St Mark’s Messenger Summer 2012
A Congrega on of the Aberdeen City Centre Grouping The Kirk of St Nicholas Uni ng Queen Street Church St Mark's Church Aberdeen St Mark's Church of Scotland is a registered Sco sh charity No SC015451
Index to the Summer 2012 Issue Le&er from the Manse
3
Guild of Friendship
12
Duty Rotas
4
Projects / Coffee Shops
12
Kid’s Korner Compe on
5
A Note from the Treasurer
13
Talents and Smar es
6
‘My Son’
14
St Mark’s Ramblers
7
Quiz Answers / O.A.K.
16
Holiday Quiz
8
Standing Order Mandate
17
Circle of Care / The Strollers 9
Amended Standing Order
18
St Mark’s Worship Calendar 10 Gi> Aid Form
19
Deadline / Roll Changes
20
11 St Mark’s Contact Details
Rev Diane Hobson Most of you will know by now that Diane hasn’t been too well recently and that in mid-April she was ‘signed off’ for four weeks. This has required the appointment of an Interim Moderator by Presbytery and we are pleased to welcome back Rev Mark Rodgers who filled that same role during the vacancy before Diane joined us. Mark is a full me hospital chaplain and so will not be able to take services every week during his tenure, however we will be able to call upon Rev Andrew Chris e as well as others of our Office Bearers to cover for Diane. Please pray for Diane’s recovery during this me.
2
Le%er from the Manse Dear Friends, It is amazing how much we talk about the weather and why not? We have a vast amount of different clima c condi ons in one day; it's a constant surprise what will be next. So cast aside those guilty pangs and let's talk about the weather any me we want! A>er all, despite what humanity as a whole has done to disturb the weather systems, sunshine, rain etc are gi>s from God! Flowers and trees are gi>s from God too. As many of you know I do love gardening and what a giveaway it is if I have slipped out and dead-headed a few flowers here and there which can lead to…. Put two plant lovers or gardeners together in a beau ful garden and the joy they get comparing, sharing wisdom, adoring and laughing is an educa on! Ar s c skills and talent are something we all have in varying degrees. We can all generally draw s ck people! It’s a gi> from God. Walk around an Art Gallery with people who love art (provided it's not a genre they dislike) the way they share joy, wisdom and apprecia on is all par for the course. Talking of which we are entering into another major spor ng season with the Olympics fast approaching. The ability to do some form of sport and or to enjoy sport is a gi> from God. No doubt when two or more people, who enjoy a par cular sport, come together the results will be pleasure, joy, laughter as well as wisdom for the referees/lines people and judges etc. Yes in all of these areas of life there are disappointments and we will probably discuss them too. If we've made the mistakes, well we can learn from the past and move on. There are absolutely no reasons 3
(Con nued on page 4)
why we would want to keep focusing on them because they make us miserable! We have been given many gi>s by God to enjoy and to share with God. We have amazing good news to share with others and in doing so use our gi>s. Those gi>s can be so varied, listening skills, compu ng, serving others, whatever. Many of St Mark's Church family use their gi>s in so many dierent ways and know the joy of sharing and the enjoyment that this brings into their lives and those of others. For that I thank you. If you have an idea on how to help people share the fun, love and good news of Jesus and at the same me use your gi>s and skills, well why not give it a whirl! So as the weather hopefully improves (it's cool and sunny today) I prayerfully wish you all a good summer. God Bless You
Diane Duty Rotas All of the Duty Rotas for 2012 are available on the website or displayed in Church. Copies are also available in the ves bule or Deacons’ Room. They are not included in the Messenger. GOOD SAMARITAN A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of The Good Samaritan. She asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?" A thoughRul li&le girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up." 4
Hi there! It’s competition time again and everyone should be able to do this one, perhaps with a bit of help. With Easter still fresh in your mind and all the chocolate eggs finished, this is your chance to win a scrummy treat. Just complete the wordsearch below (©BibleQuizzes.org.uk and Craiglockhart Church) and when you have found all the answers the remaining letters will spell out a Bible verse. Send that information to me via the website or the Sunday School by the Sunday of the Promotion Service.
