Aberdeen St Mark’s Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity No SC015451
Index to St Mark’s Messenger Summer 2020 Interim Moderator’s Letter From the Session Clerks The Interim Minister Hill Walkers & Ramblers Farewell from the Locum Beatitudes for the Elderly Maysie McLeod
3 Roll Changes 5 Covid 19 A Poem 7 Thank You, Coronavirus 9 From the Moderator at 121 10 Mary’s Meals and Coronavirus 11 St Mark’s Guild 12 St Mark’s Contacts
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This is the first ever only on-line St Mark’s Messenger. Although the magazine is available on the website after it has been delivered to members this one won’t be delivered because of the Lockdown and will only be available here. When contacting your friends, suitably distanced, please let them know it is available and share it with them.
God’s Light in the Darkness Lord, I call to thee In the darkness of the night In all my desperation, I long, in thee, to hide Lord, the way ahead Seems so awfully steep, But I know your word, O Lord, Is a lamp unto my feet Give to me, O Lord, A light within the dark; A hope for the future As you illuminate my path. © By M.S.Lowndes
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Letter from the Interim Moderator Things don’t always go as we planned One of my favourite Laurel and Hardy films is when Stan and Ollie get ready to go out on a family picnic. About everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. The beautifully prepared sandwiches are turned over and scattered, the elderly relative’s bandaged leg, is bumped into several times. After friendly goodbye waving to the neighbours, and the car is about to go, the tyre is burst and the wheel needs to be replaced. The initial smiles from the neighbours turn into exasperated frowns. It is farce, perfectly executed. The present lock down is not something any of us had planned for in advance. Undoubtedly, some things have caught us unawares. Two personal examples. We hadn’t anticipated the dog grooming services being closed. One of our dogs, Paddy, is a King Charles Spaniel. He is “high maintenance” compared with our other dog Zak, who is a cross between a Labrador and a spaniel. Paddy was needing a haircut. I did buy dog clippers some time ago, but I never had the courage to try them out, so I always took him to the dog groomers instead. My wife Carol decided that she would try them out, but she wanted to practise first. Who would be used for the trial? Yours truly, myself. Having practised on me, that gave Carol confidence to take on Paddy. It’s maybe just as well that I’m not seeing you face to face, with my doggy haircut! Another incident to recall is this. In order to try and keep myself reasonably fit and in shape (apart from walking the dogs as my daily exercise) I have been trying an online course on yoga. Perhaps, subconsciously, trying to impress my young and good looking yoga teacher (not that she could see me, it was on YouTube), I may have been over zealous in my efforts to do the exercises, which led to me twisting something in my lower back. Sitting has been uncomfortable, which is a bit of a nuisance, when, due to the lock in, a lot of what I do is sitting in 3
front of the computer. So, I’ve had to ease off the yoga classes in the meantime. Yes, things don’t always happen as we had planned. This happens with God’s people a lot, according to the Bible. Maybe I should qualify that. Things don’t happen as they had planned, but we discover that they are living within a greater plan, God’s plan. Joseph, sold by his brothers, later put in prison and then he becomes second in command to Pharaoh, Israel driven into Exile, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, Jesus rejected, crucified, dead and buried. He is raised from the dead. The disciples imprisoned and released. Paul shipwrecked at Malta on his journey to Rome. And so, the list goes on. Some of what you as a congregation at St Mark’s, are experiencing, must feel like that. Rev Diane Hobson retired; a new minister was expected. A union with Queen Street church took place. A minister was expected. The two years went by. The Right to Call was suspended. Stiubhart’s time as a locum and a regular leader of worship at St Mark’s, was coming to an end. Talk was taking place regarding having an Interim Minister. The Covid19 virus spread globally and rapidly. Measures of restriction were put into place re physical gatherings for worship, pastoral visits, weddings, funerals etc. These things are not what you or I had planned. The