Summer Activities! - Peterculter Parish Church

S E P T E M B E R
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Focus
The Church Newsletter of Peterculter Parish Church
This Month:
Teas, Coffees,
Lunches and much
more – all restarting
this month!
Summer Activities!
Holiday Club and Outdoor Service
More details inside.
Save the Date!
Malawi Coffee Morning
Saturday 14th
September
10 am – 12 noon
MacMillan Coffee
Morning
Friday 27th
September
10 am – 12 noon
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SEPTEMBER 2013
From the Manse
Dear Friends
I would like to thank you all for the kind wishes I received for the 25th anniversary
of my Ordination. The anniversary happened to fall on a Sunday and I was in for a
few surprises towards the end of the service that day. I would like to thank Edna
Ledingham in particular for organising the event and for the lunch which followed.
Thank you also for the very kind gifts.
Once again, we begin a new church session and the magazine is full of information
about what’s coming up. Please support all of our events, with the most important
being worship! It’s wonderful on the few occasions in the year when we have a
full church. But with a membership of over 600, we should in theory have that
every week. I am deeply conscious that people are very busy and there can be so
many other priorities on a Sunday morning. I’m also conscious of the
responsibility I share with Julia in leading worship and the need to ensure that it
really is worthwhile for people to come along.
It would be great if more of you were to attend and experience what in many ways
is a unique human activity. To come together to worship the God who is beyond
us, around us and within us has to be something which takes us beyond the
everyday lives we lead to enter into a different sphere.
I am also planning to run a couple of four week adult Christian Education courses
and full details are in this issue. You will be made very welcome.
Yours sincerely
John Ferguson.
Julia Lewandowska
I was delighted to hear that Julia has passed her final
assessment as a probationer and is now free to apply
for charges. I’m sure that all our thoughts and prayers
are with her at this exciting time and that we wish
Julia well as she listens for God’s Call.
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Dear all,
What a holiday we had! Beautiful weather, plenty postcards from many of you
going away on holiday (thank you to all!) and towards the end of the summer –
Holiday Club. I must say I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it (I’d never
experienced anything like it before) but when we actually had it – I loved it! I’m a
Holiday Club convert and intend to spread the news wherever I go – with a little
help of Joyce who offered to run it for me next year. Much appreciated and will be
well remembered for next year, Joyce!! J
Now we’re looking to the future. One thing that is changing is the Christian Aid
coordinator. I’m delighted to announce that Gillian and Pieter Vullinghs kindly
agreed to take it over from me. Thank you so much for doing that and I wish you
every blessing in your new post!
On this note we’re going to have another Walk the Line sponsored walk for
Christian Aid on the 7th September. If you’d like to take part, do speak to me. It’s a
good and enjoyable way of raising money for this worthwhile cause.
A week later there’s an awful lot happening again – on the 14th September we’re
going to have the Malawi Coffee Morning in the large hall and, simultaneously,
Reflective Worship through in the church. This time we’re focusing on Harvest and
food – lack thereof in some places and overabundance and waste of it in others. Do
come along to worship with us – and with Bruce Swanson who’s going to be our
‘live’ station. He kindly agreed to draw for us as part of our worship – do look out
for him and his work on the day!
Looking forward to seeing you at those, and other, events.
With every blessing,
Julia
Home Communion
Anyone wishing to receive Home Communion should let their elder know or
contact the church office or myself.
John Ferguson
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SEPTEMBER 2013
Church Directory
Baptism
23rd June 2013
Eva Ruby Patricia Beattie, daughter of James and Kelly
Wedding
3rd August 2013
Stuart Gill and Lauren Martin
Funerals
18th April 2013
Mr Bert Tait, Johnston Gardens West
22nd April 2013
Mr James Wright, Johnston Gardens West
19th May 2013
Mr Walter Ogston, Pittengullies Circle
13th June 2013
Mrs Olive Matthew, Brimond Drive
28th June 2013
Mr Athol Wilson, Crown Crescent
1st July 2013
Mr Ian Robertson, Ardbeck Place
1st July 2013
Mrs Lena Michie, Hawkhill
16th July 2013
Mr James Smith, Crown Crescent
5th August 2013
Mrs Doris Harris, Malcolm Road
14th August 2013
Mr Martin Peggie, Culter Den
Membership Meetings
I plan to hold Membership Meetings this
autumn for anyone interested in
becoming a member of the Church of
Scotland. There will be a short meeting
after the service on 22nd September to
arrange the dates.
John Ferguson
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Adult Christian Education
Course
I will be holding a short Adult Christian Education
course this autumn on well known Christian women
who made an impact in society.
• 12th September Introduction – Role of women in the Church down
the centuries followed by a look at the life of Mary Magdalene.
• 19th September
-
Mary Slessor and Fanny Crosby
• 26th September
-
Elizabeth Fry and Harriet Tubman
• 3rd October
-
Corrie Ten Boom and Mother Teresa
All meetings take place in the small hall at 7.30 pm and last
just over an hour.
