St Mark’s Messenger Winter 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 Winter 2012 Issue Le&er from the Manse
3 Projects/Coffee Shops
18
‘Twas the night before
5 Roll Changes
19
Grouping News
6 Christmas Carols/Malawi
20
CrossReach
7 Stewardship
21
Men’s Club/SCD Class
8 Kids’ Korner
22
St Mark’s Ramblers
9 Guild/Carol Answers
23
A Note from the Treasurer
10 Gi8 Aid Form
24
Sunday School
11 More from the Treasurer
25
Worship Calendar
12 Standing Order Forms
26
Duty Rotas Pull-Out
13 St Mark’s Contact Info
28
Circle of Care/Strollers
17
I received comments following the publica on of the Autumn Messenger that some of the headings and graphics were difficult to read. For this I apologise and I have made changes for this quarter which I hope will help. As you know the Messenger is also available on our website, in colour, and the printed version is based on the coloured version used on the web. I have therefore prepared separate versions for prin ng and for web use. The printed version will no longer feature the coloured banners and headings which have not reproduced successfully and I hope this will improve the reader experience. Editor 2
Le!er from the Manse Dear Friends, It is so good to be back with you. Although to begin with I have taken only a small part of each Sunday service as we move through December and into the New Year my involvement will increase. I want to say a large thank you to everyone who has supported me through prayers, good wishes, cards and visits. I also want to thank everyone who ensured the Sunday services remained varied and enjoyable. I am so grateful to our Locum, Rev Dr Brian Sheret, for sharing the services with me and we will con nue to work together un l the end of the year. As well as our worship services Brian has taken on responsibility for Pastoral work mean me and his visits have been very much appreciated by our housebound and Circle of Care members. I am also very grateful to Rev Mark Rodgers our Interim Moderator who will stay to assist me un l the end of December with both Board and Session mee ngs. In mid-November Rebecca came up from Bristol to stay for a week, along with our grandson Isaac and I was ever so pleased that so many of the office bearers were able to drop in to see them. Rebecca and David, as well as Isaac visited the OAK café during their visit while I was at home dealing with St Mark's business. I have been asked to say that the bacon roll Rebecca enjoyed was one of the best she had ever eaten! My return to full health and fitness s ll has some way to go and although Mark and Brian will soon be leaving us I know that my office bearers are determined to make sure that I don't do too much too soon and this was emphasised to me following discussion at the November Kirk Session mee ng. My principal duty is to lead worship and I am currently planning our Advent, Christmas and New Year services. (Con nued on page 4) 3
In the New Year we, as a congrega on, along with all other Churches of the Church of Scotland are required to undertake one of the themes of the Na onal Stewardship Campaign. During 2012 we dealt with the ‘Talents’ theme with both our Smar es and Talents ini a ves which you can read about elsewhere. In 2013 we will move on to the more difficult issue of 'Money'. I will be preaching about this from a Biblical perspec ve in the early part of the year prior to launching our Stewardship Season just a8er Easter. I ask everyone to pray for our Stewardship Commi&ee which is planning for this important element of Church life that enables us to con nue ministering to others in Christ's love and name. During my recovery I have discovered even more that God is more mysterious, bigger and amazing than anyone we can ever imagine. Christmas is a wonderful celebra on of the truth that God gave us the most important and precious gi8 of love ever given to Humanity and He’s a gi8 for everyone, no one is le8 out! As we think of baby Jesus we are called to ponder on God’s amazing love and ways that are so different from our own. I treasure the ques ons that Brennan Manning suggested we will each be asked by Jesus; “Did you believe that I love you, longed for you as you are not as you should be and waited for you? Did you believe that I chose to die for you rather than be without you? " Wherever you spend Christmas, whoever you spend it with and however you celebrate this Holy season my prayer for you is that you have me to think about the baby in the stable in Bethlehem and to worship Him. You will all be in my prayers at this me as you always are. David and I and all the family offer you our very best wishes for Christmas and the coming year. May God bless you all
Diane 4
‘Twas the night before Jesus Came ‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care in hopes that Lord Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on lap was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there rose such a cla&er, I sprang to my feet to see what the ma&er. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shu&ers and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be The Day! The light of His face made me cover my head it was Jesus! returning just like He has said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which He held in His hand was wri&en the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name, when He said “It’s not here” my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been wri&en with love He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without sound while all of the rest were le8 standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was simply too late; I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only I had been ready tonight! In the words of this poem the meaning is clear; the coming of Jesus is drawing near. There’s only one life and when comes the last call we’ll find that the Bible was true a8er all!