St. Mark’s church family have been an active and friendly bunch, who have enjoyed meeting up. It must be painful not to have those opportunities in the same way. So, it is important we make the steps we can. We need to exercise an attitude of faith and trust in God. We need to act in the presence of God each day. We need to communicate with one another in a supportive and encouraging way. We need to prepare for the way forward as best as we can, in the circumstances. Through the joint services of the West End and City Centre Churches on YouTube, there is the opportunity to get to know some of these ministers. In particular, it is a chance to get to know the Rev Ian Murray. All things being well with the St. Mark’s 4
Kirk Session and the congregation, he may, in the near future, be appointed as the Interim Minister for St. Mark’s to assist you in exploring being the Church in the city centre for the future. Communications will be made to you, in due course, when dates, times and schedules, can be agreed. My hope and prayer is this, that with all the upheaval going on in Church and Society, we will capture a greater vision of God’s greater plan for us now and in the years to come. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24 – 26) from Rev Duncan C. Eddie
From the Session Clerks Dear all,
It’s very difficult to be writing this for our magazine at a time when we would usually be looking forward to the summer, coffee shops and holidays. Instead, we have had to close our church and have not been able to meet as a family at our usual gatherings. Dianne and I have really missed seeing everyone and hearing all your “news”. We are really looking forward to being able to meet again and enjoy fellowship. A big St Mark’s celebration will be called for! Until we can join with you all again, we are thinking of you all and your families and send our very best wishes. (Continued on Page 6)
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Meantime, it has been great to see how the Church of Scotland has been working hard to re-invent itself digitally and is continuing to provide worship, support and guidance for us all. I am sure, like us , you have appreciated this support during challenging times . It seems like in a very short time our “normal” everyday life has changed so much. Suddenly, we are all talking about social distancing, shielding and trying to get to grips with Zoom, Houseparty and many other virtual ways of keeping in touch!! It’s certainly been an uphill struggle at times, as I’m sure it has been for many of you who are not familiar with technology! Certainly appreciate and miss, Ian’s technical knowledge at this time. Lockdown is very hard for us all and especially for those who are unable to get out. For those of us who are able to get out for daily exercise, this lovely weather has helped enormously. It has been a time to slow down and appreciate our beautiful surroundings. It has given us time to stop and notice the trees budding, the flowers coming through, to hear the birds singing and remember that we have a lot to be thankful for. It is so very important to stay connected and one of the positives to come out of this challenging time is how everyone has come together and made huge efforts to keep in touch, look after each other and serve our local communities. As a Church we would want to continue to offer pastoral care in a time of social distancing. Remember, when we are looking after each other we also need to look after ourselves. Please do contact Dianne or me if you would like assistance of any kind, or if you just feel like a chat. We all respond in different ways, there is no right or wrong way to feel so don’t feel you can’t get in touch. With our warmest wishes to you all and thanks for everything you are doing. God bless, Dianne and Helen 6
The Interim Minister On 3 December 2019 Presbytery cisted the vacancy at St Mark’s and arrangements began to appoint an Interim Minister. Due to current circumstances the Faith Nurture Forum has yet to formalize an appointment which would normally involve a three-stage process. Firstly, a presentation to the congregation which explains the purpose, ie. coming to terms with the past, finding a new identity and preparing for the future. There will be questions and discussion about the process, and importantly, a recognition within the congregation that this is the right option, and thereafter a sense of ownership and responsibility for the process. Thereafter, 1 year - 18 months Interim Ministry which would explore (with the