St Mark’s Messenger Autumn 2013
Aberdeen St Mark's Church of Scotland is a registered Sco sh charity No SC015451
Index to the Summer 2013 Issue Le!er from the Manse
3 ‘Nosey’ / 5’s Quiz
16
Stewardship Report
5 Note from the Treasurer
17
Strollers/Circle of Care
6 Guild of Friendship
18
Malawi Report
7 Projects Commi!ee
19
Hillwalking & Rambling
8 Guild / O.A.K.
20
CrossReach
9 Roll Changes
21
Worship Calendar (1)
10 Sunday School / 5’s Answers
22
Duty Rotas Supplement
11 Men’s Club
23
Worship Calendar (2)
15 St Mark’s Contacts
24
‘Arrivals & Departures’ They say there is nothing as constant as change and so it is with St Mark’s. Our long serving Church Officer, Alex Sim has finally hung up his keys and as if to prove how invaluable he was, he has been replaced by two people. From 1 August his duCes have been taken over by Be!y and Malcolm Steel. From the same date Carole Brazendale has replaced Elspeth Mogendorff as Church Secretary and Dianne Morrison takes over as Clerk to the CongregaConal Board from Helen McKenzie and retains her role as Freewill Offering Treasurer. Thanks to all of them for giving of their "me to St Mark’s 2
Le$er from the Manse Dear Friends, Well Autumn is certainly on its way with all the delights of the harvest and lovely colours of the season awaiCng us. The Summer was wonderfully warm and such a treat for so many people of whom I hope you are one. It was a pleasure to be able to work in such a good climate for someone like myself who loves the heat! A pleasant physical and visual environment as well as good weather is important for our general well-being. The flowers around the city centre were splendid and I am sure we'd all like to thank the hard working people who have provided such colourful and beauCful floral displays. At St Mark's we are very fortunate to have talented people who use their various giKs, skills and Cme to enable us to follow Jesus's commandments to worship and share God's love with each other and the wider community too. Over the Summer months some of the St Mark’s family have freshened up the li!le meeCng room and the Session Room. Our thanks go to them for a job well done. As a Church our well-being and our ability to fulfil our role as Christ's ambassadors is enhanced by good relaConships with other Churches and organisaCons. The official Parish Grouping is being dissolved, the good news is that we all want to develop our relaConships on an informal basis! OAK café and joint services conCnue on, and a steering commi!ee has been formed to develop the relaConship we enjoy with the Crown Terrace Methodist Church. A big thank you goes to everyone who ensures the café and the special meals are successful. This Summer’s coffee mornings have been a great success, both for raising funds and for the many friendships that develop through them. Thank you again to everyone for your support. 3
Once more entering into the Church season that incorporates Harvest Thanksgiving, Remembrance and the countdown to Christmas, we remember that in the Bible we are told there is a season for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NIV) “a Cme to weep and a Cme to laugh; a Cme to mourn and a Cme to dance.” Whatever this season brings to you and yours I prayerfully wish you God’s love to surround, inspire and comfort. God Bless you. Revd Diane
Cartoon © thePavement
Church Bulle"n Bloopers Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help. 4
Our Stewardship Campaign has gathered momentum over the past few weeks and September has been a very busy month in the life of St. Mark's. The Stewardship Commi!ee has done a tremendous amount of work on your behalf. So what took place in September? Team Leaders and visitors had been recruited and flyers were upliKed by Elders for delivery to their districts. This flyer gave informaCon that Stewardship visitors would be calling at members' homes to ask which Gathering they would a!end. Gatherings were held on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 September at 7.30p.m. and Saturday 28 September a 2.30p.m. OrganisaCons which are involved with the church had displays set up around the hall. There was a short presentaCon, some entertainment and tea and coffee were served. All members received an InformaCon Booklet, a Response Card and a Prayer Card. Prior to these dates visitors had been commissioned at a service on Sunday 8 September and invitaCons were issued during the week of 9 – 14 September. Between 30 September and 12 October responses will be collected. At the beginning of October responses will be followed-up. On Sunday 3 November a Thanksgiving Service will be held. A final evaluaCon meeCng will be held on Thursday 5 December with the Stewardship Commi!ee and Fiona Penny, Stewardship Consultant for the Church of Scotland. Fiona has provided the commi!ee with excellent advice and support. Analysis of results will be collated to form a final report which will go to Session, the CongregaConal Board and the CongregaCon. David Yacamini Convener 5
The Strollers As one of their ouCngs the Strollers took part in a Floral Walk and AKernoon Tea held on behalf of the Sco sh Bible Society. The walk was around the Duthie Park and a lovely tea was provided in the Common Room of the BloomďŹ eld complex. Throughout the Summer we visited Stonehaven, Crathes, Ellon and Inverurie but for the present we shall remain within the city and meet on the following dates. October Tuesdays 10.00am
8
Saturdays 2.00pm
19
29
November December 19 9
16 30
21
You will be made most welcome on any of these dates.
