February 2017 – Ash Wednesday to Third Sunday of Easter

The Scottish Episcopal Church The Parish Magazine of St John the Evangelist Forres Charity Number SC010346

1st Sunday of Lent to February 3rd Sunday of Easter The Eagle 2017

Images of Purgatory, Humor Monastery, Moldavia Editor’s Photograph 1991

This edition of the Eagle is available in full colour on St John’s Website

NOTICES

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS—please note that the St John’s email address has changed to:- St JOHNS [email protected] NOTICES OUR PRIEST IN CHARGE—during the interregnum is the Very Rev. Alison Simpson. Her contact details are given on the back page. Please use the Clergy and Rectory Contact details for all matters ex- cept urgent personal matters. Alison is Dean and Rector of St. Columba’s Church, Nairn. Alison will be the Celebrant at our 10am service on Sundays 26th February and 30th April. CHURCH CLEANING–more volunteers are needed. Please contact Barbara Westie (email [email protected]). Even better if you can come as a pair. USE of the PARISH ROOM–if you would like to use the Parish Room please contact Tina on 01309 676936 or email secretar- [email protected]. CONGRATULATIONS—are offered to Kirsteen Mitcalfe on her award of an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for her work in the Voluntary Service in Moray. WORLD DAY OF PRAYER—Friday 3rd March, The service comes from The Philippines and the theme is: "Am I being unfair to you?". There will be a service on Friday 3rd March at 6.30pm at the Lighthouse Church, Clovenside Rd, Forres IV36 3BT. ECUMENICAL CLIMATE CHANGE DISCUSSION GROUP – the group continue to meet twice monthly, now on a Wednesday Night, in the Lady Chapel of St John’s Church– phone Jo Fry on 07814 556872 for more details. The group may be small in world changing size but they hope to be able to plant some small acorns. The group’s next meetings will be on Wednesday 29th March at 7pm. ASH WEDNESDAY – Wednesday 1st March 2017 – there will be an evening service at 7.30pm with the Laying on of the Ashes followed by a Eucharist. Please see page 29 for details of additional services in Lent and during Holy Week. VESTRY MEETING – Monday 6th March in the Parish Room 7pm. BOOK CLUB – Tuesday 7th March at 4 Leslie Place starting at 7pm. The book to be dis- cussed will be Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte Agnes Grey is the daughter of Mr. Grey, a minister of modest means, and Mrs. Grey, a woman who left her wealthy family and married purely out of love. Mr. Grey tries to increase the family’s financial standing, but the merchant he entrusts his money to 2 dies in a wreck, and the lost investment plunges the family into debt. Agnes, her sis- ter Mary, and their mother all try to keep expenses low and bring in extra money, but Agnes is frustrated that everyone treats her like a child. To prove herself and to earn money, she is determined to get a position as a governess. Eventually, she obtains a recommendation from a well-placed acquaintance, is offered a position, and secures her parents’ permission. With some misgivings, she travels to Wellwood house to work for the Bloomfield family…. COMPLINE—there will be a short service of Compline, preceded by an address by Dea- con Anthony, in church on a Wednesday Evening at 5.00pm during lent, starting on the 8th March. See page 29 for a summary of additional services in Lent and Holy Week. COFFEE MORNING – Saturday 11th March from 10am to Noon in Forres Town Hall. En- trance £2 per adult – apart from the Chocolate Tombola there will be in addition Bottle and Cake Stalls, Raffle and refreshments including home made scones and jam. MOTHERS’ UNION MEETING – Tuesday 14th March in Church at 2.00pm. Pat Ellison will be giving a talk on Barnardo’s Then and Now. MOTHERS’ UNION LADY DAY SERVICE – will be held at 2pm on Saturday 26th March at St Andrew’s Cathedral Inverness. It will be preceded by the Annual Council Meeting at 11am in the Old Boys’ School. Please note parking arrangements and charges have changed at the Cathedral. MOTHERING SUNDAY, 26thMarch—British Summer Time will start at 2am in the morning, so please remember that clocks will be going forward one hour in the early hours of Sunday Morning. VESTRY MEETING – Monday 3rd April in the Parish Room 7pm. QUIZ – Saturday 8th April 2017 in the Church Hall – details to be advised. CONFIRMATION – Bishop Mark will be at St John’s on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Sunday 7th May for a Confirmation Service. If there is anyone who would like to be con- firmed on that day, please speak to one of the Vestry YOUR NEXT EDITION OF EAGLE— will be in church from the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Sun- day 30th April. Your editor and webmaster is Michael Ellison, who can be contacted :- St. Crispin’s, 9 South Street, Forres IV36 1DE Email [email protected] Telephone 07932 000398 Eagle is produced on a two monthly basis, with Eagle arriving in church for the last Sun- day in February, April, June, August, October and December. Please submit articles for publication in Eagle by the second Sunday of each of these months. {The editor would like to thank all the members of our congregation who have contributed articles for this Edition and also thank all for your kind words of support and en- couragement for the previous editions) Many Thanks Michael

Parish Survey Report

SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST FORRES SUMMARY OF RESPONSES TO THE CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY JANUARY 2017 Many of you will have noticed, and perhaps used, the temporary ‘post-box’ by the font which was placed there to collect your responses to the question ‘What kind of Church do I want St John’s to be in five years time’? The responses received from members of the Vestry Committee and the wider congregation will be used in the development of our Parish Profile, one of the documents the Vestry Committee will produce to identify and attract the kind of individual we believe our church wishes to see appointed to lead us into the next chapter in the history of St John’s. The responses can be divided into 5 broad categories: A. Congregational Growth B. Development of Current Strengths C. Development of Our Own Worship D. Expansion of Links with Other Christian and Non - Christian Communities E. Development of Mission and Worship Support Activities A number of discrete points were identified which collectively summarise the responses sufficiently accurately to allow their use to identify the qualities we seek in a new incumbent. These are summarised in their respective categories below. This list does not include every single point that respondents made, as there was a degree of com- monality in the ideas suggested, while some respondents strayed well beyond the re- quirements of the question they were asked to answer. A. Congregational Growth Increase attendance on a sustainable basis across all age groups. Attract more children and young people; provide attractions to facilitate this aim - activities, Sunday School, Young Choir for example; allow young people to assume some duties in services and wider parish activity where appropriate. Be more welcoming/receptive to other societal groups and diversify from our perceived ‘middle class’ image. B. Development of Current Strengths Retain our current warmth of welcome and sense of community. Recognise/retain/appreciate the significant voluntary efforts that are keeping the parish viable during the Interregnum. Preserve and develop the new-found vibrancy of the parish evident during the Interregnum to date.