congregation together with other city centre and west end congregations) options for the future including options for the St Mark's building. Basically, this would be 18 months preparation for the foundations of a longer 3-4-year Transition Ministry, the third and final stage. The suggested candidate is Rev Ian Murray who is, in the present circumstances likely to be appointed on an Interim Ministry Accompanying basis for several months or as long as it takes to have a presentation and vote. Rev Murray has provided the following about himself as an introduction to the Congregation. My name is Ian Murray and I'm employed by Faith Nurture (previously Ministries Council) as an Interim Minister. My role is to work with congregations and presbyteries who are facing significant change, conflict, or crisis. I'm one of a team of 7 Interim Ministers, all regionally based, with my region covering an area from Laurencekirk to Unst in the Shetland Isles. I was born in Aberdeen (the year before decimalisation was introduced) and grew up in Alford before my family moved to Dufftown where I spent most of my childhood. After leaving school in Aberlour, I had planned to go straight to University but ended up serving an apprenticeship as a cooper at Glenfiddich Distillery (not by personal 7
choice!). During this time, I played the organ in the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Parish Kirk, gradually becoming more involved in leading worship. As soon as I'd completed my apprenticeship at Glenfiddich, following a funeral pyre in the garden for my dungarees, piece-box, and steel-toe capped boots, I went straight to college for basic training in Social Work. In my early 20s I worked for Moray Council Social Work Dept, with adults with learning disabilities. Social Work had always been a "steppingstone" and experience before training for full-time ordained ministry. I graduated BD hons from Aberdeen University in 2000, followed by a Master’s Degree in Palliative Care from Glasgow University in 2002, during which time I worked with Marie Curie Cancer Care. Following 18 months’ probation at Wellington Church, Glasgow, I was ordained into my first parish of Tenandry, Blair Atholl and Struan in 2002, and appointed Chaplain to the Atholl Highlanders and the Duke of Atholl in 2006. In 2010 I moved to the Angus Glens to work in the West Angus Area Team Ministry, and was the Minister for Glenisla, Kilry, Lintrathen, Ruthven, Airlie and Kingoldrum, during which time I oversaw the restructuring of the charge and closure of 4 of buildings. I was appointed to my present role in 2016 and worked 18 months in the Scottish Borders. Also for the past 4 years I've been involved in the significant restructuring of the Presbytery of Shetland, helping to establish different models of sustainable ministry. Much of the work has been drawing up a new Presbytery Plan, which unfortunately but necessarily included the closure of 22 or the 33 church buildings, I’m also the Interim Minster working with Lerwick St Columba's, and the acting Presbytery Clerk for Shetland. Both these roles conclude at the end of May.
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Presently I'm also working with the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting, moving towards dissolution of the Local Ecumenical Partnership and helping them to find a new role and identity in the proposed City Centre Initiative. Also, in my capacity as a Place for Hope Practitioner, I'm involved in work with the Presbytery of Caithness and Sutherland. My home is in Elgin and in my spare time I race vintage cars at Silversone, Goodwood, Prescott and Spa. Any other spare time is spent trying to keep on top of a large garden, walking my dogs, and repairing antique clocks. Rev Ian Murray Interim Minister (North East Region)
St Mark’s Hill Walking and Ramblers Group Everyone’s world has been turned upside down by the Coronavirus pandemic outbreak. The walking group met on Tuesday 17th March with a change of destination, this was prompted by the latest news about the virus. We met at Hazlehead Park and after a short walk we had a coffee break to discuss the future arrangements. This was to try and avoid public transport wherever possible. A plan was discussed and during the rest of the day we had a lovely walk around various paths and track around the woods. We then left to make our way home. During the rest of the week new updates were circulated about how to keep safe and sad to say that on Monday 23rd a decision was taken to suspend all future walks until further notice. I have kept in touch with the group and all are observing the lockdown recommendations and doing their own little walking routines staying clear of others. (Continued on Page 10)
