Magazine of St Peter, Kirkcaldy and St Mary, Kinghorn Issue 9/3

Magazine of St Peter, Kirkcaldy and St Mary, Kinghorn
Issue 9/3
Lent and Easter 2015
Contact
Rector: The Revd. Christine Fraser
St Peter’s Rectory
1 Longbraes Gardens
Kirkcaldy KY2 5YJ
Tel: 01592 204 208
St. Peter’s website: www.stpeterskirkcaldy.co.uk
1
Worship at St Peter's
(For Lent and Easter services see Page 5)
Sundays
9.15am
Said Eucharist or Communion from the Reserved
Sacrament (1929)
10.30am
Sung Eucharist (Scottish Liturgy 1982)
Weekdays
Tuesday 10 am
Morning Prayer
Wednesday 10 am Said Eucharist (Scottish Liturgy 1982)
Ss Mary and Leonard, Kinghorn
The congregation of Ss Mary & Leonard, Kinghorn, has now joined with
St Peter's, Kirkcaldy, for Sunday worship.
A service of Holy Communion with hymns is held on the last Thursday
of every month in Viewforth Court, Kinghorn
Sick Communion
Important note: The local hospitals no longer allow access to their inpatient lists. Should you, a relative or friend be admitted to hospital,
please contact the Rector and visits will be arranged.
Please contact the Rector, the Rev. Christine Fraser for baptisms,
marriages, visits to the sick or housebound or funeral arrangements.
2
Who's who in the charge
Rector
(Licensed Lay Reader
Lay Representative
Lay Worship Leaders:
Rev. Christine Fraser
204 208
Carol Latimer
01383 860 450)
Shirley Mann
264 517
Richard Fawcett
653 911
Shirley Mann
264 517
Cliff Mwando
07960556270
Maria Page
200 989
Chairman to the Vestry
Bill Page
200 989
Secretary to the Vestry
Maria Page
200 989
Treasurer
Judy Webster
204 587
(CTN Liaison officer
Carol Latimer
01383 860 450)
CTN Administrator
Shirley Mann
264 517
Child/vulnerable adults protection Kerry Briers
201 851
Gift Aid
Judy Webster
204 587
Christian Aid
Judy Webster
204 587
Rosemary Potter
265499
100 Club
Judy Webster
204 587
Hall letting
Martine Robertson
264 641
Car park letting
Maria Page
200 989
Social Committee
Pam Wilkie
261 978
Mothers' Union
Mary Frew
593 313
Prayer Group
Martine Robertson
264 641
Organist
Phillip Kear
650 338
Duty rotas
Judy Webster
204 587
Shirley Mann
264 517
(Intercessors
Carol Latimer
01383 860 450)
Flowers
Jane Legge
581 818
Sunday teas and coffees
Judy Webster
204 587
Property
George Legge
581 818
(Magazine editor
Carol Latimer
01383 860 450)
Website
Norman Ward
01337 830 630
3
Letter from the Rector
Dear friends
Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our
commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. In our busy world, Lent provides us with an
opportunity to reflect upon our patterns, to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we've
done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need.
In a way the season of Lent with the chance to reflect, pray and be generous fits in with the Mark
of Mission for 2015 – “We serve the community in practical ways”. St Peter’s already serves the
community in a number of ways – through supporting Street Pastors, donating to the Foodbank,
knitting hats for Mission to Seafarers, visiting Viewforth Court, providing prayer blankets for those
in need, chaplaincy at Viewforth High School and hopefully, the beginning of a chaplaincy with
Kirkcaldy Fire Station.
Lent is often associated with giving something up – chocolate and alcohol seem to be the
favourites! However, Lent can also be a time of “doing” something. There are a number of ways in
which we can do this. Deciding to read a particular book, for example. My Lenten reading is “The
Lent Factor” by Graham James. There are reflections from 40 characters for the 40 days of Lent
ranging from Luke the Evangelist through Charles Wesley, Eva Peron, Robert Runcie and Kathleen
Ferrier to name a few. Others may offer to help out a charity for example. There are a number of
opportunities for us as a congregation or as individuals and there are details of these elsewhere in
the magazine. Why not give them some thought?
