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Index to the Winter 2015 Issue Le er from the Manse

3 CrossReach

Health and safety

5 More Health & Safety

Malawi Commi ee Report

6 OAK Report

Stewardship Update

7 St Mark’s Men’s Club

From the Treasurer

8 St Mark’s Strollers

Guild of Friendship

9 Homeless Man?

Big Issue / Roll Changes

10 Ramblers and Hill Walkers

Guild / Christmas Coﬀee Shops

11 Leaving a Legacy

Worship Calendar

12 Adver7sing

Duty Rotas Pull Out

13 St Mark’s Contacts

This edi7on’s cover is again an old one and I’m s7ll looking for your sugges7ons, photos etc. I’m also keen to get new contributors. Nothing diﬃcult, favourite recipes, kni>ng/sewing sugges7ons, adverts, thoughts on services, things you would like to see in church, things you don’t like in church - anything at all - It is your magazine aAer all. messenger@stmarksaberdeen.org.uk

Letter from the Manse Dear All, When Jesus spoke of the future He told of wars, na7on ﬁgh7ng against na7on, famines and terrible events that would happen before His return. This year we have experienced and witnessed the consequences of violence, poverty and injus7ce. The recent horrendous consequences of the ac7ons of passionate armed extremists have devastated Paris and shocked us all. I am hoping that by the 7me you receive this magazine there will have been no more a acks. As this is Advent, when we celebrate God's giA of Jesus Christ to the world, we may want to ponder as to what our response should be as followers of Jesus Christ, to people who are refugees, to the people seeking a way out of poverty, to injus7ce and to violent people wishing to force their ideas on others. Through the giA of Jesus, God teaches us how to live with integrity. He shows us how to bring peace, joy and diﬀerent types of love into despair, hurt and hatred. The beau7ful Hymn, ‘Lord, make me a Channel of Your peace’ expresses the Chris-like response so well. We may have to take a stand and keep faithful to Jesus Christ for it is easy to lose faith at such 7mes. Our faith tells us that the troubles of this world do not lie with God. They originate and con7nue due to the state of human hearts and evil’s shadows. Which is why God sent Jesus to change hearts and so bring true love into a love starved World. God didn’t need to. It was necessary and something God willingly did because God loved and loves all human beings. (Con nued on page 4)

This Christmas we celebrate the truth that God through Jesus Christ can heal this world. That God knows what we experience. As a human being Jesus knew poverty and what it was like to suďŹ€er injus7ce, to be unheard, to be misunderstood, to be a refugee, to be rejected, to be lonely, and to grieve and the list just goes on. He also knows the goodness of human friendship, having a purpose in life, being compassionate, enjoying Himself and so much more. Jesus knows the joy, companionship, oneness and Glory of being at the side of His Father in Glory. He also knows that God has won the victory over violence and evil. One day we will experience this truth. Mean7me we remember and celebrate the truth that Jesus, the Word of God, willingly was born into a violent world. He grew up, told and showed everyone that God exists, loves us and then He leA us to make our minds up about following Him. He also gave us the hope we need, that one day there will be peace on this earth. This Christmas may the love; peace and light of the giA of Jesus as a baby surround you and uphold you to give you hope and peace. In His fellowship and love.

Diane Let's share our good news in the magazine David and myself have a new grandson called Rowan Daniel McCabe. Mother and baby are doing just ďŹ ne.

Health and Safety impinges on every aspect of our lives these days so here’s a new twist on an old Christmas song. Dashing through the snow In a one horse open sleigh O'er the fields we go Laughing all the way A risk assessment must be submi ed before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, par7cularly if passengers are of larger propor7ons. Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not par7cipa7ng in celebra7ons, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