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We do hope that this virus is soon over, and I will make sure there is information on the Church web site and Church notice boards when the Church is open for worship again, in the meantime stay safe and well. Ian Lord
Farewell from the Locum When I heard that the Kirk Session had approved the appointment of a Transition Minister to drive forward the Presbytery Plan, I was both delighted and saddened in equal measure. Delighted that things would be able to move forwards for you all. Saddened that our time would therefore be coming to an end. I therefore made the decision to hand in my notice as your locum. I ended this role with you on 31st January 2020 in order to dedicate myself to my main job as an Independent Celebrant. But I wasn’t prepared to leave you in the lurch. I agreed with the Interim Moderator that I would continue to provide weekly pulpit supply until the end of April, on the understanding that your Transition Minister was due to start with you in May. My last Sunday with you was set for Sunday 26th April. And then the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus changed everything. I had no idea as I conducted worship on Sunday 15th March that it would be my last ever service at St. Mark’s. I never got the chance to thank you all for your support and encouragement over the three years that I had the privilege of serving you. The additional income of regular pulpit supply, and later as your Locum helped my family out at a very difficult time for us. That support meant food on the table, a roof over our heads and bills paid. You don’t forget that kind of support. Ever. Nor will we forget the stability you all gave my family. I’d spent years providing pulpit supply, travelling all over the Presbytery, and beyond on occasion, after I had lost my post as a Parish Assistant due to staffing cuts. You gave us a home from home for three years; 10
a shelter in life’s storms; the warm smiles, handshakes and kind words of appreciation from a growing sea of faces that became a chorus of precious friends. We always knew our time at St. Mark’s was temporary. We knew a time would come when we would have to step aside. We were allowed to stand beside you and with you in a journey that lasted three wonderful years. We’re heartbroken it’s come to an end and we have to move on. But it won’t stop us praying for you week by week, day by day. We trust in God to direct our paths for the days that lie ahead. I wish you strength for today, the comfort of the bright hope for our tomorrows, and the assurance that Christ will be with us all every step of the way if we would but open our hearts to him. God bless you. Stiubhart, Lynne, Luke, Bethany-Grace and Sandy the Lab.
Beatitudes for the Elderly Blessed are they who understand my faltering steps and shaky hand. Blessed who know my ears today must strain to catch the things they say. Blessed are they who looked away when tea was spilled on the cloth that day. Blessed are they with a cheery smile who stop to chat for a little while. Blessed are they who never say “You’ve told that story twice today” Blessed are they who make it known that I’m loved, respected and not alone. And blessed are they who ease the days of my journey home, in loving ways. Contributed by Kathleen Innes
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Church Roll Changes Details of changes to the Church Roll are included on Page 19 of the magazine but the following Order of Service is for a cremation which was held in April for one of our members Mary McLeod. Mary was a member of former Queen Street and unfortunately was never well enough to worship in St Mark's. Her family would like for her death to be intimated in the magazine and for the eulogy to be shared also. In the present unusual circumstances, we are pleased to do so. Maysie McLeod 1929 – 2020 celebrating a life well lived Tuesday 21 April 2020 Aberdeen Crematorium Music Farewell to Stromness Peter Maxwell Davies, Opus 89, Number 1 Gathering & Introit Zum Sanctus – Heilig, heilig ist der Herr Franz Schubert, Deutsche Messe, D 872 (This was chosen as, many years ago, the Thurso Choral Society sang this piece on BBC Scotland’s Scots Praise programme)
