The Link - St Margaret`s Church, Forfar

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THE LINK
No 154
19th June 2016
St Margaret’s Church, West High Street. Forfar
Charity No. SC 001506
View from the Vestry
Summer is here! As I type this, we’ve had nearly 2 weeks of really nice summer weather [long may it
last]. We are gearing up for summer here at St Margaret’s, rather than slowing down….and I am getting
really excited about all the opportunities we have to reach out to others over the summer months.
Firstly on 25th June we have our Summer Fayre. This is our big summer fundraising day with all the
usual stalls – plants, books, cake & candy, produce, crafts, jewellery, toys and sweeties – as well as
freshly baked pancakes with a cuppa in the morning, soup and crusty bread at lunchtime and a
strawberry tea with a concert by Spectrum Ladies Choir in the afternoon.
Please get involved and make this a huge success. We need three things from everyone who reads this
magazine: 1 – bring something to sell: from seedlings to sugar buns, bangles to bramble jelly! Our fayre
runs for a massive 6 hours so we desperately need enough stock on all the stalls to keep us going from
10 till 4pm. 2 – Come along and support us. Buy your tickets in advance [especially if you want to come
in the afternoon as numbers are strictly limited to the seats we can fit in the hall]. 3 – if you [or your
kids/friends] can spare an hour to lend a hand, please let Rev Maggie know. We have a brilliant team
who are going to staff all the stalls but we could really use a few extra volunteers all through the day to
cover for lunchbreaks, busy periods and to help set up and put away. It really does make the day so
much more fun when more of us get involved and join in.
The from the 5th till the 8th of July AND 9th till 12th August [and 15th/16th] we have our Great School
Uniform Swap Shop – a chance to do something small that can make a HUGE difference for families in
our community. Have a look inside as to how to donate clothes, help with the laundry or offer a smile
and a helping hand to those coming in to St Margaret’s to help themselves to free pre-loved school
uniforms for their kids and grandkids.
Also this summer at 11am worship we are looking at the story of Elijah the prophet and his successor
Elisha and exploring how truth can offer healing, hope and joy. We’ll also look at some of the stories in
Luke’s gospel – stories about Jesus and stories that Jesus told.
On Sunday 14th August, to mark the end of the school holidays, we celebrate with an Icecream Sundae
Sunday!! As with last year this is an ideal informal and fun service to bring any families you know along
to church. We will have an ice cream servery on the chancel and a sundae topping bar in the kids’
corner where children can help themselves to berries, fruit salad and sweeties to add to their bowl.
All through the summer we will be keeping our Wednesday afternoon craft group [2-4pm] running, as
well as our Friday coffees [10– 11.30am] and our ‘first Tuesday of the month’ get together for widows
and widowers [11am]. We also welcome back the over 60s exercise class on Monday mornings from 4th
July onwards [10.30 – 11.30]. Although there will be no set ‘vestry time’ to see me in July and August I
am hoping to visit several members at home and will happily come to see you if you get in touch.
Rev. Maggie
DIRECTORY
Minister
Rev Maggie Hunt
462044
Session Clerk
Maureen Fenton
464424
Treasurer
Gordon Menmuir
464981
Gift Aid & FWO
Diane Roy
468185
Church Secretary
464224
Church Email address:
[email protected]
Roll Keeper
Christine Battes
463294
Organist
Guild Secretary
Rhona Sinclair
464063
Sunday Clubs
Sheila Crichton
460991
Flower Convener
Ann Menmuir
464981
Hall Lets
Office
464224
Church Officer
Christine Hopkins
07849372379
Widows Group
Alice McLaren
465327
Transport
Norma Seaton
463730
Friendship Visitors Norma Seaton
463730
Webmaster
Joan Ross
463186
Link Editors
Joan Ross
[email protected]
Margaret Reid
460800
Link Distribution
Joan Ross
463186
WEBSITE ADDRESS – www.stmargaretschurchforfar.org
Worship Opportunities
9.30-10.15 a.m. Breakfast Church.
Coffee, Tea & Croissants. More informal Worship. Come and see if it’s your kind of
worship. Families welcome.
11 a.m. Morning Worship led by Rev Maggie
Wednesday
10.30 a.m. Midweek Worship.
Short informal service followed by Coffee and a Chat.
There is also a short informal communion served at the close of the service on the
1st Sunday of each month.
DEATHS
I am the resurrection and the life……..