“Bash Street Academy Logis7cal Director speaking” ©thePavement 5

Malawi Commi!ee Report This report is intended to highlight some of the issues currently ongoing in the Presbytery of Blantyre and progress being made in Aberdeen to support our Malawi friends. Our partner church, Mpachika, is a church in Blantyre presbytery. It was noted when some Aberdeen folk visited Malawi this summer that poverty is much more evident and this was highlighted when visi7ng orphanages and feeding centres. Human trafficking is also a problem as children par7cularly in poor rural areas are being sold for cheap labour both internally and across borders. Rural churches are quite poor in comparison to urban churches and are in dire need of financial help. In Aberdeen a short film is being made which will be used to highlight our twinning with Blantyre churches. It will be shown to Aberdeen congrega7ons with the inten7on of encouraging further twinnings. The Aberdeen Malawi Presbytery commi ee is planning a “Cycling for Malawi” and churches will be encouraged to get members to par7cipate by either cycling or sponsoring cyclists per mile cycled. All money raised will be for rural churches. In 2016 a Malawi visit to Aberdeen is planned to a maximum of eight in the group. Arrangements are s7ll in the early stages and a lot of background work is s7ll being done. In the new year St. Mark's Malawi commi ee will be planning for the year ahead. We hope that you will con7nue to support the commi ee in all its fundraising ac7vi7es. David Yacamini

Stewardship, Talents & Beano Our Stewardship Season, which was all about our giAs and Talents ended on 28 October with a Beano in the hall. This consisted of a 3 course meal of soup (2 choices) sandwiches (various) and pudding (3 choices) and all of it free as a Thank You for all that you do for St Mark’s. In 2013 we held a series of Gatherings which asked us to think about our financial support to the church but 2015 was all about our Talents, the giAs that God has given all of us, because everyone has a Talent. Whether you are a kni er, a baker, handy with your hands, good at speaking to visitors etc etc. The purpose of the Beano (or one of its purposes) was to get members to write down what they were good at and hopefully to encourage you to use these God-given Talents for St Mark’s. How oAen do you think about how things get done, or who does things in the church? Tea aAer the first service every month, who makes the tea? Coffee Shops throughout the summer, who makes the sandwiches, the home bakes, serves the tea, takes the money and so on. Could you do these things? Helpers are always needed. Could you help, or are you good at other things? Did you knit any of this year’s poppies? Could you wash dishes aAer a Beano or other event? Lots of things go on at St Mark’s and these things don’t do themselves, other members do them and you could be one of those ‘other’ members. There was some confusion about what Stewardship meant this year. It wasn’t about money, it was about contribu7ng as an ac7ve member and that includes the seniors who are less ac7ve but can pray for St Mark’s at home. The Church of Scotland General Assembly requires us to run a cyclical, Money, Time and Talents Stewardship Season. Next year we will deal with money and perhaps we will need help with organising any events, will you help? Your Talents come from God, isn’t it about 7me you gave something back that doesn’t come out of your purse or wallet? Not everything is about money. The Stewardship Team 7

A Note from the Treasurer Although we are now approaching the year end the most recent complete period I can report to you is the Third Quarter which ended on 30 September. At that 7me we managed to produce a financial surplus of £8,960 but this includes the benefit of the redemp7on of long held war stocks which when taken into account leaves us in deficit. Our Chris7an Liberality is poor and below budgeted levels. Close examina7on of the Accounts shows that we have not recovered from poor a endances in the early part of the year when the weather was bad and FWO income was well below budget. A good indicator that a move to Standing Orders is clearly of benefit. It’s not all bad however. The Open Plate, Other Offerings and Dona7ons are be er than expected. Funeral Dona7ons are high and our Coffee Shops have performed well despite the poor summer weather. A good level of support for our Christmas Coffee Shops will ensure we reach the budgeted level. Our Overall Income is at 81% of budget and Expenditure at 73% as against a target of 75%. Major items are as expected but we no longer require to pay Water Rates for the Church and indeed we received a modest refund. We also received a refund for Pulpit Supply fees following Diane’s absence through illness earlier in the year. Fabric repairs are well ahead of budget due to costs of prepara7on for the re-decora7on of the Hall. The upgrade to the Mezzanine toilet was met from centrally held funds. Some bills are met quarterly but not in line with our budget quarters and so we will not know the final outcome un7l year end when everything will be balanced for 2015. Although our 2013 Stewardship was successful regular review of our giving is essen7al since it is the St Mark’s family which provides much of our income. 8