Welcome Thank you for taking the time to think about Mum. These are strange times and we have tried to put together the celebration and farewell she would have wanted if we could all have been together. Hymn We always promised to have, ‘Tell me the old, old story’ at Mum’s funeral. It always made her cry as it was her Mum’s favourite. Prayer God of mercy, Lord of life, you have made us in your image to reflect your truth and light: we give you thanks for Maysie, 12
for the grace and mercy, she received from you, for all that was good in her life, for the memories we treasure today. Amen Scottish Medley For These Are My Mountains The Alexander Brothers The Road to the Isles Andy Stewart The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen Jimmy Shand & his band Eightsome Reel Medley The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, Fiddler’s Party
Thanksgiving Lesley McLeod For a wee wifey my Mother packed in a lot of life and she lived it to the full. Mum was born in 1929 in Rosemount in Aberdeen, the first child of William and Mary Bremner. With the kind of inventiveness that makes you wonder how Britain ever came through the Second World War or the White-Hot Heat of the swinging 60s they named their two children, Mary and William. As a result, Mum has always been Maysie. She loathed it thinking it made her sound like either a Shetland pony or a blousy barmaid. In the latter regard that could not have been less fitting, as her neat ‘B’ cup bust had been a source of some ridicule from her terrifyingly statuesque battle-axe of a mother-in-law. Mum was a clever child – her brother, Bill, said she had the brains, but he got the good looks. She loved books, singing and roller-skating. She was a Queen’s Guide. After school she joined the old Aberdeen Savings Bank much to the surprise of some of her teachers as the only subject to flummox her was maths. She had other jobs – from work in a car salesroom to C&A and the Civil Service - and she became an accomplished bookkeeper. But it was at the bank she met my Dad, Angus. Together, in Aberdeen in the 1950s, Mum and Dad ‘Walked the Mat’ from Holburn Junction to the Music Hall, the Monkey House to the Beach Ballroom going to the dancing and the pictures. They made lifelong friends at Woodside South Church and through the bank. One of the sadness’s of Mum’s long life is that she is just about the last of her group to go: while Dad was always – 13
embarrassingly - the very first to arrive at any do, Mum was never one to want to leave a party early. Mum and Dad married in 1958 – Dad’s Mum wept throughout the service. And on through the reception too. The couple moved to Ballater in 1960 when Dad was promoted. He loved the place. Mum, I think, was less sure but she liked the walled-garden and walking their first dog, Mac. And there was music, dancing and raspberries and the Highland Games in the summer and curling in the winter when Dad would abandon his responsibilities at the till in favour of bonspiels on the ice leaving Mum in charge of the bank. Both my brother and I were born when they lived in the bank house in Deebank Road: me in 1962 (predictably in the middle of a blizzard); and Angus in the blazing hot summer of 1969, his personality sunnier than mine right from the off. It was from there we moved to Thurso in Caithness. Dad was hoist by his own petard ending up at the most northerly TSB branch on the mainland as he’d refused to get his feet wet going to Stornoway. We were ‘atomics’ – a generic term for in-comers to a strangely multi-cultural town where prosperity was built around the prototype fast nuclear reactor at Dounreay. Dad didn’t like the place – he found the local accent impenetrable; they couldn’t cope with his Doric Scots resulting - at the beginning - in the need for simultaneous translation every time he interviewed anyone. But Mum adored Thurso and she quickly found her feet in the Choral Society and the ladies’ choir at the West Church. She was always signing and won competitions at the local music festival. She even developed a bit of a following often finding herself at ceilidhs in the back of beyond returning, somewhat worse for wear, in the early hours when the bottle was dry after being passed from seat to seat in the back of the bus. It was a noisy household. We sang. We ‘Took to the floor’ on a Saturday night. There was the piano and the recorders and the violin. Later there was a French Horn. It was just as well Dad was hard of hearing. We were on to our second dog – Chummy – by then. The poor hound chose his own name as Mum was notoriously haphazard with nomenclature. The dog simply assumed she was referring to him at mealtimes when, in fact, she’d forgotten the names of her family – again! No mean feat when there were just the three of us and I was the only one not called Angus. The family returned to Aberdeen in 1979 and lived in the house in Middleton Circle from the day it was built. Mum liked her garden and the wild birds. From her bedroom window she could just see, beyond the trees she loved, the church in which she was married. As a family we attended the North Church of 14