5
Grouping News Two new Grouping projects have got up and running in the last few weeks. ‘Happy Mondays’ is intended to show the love of God through simple Chris an hospitality. Parents, grandparents and carers dropping off children at local primary schools and nurseries are invited to come along to Queen Street Church and enjoy coffee and a bite to eat as the Grouping’s guests. We aim to provide warm, safe and comfortable surroundings where they can relax and feel at ease, rather than going home to an empty house. Launched on 29th October, it will ini ally run from 9.00 to 11.00 on Monday mornings during school terms only. If you would like to join the host rota, please contact Margaret Durie on 07896571048 or mdurie@mail2world.com. Our Starter Pack project was (unofficially) launched in the middle of November, although the official launch will take place during Poverty and Homelessness Ac on Week, 26th January to 3rd February 2013. While most people moving to a new home have a furniture van full of their goods, people who have been homeless in hostel or temporary accommoda on can find themselves moving in without even a ke&le to make a cup of tea. Starter packs supply household necessi es to people at the point of moving from homelessness or vulnerable situa ons to se&led accommoda on. Typically, they include pots and pans, cutlery and crockery, cleaning equipment and materials, bed linen, electric ke&le and duvets. These are essen al in rese&ling vulnerable people and sustaining tenancies. Using commission money from the sale of Big Issue magazines to vendors, and supplemented by other sources of funding, the 6
Grouping will provide starter packs to needy tenants moving into housing associa on accommoda on within our three parishes. The project is being run under the auspices of Sco sh Churches Housing Ac on, a partnership of 13 Chris an denomina ons and organisa ons in Scotland, all with a commitment to ending homelessness. Find out more at www.churches-housing.org, and learn about Poverty & Homelessness Ac on Week at www.ac onweek.org.uk. Finally, the Grouping’s ‘Christmas Good News’ magazine will be going out to every house in St Mark’s parish during the first three weeks of December. If you can help with the distribu on to one or two streets, please contact Ian Lord or Alex McConochie. Ian McIver Grouping Outreach Worker
- Church of Scotland Social Care CrossReach Learning Disabili es provide Flexible Community Opportuni es, Supported Living op ons, Residen al Care, and Short Breaks. It also offer specialist support with Epilepsy, Au sm and au s c spectrum disorders. Services provide the opportunity for many of the service users to live independent lives. CrossReach believes people should be involved in the assessment and development of services and their comment, input and feedback are an essen al part of its quality evalua on. Carol Main (CrossReach Representa ve)
Be not afraid, for Jesus, too, had feelings of fear. But He trusted in the Father. 7
Our 2013 mee ngs are as follows January 7th Hospital Chaplaincy with Rev Mark Rodgers (with Guild)
January 21st January 28th February 4th February 18th February 25th March 4th March 18th April
Burns evening (with Guild) Games night St Kilda part 2 (with Guild) Games night Games night Titanic 101 years on with Brian MacDonald (with Guild) AGM and Games Night End of session meal
Contact Graeme Low Milton Montgomery Ian Lord Derek Caie
01569 731389 486839 321882 or 317978
For more informa on or why not just come along, mee ngs ďŹ nish with a cup of tea or coee.