4 C. Development of Our Own Worship Respect the Liturgy and traditions of the SEC but balance this with a more di- verse mix of worship services and activities; our worship should be evolving and forward-looking; should recognise and promote the deepest spiritual truths. Establish a Pastoral Care Team and/or a Worship Sub-Committee. Establish/make greater use of ‘informal’ groups - Bible Study and Prayer Groups, House Groups, Walking Group, Breakfast Club for example. Invite external prayer support groups and worship teams for workshops and events, perhaps including the organisation of Retreats. Build on the current improving state of music in our worship and strive for more variety - Taize etc. Try to recruit more Sidesmen to assist the elderly and provide an initial welcome to visitors. D. Expansion of Links with Other Christian and Non - Christian Communities Wider involvement in our local community - mission, worship, charity, fellowship, outreach. Increase ecumenical interaction with other local churches/faiths; host interfaith services; adopt an outward-looking view, not only an inward-looking one. E. Development of Mission and Worship Support Activities Structured and agreed annual charity giving. Increased use of electronic media to disseminate every aspect of our message. Consider ways to optimise the use of our land and infrastructure to facilitate and support a larger congregation. Sincere thanks to all of you who took the trouble to respond to the vestry request for your views; all original responses will be retained for use in the future by the Vestry Committee and our new Priest. John Horrocks Thank you John for producing this concise summary of the congregation’s responses. It will hopefully provide the Vestry which much to ponder as they take into account these responses in the continuing quest to find a new Rector for St John’s, Forres.

5 Vestry Seconds and Money Matters The original aim in publishing “Vestry Seconds” on a regular basis was to keep you informed about things that you might not already know. To compile them, I collect together the minutes of all the recent Vestry Meetings, delete the items that are either repetitive and mundane or where the information has already been (or will be) published elsewhere and then write about what is left. This month, there is practically nothing left. Basically, things you are already aware of are simply progressing at a steady pace with very little new to report on - and those are almost exclusively to do with the Rectory refurbishment. The electrics have been ‘sorted’. We have a modern circuit breaker box instead of the old multitude of fuses and connectors and now hold an electrical safety certificate. There are a couple of additional electrical jobs still to be done (new light fittings in kitchen, scullery and laundry) but the initial cost came in at just £150 over estimate- and that includes the new sensor light over the Rectory front door which has been much appreciated by all those attempting to get the key out of the lock box in the dark. The originally planned joinery work is complete (partition wall, false ceiling in laundry and relined ceiling and walls in bedroom 5) and, due to a generous discount, cost 10% less than estimated. What’s more, the cost of the partition wall has been totally offset by a gift-aided dona- tion. The en-suite bathroom has been completely refitted a month ahead of schedule - at the estimated cost - but there will be added expense as one of the walls was so badly damaged by previous work that it had to be relined with plasterboard. While the fitters were there, we got them to replace the broken shower enclosure in the shower room so there will be the cost of that enclosure to add to the bill. The painting and decorating is “cracking” on apace. Costs there will be over estimate because several issues have come to light requiring extra work - one of which was finding that over a large area of the study ceiling the plasterwork had become detached from the underlying lathes. The area was repaired by replac- ing the plasterwork with new plasterboard. Another issue has been that the walls in bedroom 5 were in a much worse state than originally thought - involv- ing extra work. The carpets and solid flooring have been chosen- within estimate. What is more, we saved £95 on the removal of the old carpets by doing some of the work ourselves. However, additional cost will be incurred because it was decid-

6 ed we needed to repair all the broken, loose and wobbly floorboards and fit draught-proofing hardwood thresholds under many of the doors.. We have also had to fit a handrail to the back staircase and to the cellar steps and the joiner has had to completely replace the surround to the kitchen window which was too damaged to repair. Hopefully, these added costs will fall within our contingency. The unexpected emergency re-pointing of the Parish Room chimney came in at £482 and that seems to have stopped the dampness on the wall inside. Whilst on the money front - the Christmas Service raised £594.41 for Highland crisis Accommodation whilst the Christmas Pudding and Mince Pie sales raised well over £300. Other items Well it’s not ALL about the Rectory. There has been a need for some extra stor- age in the Church for a while and the Vestry agreed to purchase a shelving system which has been fitted into the tower by the balcony. It now provides a tidy place to store our Nativity figures and other seldom used but important things. Bad news for those hoping that we might be able to fit a simpler-to-use dimmer system for the church uplighters. The dimming mechanism is embedded in each light. The switches in the Sacristy merely send a control signal to the light fitting. Installing a different dimmer system would mean a major re-wire of most of the church !! Bad news too for those having difficulty opening the church door from inside. The plan to replace the round handle with a lever has stalled for the moment because it seems impossible to source a suitable lever handle. The lock itself has been checked and there is nothing wrong with it - the problem is that the door has warped slightly and so the bolt is pressed hard against the striking plate making turning the handle difficult. And finally, the bit you have all been waiting for. At the February Vestry meeting the Vestry felt that we might be able to start the process of advertis- ing for a new priest at the end of March. We are perhaps being a little optimis- tic - but the decorator thinks that his work on the Rectory may well be complete by the end of March. At that time, we should be able to demonstrate that the Rectory is within 3 months of completion (with just carpets, curtains, fix- tures and fittings still to be completed) and so be able to seek permission from the Bishop to advertise. Grant Swain

