. Thank you. 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 Ellenor Thomas – 741 330 Neil Watson – 741 876 Rosemary Mortimer – 782 648
Prayer for Pentecost – Pentecost is Sunday, 19 May 2013
Loving, generous Father, in your love you gave us Jesus – sent him out to bring us back to you. And when he had completed his work, by dying on the cross, rising again, and coming back to you, you hadn’t stopped giving. You gave us your Holy Spirit. You sent him at Pentecost and you send him today. Thank you Father.
Fill us with your Sprit Lord. Equip us with the gifts of your Spirit that we need to serve you. Ripen in us the fruit of your Spirit, so that our lives will be witnesses that you are alive today in this world; that you have the power to renew and restore broken hearts and lives and all creation.
Fill us with your Spirit Lord. Send us out in the Spirit’s power to live and work for you, to make your difference today, for your glory.
Fill us with your Spirit Lord, we pray. Amen.
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Nearly 150 people attended this joint Easter Day and Communion services conducted by Rev. Bart Buell. The service start time was moved to 11 o’clock from the normal start time of 12 noon. It has been the tradition, since the linkage in 1982, to hold a joint service for the Kiltarlity and Wardlaw Churches at Easter in alternative venues. In 2013 it was the turn of Kiltarlity Church. This year, for the first time, the Kiltarlity Free Church cancelled their normal Sunday service to join both sets of congregations from the Kiltarlity and Wardlaw Churches at this celebration service. The Kiltarlity Free Church held a morning brunch at their Church prior to the service starting at 11 o’clock. Joe Barnard of the Free Church read a scripture reading at the service and the Celestial Choir sang three Easter anthems as part of the service. The picture shows George Fraser presenting Mary Robb, organist and leader of the Celestial Choir, with a bouquet of flowers as a sign of thanks from all the choir members just before Rev. Buell carried out the benediction at the end of the service. Many thanks to Avril Marr for the photograph.
Following a previous success in 2012 the Kiltarlity Church Social Committee organised a Family Fun Quiz Night at the Village Hall on Friday 19th April. A total of 9 teams of 4 ( with some extra young help for some ! ) took part, including special guests Willis and Pat Jones joining the ‘Densa’ team. Everyone enjoyed some communal head scratching, and inspired guesswork, at the questions and riddles posed by the Mortimers \ Birkbeck team.
It was a very close competition, keenly contested, with only a few points separating all the teams. Everyone enjoyed it, especially the home baking provided by the usual suspects ( the Great British Bake-Off must surely beckon for some ! ) The eventual winners were 'Scotland 3 England 1" with 'Simple Minds' as the runners up.
Thanks to Louise Watson for the words and Rosemary Mortimer for the photographs
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Inverness Churches’ Group on Homelessness housing needs of vulnerable people in crisis over the past few months. NOVEMBER 2012 - MARCH 2013 Again as in previous years, the DAA has interacted The Direct Access Accommodation Project closed its with a number of individuals who have significant doors on 31st March 2013. We are grateful to our mental health problems in addition to physical health partners, Inverness Presbytery, the Highland Homeless issues. The experience this year has been that over Trust ( HHT ) and Blythswood Care, as well as Bob 50% of referrals and requests have involved a Glover for his tireless fundraising efforts, Issy vulnerability and / or inability to independently Freudenthal for efficiently organising the catering manage an immediate crisis due to some form of teams for us once again; Mrs Margaret Ross of the mental or physical health problem. Salvation Army for again providing free food hygiene training, our loyal band of volunteers from various By way of example, in early March a particularly churches and denominations, and other organisations, traumatic case was dealt with very effectively by Steve who cooked and delivered meals to the DAA, and the and his colleagues. A middle aged woman presented Minister and congregation of Old High St Stephen’s for out of hours, advised that she was fleeing domestic generously letting us use their Church Hall for violence and was provided with accommodation. meetings without charging us. Without their combined However it quickly became clear that the lady was help, this year’s project would not have happened. experiencing significant health issues and she was immediately taken to Accident and Emergency by HHT In his final update, Dr. Paul Monaghan of the Highland support workers following an epileptic fit. She was Homeless Trust writes that: discharged relatively quickly and returned to the accommodation with support from HHT only for her 28 men and 8 women have been considered for health to deteriorate rapidly. HHT support workers, accommodation during the period 5 November 2012 to recognising that there was no time to wait for an 28 March 2013. ambulance, rushed her to hospital where she was 4 referrals from Street Pastors diagnosed with kidney problems and advanced heart 1 referral from CAB failure. There is no doubt that this lady’s life was saved 3 referrals from Highland Homeless Trust outreach by the Direct Access Accommodation service and the staff care and attention she was able to access. 