GRAPEVINE
No 100 Spring 2013 THE MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF BRECHIN
From The Right Reverend Dr Edward Luscombe From The Right Reverend Dr Nigel Peyton When I arrived in the Diocese of Brechin forty-two One of the remarkable joys of returning to the years ago, I was surprised to discover that there had diocese where my ministry and family life began in not been any diocesan magazine or newsletter since 1976 is re-joining a continuing story. The story of the 1950. It was not until 1982 that the first issue of city of Dundee and the Brechin diocesan story of "Grapevine" appeared under the editorship of the people and places and their Christian faith journeys Reverend Ian Hay, then Rector of St Andrew’s, over many years. The photo of Bishop Ted and me Brechin. The primary below characterises the reason for the long shared threads of absence of a magazine ministry and the passing was financial. We only mantle of leadership. embarked upon the Another picture on the venture when the back page illustrates the Diocese was sufficiently maturing lives of some solvent to meet the cost ‘Cathedral youngsters’ of publication and was thirty years on. reasonably confident Michael Turner’s that it could continue. research reveals that in I am delighted that the spring of 1985 I Grapevine has now edited Grapevine No. reached its hundredth 10. However my reign edition, and I would like was short-lived as I left to congratulate Michael All Souls Invergowrie in Turner on his achieve- A Brace of Bishops the autumn of that year ment in which he has to become Vicar of inner played no small part. Between Ian Hay and Michael city All Saints Nottingham. Bishop Ted reminds us of Turner there have been other editors who have put in the background and purpose and benefits of a many hours of hard work to produce the magazine – diocesan house magazine. Back in the Scottish Nigel Peyton, the late Jim Bremner, the late Richard Episcopal Church I now find myself as the bishop Jones and Sidney Fox. To all of them the diocese member of the provincial Information & owes its thanks. Communications Board and a regular columnist in the Dundee Courier newspaper – and in Grapevine. There are inevitably different views about the right Now in 2013 alongside Grapevine we have the content of any church magazine. Debates over the monthly Brechin Bulletin (already at issue 73) and our years in the General Synod about "inspires" and its new diocesan website
EASTER PEOPLE Evil is that with which we always have to deal which opens in our history the path to and for that reason God gives us the strength for resurrection. victories that are seemingly difficult or impossible. One who would despair of humanity would be But there is a way to understand this which is sinning against God. Of course one is not called to somewhat mythical – like the time when people believe that tomorrow morning wolves will speak of better tomorrows. People then say: “He is become lambs; but that one can and must fight risen: it is all over then.” with the strength of a lamb, of the sacrificed lamb. But in reality “He is risen” means that you And that if one is the victim in this struggle, it will Christians have the strength to enter into the be as if Christ were the victim. In other words: that Passion of Christ. For his power of Resurrection God will manifest his power of resurrection, will will enable you from now on to be united to his give us life. death. Thus you will yourselves be the Easter of From now on and until the world has taken on the world. Remember what Paul said to the the final form of the agony of Christ, the divine Colossians: “What you are is not yet apparent, and strength which enables us to go through time is now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God” the very strength of the risen Christ. It is the (Col 3:3). present mystery of the eternal Son made flesh Jean-Marie Cardinal Lustiger
3 A World Away . . . in our world I’m sitting at the airport waiting out in special sacred sites, and A girl of 13 visits the house to for a bus into Dhaka, among are consumed by the birds very clean. She has been withdrawn heavily bearded men. To pass the quickly. It is forbidden in their from school as they cannot afford time, they recite the Koran. A religion to bury their dead, as this the school fees. I offer to pay, but strike has been called by the pollutes the earth, or to cremate Tania tells me it is too late. So opposition, from dawn till dusk, their dead, as this pollutes the sky. what is her future? I ask. Already which no-one dare break. Every- The decline in vulture numbers they are looking for a suitable thing, even the airport, closes has caused great human husband! down from dawn till 6 p.m. One of suffering. Bangladesh is not for the faint the men, his hair and beard dyed The Culprit: Diclofenac. This hearted. Visitors are unusual, and a bright henna, asks if I am a medicine is used widely by are stared at from very close Muslim. He is disappointed at my farmers and vets for a variety of range: the comfort zone seems to reply, but wishes me welcome. animal ailments. be around 2 feet, but this is a “Salam Eleyakum” and I reply Vultures which eat meat from country with 1,100 people per “Eleyakum Salam”. After 3 hours, carcasses containing Diclofenac square kilometre. there is