We have Ian Scott with us on placement from the Scottish Episcopal Institute until just after
Easter. Ian is in his 2nd year of study to become a Lay Reader and his interests in this placement are
Understanding Liturgy in more depth; Sourcing and preparing Intercessions and observing positive
working relationships between Rector and Lay Reader.
As we move through Lent to the joy of Easter we move also with a little sadness. Carol Latimer has
been a valued member of St Peter’s since 2000, and during this time has been very involved with
ministry at St Peter’s. Carol has been undertaking vocational discernment for a number of months
and also helping out at the All Souls Fife Group (Aberdour, Burntisland and Inverkeithing) with
Revd Dean Norby. Carol feels called to ministry in this group and after much thought, prayer and
with agreement from +David, Dean and myself will be moving to serve as Lay Reader there. Whilst
I am sorry to lose her, I know that the fresh challenges this will bring will expand and enhance her
ministry. Carol’s last Sunday with us will be Easter Day when we will send her off in the usual St
Peter’s manner!
With love and prayers
4
Christine
Sorry to say goodbye
I seems no time at all since I first came to St Peter’s to worship and I have to say I felt
almost instantly at home. The simplicity of the building with its pale-washed walls, the
crucifix high in the rafters and the lovely understated sanctuary area decorated so
beautifully with flowers all helped me worship, while the genuine warmth of the welcome I
met with drew me into congregational life. When almost without my noticing it I began to
take an increasingly active part in the life of the church, I received encouragement and
support from clergy and congregation alike. It was then I came to realise that I probably had
a ministry to serve in a more structured role and that this would be enhanced by training.
The training turned out to be two intensive years of study with what was then TISEC (the
Theological Institute of the Scottish Episcopal Church) after which I felt both better
equipped to serve as well as even more aware that I knew very little! I did, however,
emerge as a fully-fledged Lay Reader.
At the same time, the arrival of a full-time Rector for this steadfast and faithful
congregation was just what St Peter’s needed and Christine has proved to be exactly right
for the post, caring for her flock and working tirelessly in the church and community. It has
been a great pleasure to serve alongside Christine and hopefully support her ministry at St
Peter’s. The congregational and liturgical life of St Peter’s is now well catered for by an
excellent Rector and increasingly capable lay worship team and meanwhile there is a job to
be done for the neighbours along the coast! Anyone in authorised ministry has to be alert
to where this ministry could be put to good use, and the expanding ministry of All Souls Fife
(formerly the ABI group) faces the challenge of running three churches plus a new
contemporary worship venture in Inverkeithing High School. A Lay Reader could provide a
useful extra pair of hands and I feel moved towards this ministry. I will serve as a Lay
Reader in the group of churches which is led by the Rev. Dean Norby and I am looking
forward to getting to know these congregations.
Change is never easy, either for members of churches or those in ministry, but the Way
points forward and we are all called to follow it. I would like to express my sincere thanks to
each and every member of St Peter’s congregation for their unfailing encouragement and
support.
May the Lord bless you all in your continued worship and service in his Name.
With my love, Carol
5
Lent and Easter at St Peter’s
Holy week
Palm Sunday (29th March) 9.15: Said Eucharist
10.30: Sung Eucharist with blessing of palms
Wednesday of Holy Week
Stations of the Cross (Led by Ian Scott)
Maundy Thursday (2nd April)
7 pm: Sung Eucharist with stripping of altar followed by vigil
Good Friday (3rd April)
12 noon: Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament
Easter Sunday (5th April)
9.15: Said Eucharist
10.30: Sung Eucharist
The Rector will be on holiday during the week following Easter. She will be back in
Kirkcaldy on Saturday, 11th April. During her absence Bill and Maria Page can be
contacted on 01592 200989 to deal with any enquiries or emergencies.
6
KIRKCALDY AREA OUTREACH TRUST
“We will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and
his mighty wonders” Ps. 78:4
What does KART do?
KART youth worker, Chris Beattie, helps explain the Christian faith in primary and high
schools, in classes and at assemblies. He supports school chaplains in their work. He works
with churches and youth leaders to start up youth clubs and run youth events and holiday
clubs. He encourages and supports churches to establish Scripture Union groups in schools
and encourages young people to attend SU camps.