2 referrals from Raigmore Accident and Emergency Department Clearly people of both genders have been helped by 1 referral from Raigmore Hospital Community the service this year. Similarly the age range of those Psychiatric Nurse accommodated by the service this year has been 1 referral from NHS Highland Harm Reduction Service broad with individuals from early 20s to late 50s 3 referrals from the Police receiving help. Most individuals receiving 1 referral from Blythswood’s Foodbank accommodation have fallen within the 20-25 (4), 26- 1 referral from Inverness Polish Association 30 (6) and 41-45 (7) age groups. It is a sad reflection An additional 19 individuals have been advised of the on our society that large numbers of individuals of service by Highland Council’s Housing Service. relatively advanced years find themselves with literally 26 individuals have been accommodated by the service nothing to call their own and nowhere to live. ( 4 female and 22 male ) with 10 individuals having their immediate homelessness resolved through other In 2011 / 12 the service received referrals for solutions. accommodation for 14 people. This year we have The average length of stay in the DAA has been 2 received requests to consider accommodating 36 nights. The longest stay so far for any individual has individuals, which is clearly a dramatic increase. While been 16 nights. it is important to account for numbers it is perhaps 2 referrals were assessed as unsuitable for the even more important to consider and reflect upon the accommodation due to the significant threat they plight of people in specific cases. One example has posed to the safety of staff and the general public. been highlighted above but there are many more These individuals were both women. examples of hardship, adversity and suffering that have been alleviated by the Direct Access The number of people approaching the service for help Accommodation over the last 5 months. has been reasonably consistent between November and March. Indeed 10 referrals were received in This Year’s Evaluation Meeting will be held on November, 8 in both December and January and 5 in Tuesday 14th May at 7:00 p.m. in the both February and March. As noted previously we have Old High Church Hall, Academy Street. been able to resolve the immediate homelessness of Please come if you can. 10 individuals and avoid the need to provide emergency accommodation. Resolving problems rather than providing alternative housing is always preferable and there has been some excellent partnership Thanks to Vivian Roden for this article working with Highland Council to address the acute The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 17 of 22
www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk
Moderator appeals for return of missing items
The Moderator of the General Assembly of The Church of Scotland the Right Reverend Albert Bogle has appealed for the return of items of jewellery which were in a bag that went missing from Edinburgh Airport at the beginning of April.
Mr Bogle said: “I am deeply disappointed that this bag containing these valuable objects has gone missing. Like the lyrics of the U2 song I feel I've been ‘stuck in a moment and I can't get out of it,’ reliving this incident trying to think what I should have done differently. The jewellery and cross are of significant historical importance and belong to The Church of Scotland. We would be grateful for any help the public can give to trace their whereabouts.
We are praying that these articles will be returned in the very near future. These items belong to The Church and the people of Scotland, they are not my own possessions. As you might imagine, I'm very anxious to see these items returned, however this incident has allowed us to point to the greater significance of the Christian message. These are symbols, the reality of these symbols is lived out in the daily lives of Christians all around the world. The cross will always be there 'calling to everyone to turn and believe !’”
He added: “People ask me what is the significance of the cross ? The empty cross is a symbol of the Easter story. When I wear it I am reminded that Jesus rose from the dead. I am challenged to think differently. To look for hope in the midst of disappointment. I am also reminded that the cross of Jesus Christ was placed between a robber and a murderer. It tells me that Christ died for sinners. The cross where ever it is will speak to whoever has it. There is a hidden story that this cross will someday reveal. So I will pray daily for whoever has taken the cross. I pray that they might come to understand its true meaning.”
The Church is offering a substantial reward subject to specific conditions for the return of a historic cross and ring which were in a bag that went missing from Edinburgh Airport.
The Right Reverend Albert Bogle said he hoped the offer of the reward would be the final piece in the jigsaw which would lead to the safe return of the items which were an important, vital and visual part of the history of the Church.