7 Mothers’ Union News

St. John’s Mothers’ Union meet regularly on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm in the Parish Room. Other coming events: Saturday 25th March at 2pm Lady Day Service at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Inverness, preceded by Annu- al Council Meeting at 11am in the Old Boys’ School Tuesday 25th -Thursday 27th April Provincial Retreat 2017 at St Mary’s Monastery, Kinnoull Perth, please arrive between 2 and 2.30pm on the Tuesday. This is in the week following Easter Week. Although it is a silent retreat, there is some flexibility to allow people to catch up with each other at either end of the retreat. the silence is maintained in the building from around 8pm on Tuesday to around 12 noon on Thursday, though there will be areas reserved for those who want to talk during these times. Wednesday afternoon is free time to explore the area or use as you wish. There will also be an opportunity to talk to the leader on a one to one basis during this time. For more details please see http://www.muscotland.org.uk/Retreat.htm

Mothers’ Day Make a Gift 2017

Once again the Mothers’ Union, not just in Forres, nor even Moray, Scotland, The United Kingdom but WORLDWIDE are running their annual Make a Moth-

8 ers’ Day Gift Appeal. The MU Worldwide President Lynne Tembery is delighted with their 2017 range, with a theme of gifts that put mothers at the heart of everything. Each Ethically Sourced Gift helps mothers move from life on the margins right to the heart of their families and communities. Whether through enabling a mother to learn to read, become a better parent or find the Strength in God to change things for the better. For a modest £6 (a new £1 coin and £5 bank note) You can help a mum attend a Bible course that could change her whole outlook on life. For Justine Byamukama, 48, it helped her to see the few chickens she had scratch- ing about her garden in a whole new light: as the start of a poultry farm. With hard work, Justine had made that vision a reality. Not only are her six children now well fed but the added income from selling eggs is putting her children through school. And it doesn’t stop there, Justine hopes to spread her wings and help her whole community. Help a mother like Justine see God’s gifts and use them to lift her family out of poverty. For a mere £10 (two new plastic fivers) You could help a mother like Marie Claire Agahire, 44, learn a skill to provide for her family and community. Marie Claire lost her mother at 18 and had to bring up her six siblings. Mothers’ Union were there for her during this difficult time and taught Marie Claire craft-making skills which she now uses to earn money for her family. Marie Claire has also set up a workshop to pass on her skills to orphaned children. Marie Claire says, “Thank you for train- ing me in crafts such as sewing, knitting and jewellery. I now buy all I need and have my workshop to teach children how to weave.” Help a mum learn a liveli- hood and earn a living for her family. For £24, (which equates to 60p for each day in Lent) You can help women in communities around the world where they face inequality, violence and their voices are ignored. Mothers’ Union is at the forefront of giving women a voice. With this gift you will train a local facilitator who can educate women about

9 their rights and form a group so women can speak out against inequality and violence. In South Sudan, when one woman told her group that women in her tribe could be chained and beaten into ac- cepting a marriage, they took action. The group confronted local tribe leaders and convinced them to stop this terrible practice. The money helps to train a local facilitator and give mothers the confidence and skills to speak out against inequality. £40 (that works out at £1 for each day of Lent) You can help a mother gain parenting skills. In Gikomero Parish, Rwan- da, 105 young single mothers joined our parenting skills group. Many knew little about parenting and were being shunned by their families. One mum from the group says, “We are so thank- ful. We felt excluded as single mothers but your support brings us together and we find strength in each other. We have learnt practical skills like growing vegetables for a healthy diet. We have even started a savings group to help each other care for the needs of our children.” In the UK and Ireland, parenting groups cover topics such as dealing with chal- lenging behaviour, building a child’s self-esteem and difficult topics such as sex and suicide. Help a mum gain the skills to care for her children. The Mothers’ Union hopes that you like this year’s range of truly inspiring and empowering Make a Mother’s Day gifts. Each one helps mothers move from life on the margins right to the heart of their families and communities. Whether that’s through enabling a mother to learn to read, become a better parent or find the strength in God to change things for the better. This Mothering Sunday, what better way to celebrate your mum than by help- ing mothers around the world to be at the heart of positive change! Your dona- tion will be distributed across all areas of Mothers’ Union’s work, wherever the need is greatest.

10 It’s easy to give a Make a Mother’s Day gift Step 1 - Choose your gift You can choose any of the gifts in the online catalogue at http://www.makeamothersday.org/ and, of course, you can choose more than one. Step 2 – Fill in the order form Visit the 'View Basket' page to see the gifts you have chosen. If you are happy with your gift selection then please proceed to the Checkout page and enter your details into the order form. Please tick the Gift Aid box if you are a UK tax payer so your gift will be worth 25% more. After you have completed your order form you will be taken to a secure page where you can enter your credit/debit card details to pay for your gifts and complete your order. Step 3 – Receive your Mothering Sunday card We will send you any cards you have requested or send them directly to whom you ask for the card to be sent to. You will be sent a confirmation email which will include a link to your downloadable card. This can be printed and folded and once you complete your personal message it can be given to your mother. Remember Mothering Sunday is on 26th March so please get your orders in by Wednesday 15th March so we can send you the card in time. Too late? Use the downloadable card you will receive by email. You can also order by post or by phone 020 7222 5533 For info see leaflets in church or via http://www.makeamothersday.org/

11 Boys’ Brigade Diary

Forres Boys’ Brigade or BB’s as they are often known meet on a Tuesday evening during term time in St Leonard’s church hall. There are two groups of boys, the older Junior section and the younger Anchor section which I have been getting to know. The Anchor boys can be as young as five years old. Altogether there are currently around twenty boys who regularly attend. The boys are led by their officers, Graeme Ferguson who is Lieutenant and Derek Gordon who supports him. Term began in early January with a brisk walk to Grant Park on a moonlit evening. We were off to look at the night sky with the particular aim of trying to see if any of the boys could identify the very bright “star” (well, planet) in the East. Venus was clearly visible the clouds scudding nicely along to allow us long glimpses of this beautiful planet and a bright moon. We spent some time talk- ing to the boys about what they were seeing in the night sky but were glad to get back to the warmth of the hall for their snack and drink. The excitement continued as another of the helpers, Mrs Akehurst started to explain to the boys the arrangement of the planets in our solar system. To help illustrate her explanation she got each of the boys to stand where the planets would be in relation to the Earth, then they had a chance to orbit each other. This was enjoyed by the boys so much that it was decided to carry on with our theme of planets for the rest of the term. So a few weeks later it was my turn to help plan and lead a session. With the words body, mind, spirit, community and creativity reminding me of what I needed to be aware of I set about preparing. The words body, mind, spirit, community and creativity are taken from the Boys Brigade website which informed me that those are the areas of development to be considered when working with an Anchor boy. It also said that the emphasis is to be on fun and activity. When I read this it made me think about how the boys are during their sessions on a Tuesday evening. Yes! I thought: that is a programme made for boys of this age group! The joy that emanates from them as they race around the hall together kicking a football or chasing balloons is palpable. Similarly the obvious feeling of their own satisfaction as near to the end of an evening when they have been concentrating on completing a worksheet or making a craft is a