Sco5sh Country Dancing The class will resume for the new session on Wednesday 9 January 2013 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. We hope to see all the usual faces and we cordially invite anyone interested to come along to join us for a most enjoyable and friendly class. 8
The St Mark’s Rambling & Walking Group Recent walks undertaken have been a very short walk around Stonehaven on 16th October when the weather didn’t match up with the forecast. 31st October saw the group have a walk around Glen Tanar and yet again the weather spoilt things a li&le. 6th November the group took the bus to Portlethen and walked back along the Causey Mounth Road to Tullos hill and back along the river Dee then along the old railway line to town. Future walk planned during the winter months are as follows Wednesday 16th January Bus sta on to Nigg Bay and return Tuesday 29th January Duthie Park and Kincorth Hill Tuesday 12th February Elrick hill and Forest Walk Wednesday 27th February Seaton Park, Old Aberdeen to Broad Hill. The planned walks are for every two weeks approximately, other walks will be arranged at short no ce with some on Saturdays. If you want to be kept up to date or want more walking informa on contact Ian Lord 01224 321882 mobile 079297 20846 e-mail: ian@the-lords.freeserve.co.uk
The only human being who ever looked down on heaven was Mary, when she held the child Jesus in her arms
9
A Note from the Treasurer I promised the minister some me ago that I would keep my Messenger ar cles upbeat and cheerful and for some quarters in the year I have been able to do so. Regre&ably that is no longer the case because our results at the end of the third quarter in September were disappoin ng. The cost of keeping St Mark’s open over a year is about £106,000, in fact our approved budget envisages total expenditure of £105,806 and total income of £100,000 resul ng in a deficit of £5,806 compared to a surplus in 2011 of £2,489. At the end of September income was £73,015 (it should have been £75,000). One bright point was that expenditure was only £74,373 (instead of £79,355) but we s ll had a deficit a8er nine months of £1,358. With three months of the year to go I seriously doubt our ability to improve upon the budget but I very much hope that we can. I have friends who are members of a small church in the west of Scotland, recently they held their annual “Love Gi8” day when members show their love for their church and for Christ by giving something extra. This year they raised over £15,000, let us try to do the same. So in this magazine is a “St Mark’s Christmas Gi8” envelope for your LOVE GIFT to God and his church, St Mark’s. The envelope can be returned either in the offering through Advent or by pos ng or handing it in to the Treasurer through your Elder or the office. If you can give by Gi8 Aid enclose a note of your name and address as well. We thank those 83 members who returned coin filled Smar es tubes, raising over £1,000 and 12 members who donated over £620 from their ‘Talents’ efforts. Increased, more regular giving is what is required, on Page 26 there is a Standing Order form, why not complete it and if you pay tax complete the Gi8 Aid form on Page 24. 10
Sunday School Although a&endances recently have been down a wee bit the children who do come are s ll having a great me every Sunday. We had a super day at the beginning of November when we joined with our friends from the Grouping churches and it was so much more fun to have a really busy me with plenty of people around. As we get closer to Christmas we all hope that as many of our children as possible can be there so that we can rehearse for our own special service and tell the Na vity Story once again. And of course we wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on our Christmas Party and a visit from Santa, because no ma&er how old you are, everyone loves to see Santa! A great big THANK YOU to everyone who supported our Coffee Morning on 3 November, especially the mums, grannies and aun es etc who helped out and those of you who came as customers, raising £429.22, this is a very welcome boost to our funds. Elsewhere in the magazine the editor has provided a Christmas Prizewinning Quiz in Kids’ Korner so remind your children to get their answers in by Sunday 23 December. You can also get this on the website, so why not e-mail your answers to the editor, he’s bound to be impressed! Remember our Christmas Party will be in the morning on Sunday 16 December and the congrega on are invited for a soup and sandwich lunch and a Christmas sing-a-long a8er morning worship. Later that day we will be going to the Inverurie Panto, Sleeping Beauty. We break up for the holidays on 23 December, but there will be a service on Christmas Day when you can bring a toy to show everyone. No Sunday School on 30 December or 6 January, we resume on the 13th. Have a really happy me this Christmas, with love from all at the St Mark’s Sunday School. 11
Worship Calendar Worship Calendar Worship Calendar Please note that Sunday morning services at St Mark’s normally start at 11.00am. Any changes will be in mated in the Pew Leaflet.
2 Dec
Further details of the services will be available on the Church website or Pew Leaflet. www.stmarksaberdeen.org.uk/stmarks-worship.htm First Sunday in Advent 11.00am Family Worship; Dedica on of the Guild Collec on for World Aids Day; Tea etc a8erwards.
9 Dec
Second Sunday in Advent 11.00am Family Worship; ‘Tree of Hope’
16 Dec
Third Sunday in Advent 11.00am Family Worship; ‘Tree of Life’ Sunday School Party followed by Soup & Sandwiches
17-21 Dec
Church open daily 11.30am - 2.30pm
20 Dec
12.00 - 2.30pm Shoppers’ Christmas Service Soup & Sandwiches a8erwards in hall. 6.00pm - 8.00pm Carols on the steps
23 Dec
Fourth Sunday in Advent 11.00am Sunday School Na vity Service
24 Dec
10.45pm - 11.25pm Carols & Fun 11.30pm 12.05am Watchnight Service followed by Tea and Mince Pies in the hall
25 Dec
10.30am Christmas Day Family Celebra on (40 mins) Bring along a toy or other present to show everyone.
30 Dec
11.00am Morning Worship ‘Endings and Beginnings!’