Guild of Friendship It is hard to believe when wri7ng this that by the 7me you read it, we shall be looking forward to the Christmas Fes7vi7es and to our party on 14 December. We have had happy aAernoons so far and were delighted to welcome two new members. Due to hall redecora7on, we will not restart in 2016 un7l 1 February when our guest will be Malcolm Steel. The rest of our syllabus is as follows and we will welcome anyone who wishes to come along any Monday aAernoon. February 8 Major Vi - Salva7on Army 15 Chapel Chimes 22 The Acclama7ons 29 Ian Lord (Film Show) March 7 Moira & Fred (Music) 14 Vocal Moves (Choir) 21 Closing Day

“It’s your anger management consultant, she’s furious that you missed your appointment!” ©thePavement 9

The Big Issue The Big Issue Scotland has been described as “a hand up” not “a handout”, for selling the magazine is an alterna7ve to begging. In Aberdeen, the vendors, numbering around 40, upliA their copies at Queen Street Church where there is a team of 36 volunteers to hand them out. The team consists mainly of members from the Kirk of St Nicholas Uni7ng, Queen Street and St Mark’s and was originally a project of the now disbanded Grouping. There is a monthly rota working from 9.30 - 12.00 and 12.00 - 2.30, from Tuesday - Friday and Saturday mornings. The vendors buy their magazines at £1.25 per copy and sell them at £2.50. The team earns a commission of 10p per copy and most of this is used for charitable purposes. The Big Issue has many interes7ng ar7cles and is well worth its price. Please consider purchasing it, for it beneﬁts many people. Margaret Donald BI team member.

Roll Changes Moving Changes of Address Mrs Freda McKenzie From Gairn Residen7al Care Mrs Lydia Robertson From Hilton Residen7al Care Miss Edith Duncan From Broomhill - Residen7al Care Deaths - He will surround you with love on that Golden Day Mrs Alice McGregor on 11 October 2015 in Residen7al Care Mr Harry Riddell on 21 October 2015 at ARI 10

The St Mark’s Guild We can hardly believe we are almost at the end of the ﬁrst half of the Syllabus. The 2016 mee7ngs will commence on Monday 4th January and are as follows: 4th

January

18th February

1st 15th

March

7th 28th

Down Memory Lane Rubislaw Quarry Mr Hugh Black Discussion Topic - Let’s Talk about ‘Working Through Conﬂict’ Music for the Soul Quil7ng with Mrs Trixie Ca o A.G.M. Followed by Jean and Elsa’s Holiday Memories

Mee7ngs commence at 7.30pm to which all are welcome. We wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Happy 2016.

The Christmas Coffee Shops By the 7me you receive your magazine the Christmas Coffee Shops will be under way, but we would s7ll be grateful to receive baking, prizes for the raffle and anything you have for the ‘Talents Table’. We look forward to seeing you, with your friends on

Saturdays, 5th, 12th and 19th December. 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 in7mated in the Pew Leaﬂet. Further details of the services will be available on the Church website or in the Pew Leaﬂet. www.stmarksaberdeen.org.uk/stmarks-worship.htm 18 December

12.00noon Shoppers’ Carol Service followed by soup & sandwich lunch courtesy of OAK 6.00pm Carol Singing on the Church steps

20 December

11.00am Fourth Sunday in Advent Na7vity Service led by the Sunday School

24 December

10.45pm - 11.25pm Carols & Fun 11.30pm - 12.15am Watchnight Service followed by tea & mince pies in the hall

25 December

11.00 am Christmas Family Service followed by Holy Communion

27 December

11.00am Morning Worship From the Old to the New Psalm 148: 1 - 14; Luke 2: 41 - 52