Mr Bogle said: “I urge those responsible for taking these items, and accept this may have been done in all innocence, to look at themselves in the mirror, and see in their reflection that the right thing to do would be to return them as soon as possible – even anonymously. When the cross and jewellery are returned, rest assured I and my future Moderators will continue to proudly wear and display them. We cannot have these items locked away because they are the essential symbols of our faith, lived out by in the daily lives of Christians all around the Scotland and world. The cross will always be there 'calling to everyone to turn and believe.'
Anyone with information about this incident should contact Police Scotland on 101 or visit their nearest Police Station, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
90 years ago: on 26th May 1923 that the first Le Mans 24 hours endurance race was held.
60 years ago: on 29th May 1953 that New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
15 years ago: on 11th May 1998 that a French mint began producing the first euro coins.
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Members of our Church family and others to be remembered in your prayers
Graham Elkin still remains in Raigmore Hospital and is starting on a long road to recovery, which may take 12 months or more. No diagnosis has been forthcoming, and the nearest the doctors have come to identification as the possible cause of his condition is the virus, CMV, which they first identified in Graham’s colon. Graham and Maris appreciate your prayers and support during this time of recovery.
Marjorie & John Hamilton of Wardlaw Cottage are presently in England following the sudden passing away of Marjorie’s sister. Please remember Marjorie and John in your prayers at their sad time of loss.
We also need to remember the following in your prayers as they recover from illness or are housebound; Walter & Marie MacFarlane, Mary Morrison, Emma Knox, Sarah Cameron, Billy MacKenzie, Polly Melville, and Euan Fraser.
In the hymn book shelf of the chairs in Wardlaw Church there is a prayer request card. Please use this card to request a prayer for yourself, and / or your family or friends, and post the card in the box above the table in the entrance hall. All requests are confidential and the prayers will be said at the weekly Wednesday evening prayer meeting.
Christian Aid is a Christian organisation that insists the world can and must be swiftly changed to one where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. They work globally for profound change that eradicates the causes of poverty, striving to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for all, regardless of faith or nationality. They are part of a wider movement for social justice. They provide urgent, practical and effective assistance where need is great, tackling the effects of poverty as well as its root causes.
Their team in Scotland lives out this vision in the distinctive political and cultural context of Scottish society. The Advisory committee for Scotland, representing the sponsoring churches, acts as a reference group for the work of Christian Aid Scotland. Christian Aid is one of Scotland’s largest voluntary organisations with thousands of individual supporters and over 600 volunteer groups based in churches. Our supporters work hard fundraising, campaigning and praying throughout the year.
Catherine Falconer, 23, from Edinburgh, will be living on just £1 a day for food for one week to raise money for Christian Aid’s ‘Bite Back At Hunger’ campaign in May. Catherine was inspired to undertake the challenges after a visit with Christian Aid to Zimbabwe last year. Catherine said: “In Zimbabwe, I saw people who lived on one meal of Sadsa a day, every day. No variety. And they were grateful for that. At least they had a meal a day. That’s when I knew what I had to do.”
£5.00 in your envelope could pay for a community farmer in Zimbabwe to attend a training workshop where practical advice means that feeding and supporting his or her family is no longer a struggle. BITE BACK AT HUNGER today and give a gift that will help people living in poverty out of poverty.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 19 of 22
www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk
Wardlaw Church contact Kiltarlity Church contact Maris Elkin 831 590 David Garvie 741 038
Interim Moderator – Rev. Dr. Peter Donald 230 537 [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]
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The Parishioner has received a request from David Garvie, Session Clerk for Kiltarlity Church, to publish the following item in the May 2013 edition; this item is printed in full below.
Consultation on Time of Sunday Services
For some time now, members of the Kiltarlity congregation have been giving feedback that the current time of the service at 12 noon is so late in the day that it discourages attendance. As a result,
Kiltarlity Kirk Session recently conducted a survey of its congregation to gather feedback on both the current time and possible earlier alternatives. Many thanks to the large number of people who responded to this survey – the response was very encouraging.
The clear view from the Kiltarlity congregation was a desire to move the time of the service to earlier
in the day – a 2 to 1 majority of respondents said they were not happy with the current time of 12
noon. Three possible options were suggested in the survey, namely:
1. Move the service half an hour earlier to 11:30 a.m.
2. Alternate service time with Kirkhill on an annual basis, with a time of 10.30am on even years
and 12 noon on odd years.