6 Jan 2013 11.00am Morning Worship ‘New Year, the Magi and the Church’ 13 Jan
11.00am Sacrament of Holy Communion 12
2013 Duty Rotas Pull Out Supplement
Flower Rota January - June 2013 Date 06 January 13 January 20 January 27 January 03 February 10 February 17 February 24 February 03 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31 March 07 April 14 April 21 April 28 April 05 May 12 May 19 May 26 May 02 June 09 June
Supply
Distribu on
Miss J Morgan Mrs S Mann Mrs B Coull
Mrs S Main CAN YOU HELP Mrs B Coull COULD THIS BE YOU? Miss S Henry CAN YOU HELP Mrs B Duthie CAN YOU HELP Mrs A Brown Mr R Irwin Mrs E Leys Mrs A OďŹƒcer Mr A Sim CAN YOU HELP Mrs S Kessack Mrs M Brown Miss J Davie Mrs Cunningham Mrs B Ballantyne CAN YOU HELP COULD THIS BE YOU? Mrs C Laurie Misses Black Miss J Davie Mrs Sutherland Mrs Beagrie Mrs Beagrie Miss J Webster Mrs Chris e Ms M Duncan CAN YOU HELP Mrs A Donaldson Mrs Donaldson Mrs H Burr Mrs McDonald Mrs J Yacamini Mrs J Yacamini Mrs A Munro Mrs A Munro Mrs M Lord Mrs M Lord 13
Door Duty Rota
January - June 2013 06 January
Margaret Brown
Maurice McFarlane
13 January * Sylvia Strachan
Helen McKenzie
* Communion Sunday + Sarah Low 20 January 27 January
Jacqueline Hepburn Milton Montgomery
Margaret Donald Kay Montgomery
03 February 10 February
Derek Caie Graeme Low
Mary Caie Lynn Low
17 February
Ian Beagrie
Lewis Duthie
24 February
Ron Irwin
Alice OďŹƒcer
03 March 10 March
Gail Hogg Be&y Steel
Dianne Morrison Malcolm Steel
17 March
Carol Main
Alan Brown
24 March * Bill Forbes
Joyce Forbes
* Palm Sunday pm Communion Elaine Macdonald 31 March * Bill McDonald 07 April
Ian Lord
Marjorie Lord
* Communion Sunday + Sarah Low 14 April
Elsa Black
Jean Black
21 April
Lewis Donaldson
Anne Donaldson
28 April 05 May
Garry Watson Douglas Craighead
Rosalyn Rennie Sheila Main
12 May
Helen Burr
Sandra Andrew
19 May
Sylvia Strachan
Helen McKenzie
26 May 02 June
Margaret Brown Graeme Low
Maurice McFarlane Lynn Low
14
Beadle Duty Rota
January - June 2013 06 January 13 January 20 January 27 January 03 February 10 February 17 February 24 February 03 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31 March 07 April 14 April 21 April 28 April 05 May 12 May 19 May 26 May 02 June 09 June 16 June 23 June 30 June
Alan Brown Derek Caie Graeme Low Bill Forbes Jean Black Ian Lord Douglas Craighead Malcolm Steel Ron Irwin Alan Brown Gail Hogg Lewis Donaldson Garry Watson Dianne Morrison Helen McKenzie Lewis Duthie Sarah Low Alan Brown Derek Caie Graeme Low Bill Forbes Jean Black Ian Lord Douglas Craighead Malcolm Steel Ron Irwin
15
Jacqueline Hepburn Mary Caie Lynn Low Joyce Forbes Elsa Black Marjorie Lord Jacqueline Hepburn Be&y Steel Alice Officer Carol Main Alex McConochie Anne Donaldson Rosalyn Rennie Maurice McFarlane Ian Beagrie Helen Burr Ian Lord Jacqueline Hepburn Mary Caie Lynn Low Joyce Forbes Elsa Black Marjorie Lord Jacqueline Hepburn Be&y Steel Alice Officer
Readers Rota January - June 2013 06 January 13 January 20 January 27 January 03 February 10 February 17 February 24 February 03 March 10 March 17 March 24 March 31 March 07 April 14 April 21 April 28 April 05 May 12 May 19 May 26 May 02 June 09 June 16 June 23 June 30 June
Ian Lord Milton Montgomery Malcolm Steel Anne Donaldson Kay Montgomery Sheena Henry Elsa Black Jean Black Margaret Donald Sheila Main Gail Hogg Jean Yacamini Alex McConochie David Yacamini Milton Montgomery Malcolm Steel Anne Donaldson Kay Montgomery Sheena Henry Elsa Black Jean Black Margaret Donald Gail Hogg Sheila Main Jean Yacamini Alex McConochie
16
Circle of Care The a&endance at the October Communion and A8ernoon Tea was again good, although 5 of our members had to call o because they were unwell. Happily they are now feeling be&er but there are s ll some in poor health. Please remember them in your prayers. We wish you all a joyful Christmas, good health and much happiness in 2013. Margaret Donald
The Strollers Our jaunts into Aberdeenshire are now over but we enjoyed our walks there. We conďŹ ne ourselves during the next few months to the various a&rac ve areas within the city. We hope the weather is such that we shall be able to meet on the following dates:December Tuesday 10.00am
11
Saturday 2.00pm
22
January 8
29
19
February
March
19
12
9
2
23
Don't despise the li!le things, oAen the mosquito is more bother than the elephant.