3 January 2016 11.00am Morning Worship Epiphany Carol Service Isaiah 60: 1 - 6; Ma hew 2: 1 - 12 10 January

11.00am Service of Holy Communion Isaiah 43: 1 - 7; Luke 3: 15 - 17

17 January

11.00am Morning Worship Isaiah 62: 1 - 5; John 2: 1 - 11

24 January

11.00am Morning Worship at Crown Terrace Methodist Church 12

St Mark’s Church Duty Rotas Winter Messenger Pull-out Supplement Beadle Duty Rota

BEADLE DUTY ROTA 2015/2016 6 December, 2015 13 December, 2015 20 December, 2015 24 December, 2015 25 December, 2015 27 December, 2015 3 January, 2016 10 January, 2016 17 January, 2016 24 January, 2016 31 January, 2016 7 February, 2016 14 February, 2016 21 February, 2016

Mr Ian Lord Mr Alan Brown Mr Alex McConochie Mr Derek Caie Mr Ian Lord Mr Garry Watson Mr Graeme Low Mr Garry Watson Mr Alex McConochie Mr Derek Caie Mr Malcom Steel Mr Alan Brown Mr Graeme Low Mr Garry Watson

Mrs Marjorie Lord Mrs Helen McKenzie Mrs Arlene Grant Mrs Mary Caie Miss Dianne Morrison Mrs Carol Main Mrs Lynn Low Mrs Carol Main Mrs Gail Hogg Mrs Mary Caie Miss Dianne Morrison Mrs Helen McKenzie Mrs Lynn Low Miss Elaine Macdonald

Please note that the above rota covering the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016 may well be different from earlier published details. Clashes between du7es (door/beadle/communion/reading) are unavoidable and it is becoming more difficult to avoid certain Sundays. If for any reason you are unable to do the dates rota’d please find a subs7tute from within the list and arrange a ‘swap’

St Mark’s Church Duty Rotas Winter Messenger Pull-out Supplement Door Duty Rota

DOOR DUTY ROTA 2015/2016 6 December, 2015 13 December, 2015 20 December, 2015 24 December, 2015 25 December, 2015 27 December, 2015 3 January, 2016 10 January, 2016 17 January, 2016 24 January, 2016 31 January, 2016 7 February, 2016 14 February, 2016 21 February, 2016

Miss Elaine Macdonald Mr William McDonald Mrs Alice Officer Mrs Betty Steel Miss Sylvia Strachan Miss Dianne Morrison Miss Elsa Black Mr Lewis Donaldson Mrs Sandra Andrew Mr Malcolm Steel Mr Bill Forbes Mr Alan Brown Mr Derek Caie Miss Margaret Donald

Mr Maurice McFarlane Mrs Helen McKenzie Miss Rosalyn Rennie Mr Malcom Steel Mr Garry Watson Miss Jean Black Miss Jean Black Mrs Anne Donaldson Mrs Margaret Brown Mrs Helen Burr Mrs Joyce Forbes Mrs Arlene Grant Mrs Mary Caie Mrs Jaqueline Hepburn

Miss Margaret Rennie

St Mark’s Church Duty Rotas Winter Messenger Pull-out Supplement Church Readers Rota

READERS' ROTA 2015/2016 6 December, 2015 13 December, 2015 20 December, 2015 24 December, 2015 25 December, 2015 27 December, 2015 3 January, 2016 10 January, 2016 17 January, 2016 24 January, 2016 31 January, 2016 7 February, 2016 14 February, 2016 21 February, 2016

Miss Elaine Macdonald Mr Malcolm Steel Mrs Arlene Grant Mr Alex McConochie Mrs Anne Donaldson Miss Elsa Black Mr Milton Montgomery Mrs Kay Montgomery Mrs Helen Burr Mrs Anne Donaldson Miss Elaine Macdonald Mrs Gail Hogg Mr Alex McConochie Miss Elsa Black

St Mark’s Church Duty Rotas Winter Messenger Pull-out Supplement Flower Supply & Distribu>on Rota