12 joy too. Being active whether by being physical and on their feet or by being still and using their hands and minds is just how these boys have fun. The challenge as a helper was going to be, ‘Could I plan an evening that was fun for the boys but also covered the Boys’ Brigade programme?’ After Mr Ferguson had begun the evening with uniform inspection and given out the medal for smartest boy to the most deserving member of the Anchor section, we were ready to start baking muffins. Earlier that day, as I was preparing, I thought the boys would like to choose whether to use chocolate chips, cherries or sultanas as fillings for the muffins. “They wont choose cherries” said my husband as I was packing a myriad of bags in readiness for the baking extravaganza. ‘Maybe not’, I thought but lets just see. As it turned out most boys went for the triple filling with a heavy bias towards chocolate! We managed to get two groups of boys through the process of mixing the muffins, with only one of them putting his finger into the mix and smiling broadly as he did so. Two trays of individually designed muffins were spooned into the tins and hurriedly put into the oven so that we could move onto our craft activity and hopefully have cooked muffins before they went home. Whilst the boys were cooking one group at a time, the remainder had been having a lot of noisy fun under Mr Fergusons instruction, footballs and balloons being part of the excitement. As I prepared the craft table, a well-earned drink and snack was being served to the boys. Having run around and enjoyed free time it was now time to try and gather thoughts around the story of creation. As I began to read, they gradually focused, obviously enjoying the ideas and paintings in the book. “God hasn’t made people” came one cry. “Well we have only got to day three of the story…” (so they were listening!). As we finished the story I explained we would be making mobiles to show day four “Let the sky be filled with the sun and moon… And God scattered stars across the sky like diamonds” WOW” ex- claimed one little boy. So out came the paper plates, the crayons, stars and glue. Much concentra- tion was displayed by all of the boys, even if some took a little longer than others to engage with the task in hand. Glue seemed to be everywhere and new galaxies of stars were forming on the table and floor around me but before we knew it parents were waiting to take their children home and the hall was filling with older Junior boys waiting to begin their session. Did I fulfil the BBs Anchor programme? Well, I hope so. I do know the evening went by in a literal blur of red BBs sweatshirts as happy boys took part enthu-

13 siastically with all the events planned for them. For me a mark of how much the boys enjoy their BB time was when this week one of the youngest boys asked his dad who had come to collect him “why are you here?” The evening finishes with the Anchor boys prayer and the giving to one member of the section the Best Boy award. The obvious sense of pride in the boy who re- ceives this award is another example of how much these youngsters gain from being part of the associa- tion. Sally Ross Mowat February 2017 For more information about the Boys’ Brigade in Scotland please see http://boys-brigade.org.uk/scotland/ And the 2nd Forres in Particular, please see http://www.forres-boysbrigade.co.uk/ which includes a rendition of “Will your anchor hold” by Richard M S Irwin and an online shop as well as further details of the group.

14 Kirsteen Mitcalfe MBE

Kirsteen Mitcalfe grew up with a passion for equestrianism – but her days of taking part were cruelly cut short when she broke her back after falling from a horse as a teenager. However, she never lost her admiration for the animals and instead pioneered Riding for the Disabled classes which allow children with additional needs to take lessons. She helped establish the group in Forres, and spent 40 years overseeing sessions. Kirsteen only stopped lending a hand after a hip operation in recent years. But she still drives children back and forth to lessons at the Burgie Riding Centre every week. And her dedication has now been rewarded, with the announce- ment that she has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). The modest pensioner was “flabbergasted” when she learned about the honour. There are a huge amount of volunteers carry- ing out work in Moray, and I just do it because it’s needed. I don’t know why I have been picked out, I’m absolutely flabbergasted.” Kirsteen grew up near Hopeman, and is married to Hugh – who worked as a marketing manager with Macallan-Glenlivet. They lived in Milton Brodie for half a century before moving to Findhorn four years ago. The selfless volunteer helped start the Highland Hospice group in Forres, and has been involved with the town’s Meals on Wheels scheme for decades. The former dep- uty lieutenant to the lord lieutenant of Moray has recently ploughed her efforts into a project aimed at highlighting the history of Kinloss Abbey. The letter from the Cabinet Office arrived at her home in early December, but she was forced to keep the news of its contents under wraps. She said “It came as a complete surprise. I’d love to know who nominated me, but I don’t suppose I’ll find out. I wanted to tell my daughters about the award immediately, but the letter said I had to keep it a secret until the New Year. I’m not sure why I have been singled out. There are plenty of other people in Moray who do similar things, but I’m still very happy” From the Press and Journal and Forres Gazette. Editor’s Photo

15 SUNDAY EUCHARIST PRESIDENTS, READERS and INTERCESSORS ROTA DATE Eucharistic President OLD TESTAMENT PSALM NEW TESTA- GOSPEL Reader and Intercessor MENT 01st March 7.30pm—Rev Canon Robin Forrest Joel 2. 51. 2 Corinthians John 8. Reader Pat Ellison ASH WEDNESDAY 1-2, 12-17 1-18 5.20b - 6.10 1-11 Int’csr