St Andrew where Mum sang all the right notes - but rarely any of the right words - in the choir and at every social gathering going. She masterminded the congregational coffee rota as if it were a NATO summit – but with, marginally, fewer weapons. She was a stalwart of the St Machar Inner Wheel, the Probus and a supporter of the Rotary. She was a dab-hand at coffee mornings but could not deliver a ‘vote of thanks’ to save herself. She found public-speaking torturous – she could never understand why I liked it. She liked animals – she was my cat-sitter. Dad had been the dog-walker but there were no more after, Nipper - the third dog. Which was just as well as, after Dad died, there was a lot of Continental travel instead: Barcelona; Prague; Istanbul; Rome. She loved the tavernas of Athens. She liked the left bank in Paris. She’d always enjoyed our caravan holidays – after the explosive family fights for the first couple of days until we adjusted to living in confined quarters. And, later, times in the former Yugoslavia and France built a lot of happy memories. But her favourite place was our home-away-from-home in Greece. Mum liked nothing more than a market, a bar and a seat in the sun. Mum could rustle up meals for unexpected guests, hungry children or bank inspectors at the drop a hat. She made the best broth and apple pies. She liked curry and prawns and Mexican food. She enjoyed a drink, often all down her front – she was notoriously clumsy. She had absolutely no sense of direction. She could embroider. She was good at dressmaking, even if Angus refused the corduroy trousers, she made him when he was little. Mum loved her daughter-in-law, Katy, feeling blessed Angus was so happy. Their wedding was a great highlight, bringing the Highlands to Cheshire with pipes, kilts and dancing. She was less sure she should have given them a double bed when they weren’t married. She liked my friends believing she’d encouraged Ian to take the plunge and ask Miranda out. She wished I would marry Richard, even if it was just to get me off her hands. But I think she liked children best – not her own; other people’s. She’d worked in a nursery in Thurso and, latterly, grew fond of Rachel and Callum next door. She adored her grandchildren. It made her laugh how Isobel patted her on the head and called her, “little one”. She was tickled pink when James introduced her to his rugby friends with the immortal, “she’s Scottish” as if she was a rare and exotic floral specimen. Until recently Mum enjoyed life, drinking in every day while it was fizzy. She was furiously angry that macular degeneration had robbed her of her ability to devour the murder mysteries she loved. She refused to believe she was deaf. But she used both as an excuse for her persistent inability to remember names. 15
This past year has been hard, and Angus and I give thanks and credit to the wonderful staff at Morlich House for making these past months better than just bearable. Mum was also fortunate in her friends and her neighbours. For our part Angus and I will always be grateful to Rosie and Jim, Emma and Bill, Jill, Barbara and Sandy, Marion and Gordon, Barbara, Alison, Archie and Kathleen, Jean, Conny, Daniella and Stelios, Bob Grant and the retired bank staff and Sam Sinclair and the Rotary. There were others in the past - and many more I will have forgotten to mention. Thank you all. Mum wasn’t always easy. And sometimes she wasn’t nice. Mary MacKenzie McLeod has been, over the years, many things to many people. But, to Angus and me, she is – and always will be - simply, Mum. Years ago, she asked me – when the time came - to say something about her. And, if I were standing in front of you, I would be wearing something inappropriate and bright. She’d have hated it. It’s too late to embarrass her anymore. I hope I’ve done her justice and haven’t let her down. Music Rondo Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Horn Concerto No. 4 in E flat, K. 495 Angus played this piece for his Higher music and Mum really liked it and was awfully proud of Angus playing it.