Malawi Coffee Morning
Saturday 14th September
10.00 am – 12 noon
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SEPTEMBER 2013
Table Top Sales
The next Table Top Sale will be held on
Saturday 7th September, 10 am - 12 noon.
A table costs £5 and set up is from 9 am –
10 am.
To book contact Jean Cook on 734233.
Teas, Coffees and a Chat!
Thursday and Saturday Coffee
Time – starting again Thursday
5th and Saturday 7th September
Join us for coffee in the small hall on
Thursdays and Saturdays between
10.00 and 12 noon.
All Welcome.
Come and enjoy fellowship, fine fare and fresh
coffee.
You are also invited to join the short service of
workship on Thursday mornings at 11.30 am.
MacMillan Coffee Morning
Friday 27th September 2013
10.00 am – 12 noon
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“Delusion”
Man strides through this world like the Maister And thinks he’s the Lord o’ a’ things But the stars will aye shine in the heavens And the flooers will aye bloom in the Spring The streams will aye rin doon the mountains And the rivers will flow doon tae the sea The owl wills till swoop fae the shadows And the moose will aye scamper and flee. The geese will aye go on their journeys And the salmon rin up wi’ the tide The vixen will sneak fae her lair every night And the deer roam the lonely hillside The whaup will aye rise ower the moorland And the peesy-­‐weet pipe in the dawn The heron will, motionless, stand by the pool And the fallow deer nurture her fawn. The winds will still sweep through the deserts And the sweet rain descend to the plains And the blanket o’ sna’ will still cover the earth Till the spring time comes roon once again. The trees will still grow through the ages And the corbies aye nest in their airms And the Lord will look doon fae his Heaven And despair o’ his troublesome bairns. Man strides through this world like the Maister And kens fine he’s the Lord o’ a’ things But the stars will still shine in the heavens above And the flooers will aye bloom in te Spring. Keith Buchan
January 2006
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SEPTEMBER 2013
Church Flowers
Many thanks to the following people who have kindly
donated towards the flowers for June, July and August.
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The Gordon Family
Stan Stephen & Family
Alison Mitchell
Moira West
Alison Lynch
Jessie Taylor
Myrtle Farquhar
Chris Taylor
Doris Rothnie
Mrs Finnie
Hazel Mitchell
Hilda and Jim Rodger
The Gill/Martin Wedding
And £18 in the flower tin
As you may be aware, this is done by
many people in memory of someone
special in their lives, and at a
significant time.
Convenor: Violet Smith, 733317
Treasurer – Mabel Taylor, 732030
Walk the Line
Saturday 7th September 2013 1.30 pm
Walk, jog or cycle along the Deeside Railway Line
from Cults to Peterculter or Peterculter to Cults
Refreshments will be available at Cults and Peterculter
Sponsor forms are available from Julia Lewandowska 739378
If you are unable to take part yourself please help us raise money for Christian Aid
by sponsoring one of the participants.
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SEPTEMBER 2013
Culter Kirk Friendship Club
September to December 2013
Everyone is welcome to come along to these occasions.
Only £1.50 per evening to cover cost of simple refreshment.
3rd September
Mr Colin Moffat will talk on “Red Cross”
17th September
Miss Julia Lewandowska, Probationer Minister
1st October
Mr Murray Duncan on “Deeside Rail Line”
15th October
Mr Ross Grant on “The Bethany Trust”
29th October
Ms Estell Rae from “Petals of Peterculter”
12th November
Mr George McRobb on “A Special Year”
26th November
Dr Iain Fraser discusses “Eyes”
10th December
Party Evening
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SEPTEMBER 2013
Social Events
• Friday 27th September - Tea Dance in Church Hall
• Sunday 15th December - Christmas Lunch
• Friday 22nd November - Barbershop night with Vocal Zone Quartet
• Saturday 2nd November (date to be confirmed) - McArthur Glen shopping
trip
Return of the Moral Maze Supper Evenings
Each evening begins with a pot luck supper, followed by the
speaker around 7.00pm
• Sun, Sep 22nd (6pm) – St. Devenick’s Church
Theme: “Agnostics are not the Enemy!”
Speaker – Dave Millar
•
Sun, Oct 27th (6pm) – Peterculter Church
Theme: “Bitter Promises for a Promised Land”
• Speaker - Rev Ewan Aitken (Secretary - Church & Society Council)
Sun, Nov 17th (6pm) – Cults Church Centre
• Theme: “Aberdeen’s 1:10 Hunger Shame”
Speaker – Sophy Green (Director, Instant Neighbour)
Recordings of Services
Please remember that if you cannot manage to attend church, we will deliver a CD
of the service to you. Just let your elder know or contact the church office.
Alternatively you can listen to the services online by going to
www.culterkirk.co.uk.