This time around I think it would be OK to get help from parents etc because I have done it to get the answer and it’s tricky! 5
Talents and Smar es In the Easter magazine you will have read David Yacamini’s item from the Stewardship Commi&ee as well as the Moderator of the Church of Scotland’s le&er about the Na onal Stewardship Campaign. Now it’s me to read more about ‘Talents 2012’ A number of years ago we did run a very successful Talents effort when members offered their various talents, as a way of fundraising. I remember ’buying’ the home decora ng talents of one member and the gardening skills of another. People baked cakes, kni&ed, gave haircuts etc etc. Well now its me to try again as part of a Na onal effort by the Church of Scotland to improve income levels to meet the ever increasing costs of local and world-wide ministry. There will be a ‘Talents’ table at every Summer Coffee shop where you can sell your wares, or offer your services. For those of you who are less able why not arrange something at home, or in your sheltered housing complex, arrange an a>ernoon tea for friends and neighbours, sell ckets (which the magazine editor will provide as required,) or arrange a Bingo game, the opportuni es are limitless. There will be a ‘Smar es’ tube event running during the Summer. Tubes will be delivered by your Elder with this magazine. Eat the sweets then fill up the tube with coins and let your Elder have the tube back when he next visits, or return to the Treasurer. He’ll even count the cash for you. Or ask him for £5.00 to start off your Talents effort, double, triple etc your money and give him the whole lot back - it can be real fun with everyone joining in - who makes the best pancakes, toffee, lemon curd, jam? Grow tomatoes on your window sill, then sell them at the Talents table. Every one of us has a Talent, let’s use them for the benefit of St Mark’s and have some fun at the same me. You’ll be surprised how easy it can be and how much you will enjoy it. Let’s see those Talents on display! 6
The St Mark’s Rambling and Hill Walking Group Since the last magazine the ramblers have been enjoying themselves and undertaking some interes ng walks. On Wednesday 14th March we took the bus to Milton of Crathes and con nued up to the Castle and had a wander around the estate before heading back along the old railway line to Drumoak for the bus home. Tuesday 10th April started reasonably dry for the walk to Clachnaben however as the summit was reached the rain was very heavy and thick mist hung around. The walkers all agreed that it had been a great day with plenty to laugh about even though some had got very wet. The planned walk for Wednesday 18th April to the Royal Cairns on the Balmoral Estate had to be changed for various reasons, so a late subs tu on was made and this comprised of a few hills within the town. The seven walkers met at Castle Street and walked up Castlehill and then down towards Fi e where we had a short coffee break. We con nued along the prom to the Broadhill and then made our way to King Street and to Schoolhill via Mounthooly. A stop for coffee in Union Terrace Gardens was abandoned due to the weather. Future walks for the summer are Wednesday 6 June
Bennachie - Hill walk
Friday 15 June
Ballater - Seven bridges
Tuesday 26 June
Newburgh to Collieston
Friday 20 July
Portsoy to Cullen More walks and informa on on the next page. 7
The Ramblers (cont’d) Tuesday 31 July
Loch Lee and Falls of Damff
Monday 13 August
Aden Country Park and PiRour Observatory
Other walks may be arranged or changes made at short no ce. Contact Ian Lord on 321882 or 07929 720846 if you would like to be contacted or want more informa on about these or any other walks.
??????????? Cryp c Holiday Des na ons ??????????? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Sounds like a place in which to wander. And here you must take me to marvel. A novice on a Sco sh river. Are open-necked shirts banned here? You will see tulips here in a Spring me holiday. And this place is associated with the Christmas holiday. Rhymes with a well known magician. Going here for your shopping? An angry Aberdonian does this to a naughty quine. Having a ball here? No! - a tea party!