17
Projects Commi!ee. We have been very busy since you received your last magazine. We had a very successful week in the charity shop in October when we raised £1708.99. Many thanks to all who donated our “stock” and especially to the small band of people who helped move everything from the church to the shop, and all who helped in the shop. We also held a “Handbag Jewellery and Scarves Party” on 8th November, this was a very happy evening and raised the amazing total of £590.53, many thanks to all who supported this and to all the helpers.
Christmas Coffee Shops. The Christmas coffee shops will be held on Saturdays 1st, 8th and 15th December. Dona ons of home baking and raffle prizes will be gratefully received. There will be many bargains so come early and I am sure you will be able to do quite a bit of Christmas shopping. Please bring your friends with you for their coffee and hopefully we will be able to make the Treasurer smile. Anne Donaldson.
Knowledge A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorise one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Li&le Jamie was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. A8er much prac ce, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the children were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congrega on, Jamie was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know." 18
Roll Changes 1 September – 14 November 2012
Change of Address Miss Catherine Thomson from Forestgait to Residen al Care Mr Douglas and Mrs Carol Main from Union Grove to Cove Bay Mrs and Mrs Keith Donaldson from Po&erton to Whitecairns
New Members by Cer ficate Mrs Helen Craig, Rosemount from Mastrick Church
Deaths 10 Sept 26 Sept
Mrs Isabella Grieve, Hilton Mrs Dorothy Crocke&, Residen al Care
Owing to Data Protec on issues full address details are no longer provided in rela on to Roll Changes but members may approach the office for further informa on.
UNANSWERED PRAYER The preacher's 5 year-old daughter no ced that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before star ng his sermon. One day, she asked him why. "Well, dear," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon." "How come He doesn't answer you?" she asked. 19
Christmas Carols Unscramble the following to make the line of well known Christmas Carols. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
a and his shelter stable was above all ci zens heaven of sing ye above from goodwill heaven is shown all and brings his life light to all bless care children dear in tender the your be earth men on sad should then why cannot God heaven him hold our coming ear hear his may no entered in men then those three wise in lay solemn s llness the world
Answers on Page 20
Malawi Commi!ee The new Malawi Commi&ee met on Wednesday 30 October and planned out events for the next 9 months or so. A calendar has been bought to send to Mpachika and gree ngs will be sent from our Sunday School, Guild and Choir. A very full report has been e-mailed to Lasmore, who is our official contact, outlining events which have happened or are planned over the next few months. A date for the Malawi quiz has been set for the 14 March 2013 and a Coffee Morning has been booked for 25 May 2013. Please put these dates in your new diary. The Aberdeen Malawi Partnership Group has iden fied LifeStraws as its next project. This will be focussed on Malabada Synod Clinic and Hospital. Malabada is a densely populated, very poor area with only one bore-hole for the whole community. To date we have sold £100 worth of Quizzes. 20
Margaret Donald will take the proceeds to the next Partnership Group mee ng and the proceeds of the Pot Luck Lunch held on 18 November will also be donated to the LifeStraws project. In a recent e-mail received, Lasmore stated that the Kitchen is coming along well. Mpachika has been fund-raising to get the project finshed. They are now almost at the stage of pain ng and then the project will be complete! Please remember to keep Malawi in your prayers and support our events over the coming months. David Yacamini (Convenor)
The first Stewardship Mee ng this session was held on Thursday 15 November and we heard that to date £622.05 has been raised from 12 dona ons in the Talents Scheme 2012 and that Smar es tubes have made £1,005.21 from 83 tubes. This includes 26 by Gi8 Aid totalling £346.14. We made our second round of calls in September and by the survey forms received they were appreciated. The pa&ern will now be that calls will be made in March and September. It would be appreciated if all returns could be with me by the last day of these months. At our first mee ng we discussed our strategy for 2013 when “Giving” will be the main thrust of our campaign, following the instruc on from the General Assembly. The Stewardship and Finance Commi&ee at the Church of Scotland has produced a very good pamphlet on “Gi8s for God” which is a flexible approach to promo ng Chris an Stewardship in the congrega on. It offers some easy steps to increase the regular, commi&ed giving of money. The Gi8s for God Planning Guide provides detailed guidance for our commi&ee and copies are awaited from 121, as I write this report. The commi&ee would appreciate if any elders, who have specific ideas related to “Giving”, would let the commi&ee know. 21
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat please send your answers to the Editor's hat! Here’s a PRIZE WINNING simple Christmas Quiz. Answers please by the Christmas Service on Sunday 23 December. 1.