transport into Dhaka. quickly die from kidney failure and There are beggars everywhere, I’m on my way to visit a project, a kind of gout. often in a pitiable condition. At the financed by the RSPB, to re- Most cattle in India are railway station a young man, introduce captive vultures, from a considered sacred, and are not whose remaining leg is covered in breeding programme, into the wild. consumed by people, but die open sores, bleats for alms in a The number of vultures in the naturally, and are consumed by plaintive voice. He drags himself Indian sub-continent, has tumbled vultures. It has been shown that along the platform, clutching a few from around 35 million to only even if 1% of animal carcasses taka, as Muslims are obliged to 110,000, with tragic effects. contain lethal levels of the drug, it give to charity. Others live exactly is enough to have caused the It means that vultures, which where they have been born – on almost total collapse of vulture the little islands which separate are nature’s scavengers, are no numbers. Diclofenac is now longer cleaning up rotten animal the tracks. Blind men sing verses banned, and a substitute, from the Koran, young children in carcasses. Feral dogs, jackals and Miloxican has now been patented. rats have replaced them, and are rags crowd around and plead for The project is headed by a local thriving. Dog attacks on livestock hand-outs. It’s impossible to give couple, Tania and Munir Khan. and people have increased, as to them all, and guilt kicks in with a They guard an area of rain forest has the incidence of rabies. vengeance. where vulture numbers have risen Carcasses pose an increased to around 26. I stay at their home, And I think of the angry man threat of disease. To dispose of where they have ten cats: among who knocks on my door to animal carcasses is expensive, them a pair of orphaned fishing complain that a parishioner has which Indian villagers can ill cats, which are fed in a special parked their car on a Sunday afford. cage as they will kill the other cats morning (for 1 hour) in his street! And if there are no vultures the if set free. They are still tiny, and Canon Peter Barry Parsees cannot dispose of their will be reintroduced into the wild St Francis of Assisi Church, dead. Corpses are normally left after 6 weeks. Mannofield, Aberdeen
Dr James Urquhart, 1918-2013 Before coming to Dundee Jim Urquhart had served could be relied upon to express his views amicably yet as Medical Officer in the RAF, during which time he forcefully and after giving careful thought to any had assisted the chaplains and encouraged all ranks matter he was wont to say “the Lord will provide”. to participate in church services. On leaving the RAF On a personal level he was a good and caring he went into medical administration setting friend to many, generous with his time, up a new hospital in Northern Ireland. talents and indeed his cash! He often Then he was appointed District Medical scooped prizes in raffles, simply because Officer in Dundee, but this did not interfere he had bought so many tickets in support of with his church commitments. He became the various charity events. He continued his part of the congregation of St Margaret’s work with the RAF, being involved with the Lochee, eventually becoming Treasurer and RAF Benevolent Fund and he also chaired Lay Elector. He not only served the the Tayside Pre-Retirement Council. congregation but participated in the His interests ranged widely as evidenced Diocesan Synod, was on the Diocesan by his bookshelves and he loved the Executive Committee and convened the Scottish countryside and heritage. May he Diocesan Restructuring Committee. He rest in peace and rise in glory. 4 Have you seen the new Diocesan Website yet? Victorious Verbalist No, then go to
The correct answer picked out by an independent person (one of the tenors in Tayside Opera!) came from Judy and David Robinson. Well done! On 13 January the Rev’d Dr Francis Bridger was installed in St Paul’s Cathedral as Dean of Brechin. The Dean of Edinburgh, the Very Rev’d Susan There’s another crossword Macdonald, was the guest preacher. on page 10. Comment I have friend who is involved, hang over them afterwards for a they needed them to reach and possibly over-involved, with a very long time. I also think that a eat the higher foliage; thus mish-mash of New Age beliefs. lot of stuff that can be described demonstrating the power of animal One of the more intriguing is that now as sexual harassment, is, in will power, as opposed to natural the universe is expanding at such many cases, something that we selection, as the dominant factor an amazing rate that all the knew in the ‘forties and ‘fifties as in evolution. Very briefly the impurities of thought and action flirting. experiment which demonstrated are being shaken to the surface, Going back to the wonders of the truth of this theory, involved which would explain all the less the universe, it is interesting to taking Midwife Toads, and pleasant recent revelations about note that astronomy, with such removing them from their dry senior figures in church, politics, concepts as black holes and habitats and putting them in a wet and entertainment. negative matter, is becoming less environment. This caused the toads eventually to spawn Maybe at eighty-one years of and