Answers are on page 20 - Enjoy your ‘holiday’ trip. During these serious and troubled mes, people of all faiths should remember these four great religious truths: 1. Muslims do not recognize Jews as God's Chosen People. 2. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. 3. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Chris an world. 4. Bap sts do not recognize each other at the off-licence. 8
Circle of Care In April, not one but two couples in the Circle of Care celebrated their Golden Wedding. Congratula ons and best wished to them for more happy years together. In April too we had a very enjoyable me together with some visitors from Crown Terrace Methodist Church at the OAK tea, following the Sacrament of Communion. Again our thanks go to all who helped to make this such a memorable occasion. There will be a similar event on 10 June and we hope there will again be a good a&endance. Margaret Donald (Convenor)
The Strollers Poor weather has restricted the number of ou ngs these past few months but we were able to make our annual excursion to Crathes Castle to see the Snowdrop Fes val. We hope to have more visits to the ‘Shire on our Summer Saturday mee ngs. The dates are as follows:June Tuesdays Saturdays
5
26 16
7
July
August
17
7 28
September
28 18
18 8
October 9
29
30 20
DID NOAH FISH? A Sunday school teacher asked, "Jamie, do you think Noah did a lot of ďŹ shing when he was on the Ark ?" "No," replied Jamie. "How could he, with just two worms." 9
St Mark’s Church Worship Calendar Please note that all Sunday morning services at St Mark’s normally start at 11.00am. Any changes will be in mated in the Pew Leaflet. Further details of the services will be available on the Church website or Pew Leaflet. www.stmarksaberdeen.org.uk/stmarks-worship.htm At the me of preparing this edi on of the “Messenger” Diane has been ‘signed off’ and I have not asked her to prepare the usual two/ three month Worship Calendar which normally appears in the magazine. You will however be able to get news of future services on the website (see above) and in the weekly Pew Leaflets. 27 May
11.00am Morning Worship Service led by Ian & Marjorie Lord & David & Jean Yacamini
3 June
11.00am Morning Worship
10 June
11.00am Service of Holy Communion 2.00pm Circle of Care Communion & Tea 6.30pm OAK Evening Service Crown Terrace Methodist Church
17 June
11.00am Morning Worship
24 June
11.00am Morning Worship
1 July
11.00am Morning Worship
8 July
11.00am Morning Worship 6.30pm OAK Evening Service Crown Terrace Methodist Church 10
Messenger Deadline The closing date for submissions for the Autumn Messenger is Sunday 2 September 2012. This edi on will be available to Elders and Office Bearers on Sunday 23 September, three weeks before our Autumn Communion Services
Roll Changes Change of Address Mrs M Ferrier from Hilton to Stockethill - Sheltered Housing
Disjunc on Mrs Gillian Lamberton to St Machar’s Cathedral Deaths 6 February Mr Gordon Walker, Albury 16 February Miss Eliza Chris e, Middlefield 26 March Mr Ronald Warren, Rosemount He will surround you with love on that Golden Day Owing to Data Protec on issues full address details are no longer provided in rela on to Roll Changes. Further details are available to members from the office. BEING THANKFUL A Rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy, "So your mother says your prayers for you each night? That's very commendable. What does she say?" The li&le boy replied, "Thank God he's in bed!" 11
Guild of Friendship We closed our current session by having High Tea at the Sta on Hotel on 11 June. My personal thanks to the commi&ee and our Session delegates who have helped throughout the year. We will re-start the 2012/2013 session on Monday 1 October and I am preparing the syllabus at present - there will be something for everyone. We hope for a sunny Summer and look forward to seeing our familiar faces and perhaps some ‘new’ faces in October. Any informa on can be had by telephoning me on (01224) 642293. Pat Skene
Projects Commi%ee The ‘Grianan Garden Party’ will once again be held (weather permi ng) in its usual outdoor venue in Alex’s garden on Sunday 15 July from 2.00pm - 4.00pm. If the weather isn’t kind to us then we will simply transport everything to the Church Hall and hold the event there, as we did very successfully last year. Anne Donaldson
Summer Coffee Shops The Coffee Shops will commence on Saturday 2nd June and then each Saturday un l the beginning of September. Please come along and bring your friends. Your support is what makes these events successful and as always your dona ons of Home Baking and Raffle Prizes will be gratefully received. 12