05th March 8am Bishop Mark Genesis 2.15-17; 32 Romans 5. Matthew 4. Reader….Sheila Biggs 1st Sunday of Lent 10am Bishop Mark 3.1-7 12-19 1-11 Int’csr……Derek Bedford 12th March 8am Rev Canon Laurence Gunner Genesis 12. 121 Romans 4. John 3. Reader….George Latham 2nd Sunday of Lent 10am Rev Canon Laurence Gunner 1-4a 1-5,13-17 1-17 Int’csr……Pat Ellison 19th March 8am Deacon Anthony Exodus 17. 95 Romans 5. John 4. Reader….Barbara Westie 3rd Sunday of Lent 10am Rev Patrick Thompson 1-7 1-11 5-42 Int’csr……John Guthrie

26th March 8am George Latham & Exodus 2. 127 Corinthians 1. Luke 2. Reader….June Airey Mothering Sunday John Horrocks 1-10 1-4 3-7 33-35 Int’csr……Wiz Latham 10am Rev Canon Robin Forrest 2nd April 8am Rev Canon Laurence Gunner Ezekiel 37. 130 Romans 8. John 11. Reader….John Horrocks 5th Sunday of Lent 10am Rev Canon Laurence Gunner 1-4 6-11 1-45 Int’csr……Anthony Matchwick 9th April 8am Deacon Anthony Isaiah 50. 31 Philippians 2. Liturgy of the Reader….Jennie Swain Palm Sunday 10am Rev Canon Robin Forrest 4-9a 9-16 5-11 Passion from St Int’csr……Julian Rudd Liturgy of the Palms Matthew 13th April 7.30pm Deacon Anthony and Exodus 12. 116 1 Corinthians 11. John 13. Reader….Michael Thompson Maundy Thursday Rev Patrick Thompson 1-4, 11-15 1,10-17 23-26 1-17,31b-35 Int’csr……

16th April 8am Deacon Anthony Acts 10.34-43 118 Colossians 3. John 20.1-18 Reader….Seymour Monro Easter Sunday 10am Rev Patrick Thompson 1-2,14-24 1-4 Int’csr……Patrick Thompson 23rd April 8am Alison M & Derek Bedford Acts 2. 16 1 Peter 1. John 20. Reader….Alison Manson 2nd Sunday of Easter 10am Rev Patrick Thompson 14a,22-32 3-9 19-31 Int’csr……June Airey 30th April 8am Tina Coffey Acts 2. 116 1 Peter 1. Luke 24. Reader….Emma Moffatt 3rd Sunday of Easter 10am Very Rev Alison Simpson 14a,36-41 1-3, 10-17 17-23 13-35 Int’csr……Derek Bedford 7th May 8am Bishop Mark Acts 2. 23 1 Peter 2. John 10. Reader….Pat Ellison 4th Sunday of Easter 10am Bishop Mark 42-47 19-end 1-10 Int’csr……Pat Ellison

Priest in Charge:- The Very Rev. Alison Simpson St John’s website: www.stjohnsforres.wordpress.com The Rectory, Victoria Road, Forres, IV36 3BN Diocesan website: www.moray.anglican.org Clergy Email [email protected] Phone: 01309 672856 Provincial website: www.scotland.anglican.org SUNDAY EUCHARIST PRESIDENTS, READERS and INTERCESSORS ROTA DATE Eucharistic President OLD TESTAMENT PSALM NEW TESTA- GOSPEL Reader and Intercessor MENT 01st March 7.30pm—Rev Canon Robin Forrest Joel 2. 51. 2 Corinthians John 8. Reader Pat Ellison ASH WEDNESDAY 1-2, 12-17 1-18 5.20b - 6.10 1-11 Int’csr

It came as a shock in late January to learn of the death of Handley Barrett. As relative newcomers to the pews of St John’s, Helen and Handley were amongst the first congregation members to make us feel welcome, and tell us where the Church Hall was, for the mysterious Coffee and Fellowship were available after the 10.00am service. Handley was always willing to entertain you in conversation, share the peace and otherwise make you feel like a long lost relative, in spite of his health prob- lems. At Canon Cliff’s leaving party, I will always remember the wonderful tales he had to tell of his lifetime, especially taking senior officers by boat for clandestine meetings up various rivers in Malaya. It was interesting to find one of the few references to him on the internet, is from the World Cancer Research Fund, on the subject of Beating Cancer with Healthy Exercise, dated the 20th January 2014 Our supporters are often contacting us to tell us about the value they place in our guiding aim of ‘stopping cancer before it starts’ – and the ways they’ve adapted their diet and lifestyle to reduce their risk of cancer. As WCRF UK's Executive Director, I recently received a letter from Handley Barrett who was diagnosed with lymphoma a year ago. Handley, an 84-year-old former sailor, has thankfully recovered now – a swift improvement that he puts down to the regular exercise he takes around his home in Roseisle, near Inverness. He has also led an active life, with a 17-year career in the Royal Navy and then five years as an outward-bound instructor and 22 years as a teacher. His example is one we could all take on board – no matter our age– to help protect us against poor health and help aid our recovery should we fall ill. As he wrote so eloquently in his letter: “As I see it, if one looks at a mountain stream, the water rushes down it and no plants get a chance to settle and grow on the banks. However, it is only when streams at a far lower altitude chug along that seeds get the opportunity to embed themselves and settle in the banks that plants get a chance to grow. “So it’s the same with the blood in our veins and arteries – static, non-active folk leave themselves open, unwittingly, to the growth of undesirables in their blood-

18 streams whilst exercisers provide the resistance to such venom!” Physical activity is one of the cornerstones of protecting against getting cancer and is one of the 10 Recommendations for Cancer Prevention that we advise. We rec- ommend at least 30 minutes of moderate activity every day. This can be any kind of activity that raises your heart rate and breathing and can be spread throughout the day (ie three ten-minute walks). The other vital aspects of cancer prevention focus on diet and maintaining a healthy body weight – eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains and avoiding energy-dense food and drink, and staying as slim as possible without being underweight. No doubt he is now organising healthy exercise for the angels. Our thoughts and prayers go to Helen and all the family at this time. What more fitting epi- taph to Handley are the words of Death is Nothing at All by Henry Scott Hol- land, and read at his funeral service in St John’s on the 3rd February. Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that, we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same that it ever was. I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near. Just around the corner remember me. Helen would like to thank all those who so kindly sent cards and letters. They were very much appreciated.