20/3/16
23/3/16
2/05/16
9/05/16
Mrs Doreen Dear, 12 Turfbeg Rise
Mrs Freda McGregor, 8 Gowan Rigg
Mrs Helen Black, Beechhill, Lour Road
Mrs Maggie Esplin, 88 North Street
The next edition of The Link will be ready for distribution on Sunday 4 September
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SANCTUARY – KIDS’ SPACE
Welcoming people of all ages into our church can feel difficult. But an easy way to help families feel
good about bringing kids to church is allowing children to be children. It is such a happiness for me to
hear the kids on a Sunday, chatting to each other, sharing stories, creating happy memories in the
church and joining in our worship with their prayers, song and musical instruments. Our kids’ space
allows children to be children. During the summer holidays special children’s activities relating to our
worship will be available on the tables.
School Uniform Swap Shop
We are planning to run a school uniform swap shop again this summer. A letter has been sent to the
parents of children attending Langland’s School asking them to donate “too small” uniforms, coats and
PE kits.
We then need a team of volunteers to take away all the donated uniforms to be laundered, folded,
mended and sorted. Each volunteer will get the equivalent of just one washing machine load to do so
that we share it out amongst us. If you think you can offer to collect in ‘too small’ uniforms from
your family and neighbours to bring to church or offer to do an extra load of laundry to support
families in our community – please see Rev Maggie or write your name on the list in the big hall.
We will then open the church during the first week of the school holidays; Tuesday 5th July to Friday 8th
July and again Tuesday 9th August till Friday the 12th and again on Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th August
– the week before the schools go back – for parents to come in to St Margaret’s church halls and pick up
as much uniform as they need for their children completely free of charge for the year ahead.
The Swap Shop will be open each morning 10-12noon and newly laundered and sorted clothes will be
added throughout the 2 weeks. This opportunity is open to people of all faiths or none and they are
welcome to take clothes home to try on their child before either returning or handing them on to
someone else.
We need folks to come along to help lay out the clothes onto tables, do a simple ‘stock check’ of what
we’ve got left, welcome families who haven’t been to our church before and make some teas and
coffees. We also need everyone – whether you are a church member or not, to spread the word about
the swap shop so that every family hears about it and has the opportunity to hand in old uniform and
then get some uniform- even just to use as spares. The swap shop only works if families who don’t
desperately ‘need’ come along, as well as those who are struggling, as then there is no stigma to coming
along and helping yourself as it becomes something that everybody does and not just those who need
help.
If you can spare a morning or two during the summer holidays to help please let us know and we will put
a swap shop team together. Last year we had such a good time and really had a chance to get to know
each other better over a cuppie and piles of folded pinafores.
SOUP LUNCHES
The monthly Soup Lunches will continue on the first Friday of each month throughout the year
homemade soup & crusty bread followed by tea or coffee and a biscuit for £2.50. All welcome.
Margaret Spalding
CHRISTIAN AID
The total raised in Forfar was £1918.36 this included £139 from a half time collection at Station Park
on Sat. 30th April. Our Thanks go to Forfar Athletic and a street collection held on
the Thursday, Friday & Saturday during Christian Aid Week raised £248.16.
Quiz sheets sold in St. Margaret’s = £46. Table = £23.72.
I would like to thank everyone for their support and a special thank you to Verna & Christine for their
help.
Forth coming events; Friday 15th July, A bucket collection will be held at Tesco (Forfar) if you can help
for an hour please give your name to me (Mary Coyle)
Saturday 24th September Coffee Morning, more details later.
May Gods hand be in the things we do.
Mary Coyle
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A popcorn surprise with Rev Maggie
Saying au revoir to Duncan, Joan, Linda and
MR Blue-Green before they return to Canada
Kids’ Space on Pentecost Sunday
The leaders having fun at Messy Church
Here are a few photos taken at recent services and events
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SPECTRUM LADIES’ CHOIR
Once more over the past year or so Spectrum has travelled round entertaining and worshipping with
different groups in the local area.
Traditional engagements continue with the Guild Café Chantant, the Forfar Thursday Club and St
Margaret’s Senior Circle. A new tradition in the form of the afternoon tea at the 6-monthly St Margaret’s
Fayre keeps us on our toes making sure we have several different programmes running simultaneously.
We were pleased to entertain the joint Forfar Guilds at East and Old last autumn, and we’ve also been to
Padanaram WRI, Friockheim Guild, Sidlaw Trefoil Guild, the Parkinson’s Group at the Steeple, Dundee,
and Angus Carers Group at Carnoustie.
A very pleasant invitation came along in March to sing at a 100th birthday celebration in Benholm; and a
rather poignant occasion came when we were asked to sing at the funeral of a member of Spectrum.