3. A 9 a.m. service in the summer months.
Option 3 received very little positive feedback and the results were equally split on option 1 vs. option
2. What was clear, in particular from the comments, was a desire to make the service time earlier.
Feedback from families in particular was that the current service time discourages attendance.
As a result of this feedback, Kirkhill Kirk Session is in the process of conducting a survey of its
congregation and once this survey is complete it is hoped that the two Kirk Sessions will meet to
discuss the outcome of both surveys and discuss the next steps.
Editor’s note : The Kirkhill Kirk Session at their meeting on 21 March 2013 made a decision that before discussing a change of service times at a joint meeting of both Kirk Sessions, the Kirkhill Elders wished to consult with the whole of the Kirkhill congregation about Kiltarlity’s Option 1. Accordingly all members of the congregation have been invited to complete a survey form, closing date for which is 5 May 2013.
Food is a gift from God – ‘Give us today our daily bread.’ Matthew 6:11
The number of people using emergency food banks has more than doubled in Scotland in the last year according to the Trussell Trust. They said that 14,318 people were helped during 2012 to 2013; this was an increase of 5,726 over the previous year. People come to the charity for a range of reasons from unexpected bills to redundancy.
Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Convener of the Church and Society Council said: “Many Church of Scotland congregations have been involved in helping to set up food banks in their local areas. While it is really positive that we as Christians are able to have a positive impact on the lives of those in need in our communities, in many ways I find it disturbing that, in 21st century Scotland, where so many people have more than enough, it should be necessary for this kind of provision to be made. We as a society need to ensure that the marginalised and vulnerable are taken care of properly and treated with dignity.”
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 21 of 22
www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk
The puppies
A client brought a litter of Golden Retriever puppies to the local veterinary clinic for inoculations and worming. As the look-alike pups tumbled over and under one another in their box, the experienced vet realised it would be difficult to tell which had been treated and which hadn't. So the vet turned on the water tap, wet her fingers and gently moistened each dog's head as she finished giving it the necessary shots.
After the fourth puppy, the vet noticed her hitherto talkative client had grown silent and was looking rather reverent. As the animal doctor sprinkled the last pup's head, the owner leaned forward and whispered, "Thank you so much. I hadn’t realised you baptised them, too.”
Diary dates for MAY 2013
30 April Coffee / tea / home baking at Wardlaw Church at 10:00 a.m. 1 May Prayer meeting at Wardlaw Church at 7:00 p.m. 5 May Worship at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. and KILTARLITY at 12 noon. Preacher is Rev. Trevor Hunt 5 May First Sunday Praise at Kiltarlity Free Church at 6:00 p.m. 7 May Coffee / tea / home baking at Wardlaw Church at 10:00 a.m. 8 May Prayer meeting at Wardlaw Church at 7:00 p.m. 12 May Communion service at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. and normal service at KILTARLITY at 12 noon. Preacher is Rev. Trevor Hunt 14 May Coffee / tea / home baking at Wardlaw Church at 10:00 a.m. 15 May Prayer meeting at Wardlaw Church at 7:00 p.m. 19 May Family Gala Service at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. led by Rev. Bill Freel Normal service at KILTARLITY at 12 noon led by Joe Barnard 19 May Third Sunday Praise event at Wardlaw Church at 6:00 p.m. 21 May Coffee / tea / home baking at Wardlaw Church at 10:00 a.m. 22 May Prayer meeting at Wardlaw Church at 7:00 p.m. 26 May Worship at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. and KILTARLITY at 12 noon. Preacher is Steven Barton
28 May Coffee / tea / home baking at Wardlaw Church at 10:00 a.m. 29 May Prayer meeting at Wardlaw Church at 7:00 p.m. 30 May Kirkhill Kirk Session meet at Wardlaw Church at 7:30 p.m. 2 June Elder led service at WARDLAW at 10:30 a.m. followed by sandwich lunch in aid of CoS HIV programme. Normal service at KILTARLITY at 12 noon. Preacher at Kiltarlity will be Mrs Morven Archer 4 June Kirkhill Deacons’ Court meeting at Wardlaw Church at 7:30 p.m.
The June 2013 issue of The Parishioner will be published on Sunday, 2nd June 2013
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