Securing the future of KART
KART relies on support from churches and individuals. Volunteers are needed for the
management committee (and its reachout, prayer, publicity and finance groups) and to
help with SU groups in schools.
Financially KART has to raise close to £40,000 each year to fund its work. This comes from
churches, trusts and individuals. From 2015 KART has a shortfall in its funding of £10,000 a
year.
How can I help?
Please consider volunteering to help with KART activities.
With other members of your church do some fund-raising for KART.
Become an individual donor by standing order or online through BT mydonate or
easyfundraising or via JustTextGiving.
For more information contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
7
Kirkcaldy Foodbank – helping to bridge the gap
Registered charity no. SCO 44446
We have had a food bank in Kirkcaldy for a whole year now and the need for it doesn’t
seem to have diminished at all. The reasons many clients give for requesting a voucher
include very low pay or gaps in their benefit payments. How does the food bank system
help to bridge this alarming gap and put food on the table for those who need help?
The food which is collected in supermarkets, churches and schools and at fund-raising
events throughout the area is sorted and packed in Dysart St Clair Church, ready for
distribution to the four locations in the town where it can be collected by clients. St Bryce
Church is possibly the busiest of these, and volunteers there tell of their concern for the
people who come to redeem their vouchers. Some are extremely reluctant to accept what
they see as charity and have to be persuaded that there is no shame in being a victim of
changing life events, sometimes even of the system we are part of. In the other venues,
too, we hear similar stories.
Kirkcaldy Foodbank has around 60 volunteers who do the collecting, sorting, packing and
distributing. All have received basic training in health and safety related issues and many of
them have chosen to become official members of the Foodbank. Our own Margaret Nelmes
volunteers at the Methodist Church distribution centre.
We cannot help but be aware that inequality and need do not reflect the values of the
Kingdom of God and it falls to organisations such as Kirkcaldy Foodbank to do what they
can to redress the balance. Without the support and generosity of so many members of
faith groups, people in the workplace, school pupils and other benefactors the Foodbank
would not be able to operate.
Please continue to make donations of food or money, particularly in our ‘low seasons’ like
spring and summer when Christmas is over or people are thinking about going away on
holiday. And please pray for the Foodbank, its volunteers and clients and for the
community of which we are all a part.
Thanks again to St Peter’s congregation for your regular contributions of food. If you feel
you would like to be involved as a volunteer, please contact Brigitte Sweeney at
www.kirkcaldyfoodbank.org.uk .
Carol
8
Prayer Blankets
Not long after the Prayer Group was born, a suggestion was made for us to knit Prayer
Blankets. We took up the challenge – knitting pins out, wool bought then cast on, click,
click, in, over, through and off! Once the squares were knitted, they then had to be sewn
together and there grew the blanket. It was not all plain sailing – some of us were prolific
knitters, others hadn't knitted since their own children were young, others, although had
been taught the rudiments, had never taken this skill on board. We helped each other to
produce the goods. One of our members had to be shown how to cast on but I can say we
all put our hearts into this project. A few members of the congregation helped us by
knitting squares or even a complete blanket. Squares started off being knitted with garter
stitch. They now come in different guises – moss, basketweave, a cross motif included. We
don't promise that the finished article will be perfect – life is not perfect and that is why we
hope that the recipient of a Prayer Blanket will be helped through the imperfect times.
Sometimes, we pray while knitting, think of the possible recipients and what trouble they
may be facing and other times we just click, click with the pins. Once the blanket is
complete, it is laid out on the table then the Prayer Group place hands on and we pray
together. While wrapped in the blanket, we trust that the recipient will feel the love of God
and gain comfort from this.
Our blankets have been given to friends, acquaintances or anyone we hear of who, we feel,
will gain comfort. There are no set criteria for being offered a blanket. If you know of
anyone who would like to receive a Prayer Blanket then please approach a member of the
group. Our blankets have been sent as far afield as U.S.A. and Australia. Bishop David was
very touched when he was given a Prayer Blanket to comfort him and Alison through his
recent course of treatment. Father Malcolm and Thelma wrap themselves in their blanket
while carrying out their Morning Prayer.