Prayer Merciful Father, hear our prayers and comfort us; renew our trust in your Son, whom you raised from the dead; strengthen our faith that all who have died in the love of Christ will share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Hymn And can it be that I should gain, an interest in the Saviour’s blood? Prayer God our creator and redeemer, 16
by your power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of his victory and claiming his promises, we entrust Maysie to your mercy in the name of Jesus our Lord, who died and is alive and reigns with you, now and for ever. Amen Commendation The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto three: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace Numbers 6:24 – 26 This is here because it was such a fixed point any service
Farewell We will miss her. So, please, raise your glass to Maysie: Goodnight and God be with you And watch over you until We can a' meet here thegither, And our glasses we will refill. We'll drink a health tae absent friends And make the beer and whisky flow, So button up and aye be cheery, And tak’ a dram afore ye go. This is an extract from a song, and album of the same name, called Tak’ a Dram Afore Ye Go It was written by Iain Sinclair and originally performed by Thurso-based folk group, Mirk
Mum! Until we meet again. Recessional Gloria Antonio Vivaldi, Mass in D major, R 589 We chose this as it was a staple of choice of the Thurso Choral Society
Music Highland Cathedral
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Ulrich Roever & Michael Korb Played by the the Red Hot Chilli Pipers Moon River Andy Williams Morningtown Ride The Seekers The White Rose of Athens Nana Mouskouri Athem Bring Him Home/ Empty Chairs at Empty Tables/ I Dreamed a Dream Bring Me Sunshine Michael Ball & Alfie Boe The Way Old Friends Do Thank you for the Music Mamma Mia Abba
The Ham Sandwiches At this point the family would now invite everyone back to somewhere for the ham sandwiches. We cannot do this today – so the ham sandwiches are on hold. We will be in touch when we are able to do something to celebrate in style. In the meantime, if you would like to remember Mum in any way please plant a tree or make a donation to the Woodland Trust. Thanks With thanks to everyone who has messaged and written Richard Carling for the prayers, the staff at Morlich House for their ongoing care, and the good offices of William Purves for the arrangements.
Lesley McLeod
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Roll Changes Deaths – He will surround you with love on that Golden Day 24 March Mr Sydney Fettes Denseat ex Queen Street In March Mrs Ellen Tweed Residential Care 4 April Mrs Mary (Maysie) McLeod Edinburgh ex Queen Street 21 April Mrs Margaret Buchan Care Home ex Queen Street
Covid 19 Poem There is dubiety about who actually wrote this poem. After searching the internet, I cannot make up my mind who is correct. It was either written by Kathleen O’Mara in 1869 (in a slightly different form from that below) and reprinted during the 1919 Spanish flu Pandemic. Or it was the work of Catherine (Kitty) O’Meara. Whoever it was composed by, it is a good reflection. And people stayed at home. And read books and listened and rested and exercised and made art and played games and learned new ways of being and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadow. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless and heartless ways, the earth also began to heal. And when the danger passed and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses and made new choices and dreamed new images and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully as they had been healed. Kathleen Innes 19
Thank you, Coronavirus, Thank you for shaking us and showing us we’re dependent on something much bigger than we think. Thank you for making us appreciate the luxury we lived in – the abundance of products, freedom, health and realising we were taking it for granted. Thank you for stopping us to make us see how lost we were in the “busyness”, not having time for the most basic things. Thank you for allowing us to put aside all our problems we thought were so important and showing us what is actually important. Thank you for stopping the transport. The earth was begging us to look at the pollution for a very long time we didn’t listen. Thank you for all the fear. It has been a global disease for years but not many of us wanted to face it – and now we have to face it and learn how to embrace it, with love and with the support of our community. Thank you for this revaluation of our lives. Thank you as we finally understand what it means that we are all connected. Thank you for the unity between all of us. We knew the world had to change. Thank you for helping us to undermine everything and giving us a chance to build a world from the very beginning. The virus is part of us, it’s between us, in us. It connected us all, either physically or energetically. Gratitude supports the immune system but also lets us see things from many perspectives and it’s up to us which perspective we will choose, but best is to be aware of all of them. Be grateful Stay aware Things will never be the same again. The world is changing NOW Contributed by Kathleen Innes 20