This was not easy for the choir but everyone felt that it was a very special remembrance and was glad to
have taken part.
From the money received in the way of donations, after music expenses have been paid, we have
donated £250 to church funds and £50 to the Presbytery project for the Panihata clinic in Bangladesh.
We may be able to give more to Panihata in the next few months.
Practices for the new session begin around the end of August and continue each Monday at 7.30pm. As
always new members are very welcome – please get in touch if you would like to know more.
Helen McLeod
01307 463082
[email protected]
KIRK SESSION
Session would encourage all members who are on the internet to go on to St Margaret’s website to get up
to date information on all aspects of the church. The Link magazine is on as are reports from all of the
Session groups. Our online address is stmargaretschurchforfar.org.
For those members who might be on Facebook, we now have a Face Book page for St Margaret’s
where information will be placed. This will not take away from the website which also has current
information on it.
A HUGE thank you to our Scout Group who very kindly painted the ends of the steps with bright yellow
paint to help make each step more noticeable when going up or down them. It has made a huge difference.
Our Fundraising Team are happy to report that a concert by Cantamus a singing group from Fife was
thoroughly enjoyed by 80 folks and raised the superb total of £900 after expenses. Sincere thanks to all
who supported this event and helped in any way.
Our next fundraiser is our “Summer Fayre” on Sat 25th June (see back page) so look forward to seeing
you all then.
We said our goodbyes to Fiona Goodison our Organist on Sunday 29th May. Fiona’s circumstances have
changed with husband Mike who is a padre with the Army being posted overseas for much of the rest of
the year.
She has decided to go back to their flat in Alloa where she has family and friends nearby and we send
them both all our very best wishes for the future. If you know of anyone who would be interested in playing
on a Sunday, then let Rev. Maggie know.
The Session wish you a very happy Summer Break whether going away on holiday or just enjoying
Forfar/Angus in the sun. If you do happen to visit another church on your summer travels please take St
Margaret’s very best wishes to them.
The next meeting of
Kirk Session
Tues 21st June
at 7 p.m. (Please note change of date)
Session Groups
Tues 11th October at 7 p.m.
Conveners Group Tues 8th November at 7 p.m.
Maureen Fenton
Session Clerk
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FRIDAY COFFEES
We normally break off for the summer months of July and August however this summer we are going to
continue throughout. If you would like to volunteer to do a week speak to Rev. Maggie. I am pleased
that during the “One more step” campaign we have had more volunteers willing to join the Friday coffee
team and we look forward to working with them. Come along on a Friday morning between 10 and
11.30am for coffee or if you prefer tea and biscuits and a chat with friends for £1.50.
Joan Ross
FLOWER REPORT
We are always looking for people to help arrange and deliver flowers after the service each Sunday.
Thanks to all the arrangers, distributors and donators.
Have a nice summer.
Ann Menmuir
We have lovely floral displays in the church each Sunday morning which are then given out to those who
we feel would benefit from flowers whatever the reason. If you know of anyone who you think would like
flowers then don’t hesitate to tell Maggie or the Session Clerk and we can arrange delivery of them. Also
if anyone feels they would be able to deliver flowers on even one Sunday in the month/year please contact
our Flower Convener Ann Menmuir on 464981. It’s lovely to have made someone’s day by unexpectedly
delivering flowers to them from the church, so please volunteer if you can.
Salvation Army Foodbank – Sincere thanks to all who donated tins etc. for our Harvest Thanksgiving
Service. It was an amazing amount that was donated and will help a lot of people.
Please keep supporting the Salvation Army by putting an extra tin or two in your trolley the next time you
are shopping so we can help those who are in need. There is a box in the vestibule of the church and one
in the main hall where you can put your tins etc. for collection. They are particularly in need of cartons
of UHT milk for the foodbank. Thank you.
Messy Church
The next Messy Church will be held on Saturday 27th. August with the theme “Messy
Music” which will give the opportunity for the children to create instruments and make lots of noise, which
they can then take home to entertain their parents! Please spread the word about this event to family,
friends, neighbours – any young people you think might enjoy making music. We meet for 10.30 am.in the
main hall, for the activities then after about an hour have a short time for worship following which we enjoy
a snack lunch together in the lower hall. If you need any further information please speak to any of the
Messy team!
Thanks for your help from the Messy Church team
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Wednesday Worship Fellowship. We meet every Wednesday in the lower hall for a short service at
10.30 am followed by a time for refreshments and lots of that.
If you have not been able to get to church or find sitting in a pew for an hour is difficult yon will be very
welcome to come along on a Wednesday to see if the time of worship is suitable for you. We are, however,
about to have a summer break with the last service on Wednesday 29th then we start again in September
on Wednesday 7th.