If you would like to help by knitting squares, donating wool or knitting a blanket, this would
be appreciated.
God the Father, enfold us with your love:
God the Son, surround us with your presence;
God the Spirit revitalize us with your power.
Surround, enfold, revitalize us each day, each night.
Maria Page
9
NEWS, EVENTS AND VESTRY NOTES ..........
 THE CHURCH IS NOW WARMER thanks to the new radiators which have been
installed. These were paid for by a member of our congregation who prefers to
remain anonymous. ‘Thank you’ hardly seems an adequate response to such
generosity!
 THE CHILDREN’S CORNER has now been re-vamped so that suitable resources are
available to be enjoyed by parents and young children during the service.
 THE TREASURER REPORTED that the War Bonds gave now been redeemed and the
expected redemption sum is likely to be in the region of £700..
 THE CHURCH CONSTITUTION is in process of being updated. The minimum number of
vestry members required is likely to be 8. New members will be voted onto vestry at
the Annual General Meeting which will take place on Sunday 7th December directly
after the 10.30 service.
 THE SOUND SYSTEM continues to create problems on Sunday mornings. There
appears to be a major problem in the control unit and this affects the microphones.
George Legge, fabric convenor, will arrange for a consultant to come and suggest a
way forward.
 THE FUND RAISING COMMITTEE reported that the Christmas Capers evening had
been a great success. Photographic evidence can be found on the church website!
10
............NEWS, EVENTS AND VESTRY NOTES
 ADVANCE NOTICE of a World War II themed concert to be held on a date to be
arranged. Look out for tickets and details immediately after Easter. Other ideas
include a quiz night and a barbecue to be held on 27th June (Petertide).
 THANK YOU TO ALL who supplied their contact details for the church data bank. If
you have not completed a form, Jean Boland asks that if your address/telephone
number/email address has changed in the last 12 months, please would you let her
know.
Jean
can
be
contacted
by
telephone
(264
885)
or
by
email
([email protected])
 THE RECTOR has been appointed to serve on the Provincial Selection Panel which
advises bishops on the suitability of candidates for ordination.
 THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER is taking place in the Salvation Army Citadel on 6th
March.
 THE DIOCESAN SYNOD will take place this year at St Ninian’s Cathedral, Perth on
Saturday 7th March starting at 10.15 am.
 A FLYER is to be produced to advertise St Peter’s. This will include a little of the
church’s history together with details of personnel and services.
The minutes of vestry meetings are always available to read in detail, and are posted by
the vestry secretary on the notice board in the church hall.
11
Cut out the shapes and put them together to make this bird shape.
It’s harder than you think! Answer on page 23
12
Did you know...?
A lot of the fun things about Easter are pagan. Bunnies are a leftover
from the pagan festival of Eostre, a great northern goddess whose symbol
was a rabbit or hare. Exchange of eggs is an ancient custom, celebrated by
many cultures. Hot cross buns are very ancient too. In the Old Testament
we see the Israelites baking sweet buns for an idol, and religious leaders
trying to put a stop to it. The early church clergy also tried to put a stop
to sacred cakes being baked at Easter. In the end, in the face of defiant
cake-baking pagan women, they gave up and blessed the cake instead.
Early Christians celebrated by taking what was already there and turning
it on its head just as Jesus turned upside down a lot of the ideas that
people had in the first century. And quite a lot that people have now! Like
taking more notice of exactly what food they should eat than making sure
poor people didn’t go hungry. Or pushing people out of the community if
they were different or unacceptable. Jesus made friends with them
instead. Worth thinking about!
Maybe we could use the 5+ weeks of Lent to make some small differences
ourselves.
13
Reading the signs (spotted outside churches)
* Lying in bed and shouting “Oh God!” does not count as going to church.
* Forgive your enemies. It messes with their heads.
* Free coffee and everlasting life. Discipleship has its privileges.
* Don’t be so open minded that your brains fall out.
* God loved the world enough not to send a committee.
* Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
* There are some questions that can’t be answered by Google.