A Note from the Treasurer I told you in the last Messenger that my New Year Resolu on was to be more posi ve in my magazine ar cles about our Church finances. That is a difficult thing to do and in my formal report to the Congrega onal Board in April the best thing I could say was that the year was s ll young and that there were s ll three quarters of the year to go. We all remember the poor start of the year weather-wise and that did impact on givings so as the year progresses, things (as the song says) can only get be&er! I don’t like the rain either but I can s ll make it to St Mark’s when the weather is bad, but I fully understand there are members who cannot do so and I do know that many of you are very faithful in ensuring that your offerings are made for Sundays you are not in church. Noone has a perfect memory however and we all forget things so why not give your offering by Standing Order? You can complete the form on Page 17 and send it back to me, and while you are at it, if you pay tax on your wages or salaries or pensions etc why not complete the Gi> Aid form on Page 19 and send that to me as well. Giving through Gi> Aid is easy and painless and allows St Mark’s to claim back from the Chancellor an amount equal to 25% of your offering. If you already give by Standing Order there is an opportunity to review your giving on Page 18. This form can be sent straight to your Bank. Let’s hope that in the next Messenger I can give you the good news of an increase in giving through Standing Order and an increase in our ability to claim back more of our tax through the Gi> Aid Scheme. You’ll help me keep my New Year Resolu on! 13
My Son A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collec on, from Picasso to Raphael. They would o>en sit together and admire the great works of art. When conflict broke out in the Middle East, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in ba&le while rescuing another soldier. The father was no fied and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He o>en talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great ar st, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.' The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the pain ng. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gi>.' The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every me visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died some me later. There was to be a great auc on of his pain ngs. Many influen al people gathered, excited over seeing the great pain ngs and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collec on. On the plaRorm sat the pain ng of the son. The auc oneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?' There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous pain ngs. Skip this one.' But the auc oneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid 14
for this pain ng? Who will start the bidding? £100, £200?' Another voice said angrily, 'We didn't come to see this pain ng. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!' But s ll the auc oneer con nued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?' Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long- me gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give £10 for the pain ng.' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. 'We have £10, who will bid £20?' 'Give it to him for £10. Let's see the masters.' The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collec ons. The auc oneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for £10!' A man si ng on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collec on!' The auc oneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auc on is over.' 'What about the pain ngs?' 'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auc on, I was told of a secret s pula on in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that s pula on un l this me. Only the pain ng of the son would be auc oned. Whoever bought that pain ng would inherit the en re estate, including the pain ngs. The man who took the son gets everything!' God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the Cross. Much like the auc oneer, His message today is: 'The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?' Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything! FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. THAT'S LOVE. 15
Quiz Answers (From Page 8) 1. 6.