less materialistic and much more esoteric in its images. The naturally in water, rather than the age I have grown more cynical, male wrapping his mate’s eggs and I find it curious that Darwinian evolutionists have also had their cast-iron concepts of round his back legs and hopping revelations of comparatively about on land until they hatched – ancient ecclesiastic and political natural selection somewhat bruised by the fact that a once the habit from which these little ‘inappropriate behaviour’ are amphibians gained their name. suddenly brought to light just discredited experiment that sought before important elections in both to prove the Lamarckian theory of Both these new astronomical fields. I also think it very unjust evolution has been done again findings and recent biological that people who have been thus recently and found to be sound. research shows that the conflict accused should have their names Jean Baptiste de Lamarck, a between religion and science is splattered all over the press French scientist, believed animals much less than once was feared; before they have been arrested evolved because they wanted to. something we Christians should and charged. Whether they are For example, giraffes grew long be glad to note! guilty or not, the bad publicity will necks because they realised that Francis D. Bowles 5 Diocesan Synod The Brechin Diocesan Synod Stuart, Secretary General of the at St Paul’s Indian Mission he was held its statutory meeting on 2 Scottish Episcopal Church. He given an embroidered garment March at Chalmers Ardler Church, drew attention to the Provincial looking something like an Dundee. It commenced with a website which now had a section eiderdown. Wrapped around celebration of the Eucharist during on Vestry Resources, replacing people together it was a powerful which Bishop Nigel delivered his the older printed Vestry symbol of how through baptism we Charge, the theme of which was Handbook. He thanked all who are made into relatives with one ‘Growing Church’. This was based had contributed their views to the another in the Church. upon the two Scripture readings of consultation on the problems He spoke of the pleasure he Acts 4:1-22 (the witness borne by regarding the funding of pensions Peter and John before the derived from participating in the and said that following further Sanhedrin) and Luke 10:1-12 (our consecration of Ellinah Wamukoya meetings a report of decisions Lord’s sending out of the seventy). as Bishop of Swaziland on 17 The full text of this is printed on reached would be published soon. November, the only white bishop page 9. In the there. He travelled extensively to After refreshments had been context of churches and parishes including taken the scheduled business took the current Usuthu, site of the original place in due order with no matters political and Christian mission, which being contentious. Reports of social dis- celebrates its centenary this year. statistics were duly received as cussion on It was his first visit to Swaziland were the major reports of the same-sex which he described as a beautiful Administration Board and the marriage, country but with enormous Mission & Ministry Board he said that challenges. He reminded people presented by their respective the bishops of the fundamental meaning of the convenors. And some minor initiated a word ‘companion’: someone who proposals for amendments to discussion Mr John Stuart shows where bread is to be found. certain canons were passed through the Whatever the differences between without objection. Church’s Mission & Ministry Board Brechin and Swaziland, we are on this issue. (In the light of this a joined in searching for and Members’ Motion on the subject receiving that bread of life given in was withdrawn later in the synod the Gospel. meeting.) He also said that, Pat Millar took up the story. This although the General Synod last had been her fourth visit to June had voted not to adopt the Swaziland and she observed a proposed Anglican Covenant, number of changes in fortunes ways needed to be found to affirm and circumstances. She quoted a sense of communion in a some alarming statistics: meaningful and practical fashion. 15% of families in the 1 million The Provost speaks on canonical Lastly, he reported that, partly in population are headed by amendments to the gathered Synod response to debate in wider children. society, the Scottish Episcopal Appointments to various Church would shortly be there are at least 130,000 diocesan posts were made and publishing a booklet in the orphans and vulnerable elections to the General Synod Grosvenor Essay series on dying. children. were swiftly carried through. It was 70% of the population are at or also announced that Ms Ann Companion Dioceses below the absolute poverty line. Johnston, a long-standing Scottish The presentation on our at least 40% are infected with Episcopalian, had agreed to be Companion Dioceses was given HIV Aids. the Diocesan Secretary and that jointly by Bishop Nigel and Mrs 20,000 fall sick annually, but Mr John Thom, of Miller Hendry, Pat Millar. The Bishop assured there are only 2,000 hospital was to be Diocesan Registrar in everyone that the links with our beds. succession to Mr Alastair companion dioceses of Iowa and Life expectancy is 32 years. Dorward, whose stalwart Swaziland were safe