Three churches in town were overrun with mice. After much prayer, the vestry of the
first church determined that the animals were predestined to be there. Who were
they to interfere with God's will? They did nothing, and the mice multiplied.
The vestry of the second church, deciding that they could not harm any of God's
creatures, humanely trapped the mice and then set them free outside the town.
Three days later the mice were back. It was only the third church that succeeded in
keeping the mice away. They simply baptized the mice and enrolled them as
members. Now, they only see them at Christmas and Easter.
14
Casting the Net and Mission Action Planning
St Peter’s Mission Action Planning Group met on 20th January to look in detail at aspects of
St Peter’s Marks of Mission which could be developed, and to put together the conclusions
of the group for presentation to vestry.
The group looked at:
 Eco congregation/Fairtrade
St Peter’s is registered with eco-congregation Scotland and a sub-group could be formed to
explore ways in which we could develop as an eco-church. Suggested members are Shirley
Mann and Rosemary Potter.
Meanwhile, we can all make small improvements such as using separate crates for
recyclable waste. Pam Wilkie volunteered to investigate this.
 Ecumenical links
Our link with Kinghorn Parish Church and their Minister, Rev. Jim Reid has led to shared
activities including worship in Viewforth Court retirement complex, carol-singing in
Morrison’s, the Christmas tree festival, shared Lent services and St Peter’s carol service and
a pilgrimage to Inchcolm last year.
Links have been established with Pathhead through school chaplaincy and with Dysart St
Clair through taking part in worship. Kirkcaldy Foodbank has also enabled links with
members of several Kirkcaldy churches.
A small group will look at how these links can be developed.
 Patterns of worship
The congregational response lays an important role in trying new patterns of worship. The
purpose of introducing new worship would include appealing to Christians from other
traditions or to those who do not usually attend church.
The present provision for Sunday worship will be unchanged. Any new services would be
offered additionally. This would potentially have the added benefit of having the church
open more frequently.
Evensong was suggested as an occasional affirmation of the Anglican tradition. It was
suggested that this might attract summer visitors if advertised.
The recent Taizé service was well received and the intention is to repeat this.
Quiet days would offer the opportunity for reflection and simple worship in a relaxed
setting.
Members of the congregation are to be asked to form a sub-group to look at patterns of
worship.
The 2015 Gathering will be held on Saturday 30th May from 10:00 - 16:00 in St Ninian’s
Cathedral, Perth. The focus will be: “Serving the community in practical ways. Reaching out
to those in need.” We have been asked to submit an A4/A3 poster illustrating ways in which
we do this and this will include photographs.
Carol
15
Bishop David’s Lent Appeal
The Theological Institute of the Scottish Episcopal Church has recently been re-named the
Scottish Episcopal Institute. Selected candidates are trained here for ministry as Lay
Readers or Priests. The two or three year course has until now been part-time with
residential weekends but there are plans to create a full-time facility. This will mean that
students would have to give up employment to follow the course which would entail
additional financial commitment. The Bishop’s Lent appeal this year is for funding to
underpin this training. The Bishop writes...
“By God’s grace, a wonderful range of disciples of all ages is called to ministry in the
Scottish Episcopal Church but we sense a particular urgency to recognise and support the
call of younger candidates at this time. We want to encourage and delight in the fresh
insights and energy they bring us. We need those who can offer a lifetime of ordained
service to God and form the future leadership of our Church. We recognise the importance
of investing substantially in their training and formation so as to equip them for the tasks
ahead.
You can help to build the Church of the future by investing in the ordinands and trainee lay
readers of today through the work of the Scottish Episcopal Institute. Please give what you
can so that we can equip the Church for its mission.”
Christine Fraser, Ian Scott and I all received their training for ministry at TISEC and can
vouch for its academic standard and the opportunities it presents for spiritual and
ministerial growth. The Institute is one of the principal ways in which the Scottish Episcopal
Church can ‘grow’ its own clergy and lay readers. Please look out for details of how to
contribute to this appeal. Carol
16
An extra Lay Reader at St Peter’s!