19 Primus David Announces His Retirement The Most Rev David Chillingworth announced on the 9th February, that he will retire as Bishop of St An- drews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and as Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church at the end of July 2017. Bishop David was consecrated Bish- op of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dun- blane in 2005 and was elected Pri- mus in 2009. In his leadership roles in Scotland, Bishop David has consistently encouraged the church to become more missional. In his diocese, he has developed the Casting the Net initiative. In the wider life of the Scottish Episcopal Church, he encouraged the establishment of the Whole Church Mission and Ministry Policy. He believes that mission is rooted in faith commitment and in a deep understanding of history and con- text. He has worked to sustain the unity of the church as it addressed human sexuality issues. Bishop David has also been deeply involved in the life of the Anglican Commun- ion, serving as a member of the Anglican Communion Standing Committee. He has exercised leadership in Continuing Indaba, a movement which attempts to establish ‘honest conversation across difference in the cause of mission’ across the Anglican Communion. He also serves as the Anglican Co-Chair of the Inter- national Dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the World Commun- ion of Reformed Churches. His work in the Anglican Communion was recog- nised by the award of an Honorary Degree from the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee Ordained in 1976, Bishop David spent the next 29 years in the ministry of the Church of Ireland within Northern Ireland. Much of that time was spent in places which were deeply affected by the Northern Ireland conflict. Throughout that period, particularly as Rector of Seagoe Parish Church in Portadown, he 20 attempted to develop ways in which churches could challenge the sectarianism which powerfully influenced communities and churches in Northern Ireland. During that time, he also served successively as Dean and Archdeacon of Dromore. Throughout his ministry, Bishop David has given a high priority to communica- tion. He is a regular broadcaster and for over ten years has written a blog at www.bishopdavid.net In announcing his retirement, Bishop David said “it has been an immense privilege for me to exercise the interwoven min- istries of bishop and Primus. The Scottish Episcopal Church has with increasing confidence been developing its mission and taking its place in the evolving story of Scotland. As the process for the election of my successor begins – and as God’s un- folding future for our church is revealed – I shall continue to hold this church and its leadership in my prayers.” Details of the processes for election of a new bishop and appointment of a Pri- mus can be read at http://www.scotland.anglican.org/who-we-are/ organisation/bishops-and-their-dioceses/ There are seven Scottish regions – each known as a Diocese – which form the structure of the Scottish Episcopal Church. These Dioceses are : Aberdeen & Orkney; Argyll & The Isles; Brechin; Edinburgh; Glasgow & Galloway; Moray, Ross & Caithness; and St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane. Each Diocese is shepherded by a Diocesan Bishop who oversees the spiritual and practical concerns of all the clergy and lay people within their own diocese. The seven bishops together comprise The College of Bishops. Within the College a ‘primus inter pares’ is elected to act as ‘first among equals’ in his role as Sen- ior Bishop. Appointing a Primus The title “Primus” comes from the Latin ‘primus inter pares’ (meaning first among equals). The Primus chairs the College of Bishops and represents the College and the wider church at home and throughout the world-wide Anglican Communion. The Primus is elected by the Episcopal Synod which comprises all of the Diocesan Bishops. The bishop who is elected Primus also remains a Diocesan Bishop

21 Bishop Mark— a response to President Trump’s ban on refugees In an article from the Press and Jour- nal, on the 3rd Feb- ruary, Bishop Mark spoke out against the ban on refugees by President Trump and his administra- tion. I have waited for a few days before commenting on the travel ban imposed by President Trump. I have waited in hope that the pressure of international political out- rage and the protests in the USA itself would have encouraged the president to reconsider. That hope seems to be in vain. I was brought up to consider USA as a nation that welcomed the outcasts of the nations, the Scots and Irish, Eastern Europeans and refugees from the war- torn communities of the world. I often wished we had a Statue of Liberty reminding us all of the lead given by the USA in providing an example of welcome to the world. That makes what is happening all the harder to bear. At a moment in history when the pain and horror we see on the faces of Syrian refugees, the fear on the streets of the Yemen, when whole communities face destruction as we saw with the Yazidis in Northern Iraq, this is the time when the world needs the bright light of lady liberty at the entrance to New York. What we have is a policy that forces the people of the USA to turn their back on people from these communities because they are of the same faith as those who have been persecuting them. This is not the response I would expect from a Christian, it is not what Jesus would have us do. I pray that this decision will be overturned and that the land of liberty may take the lead in welcoming the most needy again. See more at: http://www.scotland.anglican.org/bishop-mark-response-to- president-trump/#sthash.dwqpxnKK.dpuf

23 How can life go on?

On Holocaust Memorial Day, a group from Middlesbrough travelled to York Minster with a group of people who had fled their home country to seek refuge, who now live in Mid- dlesbrough. We received the most gracious and warm welcome from staff, enjoyed delicious food and a tour of the Minster before joining in the beautiful service. They lit candles to remember the 6 million Jews who died in the Holocaust, but they were also lighting candles to remember the family members and friends who have died in the past months and years in the war & perse- cution that is ever present in the world today. The following poem was read, taken from ‘We Refugees’ by Benjamin Zephaniah We can all be refugees Nobody is safe, All it takes is a mad leader Or no rain to bring forth food, We can all be refugees We can all be told to go, We can all be hated by someone For being someone. We can all be refugees Sometimes it only takes a day, Sometimes it only takes a handshake Or a paper that is signed. We all came from refugees Nobody simply just appeared, Nobody’s here without a struggle, And why should we live in fear Of the weather or the troubles? On Holocaust Memorial Day remember the Holocaust and please also remember that people are living in our midst who have lost their family & have left their homeland behind, who are also asking the question "How can life go on?" We are all part of the answer to that question by offering welcome, hospitality and support. We thank God for the work of all who help those seeking refuge in our country. Photo—Holocaust Memorial Day Service in York Minster—www.yorkminster.org