FLOWER ROTA 2015/2016 Date

6 December, 2015 13 December, 2015 20 December, 2015 27 December, 2015 3 January, 2016 10 January, 2016 17 January, 2016 24 January, 2016 31 January, 2016 7 February, 2016 14 February, 2016 21 February, 2016 28 February, 2016

Provision

Distribution

Miss A McDonald Mrs Yacamini Mrs Pamela McDonald Christmas Decorations Miss M Donald For the Minister Miss Oonagh Watt Miss O Watt Mrs S Mann Mrs S Mann Mrs B Coull

Miss Sheena Henry Mrs B Duthie Mrs A Brown Mrs E Leys Mr A Sim

Mrs A Officer

As you can see there are seven gaps in the Flower Distribu7on Rota this quarter. Receiving the Church ﬂowers gives a real boost to bereaved or ill members and all you have to do is drop them oﬀ on the way home. Please think about helping out in this small way. One day it might be you receiving them. Was your Talent, ‘Helping’ or ‘Visi7ng’, why not put these into ac7on?

Wri7ng for The Scotsman earlier this year, the Moderator of the General Assembly Rt. Rev. Dr. Angus Morrison said that CrossReach is ‘the epitome of what the Church means’: “In November, I will take part in CrossReach Week – an annual event during which the Church of Scotland recognises and celebrates devoted service rendered ‘in Christ’s name’ to others”. “Through CrossReach, the Church of Scotland is one of the largest providers of social care in the land, recognised by local authori7es and regulators as being of the highest quality. Social care is a vital part of our society. Our commitment to human rights places a jus7fied priority on equality, yet some people in Scotland today s7ll face barriers which threaten to prevent them from par7cipa7ng as equals in the life of their community. Social care is about overcoming those barriers – whether illness, disability or another circumstance – so that everyone has choice about, and control over, the way they live their lives”. “For me, CrossReach Week is an opportunity to reflect on the phenomenal service being given by those working in social care. Through CrossReach, the Church of Scotland has been involved in social care for nearly 150 years, evolving to meet the changing needs of our society. Many thousands of lives have been transformed by this dedicated and determined service, people have been enabled to contribute to, and enrich, their communi7es. CrossReach’s work in social care is a demonstra7on of prac7cal, neighbourly love: love incarnated in the places where people most need such love. This is the mo7va7on for the work of CrossReach and for the church’s involvement in social care. It is an expression of our faith. The local church shares this mo7va7on, and so my hope is that we can draw on the experience of CrossReach to make a posi7ve difference in society. Social care is a means of libera7on and empowerment, without it our society would be so much poorer”. Reprinted (with permission) from CrossReach Informa7on Sheet November) 17

More Health & Safety While shepherds watched Their flocks by night All seated on the ground The angel of the Lord came down And glory shone around The union of Shepherds has complained that it breaches health and safety regula7ons to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate sea7ng arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now required. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather condi7ons at this 7me of year that they should watch their flocks via cctv cameras from centrally heated shepherd observa7on huts. Please note, the angel of the lord is reminded that before shining his glory all around he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory.

©thePavement & Mike Williams 18

The OAK Report Our thanks go again to all the O.A.K. staﬀ who kept the café going throughout the year. We are lucky to have such dedicated staﬀ. Our latest Special Lunch was held on 12th November and was in aid of sensa7onALL, a local Special Needs Charity. It was very well a ended and enjoyed by all. Our Christmas Lunches will be held on 16th and 17th December. The shoppers’ service in the Church at 12 noon on 18th December will be followed by soup and sandwiches in the café. We hope for a good turn out to support these ventures. We have given a dona7on of £100.00 to The Manuel Appeal. We will not be having a Shoebox Appeal this year but will instead collect toothbrushes which will go to Uganda when Dentaid goes there at the beginning of next year. The brushes are packed in with the dental equipment so do not cost us anything for transporta7on and we know they all arrive where they are needed. They were much appreciated when a consignment went out earlier this year. The O.A.K. Cafe will be closed aAer the Christmas Lunches and the shopper’s service on 18th December un7l February, 2016 because of the re-pain7ng etc of the hall. We hope to welcome all our customers back when we reopen. Be!y & Malcolm Steel

A family that prays together, stays together.