The Circle of Care The Circle of Care is ever-changing as sadly some of our members reach the end of their earthly journey while others become members as they reach the milestone of their 80th birthday. Some are housebound while others conCnue to be acCve in Church life. All however are invited to the aKernoon Communion and Tea held three Cmes a year as well as occasionally receiving the Church owers and a giK at Christmas.
Church Bulle"n Bloopers Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. 6
St Mark’s Malawi Commi$ee The summer months have flown past and St. Mark's Malawi Commi!ee has been enjoying a relaxing summer. However elsewhere much has been happening. The Aberdeen Presbytery Malawi Maize Appeal made the marvellous total of £8,157.30 and this will be distributed amongst the 15 Partnership churches in Malawi. On 29 August a “Hand Over Ceremony” was arranged for all the churches who benefited. The LifeStraws finally arrived at Malabada Clinic and they have been put to good use in the purificaCon of the water supply. There was a Presbytery VisitaCon group in Malawi from 27 August unCl 12 September and on Thursday 10 October there is a meeCng at Rubislaw Church Centre at 7.30pm. EnCtled “In CelebraCon of the visit to Blantyre”. All are welcome. St. Mark’s held a Pot Luck Lunch on Sunday 8 September. In future months other events will be arranged so please keep an eye on the pew leaflet for dates. Come along and support your commi!ee. David Yacamini Convener
A preacher announced from the pulpit, “I have good news and bad news. The good news is we have enough money to see us through to the year end.” A sigh of relief went through the congregaCon. The preacher conCnued: “The bad news is: the money is sCll in your pockets.”
7
Hillwalking & Rambling Group Since the last magazine the walkers have been busy but a number of changes had to be made to the walking programme at short noCce due to various reasons. June saw the group walking the braes of Gight near Methlick and this was followed by a lovely walk from near Westhill through a number of forests to get to Garthdee. Saturday 6th July was the date of a change of desCnaCon; we headed to Loch Muick and had a lovely circular walk in warm weather and even had Cme for a paddle during our lunch stop. On July 18th the desCnaCon for another paddle was Collieston Bay during a walk from Newburgh. Two ladies of the Rambling Group had cause to celebrate on 31st July as they successfully climbed their ďŹ rst two Munros, Cairnwell and Carn Aosda at Glenshee. Vinia and Sheilagh were accompanied by Milton Montgomery, David Hobson, George Wright and Ian Lord. A gentler walk from Bucksburn to Kingswells on Friday 30th August was graced by lovely weather on this interesCng suburban walk. The following are planned for the rest of the year. Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Saturday
18th 2nd 9th 19th
September October October October
th
Wednesday 30 October Wednesday 6th November th
Wednesday 13 November Saturday 30th November Wednesday 4th December
Cambus O’ May to Ballater Edzell Woods Correen Hill circuit (Alford) Glas Maol & Creag Leacach (Glenshee Munros) Walk sCll to be decided Drumoak to Crathes Castle and Estate Aberdeen Granite Trail (1) Gordon Way and Suie Hill Aberdeen Sculpture Trail meet Castlegate at 9-30 am 8
Bus Car Car Car
Car Bus Car
For walks marked ‘Car’ transport may be available please phone for availability. For more informaCon on these or any other walks please contact Ian Lord (01224) 321882 or 07929 720846. Could all walkers please contact Ian by text message or phone if you intend going on the walks in case of cancellaCons or changes due to weather problems.