What old time actor and singer made “White Christmas” popular? 2. What traditional snacks are left out for Santa? 3. What are the names of the 9 reindeer? 4. Finish the line from: “Twas the night before Christmas”: “His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his ---- ---- - ------! 5. What did the “true love” give on the 9th day? 6. What are the three main ingredients on nonalcoholic egg-nog? 7. What does a Christmas Tree symbolise? 8. What is traditionally served in the US on Christmas Day? 9. In the film, “A Christmas Story” what special toy does Ralph want? 10. What city was the setting for “Miracle on 34th Street? 22
St. Marks Guild. Here we are almost at the end of the first half of the Guild session, which finishes with the joint Christmas Party with the Men’s Club on the 3rd December. The Guild commi&ee would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2013. Our mee ngs for 2013 are as follows:7th January 21st January 4th February 18th February 11th March 18th March
Hospital Chaplaincy. A Burns Night. Talk on St. Kilda - Part 2. Mr D. Paterson. Discussion Topic – “Being a Chris an in today’s World” “Titanic - Ship of Dreams” - Mr Brian McDonald. A.G.M.
If anyone would like to join us or would like more informa on please contact:President: Mrs Helen McKenzie Tel. 740176 Secretary: Mrs Anne Donaldson Tel. 575663
Christmas Carols Answers to quiz on Page 20 1. 3. 5. 6.
And his shelter was a stable. 2. Sing all ye ci zens of heaven above. Goodwill is shown from heaven above. 4. Light and life to all he brings. Bless all the dear children in your tender care. Then why on earth should men be sad. 7. Our God heaven cannot hold him. 8. No ear may hear his coming. 9. Then entered in those wise men three. 10.The world in solemn s llness lay. 23
GiA 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 want the congrega on to treat all dona ons I make from the date of this declara on un l I no fy you otherwise as Gi8 Aid dona ons. The congrega on may also treat dona ons in the four years prior to this tax year (6 April to 5 April) as Gi8 Aid dona ons. I conďŹ rm that I have paid or will pay an annual amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the chari es which I support will reclaim on my gi8s. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. Signature of donor:
....................................
Date of signing:
....................................
You may cancel this declara on at any me by no fying the Treasurer. no fy the Treasurer if you change your address. 24
Please
More from the Treasurer One of the jobs I do, along with our Free Will Offering Treasurer is to make sure that at the end of the year members get their new FWO envelopes for the coming year and, if we have done that job properly your 2013 envelopes should be delivered with this magazine. Some of you, of course, won’t get envelopes for next year because you have changed your way of giving from envelope to Standing Order. Some others will not be ge ng envelopes because you have not used any of the envelopes you were given for 2012. This may be because you now give by the open collec on but in a number of cases it is because you have not used any of the envelopes given to you for 2012. If this is because of illness or infirmity and you want to con nue to receive envelopes rather than give by the open collec on or you do not want to use the Standing Order facility (see Page 26) please contact the FWO Treasurer, Dianne Morrison (contact details on the back cover) and they will be sent to you. Star ng on Sunday 6 January 2013 the way in which the offering is collected is to change. Your offering will no longer be collected during worship by passing collec ng bags along the pews. Instead your offering will be given/collected when you enter the ves bule and before you enter the Sanctuary. This will apply to FWO envelopes and to ‘open plate’ dona ons. Duty Elders will remind worshippers in the first few weeks of the change so as to avoid any problems. The offering will be brought into the Sanctuary by the Duty Elders for dedica on in the usual way. Any member who wishes to change from FWO/Open Plate to giving by Standing Order will find applica on forms available in the ves bule or from the Treasurer and a copy in on the next page.
It's not what you say, it's the way you say it.
25
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.
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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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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
stmarksmessenger@btinternet.com
www.stmarksaberdeen.org.uk 28