Many of you will already have met me since I started with St Peters on Epiphany. I am
currently in my second and final year of training as a Lay Reader with what is now known as
the Scottish Episcopal Institute (SEI) formerly known as the Theological Institute of the
Scottish Episcopal Church (TISEC). You may recognise the old name, as your own Lay
Reader, Carol, went through the same process with TISEC a few years ago. This involves
attending seminars in Edinburgh on most Wednesdays where in 5 week batches we study a
range of modules including, Old and New Testament, Contemporary Studies (this year it
was Ethics), Church History, Doctrine and Missiology. Other modules (Spirituality, Ministry
and Liturgy) are covered during residential weekends when the entire student body comes
together to learn and worship. Part of the learning process for each student is a practical
placement (usually between Epiphany and Easter), for which we have to write up a report
afterwards. Mine is with you here at St Peter’s.
I am a Chemist whose brain has been reprogrammed to turn me into a Health and Safety
specialist (yes the dreaded H&S!) currently with NHS Fife and Tayside. I was born in East
Wemyss and grew up in Fife, attending Buckhynd High School. St Mary’s by the Sea
Presbyterian Church was my church through childhood, where my Grandfather was a
faithful elder for over 60 years. I married Hilary, and we have two (very) grown up kids, Neal
and Alys. Neal is a self employed school basketball coach in South Yorkshire (he is 6ft 4
inches tall!) and Alys is a nurse in the army currently based in Gosport at the Field Hospital
there. From 1979 through to 2006 we lived down south in Hertfordshire, where I was a Lab
manager with Lee Valley Water Company then in Yorkshire with a metals manufacturing
company. While in Yorkshire I found my way back to the church and was confirmed into the
Anglican Faith, The big elastic band finally pulled me back to Fife in 2006. We currently
worship in St Margaret’s in Leven, where Hilary and I were married 40 years ago in March
(by your own Canon Ron Leigh).
Rev Christine and Carol have already put together a substantial plan for me, and this is now
well underway, the aim being to experience and participate in your church life and worship.
I have already been seamlessly inserted into your rotas (I think Christine let me off the
coffee rota – just as well really – you should taste my coffee!). I am being given the chance
to observe, participate in and lead your range of liturgies. This is invaluable as the academic
part of the course does not currently cover what will be a major part of my ministry –
practical worship. I have been overwhelmed by the welcoming nature of the people at St
Peter’s and look forward to continuing with you until around Easter. Ian D. Scott
17
The Scottish Episcopal Church and human sexuality
Last spring, Maria Page took part in a conference held in Pitlochry to explore and discuss
the controversial subject of human sexuality in general and same-sex relationships in
particular. In order to ‘cascade’ the results of this and to provide an opportunity for wider
discussion in the churches a series of three discussion evenings were held in
January/February in Perth, St Andrews and Stirling. The Church will take the necessary time
to debate and pray about all aspects of this question before coming to a decision. Bishop
David writes:
“We’ve had the third of our Cascade Conversations in the diocese this evening – they’ve
been in Perth, St Andrews and Stirling. Numbers have been strong. People want to talk
about human sexuality.
We’ve tried to re-create something of the atmosphere of the Pitlochry Conference. We’ve
modelled ‘honest conversation across difference’ and tried to engage with diversity.
For me, all this is part of the way in which our church engages with human sexuality
questions in general – and same sex marriage in particular. We’re opening up a space in
which difficult conversation can take place. I’ve watched people searching for the words in
which they can articulate deep feelings.
It’s that space for dialogue which our church needs at this point. We’re preparing for the
time when we shall address the same issues synodically. Speaking to the Church of England
General Synod about his travels to every Province of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop
Justin Welby said that the prize was ‘visible unity in Christ with functional diversity’
Visible unity in Christ transcends our diversity and makes possible a church in which
functional diversity becomes possible.”
18
Viewforth High School
The chaplaincy team at Viewforth High School has been meeting with both the Rector and
Depute over the past few months and has been greatly encouraged by the growing
relationship with the school.
As you may know, Viewforth is moving to a new community school in the next year, open
to use by the general public and the senior management team is keen to build relationships
with the chaplaincy team’s congregations as a result.
St Peter’s has been offered as a venue for music pupils to practice or take their
performance exams and I am sure we could manage to raise a small audience to encourage
them as they perform.