From the Moderator at 121 Dear Friends, Thy Kingdom Come: 21 - 31 May 2020 (Ascension to Pentecost Sunday) With so much of the world "on hold", it would be easy to think that the prayer initiative: Thy Kingdom Come is another casualty. Not at all! If there is one thing that is needed at this time, alongside the care we can offer, it is united global prayer. Physical distancing has actually brought us closer together as we recognise our common humanity and the challenges we must face together. The Church of Scotland is delighted to be part of Thy Kingdom Come in 2020, while recognising that it needs to take a new approach because of COVID19. In the light of this, the Thy Kingdom Come website has been updated and adapted for our new situation: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/ One of the Key themes for Thy Kingdom Come 2020 is prayer and care. As we are praying for those we love to come to know the hope and love of Christ, we are also encouraging all to see how they can show God's love towards them, by caring for them. The website suggests practical ways this can be done: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/stories/prayer-and-care Alongside this, there is a very helpful resource "Thy Kingdom Come - five ways to get involved" which is easily adapted for congregations in lockdown. Resources can be shared with members for download and print at home: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/stories/5-ways-your-churchcan-be-involved-years-thy-kingdom-come Whether you use the Family Prayer Adventure Map or the 11 day Prayer Journal, the same creativity congregations have employed to set up online worship and find new ways for undertaking pastoral care can equally be employed to stimulate united prayer. You can pray together at set times or set up a continuous virtual prayer event and there is a wealth of practical, accessible ideas for all. (Continued on Page 22)
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Let us join together with Christians across the country and around the world for Thy Kingdom Come 2020. Wishing you every blessing, Rt Revd Colin A M Sinclair Moderator General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Mary’s Meals and Coronavirus Due to the closure of classrooms around the world, Mary’s Meals have had to find new ways to safely reach the hungry children who rely on them. Their plan to provide food at home for 1million children in Malawi has been approved by the Government there. Across the country in over 3,000 villages community volunteers are organising and distributing food by inviting parents to come and collect rations, equivalent to one meal a day, for their children at home. In a similar way they are now able to reach many thousands more children in other countries where they work, such as Haiti, Zambia and Kenya. Doreen Gray
Check out our Givey webpage by clicking on the link on our website Home page. During lockdown we have received no FWO or Open Plate offerings so income is down. You can even give by Gift Aid. There is a small charge for using Givey so that St Mark’s gets the full amount of your generosity. Please Help. Thanks 22
St Mark’s Guild The six Guild Projects are all progressing well, and the total donated so far by Guilds is £296,016, with another year to go. The annual Gathering planned for Dundee in September has been cancelled which will be a big disappointment to many and St. Mark’s Guild would have had a few members attending as usual. The local Aberdeen Guilds Together autumn rally has also been cancelled due to a duplication of dates at High Hilton Church. Guild Office sends out a weekly newsletter online and I am happy to forward it to anyone interested. It is a good way to feel in touch with familiar things in these strange times. Doreen Gray dgray165@btinternet.com
Credit: Rebecca Osborne/Twitter @rebeccavosborne
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Aberdeen St Mark’s Church of Scotland Rosemount Viaduct Aberdeen AB25 1JY
Interim Moderator
Rev Duncan Eddie 31 Cranford Road
01224 325873
Joint Session Clerks
Mrs Helen Burr 63 Fairview Manor, Danestone Miss Dianne Morrison 45 Bonnymuir Place
01224 824805 01224 630161
Prayer Co-ordinator
Mrs Gail Hogg 10 Binghill Road North
01224 868924
FWO Treasurer
Mrs Kathleen Innes 1 Blackburn Place
01224 492473
Congregational Treasurer
Mr Alex McConochie 73 Oakhill Grange
01224 950338
Gift Aid Convenor
Mrs Lynn Low 6 St John’s Walk, Newtonhill
01569 549391
Organist
Mrs Kathleen Anderson 15 Countesswells Terrace
01224 321584
01224 640672 Church Office Currently closed due to lockdown Answering Machine operates when office is closed. Leave Name, message and contact number. 01224 640672 Messenger Editor - Alex McConochie messenger@stmarksaberdeen.org.uk www.stmarksaberdeen.org.uk Church Secretary
Miss Carole-Anne Brazendale
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