Ferintosh Parish Church Newsletter No. 87 July 2013 Ferintosh Parish Church Ferintosh Focus Church N ewsletter June 2014 Serving the communities of Conon Bridge & Maryburgh www.ferintoshparishchurch.org.uk Ferintosh Parish Church Newsletter No. 90 June 2014 Church Contact Information Minister: Rev’d Andrew F. Graham Ferintosh Manse, Leanaig Road, Conon Bridge IV7 8BE Tel. 01349 861275 Session Clerk: Mr Fred McCreadie 7 Castle Gardens, Dingwall, IV15 9HY Tel. 01349 862171 Clerk to Congregational Board: Mrs Janet Murray The Cottages, Easter Kinkell, Conon Bridge IV7 8HY Tel. 01349 864024 Treasurer: Mr Jim Bremner Strathmore, Gairloch Crescent, Conon Bridge IV7 8BQ Tel. 01349 861412 Freewill Offering / Gift Aid: Mrs Isabel MacKenzie Tel. 01349 864387 Roll Keeper / Order of Service / Website: Mr John Smith The Finches, Strathdrynie, Dingwall IV15 9UJ Tel. 01349 865915 Newsletter Committee: Miss Emma Smith, Mrs Janette Steele, Mr Hugh Steele Pastoral Care Team: Mrs Janette Steele 17 Muirden Road, Maryburgh IV7 8EJ Tel. 01349 861591 Guild Contact: Miss Janet Winchester 3 Burnside Lane, Conon Bridge IV7 8EX Tel. 01349 865308 Sunday Club: Mr Tommy McGregor 102 Birch Drive, Maryburgh IV7 8ES Tel 01349 866181 Ferintosh Youth Fellowship: Mr Tommy McGregor 102 Birch Drive, Maryburgh IV7 8ES Tel 01349 866181 Child Protection: Mr Hugh Fraser Achnasoul, Muir Of Ord, IV6 7XA Tel. 01997 433384 As always, we welcome any comments, questions or suggestions about the newsletter. Submissions are now invited for the next edition of the Focus - these can be made to members of the editorial team, or sent by email to [email protected] “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 Page 2 Ferintosh Parish Church Newsletter No. 90 June 2014 Contents For this edition of the focus we’re celebrating our community. Each of us is part of a community – Church, local, national and international. Community exists when people have something in common and it is such a joyful thing to be united with other people around our Lord Jesus Christ. We come from different places, backgrounds, experiences and personalities but our Church community transcends all that and allows us to work together. Are you part of that community? Are there those you know who could benefit from the support, encouragement and passion of a Godly community? Pray about your role in this community and how you can serve God’s people near and far. Look out for the “Congregation Contributions” in this edition, and have a think about submitting some for the next issue. Church Contact Information Page 2 Minister’s Message Page 4 Our Church Community Page 5 A Gospel Based Community: Bible Study Page 5 Heart & Soul Report Page 8 Crossreach Focus Page 10 Church in the Community Page 11 Time and Talents: Stewardship Contacts Page 12 Community for all ages Page 13 The Church Finances in 2013 Page 14 Social Calendar Page 15 Church Rotas and Register Page 16 As always, we welcome any comments, questions or suggestions about the newsletter. Submissions are now invited for the next edition of the Focus - these can be made to members of the editorial team, or sent by email to [email protected] “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 Page 3 Ferintosh Parish Church Newsletter No. 90 June 2014 Minister’s Message "Opening homes and hearts." this was the heading to one of the articles in Life and Work this month, referring to the Commonwealth Games and the Church. It is a very inspiring article and shows how twelve major denominations and more than thirty ministries are taking part in many different ways from offering refreshments, toilets and places to rest, to entertainment. It also highlights how many Christians have opened their homes to athletes’ families. During the Games, Street Pastors will work along-side Games Pastors. There is a project to raise awareness of human trafficking and there will be mission teams to engage with people. Some 750,000 copies of the 'penny gospel' will be distributed and children's holiday clubs will be running as well as Youth for Christ cafés. This is only a small list but highlights some of the work of Christ in our communities. John tells us, ‘We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us...’ (I John 1:3) For those who have tickets and are going to the Games, give our grateful thanks to those who will be spreading God’s Word through their actions, and indeed while you are there I am sure you could too. For those of us at home who may not be feeling part of the Games, we can join with the thousands of Christians in prayer each day giving thanks for the opportunities that our Lord sends our way. Also, why not open your homes and hearts to friends, Christians or not, and share in that same fellowship as you watch the Games on TV. With every blessing, Andy A reminder from the minister that if anyone is ill or in hospital could you please inform him as he may not have heard this through the grapevine. This is particularly important if someone is in either Ross Memorial or Invergordon Hospital as there is no procedure in place there for informing ministers. Raigmore will contact the minister, but only if they have been specifically asked to do so by the patient. However, if that individual is unable to do so at the time of admission, this then often gets overlooked. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 Page 4 Ferintosh Parish Church Newsletter No. 90 June 2014 Our Church Community The Guild has had another successful year. It is in recess until the autumn. However, the members are planning two trips in the very near future. Our visit to Cameron House, a Care Home for those suffering from dementia run by CrossReach in Inverness, will take place on Monday 23rd June. The theme for this visit is “Holidays”. The residents and Guild members really enjoy these visits. The following Monday, 30th June, some members are travelling by Megabus to Perth to meet up with our Guild Link members from Port Glasgow. We are hoping for a good day perhaps including a visit to Scone or maybe Branklyn Gardens. It will be great just to meet up with our new friends. All transport costs - 50p! A few of the highlights of our year were - Munlochy Animal Aid with Iona Nocol which was quite an eye-opener; Christmas afternoon with Dingwall Primary School Choir because some visitors joined us that afternoon thus helping to highlight our theme “a fellowship to build”; the Panel Evening with questions around our Guild Discussion Topic “finding the right way”; and, of course, the Pot Luck Supper! We have added one or two members to our group this session and we continue to have the support of one male member. Please consider over the summer coming along to our meetings. You would be given a very warm welcome. The Pastoral Care Team is a small group of volunteers who provide transport for those who need to attend appointments either in Dingwall or Raigmore, Inverness. Residents in Care Home are also visited periodically and people who are housebound receive occasional visits too. If you feel you might like to help out this Team, even if only on an occasional basis, please contact either the Minister or the coordinator, Janette Steele. We know everyone is not able to physically help out but the Team need your continuous prayers so that God’s loving kindness can be shown to those who need help. Many thanks to all who contributed to the Smarties appeal. The excellent sum of £594.44 has been raised for church funds. A retiring offering recently in aid of Child Survival in Malawi raised the sum of £175.40. There will be a chance to deliver used stamps in support of the World Mission Council used stamp appeal early in September, so please look out any stamps you may have in the next two months. The appeal this year is in support of a shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence run by the Greek Evangelical Church. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 Page 5 Ferintosh Parish Church Newsletter No. 90 June 2014 Are you sitting comfortably?! Since the installation of the chairs and luxury of an attractive fitted carpet in the church, I am one who is indeed sitting comfortably. Yes, I find having a choice of three different aisles from which to access seating, a bonus. Not to mention the chance to vary the choice of seating each week. Also an opportunity to be more sociable, and as I tend to be rather a late comer on Sunday mornings, it can be something of a lottery as to where I might find a vacant seat, which adds to the 'flavour' of the occasion.