Pathhead Parish Church has offered work experience in its café for vocational training and
the school is keen to recruit volunteers to mentor pupils in vocational skills such as cooking,
plumbing, joinery etc. The pupils are presently working with the YMCA at Valley Gardens
residential unit teaching the residents basic cooking skills and the Home Economics staff
would be grateful for anyone with an interest in cooking to help out as volunteers.
The school is also looking for invigilators for exam time, minibus drivers (although a local
authority bus test would be required) and adults to accompany pupils on school trips. If you
are interested in any of these or if you have any ideas on how St Peter’s could offer to help
out, then please let me know.
Christine
19
A poem discovered by Marjorie and Norman Ward which they would
like to share with you:
Our Father Kept a Garden
Our Father kept a garden.
A garden of the heart;
He planted all the good things,
That gave our lives their start.
He turned us to the sunshine,
And encouraged us to dream:
Fostering and nurturing
The seeds of self-esteem.
And when the winds and rain came,
He protected us enough;
But not too much because he knew
We would stand up strong and tough.
His constant good example,
Always taught us right from wrong;
Markers for our pathway that will last
a lifetime long.
We are our Fathers garden,
We are his legacy.
20
THE COFFEE-BREAK PUZZLE
Each of these definitions refers to an egg-word. Can you find them? Quite egg-citing
if a little eggs-austing!
1. Inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by redness and itching
2. Marked by strict, particular, and complete accordance with fact or a standard;
precise
3. To inspect closely
4. Philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual
experience in an indifferent universe.
5. Obsolete or having died out like dinosaurs
6. To make more violent, bitter, or severe
7. To enlarge beyond bounds or the truth; to overstate
8. To glorify, praise, or honour
9. To clear from accusation or blame
10. To cause irritation or annoyance to
11. To show or illustrate by depiction; epitomize
12. To dig (something buried, esp. a dead body) out of the earth.
13. Testing all possibilities or considering all elements
14. To give urgent advice, recommendations, or warnings
15. Possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good
Answers on Page 23
21
Pause for thought
Two short prayers for Lent from the Methodist Church:
Jesus, you prayed and fasted. As your disciple teach me about spiritual discipline in my
relationship with you. Amen
Lord may Lent be a time of inward searching that makes me more able to look with
compassion at the needs of the world. Amen
This prayer has been written by the Revd Michaela Youngson, Superintendent Minister of
the Ealing Trinity Circuit.
When everything was dark
and it seemed that the sun would never shine again,
your love broke through.
Your love was too strong,
too wide,
too deep
for death to hold.
The sparks cast by your love
dance and spread
and burst forth
with resurrection light.
Gracious God,
We praise you for the light of new life
made possible through Jesus.
We praise you for the light of new life
that shone on the first witnesses of resurrection.
We praise you for the light of new life
that continues to shine in our hearts today.
We pray that the Easter light of life, hope and joy,
will live in us each day;
and that we will be bearers of that light
into the lives of others. Amen
Copyright ©2014 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.
The Methodist Church Registered Charity no. 1132208
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From the Editor
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Contact whether you accessed it online via St
Peter’s website or as an email attachment or received it as hard copy.
Thank you to all our contributors for their lively and interesting articles. As always, I
apologise for any errors or omissions in this edition.
It is with great reluctance that I now hand over editorship of Contact after eight years in
post. Keep the lively contributions coming in so that the new editor will enjoy the job as
much as I have. Happy reading!
Carol
Solution to junior puzzle:
Solution to egg puzzle:
1. eczema
2. exact
3. examine
4. existentialism
5. extinct
6. exacerbate
7. exaggerate
8. exalt
9. exonerate
10.exasperate
11. exemplify
12. exhume
13. exhaustive
14. exhort
15. excellent
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Registered charity numbers:
St Peter’s, Kirkcaldy SC010443
St Mary & St Leonard, Kinghorn SC009524
Contact is printed by Multiprint (Scotland) Ltd. Seafield Road, Kirkcaldy KY1 1SR
and is also available online at www.stpeterskirkcaldy.co.uk
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