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SEPTEMBER 2013
Presbytery Matters
Presbytery met at our church on Tuesday 26th June and thanks are due to all who
helped to make the visit a success. Our Session Clerk gave an excellent welcome
speech and the refreshments provided by the Social Team were very much
appreciated.
The business included:
Inductions
Despite the shortage of ministers, three congregations have been successful in filling
their vacancies and three inductions took place in August - Ferryhill, Rev Peter
Johnston, Midstocket, Rev Sarah Nicol and Rubislaw, Rev Dr Robert Smith.
Congregational Statistical Return
As at the 31st December 2012, numbers on the Roll in churches in Aberdeen
Presbytery had fallen from 16227 to 15492, a reduction of 735. The trend is likely to
continue this year with the dissolution of Gilcomston South where 326 were listed
as on the Roll.
Venues for Presbytery Meetings
Taking account of feedback from Presbytery members, the Business and Finance
Committee decided that Presbytery should meet at a fixed venue during the winter
months, but rotate during the summer months. The next meeting, on Tuesday 3rd
September, will be at Ferryhill Parish Church.
How’s Your Serve?
All congregations are encouraged to attend the “How’s Your Serve?” conference on
different expressions of ministry and service to be held on Saturday 30th September
at Rubislaw Church Centre from 10 am to 4 pm. Visitors will be able to “drop in”
and stay for as long or short a period as they wish.
National Ecumenical Event
Presbytery has been invited to send representatives to the Scottish National
Ecumenical Event to mark the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland’s Year of Faith
2012 – 2013. The event, on Saturday 14th September, will begin at 2 pm at the Kirk
of St Nicholas with a welcome from the Lord Provost followed by a walk of witness
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up Union Street to St Mary’s RC Cathedral in Huntly Street where a service of
Prayer and Praise will start at 3 pm.
Rev Dr John Ferguson
Presbytery congratulated our minister most warmly on the attainment of his
ministerial semi-jubilee.
Richard Little
Mid-Week Lunches
Wed 4th September 12.30 - 1.30 pm
in the large hall
A two course lunch for the bargain
price of £3.50
All Welcome!
The Wednesday Club
On Wednesday September 18th at 2.30 pm the Wednesday Club hopes to welcome
friends old and new to the first meeting of the 2013-2014 session.
On a fortnightly basis you have the daytime opportunity to come along to the
church and enjoy a varied programme.
We offer talks on a wide range of topics, not to mention demonstrations, and quite
often excellent musical entertainment.
Over the past threw years we have been delighted to welcome many interesting
speakers and entertainers.
We have been given insights into local and national history and the work of
national charities, have had glimpses of exotic and adventurous travels, have
enjoyed anecdotes and humorous talks, fine music and much more…..
We meet quite informally. Non-members are welcome at any meeting and pay £2
per visit to include tea, coffee, biscuits etc. Membership for the year costs £10 plus
£1 per meeting.
For further information please contact Moira Morris, tel. 861756 or Sally Mitchell,
tel. 732032.
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SEPTEMBER 2013
Worship Diary
1 September
10.30 am - Morning Worship
A celebration of the hymns of Graham
Kendrick
8th September
10.30 am – Morning Worship
st
th
15 September
10.30 am – Morning Worship
Youth Service – Boys’ Brigade
Enrolment
22nd September 10.30 am – Morning Worship
29th September
10.30 am – Morning Worship
Followed by Communion
Reflective Worship
The next Reflective Worship dates are Saturday 14th September,
19th October and 16th November from 10.00 am – 12 noon.
Drop in any time for a moment of peace, prayer and silence.
You can opt in to two short acts of worship at 10.30 am and
11.30 am.
The service at 11.30 am is a Communion Service with the common cup.
Summer Fayre Thanks
The Summer Fayre on 8th June was a great success. The total of £2.100 for church
funds was our second highest. In 2012 the record was set at £2,461 but this figure
included a gift aid donation of £250. The figure for 2011 was £1,947.
Thanks are due to all who contributed in whatever way to make the day so
worthwhile.
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• The purpose of Peterculter Parish Church is to
celebrate our faith in God and in the Good News
of Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship,
teaching, outreach and pastoral care and to
participate in the work
of the worldwide
Church.
Peterculter Parish Church
Mission Statement
Minister
Rev John Ferguson
Tel: 735041
Email: [email protected]
Magazine Editor
Val Muir
Tel: 01224 735001
Email: [email protected]
Probationer
Julia Lewandowska
Tel: 01224 739378
Email: [email protected]
Church Office
Jill Grant
Tel: 01224 735845
Email: [email protected]
Session Clerk
Dave Gordon
Tel: 01224 732036
Email: [email protected]
Church Office Hours
Wednesdays & Fridays: 9 am – 1 pm
Next Issue: October
Material to editor
Sunday 22nd September
Ready for distribution
Sunday 29th September
Peterculter Parish Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no.: SC001452