Mental Health: We offer a mixture of residenCal accommodaCon, supported flats and outreach support to individuals in their own homes as well as a range of quality day services which are accessible to people with mental health problems. Central to our philosophy of work is a recovery-based approach which promotes service user involvement and social inclusion. People are involved in the department of the service to ensure therapeuCc opportuniCes and support is according to individual need. Carol Main CrossReach Representa"ve.
Church Bulle"n Bloopers Pot-luck supper, Sunday at 5:00pm. Prayer and medicaCon to follow.
9
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 inCmated 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 29 September Morning Worship - Rev Diane Hobson CelebraCng BapCsm in the Season of ConservaCon 5.00pm Ascension - A New Worship Experience 6 October
Morning Worship - Rev Diane Hobson Harvest FesCval - Sharing God’s Feast Please bring dried/Cnned foods for the Cyrenians
13 October
Morning Worship - Service of Holy Communion Rev Diane Hobson - Abundant Vineyard 2.00pm Circle of Care Communion & AKernoon Tea Food of the Lord
20 October
Morning Worship - Rev Diane Hobson MAF Sunday - Persistence
27 October
Morning Worship - Rev Diane Hobson How to be successful and win! 5.00pm Ascension - A New Worship Experience
3 November
10 November
Morning Worship - Thanksgiving Service for the Stewardship Programme Rev Diane Hobson 1.00pm Service of Remembrance for the BriCsh Legion followed by Poppy laying in the Gardens with teas thereaKer. 10.50am Service of Remembrance Rev Diane Hobson
ConCnued on Page 15 aKer the Supplement 10
St Mark’s Church Duty Rotas Autumn Messenger Pull-out Supplement Beadle Duty Rota
Date 29 September 2013 06 October 2013 13 October 2013 20 October 2013 27 October 2013 03 November 2013 10 November 2013 17 November 2013 24 November 2013 01 December 2013 08 December 2013 15 December 2013 22 December 2013 29 December 2013 05 January 2014 12 January 2014
Beadle Duty Ian Lord Marjorie Lord Douglas Craighead Elaine Macdonald Alan Brown Carol Main Gail Hogg Alex McConochie Lewis Donaldson Anne Donaldson Garry Watson Rosalyn Rennie Dianne Morrison Maurice McFarlane Ian Lord Helen Burr Helen McKenzie Ian Beagrie Malcolm Steel Betty Steel Graeme Low Lynn Low Alan Brown Jacqueline Hepburn Derek Caie Mary Caie Bill Forbes Joyce Forbes Jean Black Elsa Black Ian Lord Marjorie Lord
11
St Mark’s Church Duty Rotas Autumn Messenger Pull-out Supplement Door Duty Rota
Date 29 September 2013 06 October 2013 13 October 2013 13 October 2013 20 October 2013 27 October 2013 03 November 2013 10 November 2013 17 November 2013 24 November 2013 01 December 2013 08 December 2013 15 December 2013 22 December 2013 29 December 2013 05 January 2014 12 January 2014 12 January 2014
Door Duty Helen Burr Graeme Low Sandra Andrew Lynn Low Margaret Brown Milton Montgomery Sarah Low *Communion Maurice McFarlane Kay Montgomery Jacqueline Hepburn Jean Black Margaret Donald Alice Officer Ian Beagrie Bill Forbes Marjorie Lord Joyce Forbes Derek Caie Betty Steel Mary Caie Malcolm Steel Gail Hogg David Yacamini Dianne Morrison Jean Yacamini Bill McDonald Douglas Craighead Elaine Macdonald Sheila Main Carol Main Lewis Donaldson Alan Brown Anne Donaldson Sarah Low *Communion
12
St Mark’s Church Duty Rotas Autumn Messenger Pull-out Supplement Church Readers Rota