in his hands; contribution to the life of the perhaps these relationships may She reported that some of the diocese was noted with gratitude. have been ‘sleeping’ a little and projects which had previously Scattered through the agenda, now needed to be re-energised. seemed to be going well had been however, there were some He spoke of his October visit to scaled back. At Mpaka there were significant presentations. Iowa where he attended their fewer children and faces looked Annual Convention. A range of sadder. Although Neighbourhood Secretary General visits took him to all parts of the Care Points had been set up First among these was diocese, but he dwelt particularly providing safety, a little food, information given by Mr John on time spent at Sioux City where advice and education, so far this 6 year no money to run them had Bishop John commended the been received. However, building document for further study and Andrew McHutchison on a previous initiative a Women’s comment. Andrew was born and raised Craft Group was earning an in the Arbroath area. His Growing Church income from fabrics and sewing, professional life was spent in whilst older women with poor The last major element in the some form of accounting work. eyesight were raising poultry for Synod agenda was the Bishop’s Much of this work was done for eggs and meat. Report. Continuing the theme he the educational departments of had marked out in his earlier local councils, but after he Incredibly difficult as the Charge, he said that the published retired from this he became circumstances are, one person, statistics, which had revealed a freelance and was latterly having learnt that some younger steady decline in numbers over working for a local garage. But people seem to be able to cope the last 20 years, showed this had he was best known as an and live with HIV Aids, remarked, been halted. He now looked organist and amateur organ “It looks as if we might have forward to reversing the trend. He builder. another generation after all.” had completed his initial visitation He started playing in a to all congregations and had The Diaconate number of Arbroath churches received the majority of responses and then moved to the Lowson The Rt Rev’d John Armes, from them to his enquiry as to how Memorial Church in Forfar. He Bishop of Edinburgh, introduce a growth had taken place over the then moved to the Scottish discussion document entitled Truly past year and what was envisaged Episcopal Church and was Called ... Two. for this year. organist for many years at St It is 26 He affirmed that there were Luke’s, Downfield where his y e a r s many ways in which progress had long-term project was to install since the been made and identified some of the organ he had acquired from S E C the resources which could be the now demolished church of produced appropriately employed to St Luke’s in Lochee. He was a report promote this. But he also active in the Tayside Organists’ entitled acknowledged that in a variety of Society. His organ playing was Truly ways and for many reasons well above average and he Called by difficulties were still present. gave advice to churches on the God to Regarding personnel he upkeep of their instruments and Serve as recalled the sadness felt at the the rebuilding of them. He was also a very keen DIY man who a Deacon, Bishop John Armes death of the Rev’d Joyce and 10 Mumford, but also his delight at was more than capable of years ago the Church of England instituting the Rev’ds Francis and servicing his own car. published a report on the Helen Bridger to Broughty Ferry. He suffered from long term permanent, vocational diaconate. Looking forward he was pleased ill-health so his sudden death Now, the Porvoo Communion, to announce that Felix Smith, was not a total surprise. He will which comprises Anglican and currently in training at Cuddesdon be much missed. Though Lutheran Churches in British, Theological College, would on honest about relationships with Nordic and Baltic countries, June 29 be ordained to serve in some clergy he was totally committed itself in 1994 “to work the Cathedral and there were without malice. towards a common understanding advanced discussions with the Robert Lightband of diaconal ministry”. Church Army for them to establish a centre for mission in Dundee. St Mary's Church, Arbroath Diakonia, Bishop John He concluded his report by reminded us, as the caring saying, “Luke records that people April Concerts ministry of the Church, was the took notice of the apostles Gospel in action, expressed because ‘they had been with Thursday 18, at, 7.30 p.m. through loving one’s neighbour, Jesus’ – my prayer is that it may CRIES of LONDON creating inclusive communities, be so for us in our diocese.” Esther Brazil, Ben Williamson, John caring for creation and struggling for justice. It is not an optional The full text of the Bishop’s Cuthbert, Peter Foggit and Laurence extra, but is intrinsic to all of us in Report can be found on the Williams our calling as baptised disciples. diocesan website: Close harmony group singing
9 Cryptic Prize Crossword For this centenary edition at least six answers are close to home! Send your entries in to the editor at the address on the back page by Saturday, 3 August at the latest and make sure you put your name and address in the box provided.