24 Ecumenical Climate Change Group News

The group continue to meet in our Lady Chapel. At the meeting on the 8th February, the group decided on various actions- Local Environment: The Mossett Clean-ups will start on the 11th March at the Birdshaugh Bridge by the Fish and Chip Shop, further details nearer the time on the website and pewsheet. Kit and Jo will decide on this year's date for the Roseisle Litter Pick and let people know. A member will also inform us of meetings and action of Transition Town Forres, which is a volunteer-led group working towards a sustainable low-carbon lifestyle, based in and around Forres, one of more than a thousand Transition groups that have formed worldwide over the past few years in response to the global challenges of climate change, peak oil and financial instability.. Peace Initiatives: Another member was going to run a stall in Forres from 2pm on Saturday 11th February to tell everyone that last year 123 nations voted overwhelmingly to start negotiations on a treaty to ban nuclear weapons, despite strong opposition from nuclear-armed nations, of which the UK is one, and their allies. This is part of the ICAN worldwide week of action to get governments and media to pay attention to the negotiations for a global ban. A nuclear weapons ban will create moral suasion – in the vein of the cluster and landmine conventions – for nuclear weapons states to disarm, and establish an international norm prohibiting nuclear weapons’ development, possession and use. With nuclear weapons states modernising and in some cases increasing their arsenals, instead of discarding them, more states are becoming disenchanted with the nuclear non- proliferation treaty and lending their support for an outright ban. UN negotiations to outlaw nuclear weapons will begin on 27 March 2017. The group were asked to consider whether it is morally justifiable to recruit 16 year olds into the Armed Forces? We were also asked to remember the victims of war in Yemen, especially the 8 year old girl shot by US forces during a Seal and commando raid. Prayers for peace please. Refugees: Moray Supports Refugees, morayrefugees.org.uk - we can all support the refugees still stuck in camps. They need warm clothing, tents, toys, toiletries, blankets and camping equipment for adults, children and babies living in refugee camps. They are open Mondays 10-12.30, Thursdays 2-4.30, Fridays, 11.30-2pm. Directions to Moray Supports Refugees- 2 Chanonry Road North, (near Blind Spot) El- gin: Go East (towards Aberdeen) through Elgin on A96. After roundabouts, take a left 25 signposted CHANONRY BUSINESS park and also the RECYCLING CENTRE. Go past the recycling centre and Chanonry Road North is the second road on the right. You’ll see a row of business units on your right. Look for “Blind Spot” which is next to them. If the front access is not open, go round the back to a glass door entrance way for all the units, near Cash For Clothes car park. They are also hugely grateful to their partners who have provided additional drop-off points at:- Babalou, High Street, Forres ReBoot, Greshop Road, Forres The Drop off Caravan, Pineridge, Findhorn Foundation 6, Havers Place. Hopeman. If no-one in, place in Garden shed. The Manse, Mary Ave, Aberlour 3 Mill Place Mosstodloch The group decided that we should like to invite Shuna Dicks, Church of Scotland Minis- ter at Aberlour, who has given so much support to refugees, to come and give a talk. We'd advertise this in our churches and in Spotlight to ensure a large audience. Date to be decided. Poverty at home and abroad: It was suggested showing the video "Child 31" by Mary's Meals. To be arranged for one evening in May, according to hall availability. Another possible film is "Poor Kids" to raise awareness of the poverty suffered even in parts of Scotland. Marine Environment: Members were asked to join Cromarty Rising; a small campaign group aiming to pre- vent the ship to ship transfer of oil in the Moray Firth. http://www.cromartyrising.com/ They are opposing Cromarty Firth Port Authority proposals to transfer crude oil where dolphins feed and breed Food Waste: France and Italy doing far better than UK in tackling food waste. Should we consider a petition calling on UK Government to introduce laws similar to those in France or those in Italy? The group welcomed the Tesco initiative to give local groups any food that would otherwise be skipped at the end of the working day. At the very least we should sign the petition which is endeavouring to ask the UK government to ban supermarkets from disposing of or destroying edible food. Sign petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/304/988/669/stop-uk-supermarkets-from- destroying-edible-food/?z00m=28818064&redirectID=2321004454. It was agreed that as a continuation of the discussion group beyond March, meetings could in future be less frequent but focused on topical films or speakers. (Charity films are usually freely available for public viewing).

26 The Nail

I am a nail ln a soldier’s bag with a hammer. I’m five inches long, round, with a flat round head, nor particularly sharp. Others like me hold door posts up, hold their frames together. I have held, I tell you with shame A human being to a piece of wood, suspended above the earth, by being hammered through his hand. The man who did it – no, I'm not avoiding blame, only rightly apportion- ing it – was only reasonable at his Job. It took eighteen blows. The FIRST was tentative, The SECOND, determined, broke the skin; The THIRD, harder, drew blood; that makes the process easier, it lubri- cates the job; FOUR met bone; FIVE and SIX shatter; SEVEN; EIGHT; The Bloody job NINE; Don't think about it, is getting done; TEN missed; it grazed the soldier's finger. He raised to his mouth and licked blood, both his and ……. Humanity and divinity …… ELEVEN is straight; TWELVE; You know it’s as difficult puncturing human skin from within as it is without. THIRTEEN; But it’s easier if there’s a good firm surface to FOURTEEN it against. Flesh and wood are similar in texture, jammed next to each other in a hole full of steel. FIFTEEN; It's easier to strike well, SIXTEEEEN, when the timber, SEVENTEEN, is well seasoned and the flesh puts up no. EIGHTEEN, resistance. I was closest to his death – I caused lt.