A successful start to our winter session with some very interes7ng mee7ngs shared with the Guild. We had talks about the Aberdeen Community Trust and all the good work they do, the annual Beetle Drive is always good fun with plenty of laughter. This was followed by an illustrated talk about the Shetland Bus, a war 7me tale about trawlers transpor7ng people, supplies and agents to and from occupied Norway. At the 7me of wri7ng this for the magazine we are also due a talk about travels in Iceland from Shirley Milton and then we will be looking forward to the annual Christmas Party with the Guild. Mee7ngs planned for early 2016, are ‘Down Memory Lane’ on 4th January, a talk about Rubislaw Quarry on 18th January, Games Nights on January 25th, February 1st, 22nd & 29th, March 28th. These evenings will be a chance to play carpet bowls, darts or dominoes. An illustrated picture show is planned for February 15th by Ian Lord. All are welcome to join us for any of the evenings and they always ﬁnish with a cuppa. Contact Milton Montgomery, Graeme Low, Ian Lord or Derek Caie for more informa7on.

Remember the Carols & Fun and Watchnight Service on Christmas Eve from 10.45pm

The St Mark’s Strollers The Strollers only managed out of town once recently and that was when we walked from Kemnay to the Bishop’s Palace at Fe ernear. At other 7mes we have enjoyed the autumn colours around the city and on 31 October we appreciated a mild, windless sunny aAernoon at the Beach - almost like a summer day. Now that winter is here we s7ll hope to have dry days for our ou7ngs on the following dates: January February Tuesdays 10.00am Saturdays 2.00pm

19 9

9 30

March 1

April

22 12

12 2

You will be made most welcome if you would like to join us on any of these dates. We wish you much happiness at Christmas and in the New Year.

Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, I would like you to pray that God will give us all the strength we need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are diﬀerent from us!!!

Homeless Man? It was a cold winter's day that Sabbath. The car park at the church was ďŹ lling up quickly. I no7ced as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church. As I got closer I saw a man leaning against the wall outside the church. He was almost lying down as if he were asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church. We all fellowshipped for a few minutes, and someone spoke about the man lying outside. People snickered and gossiped, but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me. A few moments later church began. We all waited for the preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened. In came the homeless man, walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up into the pulpit where he took oďŹ€ his hat and coat. My heart sank. There stood our minister...he was the "homeless man." No one said a word. The minister took his Bible and laid it on the pulpit. "Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today." Then he started speaking the words to this song. "If I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody that he's traveling wrong, then my living shall not be in vain." IS YOUR LIVING IN VAIN? 22

St Mark’s Rambling and Hillwalking Group Since the last magazine we have had a number of enjoyable walks including a couple of evening strolls that have generaly been well received. These were a Duthie Park and Riverside Walk and a walk around Seaton Park and Brig o’ Balgownie. A Saturday walk around Loch Kinnord with a quick look at the Burn O’ Vat was well a ended and ﬁne weather was enjoyed throughout. A walk from Lumphanan to Potarch was a mid week one that was a bit wet underfoot but was s7ll fun and this was followed on Saturday 17th October by doing the 7 bridges walk at Ballater. It was a ended by the most people that we have had for a long 7me, a great ou7ng and we even had 7me to visit the ruined Knock Castle and crossed the recently reopened Polhollick Bridge over the river Dee. A great walk from Drumoak and along the old railway to Crathes Castle on 21st October, brings us up to date with our ou7ngs. The following are just a few of the proposed walks for the New Year, so dust oﬀ the boots and come along and join us. All walks are subject to change or cancella7on at short no7ce Contact Ian Lord on 01224 321882, 07929720846 ianlord64@b7nternet.com for more informa7on. 2016 Tuesday 5th January Wednesday 13th January Saturday 16th January Wednesday 27th January