21 They write on a point about 4 A mean agreement (4) British Standard rice (7) 6 Make certain the runes 25 One storm devastates the point to the east (6) town (8) 7 Tear then! Or ... (8) 26 Denude the waterfront (6) 8 Boreal destination of R. N. 28 A poser figures in them (6) Hornet (8) 29 Five hundred near the 11 British Rail had a niche supporter (8) there (7) 30 A tree bends south at this 14 That is where the codes season (6) operate (7) 31 Brothers’ cars are on a 17 Robot men play it (8) boy’s bicycle (8) 18 Spaniels aren’t hurt (8) 19 Do they take fur and geese CLUES DOWN: from home? (8) 22 One rat is exceedingly 1 His lead comes to nothing decorative (6) (6) 23 Braved a part of speech (6) 2 Give the tea rep the same 24 Governor of a recreation order (6) ground on a peak (6) 3 Year a lax pope had a loss 27 Jewish month is a bit off the of control (8) radar (4) CLUES ACROSS: 12 Nothing clear about this prophecy (6) 1 Incinerate a wary bun (4,4) 13 There’s a harbor at this port Name ...... 5 New York shark in (8) episcopal guise? (6) 15 Incorporated text no longer 9 Assumed it was used so exists (7) Address...... very quietly (8) 16 A real tragic king (4) 10 A lender stutters after us 20 A thousand are in five (6) hundred (4) ...... Brazil – where the nuts come from?
On Saturday, 26 January this deceased owner. MST, who had Since their foundation in 1984, year, Cicero Guedes was shot occupied the land for six years MST (a Christian Aid partner) has dead as he cycled home. Why? before being evicted by police in helped more than a million people Because he was the leader of the 2006, launched a second to get land of their own. MST Movimento dos Trabalhadores occupation of the same site in helped Rui Barbosa (62) and his Rurais Sem Terra (MST) – the November. wife Fátima (53) to stake a claim to some land that was formerly landless people’s movement. The Christian Aid report The part of a massive estate, owned Christian Aid’s country manager Scandal of Inequality in Latin by just one person. The land had for Brazil, Mara Luz, said Mr America and the Caribbean lain fallow and unused for years. It Guedes had worked tirelessly for outlines the scale of inequality in is now home to 204 families, who Brazil's poor. “Cicero Guedes is the country: “(In Brazil) just three each own a 14.5 hectare plot. one more peasant leader per cent of the population own murdered in recent years only two-thirds of all arable land. because he was defending the Although there has been progress To access further information distribution of land and resources – the Landless Movement (MST) about Christain Aid’s involvement in one of the most unequal has resettled more than one in Brazil, where more than 16 countries in the world,” she said. million poor people since 1984, million people life in extreme The shooting took place near an while the Quilombolas have poverty, and the Landless Peoples abandoned sugar plant which gained collective land titles for 185 Movement, visit MST members have occupied communities – there is no doubt
St James, Stonehaven has agreed that religion was not a expressed that local councillors been in upheaval since the begin- necessity for morality and in some would lose contact with the police ning of February to enable repairs circumstances might be hijacked and all the power would be in one to the roof to be carried out. The to impose particular attitudes and pair of hands and this could lead pews and soft furnishings had to values. One of the young to too close a relationship with the be moved out of the way. speakers stated that “people can Government resulting in our police Meanwhile services have been be moral even if they are not force being ‘politicised’. held in the adjacent Church Hall. religious” and others added that Flooding morality should not be confused However, the congregation The question about flooding with religious belief, though worked hard to put the church to produced a most lively discussion: Richard Baker asked whether rights for 1 March, as on that day “What will the Government do to most people who claimed not to BBC Radio Scotland’s broadcast protect Stonehaven, in view of be religious had in fact inherited of the Big Debate took place. Led three floods having occurred Christian attitudes and morality. by Brian Taylor, Political Editor of within 3 years.” It was pointed out Radio Scotland, the panel of that SEPA was only paying speakers comprised attention to part of the East Professor Rita Marcella, Coast and seemed to be Dean of Faculty of Aberdeen neglecting Stonehaven. One Business School, and three speaker pointed out that we local MSP’s – Richard Baker don’t need discussions and (Labour), Alex Johnston ‘models’; we need action – (Cons) and Nigel Don (SNP). sea and flood defences. The press announcement Another said that there had of the programme raised a been no floods for 170 years degree of excitement – not while the weir and flood least because Stonehaven gates were effective – but residents had suffered two SEPA hadn’t even known serious floods just before about this. Major work had Christmas and were still trying to One speaker from the floor been identified in 2009, but come to terms with the damage. worked among