27 The Nail

Nail, You are iron and of the earth, created and for that I love you. You are this time innocent of guile, but not of implication Your sin, and Mary’s YES, together bought humanity’s salvation. You held Noah's plank firm floated in the flood a bow ln heaven; You hold my hand now. wet with blood you are forgiven. I felt you near me long ago, you are no stranger; the smell of straw and ass, remember? combined with wood and formed into a manger. You supported door; I knock; espalier'd the vine held together boards the table on which I gave myself, In bread and wine. Nail, you are a friend now, with others You support me well, with these, your two brothers? It ls my love for you which led us to this Calvary; and Nail, ln heaven, I’ll wear your mark upon my hand, Eternally

Poem supplied by Deacon Anthony

28 Services at St John’s For Lent and Easter

Ash Wednesday – 1st March Additional Service of Eucharist with imposition of ashes, 7.30pm Wednesdays during Lent – 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th March and 5th April Additional Service of Compline with reflection on the Last Supper, St John’s Apse painting, 5pm, lasting approximately 45minuts Mothering Sunday, 26th March Said Eucharist 8am; Holy Eucharist, 10am Please remember the clocks will be going forwards by one hour in the early hours of Sunday Morning Palm Sunday – 09th April Holy Eucharist, 10am Maundy Thursday, 13th April There will be the traditional Eucharist, with washing of the feet and stripping of the altar at 7.30pm The service will be followed by the Watch Good Friday – 14th April The church will be open from 10am for quiet meditation Starting at 2.30pm:- Meditation on Psalm 23 Stations of the Cross Prayers at the Foot of the Cross Holy Saturday, 15th April There will NOT be a service at St John’s, rather we will be joining {at the invitation of Dean Alison Simpson} with other members of the Scottish Episcopal Church at St Columba’s, Queen Street, Nairn for the lighting of the Easter Fire and the Renewal of the Baptismal Vows Easter Sunday, 16th April Said Eucharist, 8am Holy Eucharist for Easter Day, 10am Feast of the Ascension, Thursday 25th May There will be an addition Holy Eucharist at 7.30pm

29 The birds in your garden

The Birds in Your Garden Not only was winter 2015–16 the warm- est ever in many places, mostly due to exceptionally high temperatures in December 2015, it was also the wettest on record in York- shire. Spring temperatures were more normal, being slightly below average in April and slightly above average in May. Rainfall during the breeding season var- ied dramatically between coun- ties and months, with the heavi- est rainfall in northern England and Scotland being limited to April. In July and August the trend reversed, with above average rainfall in the north but exceptionally dry conditions in the south, where summer temperatures were also above average. All of this meant that it was a mixed year for our resident birds. A lot depended upon the time of year they chose to try to breed. Blue Tits in particular produced below average clutch sizes which led to a reduced number of chicks being fledged, and Great Tits did little better. With total numbers down by a tenth and the number of young they produced last year down by over a third, Blue Tits in particular, are having a hard time. This has been apparent in our gardens since with lower numbers around than usual. The mild winter of 2015–16 with little or no snow cover, meant that ground feeders such as Song Thrushes, Robins and Dunnocks, as well as Wrens, which are all particularly sensitive to harsh winter weather, survived in larger than usual numbers. Again this is apparent in most of our gardens, although Song Thrushes are still far from common. Blackbird data suggest that the number of fledglings in 2016 was around 20% lower than average too, though at the moment with migrants from central Eu- rope still here, the effect is difficult to assess. Yet again there was a late start to the breeding season. Laying dates for six resi-

30 dent passerines, including both Blue and Great Tit, were delayed by between five and ten days in 2016, with low temperatures in early spring being the most likely cause. House Sparrows, which unlike most tits make several breeding attempts, may well have taken advantage of the fine late summer weather to produce a greater than average number of fledglings. BTO results reveal that 17 out of the 24 bird species followed by their Nest Re- cording Scheme exhibited significant decreases in productivity in 2016 relative to the average of the previous five years. For some of these species (Blue Tit, Blackbird) a reduction in the number of young successfully fledged may be re- sponsible for this decline; for the Blue Tit the mechanism appears to have been a reduction in clutch size, this being the lowest recorded since in 1939. Other surveys suggested that the wet conditions mid-summer also reduced post- fledging survival rates, mainly due to less food being around for these largely insectivorous species. With a potential cold snap on its way, please keep a sharp eye on your garden; you never know what might turn up! If you find the lives of our garden birds to be of interest, and would like to join in and count the feathered occupants of your garden, please contact me or visit the BTO Garden BirdWatch website (www.bto.org/gbw).

Help!!!

The church has made Food Bank collections in the past to which all have contributed. From January 1st 2017 the Mothers’ Union have been supporting the Moray Food Bank as an ongoing commitment with your help; of course. There will be a container at the back of the Church for food donations such as Cereals, Pasta, Soup, Rice, Pasta Sauces, Long Life Milk, Tea, Coffee, Biscuits and Tinned Beans, Fruit, Meat and Vegetables – all with a long sell by/use by date please. The food will be regularly taken by Mothers’ Union members, to Reboot on the Gresh- am Industrial Estate. We hope you will help us to help others and bring a contribution to this worthy cause as you come to Church week by week. Thank You The members of St John’s Mothers’ Union {ED this is a worthy cause, Food Bank usage demand is increasing, and post Christmas is one of their busiest periods of demand}

31 World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer is an international, ecumenical, prayer movement initiated and carried out by Christian women in more than 180 countries and over 1000 languages. Every year Christians of many traditions and all ages, celebrate a common day of prayer on the first Friday in March. World Day of Prayer services are held all around the world, beginning in Tonga and New Zealand in the east and continuing throughout the day to Samoa and Alaska in the west. We bring the needs of the world, and of the writing country in particular, before Almighty God knowing that He will hear and answer us, as we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. God invites us to have a prayer relationship with Himself, but He also expects us to have concerned relationships with our neighbours, throughout the world. Prayer must be accompanied by action, as God moves our hearts and directs our thoughts. This year’s service Prayer Day is Friday, 3rd March. The service comes from The Philippines and the theme is: Am I being unfair to you?. There will be a service on Friday 3rd March at 6.30pm at the Lighthouse Church, Clovenside Rd, Forres IV36 3BT. see also http://www.wdpscotland.org.uk/

Cliff and Sue’s new contact details are:- 17 Craig Crescent, Tain, Ross Shire, IV19 1JW Telephone 01862 892593 Email [email protected] [email protected]

Our Priest in Charge’s contact details are:- The Very Rev. Alison Simpson The Rectory, Victoria Road, Forres, IV36 3BN Telephone 01309 672856 Email [email protected]

for personal matters only please use: The New Rectory, 3 Queen Street, Nairn IV12 4AA Telephone 01667 452458 Mobile 07548 230745 Email [email protected]