New Year Walk alongside the river Dee Newmachar to Dyce on old railway line Winter walk around Glen Tanar (subject to weather) Stonehaven, Dunnotar Castle and Woods (meet bus sta7on or Stonehaven) (Con nued on page 24)

(Con nued from page 23)

2nd February Mintlaw and walk to Aden Country Park 9th February Kirkhill Forest and Brimmond Hill (cars required) see Ian Saturday 20th February Winter walk to Bennachie (lower slopes if poor weather) Tuesday Tuesday

Leaving a Legacy We have just undertaken a Season of Stewardship concentra7ng on the Talents God has given us and we’ll consider the other two aspects of Chris7an stewardship over the next two years: looking at Money in 2016 and Time in 2017. Giving is a spiritual ma er and it is as central to faithful living as prayer, Bible study, and worship. Having wri en about Giving on several occasions I recently had to consider my own final giAs to my own family, when I met with a solicitor to prepare my Will. I learned a lot, things I had not previously considered and in rela7on to Legacies I thought I might share some thoughts with you. I went first to the dic7onary to find a defini7on that would help me further. The defini7on that I liked most was: something handed down from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. That no7on of stewardship in the church – that we have responsibility for Jesus’ church for a period of 7me and then pass it on into the hands of the next genera7on – really appeals to me. I like that sense of being part of the con7nuity of Christ’s church. It means that I have a certain responsibility, the baton has been passed to you and me, but only for a period of 7me and then we will pass it on to others. Over the years the diverse work of the Church has been greatly assisted by many generous giAs from Wills of members, adherents and supporters. Anyone making a giA in his or her Will to support the Church’s work can direct it to a local congrega7on, or the work of a par7cular Council of the Church, or the work of the Church of Scotland in general. A legacy is exempt from Inheritance Tax; it can be any size and can be money, property, shares or other assets. Every giA leA to the church is valued and used carefully for its intended purpose. Legacies in (Con nued on page 26)

other local congrega7ons have, for example, enabled the re-ordering of a church interior to allow flexible worship, the employment of a youth worker for a few years, resourcing of Chris7an educa7on or outreach, and the installa7on of audio-visual equipment to enhance worship. A legacy can help con7nue work that you think is important or help provide a resource to develop new work. Any giA you leave will make a difference to the Church. We touch the earth lightly while here. We are privileged if we can leave a mark of our passing to be remembered by those people and causes we have cared for in life. Your legacy? ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith’. (Timothy 4:7) (With thanks to Anne Law of St Michael’s Parish Church, Linlithgow)

Adver>sing Garden Tidy-ups Gavin Hawick oďŹ€ers Garden Tidy-ups at reasonable rates. Contact Gavin on 07795 372004

Re-cycled Timber Products made locally

Wheelie Bin storage

Re-cycling Folding Table and Bench Set storage

Contact Ritchie on 07850 055642

You too could adver>se here Contact The Messenger on: messenger@stmarksaberdeen.org.uk 27

St Mark's Church

Minister

Rev Diane Hobson 65 Mile End Avenue

641758

Session Clerks

Mr Ian and Mrs Marjorie Lord 27 Hazelhead Road

321882

Clerk to The Miss Dianne Morrison Board and FWO 45 Bonnymuir Place Treasurer

630161

Treasurer

Mr Alex McConochie 73 Oakhill Grange

950338

Gift Aid Convener

Mrs Lynn Low 6 St Johnâ€™s Walk, Newtonhill

01569 549391

Organist

Mrs Kathleen Anderson 15 Countesswells Terrace

321584

Church Secretary

Miss Carole Brazendale St Mark's Church Rosemount Viaduct AB25 1JY

640672

Church Office Down steps between the Church and Library. Open 10.00am to 1.00pm Monday to Friday. Answering machine operates when the office is closed. Leave name, message and contact number.

Editor

Alex McConochie: messenger@stmarksaberdeen.org.uk www.stmarksaberdeen.org.uk 28