the street-dwellers nothing had been done. So strong feelings might have in Aberdeen and remarked how Apart from frustration due to red been expressed. much they rely on the churches for tape, Aberdeenshire has a big their charity donations. In the event, an audience of underspend, so why don’t they about 100 was very orderly and A single Police Force for use some of this money for flood opinions were expressed politely – Scotland defence work and not just giving people sand-bags? The panel all though with a degree of fervour. It A Mackie Academy speaker agreed that what was needed was was interesting to note the asked about the effect of a single a change of culture. And the age-range of the participants – police force. The proposals pro- problem is – if it’s everyone’s Mackie Academy sent three or duced problems not only in the problem, it’s nobody’s problem. four representatives. The topics merging of police forces into a covered quite a range. unitary force, but in also staffing – Independence Religion police officers being required to The final question concerned In view of the Pope’s carry out duties currently Scotland’s potential independ- resignation and hints that Cardinal performed by civilian staff for ence. In particular, was there Keith O’Brien had been required to instance. All seemed to agree that really going to be such a problem leave just a month before he was the main problem would be the with membership of the EU? The due to retire, the question was pooling of police numbers in high panel all agreed that it will be a asked: “Is there still a place for crime-rate areas, leaving the tortuous process and Scotland religion in public life?” Alex countryside bereft of officers, who would almost definitely have to Johnston stated that a member of would have to travel huge re-apply. But (something we had a religion is expected to live up to distances to cover their ‘patch’. An not thought about) since the a particular standard; citing the example was given of the United Kingdom without Scotland example of the Dalai Lama who ignorance of city administrators would be a different entity from the managed to combine his religious regarding the large distances in United Kingdom including position as head of the world’s some rural parts: someone had Scotland, might they have to Buddhists, with an active role in phoned an office in Aberdeen and re-apply too? world politics. Rita Marcella stated asked them to send someone to Altogether the programme was that religion might be a force to collect an official at Aberdeen agreeable, but definitely lacking in encourage moral behaviour, but Dyce airport at 9.00 a.m. and take fire. Surprising how the three was “not a proxy to send a him to his 10.00 a.m. meeting at different political parties agree on message to those in public life”. Inverness. so much! Many speakers from the floor More seriously, concern was Anne Geldart 11 Together again!
Amongst those who gathered at St Salvador’s to celebrate Candlemass on the evening of 2 February were old friends from 30 years ago, who then worshipped at St Paul’s Cathedral. Pictured together with Bishop Nigel – the one in the purple cassock! – are (from left to right) Sally Rodger who now lives at St Maddoes, Ann Johnston who trained as a solicitor and who at the Diocesan Synod was announced as having agreed to be the new Diocesan Secretary, and Dr Craig Cassells who teaches physics at St Andrews University.
Baptism at St James the Great, Stonehaven While we still had the church ‘tidy’ after the ‘Big Debate’ broadcast it was good to welcome Bishop Nigel for the baptism of our youngest member – Annabelle – second daughter of Jonathan and Rachel Hammond, and sister of Holly, on Sunday, 3 March. In his address before the baptism, Bishop Nigel unrolled what at first appeared to be a giant duvet – bearing a wonderful patchwork ‘star’ design. Four children helped him to hold it up for the congregation to see. The Bishop explained that this had been given to him on a recent visit to a Native American community in Sioux City and that it represented a kind of giant cuddle – a tepee for all the family. He said how important family was and But the best part was: that baptism made people members of one family. On returning home, one of the children, a little After the Baptism and Eucharist everyone went to boy, who had helped with the patchwork tepee, said the Church Hall for lunch and Christening Cake. to his mother, “I didn’t have much money to give for As the lunch party was leaving, the Buildings the collection, Mum, so I just put in what I had in my Convenor, Laura Christie, accompanied by Rachel, pocket. Was that all right?” Mother was very proud. invited everyone to donate to the Roof Fund – and “How much was that?” she asked. “Seven pence,” this was done, very generously. he replied. The Widow’s Mite comes to mind.
The next issue of Grapevine will be coming out for 25 August 2013. All articles, letters, comments should be with the Editor by 5 August 2013. Preferably articles should be no longer than 500 words. The Editor of Grapevine, Beattie Lodge, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, AB30 1HJ (E-mail:
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