Rome, 2. Copenhagen, 3. London, 4. Thailand 5.Amsterdam Turkey, 7. Berlin, 8. Iceland, 9. Ballater, 10.Boston
The O.A.K. Report O.A.K. has been very busy with all our usual lunches as well as a Special Lunch in April, in aid of Mental Health, Aberdeen and FRIENDS, a group who meet weekly at the O.A.K. Café, when we had a very happy me. We are now looking forward to our next Special Lunch on 7th June which is in aid of the Cogwheel Trust. O.A.K. has been sponsoring two children at a me through the work of the trust for many years. We are now helping our third pair of children. As we all think of going on summer holidays O.A.K. reminds us that when we come back Christmas will be just round the corner, so we would like to ask for your help to keep the shoebox appeal going. We know some of our friends are already busy with the kni ng needles and we will have a closing date of 1st November for dona ons. Our Evening Services con nue at Crown Terrace Methodist Church and a warm welcome (and a cup of tea) awaits you all. We hope you all have a good summer break and find the sun and we also look forward to seeing you at the Café. Be%y & Malcolm Steel. Love is:‘Like a li&le old man and a li&le old woman who are s ll friends even a>er they know each other so well.’ (Tommy age 6) 16
Bank Standing Order Mandate To the Manager Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Name of your Bank) Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Name of your Branch) Branch Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Post Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . Branch Sort Code . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . Please pay by Standing Order (payment details) Amount ÂŁ . . . . . . . (and in words) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commencing on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (date) and weekly/monthly* thereafter, until cancelled. (*please delete as appropriate) Quoting Reference . . . . . . . . . . . (To be completed by the church) Pay to St Mark's Church of Scotland at Bank of Scotland 1 Mid Stocket Road Aberdeen AB15 5JL. Sort Code 80 - 05 - 19 Account No. 06000363 Pay from (your details) Account Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Account Name(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Please pay the Standing Order as detailed above
Signed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . . . . Please note that Banks may decline to accept instructions to charge Standing Orders to certain types of accounts other than Current accounts.
Please return to the Treasurer, St Mark's Church in the first instance. 17
Bank Standing Order Mandate Amended Instruction To the Manager Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Name of your Bank) Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Name of your Branch) Branch Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Post Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . Branch Sort Code . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . Please amend my Standing Order payable to:St Mark's Church of Scotland at Bank of Scotland 1 Mid Stocket Road Aberdeen AB15 5JL. Sort Code 80 - 05 - 19 Account No. 06000363 To Amount ÂŁ . . . . . . . (and in words) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commencing on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (date) and weekly/monthly* thereafter, until cancelled quoting the existing reference number. (*Please delete as appropriate) Pay from (your details) Account Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Account Name(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Please pay the Standing Order as detailed above. Please note this supersedes my previous instruction relating to St Mark's Church. Signed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . . . . Please send this form directly to your Bank.
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Gi> Aid Declara on Aberdeen St Mark's Church of Scotland (Aberdeen St Mark's Church of Scotland is a registered Sco sh charity No. SC015451)
Donor's Full Name in Capitals
....................................
Donor's Title
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Rev/Dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Donor's Address in Capitals
....................................
....................................
....................................
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Post Code
I am a UK taxpayer and I want the congrega on to treat all dona ons I have made for the four years prior to this year and all dona ons I make from the date of this declara on un l I no fy you otherwise, as Gi> Aid Dona ons. Signature of donor:
....................................
Date of signing:
....................................
Notes 1. You may cancel this declara on at any me by no fying the Treasurer. 2. You must pay an amount of tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax that the Congrega on reclaims on your dona ons in the tax year. (20p in the ÂŁ1) 3. Please no fy the Treasurer if you change your address. 19
St Mark's Church
Minister
Rev Diane Hobson 65 Mile End Avenue
641758
Session Clerk
Mr Ian and Mrs Marjorie Lord 27 Hazelhead Road
321882
Clerk to The Board
Mrs Helen McKenzie 28 Blackhills Court, Westhill
740776
Treasurer
Mr Alex McConochie 21 Woodcroft Road
703200
FWO Treasurer
Miss Dianne Morrison 45 Bonnymuir Place
630161
Gift Aid Convener
Mrs Lynn Low 6 St John’s Walk, Newtonhill
01569 731389
Organist
Mrs Kathleen Anderson 15 Countesswells Terrace
321584
Church Secretary
Mrs Elspeth Mogendorff St Mark's Church Rosemount Viaduct AB25 1JY
640672
Church Office Down steps between the Church and Library. Open 9.00 am to 12.00 noon Monday to Friday. Answering machine operates when the office is closed. Leave name, message and contact number. Editor
Alex McConochie: stmarksmessenger@btinternet.com
www.stmarksaberdeen.org.uk 20