Before we break for the summer we have an “Away Day” on Wednesday 22nd. June when we head off to
Strathmartine Church in Dundee. We have a service followed by a soup and pudding lunch, which is
being provided by the Strathmartine team. That is the church in which our minister, Maggie, grew up and
her parents are very heavily involved in the work of the congregation. If you would like to join us for that
outing can you speak to Gavin as soon as possible. We would also welcome volunteers to drive us to
Dundee so, again, any drivers can you speak to Gavin?
We will look forward welcoming you to the time of fellowship.
Gavin
Heart & Soul 2016.
Sunday 22nd May was special in Edinburgh – yes that was when Hibernian paraded through the
city with the Scottish Cup that they won the previous day, but it was even more special that in Princes
Street Gardens that afternoon there was the Heart & Soul celebration associated with the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The sun shone, while in Forfar there was torrential rain and hail, and
more than 2,000 people from all over Scotland were here to see displays showing many of the exciting
things that our Church is involved in. We often think that nothing much is happening in the Church but a
visit to Heart & Soul changes that view – the exhibition tents are full of examples of the amazing things
being done.
The national Boards of the Church were promoting the work they are doing but, for me the most exciting
displays were from congregations showing some of the work they are doing. From a Forfar perspective
it was great to see our friends from Lowson Memorial showing off the work they are doing with young
people, with their puppets, and the Praise and Dance group drawing large crowds. Then there were
congregations promoting: Work done with the homeless in London: creating a green space in which to
grow fruit and vegetables, running a Café Church, embracing the dementia journey; having a men’s
Breakfast group, promoting stewardship through “Joy”.
Time for Jesus – Time for Others and Time for You.
There were so many good ideas and on reflection many of them we are doing or starting to work on so
maybe next year we will have a story to tell at Heart & Soul? And finally a highlight of the day was the
closing worship with more than 1,500 taking part which created a real sense of fellowship and excitement
and highlighted that our Church is alive kicking and taking the gospel message in words and action to our
communities. So when it is Heart & Soul time next year we might get a busload from St. Margaret’s there
to pick up some of the excitement and ideas. Look out for the details.
from Maggie, Amy Muriel and Gavin – who were all there!
Cub Scouts are 100 this year!
As one who has been involved with the Scout movement for many years
I had not realised that this was the hundred birthday year for Cub Scout section. I was privileged in
June when about 500 Cub Scouts were in camp for the weekend and they were having a ball. There is no
doubt that the Scout movement is thriving and keeping up to date with the changing interests of young
people but they still like getting dirty, avoiding washing and staying awake most of the night when they are
camping!
I reflected on how fortunate we are in St. Margaret’s with our Scout Group which is alive and active and
excites the members from Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Scouts. The Scouting experience will have a
great influence on all the young folk who go through the sections, as it has done for those of us in the
congregation who were members maybe many years ago! But the success of the Group is based on the
team of hard working, enthusiastic and inspirational leaders in all the sections. So as we say Happy
Birthday to the Cub Scout section maybe we should also thank all the leaders for the work they do to
develop the members physically mentally and spiritually.
Gavin (and I was NOT there at the beginning!)
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FLOWER CALENDAR
Arrangers
June
25
Jean Anderson/Margaret Prophet
Ann Menmuir/Diane Robertson
July
3
9
16
23
30
Irene Glenday
Maureen Simpson
Ian Taylor
Roslyn Roebuck/Rona Kettles
Stewart Davidson
Dorothy Bruce
August
7
14
21
28
Zena Shepherd
Betty Spaczynska
Margaret Mands
Cathy Dinning/Peggy McVey
Ann Menmuir
September
4
Mary Coyle
Ann Menmuir/Jane Tavendale
Distributors List is at the top of the stairs
ST MARGARET’S SUMMER FAYRE
SATURDAY 25TH JUNE 2016
10-12 Noon
Coffee Morning with Pancakes
£2
12.30-1.30 pm Home-made Soup with Crusty Bread
£2
2-4 p.m. Afternoon Strawberry Tea with Spectrum
£5
Or all day ticket for £8
Lots of Stalls:- Produce, Baking, Craft, Tombola,
Toys, All that Glitters, Raffle and much more.
We need YOU to help make this a success. If you can donate to any of
the above please let Maggie or any of the fundraising team know.
Tickets on sale NOW from Ann, Nessie, Maureen or from the office on a
Friday morning.
Let’s make this a Great FUNdraising day