Date 29 September 2013 06 October 2013 13 October 2013 20 October 2013 27 October 2013 03 November 2013 10 November 2013 17 November 2013 24 November 2013 01 December 2013 08 December 2013 15 December 2013 22 December 2013 29 December 2013 05 January 2014 12 January 2014
Readers Milton Montgomery Malcolm Steel Anne Donaldson Kay Montgomery Sheena Henry Elsa Black Jean Black Margaret Donald Gail Hogg Jean Yacamini Sheila Main Alex McConochie David Yacamini Milton Montgomery Malcolm Steel Kay Montgomery
13
St Mark’s Church Duty Rotas Autumn Messenger Pull-out Supplement Flower Supply & Distribu"on Rota
Date 29 September 2013 06 October 2013 13 October 2013 20 October 2013 27 October 2013 03 November 2013 10 November 2013 17 November 2013 24 November 2013 01 December 2013 08 December 2013 15 December 2013 22 December 2013 29 December 2013 05 January 2014 12 January 2014
Flower Supply Mrs I Sutherland Mrs E Leslie Mrs & Miss Morrison Mrs M Caie Mrs K McBain Mr A McConochie Mrs L Watson Mrs E Lennox Miss K Annand Miss S Strachan Miss A McDonald Mrs Pamela McDonald Miss M Donald Miss O Watt Mrs P Mitchell Mrs S Mann
Flower Distribution Mrs Sutherland Mrs Christie Mrs & Miss Morrison Mr McFarlane Mr McConochie Mrs Yacamini Mrs McDonald Mrs Donaldson Mrs Lord
For the Minister Miss O Watt Mrs S Main
As you can see there are a few gaps in the DistribuCon List and it would help if you could put your name in the space to deliver the Church Flowers to another member of the St Mark’s Family who might be ill at home or in hospital or perhaps recently bereaved. Speak to Babs Coull about doing this very worthwhile (and occasional) job. 14
Worship Calendar Worship Calendar Worship Calendar 17 November
Morning Worship - Rev Diane Hobson Security and Serenity in the Chaos
24 November
Morning Worship - Rev Diane Hobson Christ the King Sunday Guild DedicaCon 5.00pm Ascension - A New Worship Experience
Cartoon Š thePavement
Church Bulle"n Bloopers The FasCng & Prayer Conference includes meals. 15
Top Ten Things to do with your Nose when you are bored 10) Look down it at somebody (Pride) 09) Poke it into someone else’s business (Strife / Dissension) 08) Snoop around with it (Nosey / Gossip) 07) Get it out of joint (Anger) 06) Cut it off to spite your face (Bi!erness) 05) Pay through it (Materialism) 04) Find something right under it (Love / SalvaCon) 03) See past it (Eternity / Hope) 02) Keep it clean (Humility / Obedience) And the Number One thing to do with your nose. . . 01) Get it stuck in a book (The Bible!)
5? 5? 5? 5? 5? Find the Fives 5? 5? 5? 5? 5? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Jesus fed 5 men 5 and 2 fish Ten girls went to meet a bridegroom, 5 were 5 were The man given 5 made a profit of 5 The Samaritan Woman at the well had 5 David chose 5 from the brook The locust were allowed to torment for 5 My true love sent to me 5
The answers are on Page 22
Church Bulle"n Bloopers The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’ The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.’ 16
A Note from the Treasurer When this ediCon of the Messenger goes out to the Elders for distribuCon we will be only days away from the first of our Stewardship Gatherings and it is too early to say how successful they will be. Although our Stewardship Convener will no doubt report in the Winter Messenger I will also want to say a word about the impact they will have had on our levels of income. The Autumn Messenger is a bad Cme for a Financial Report because we are past the half year and not at the nine months stage and this year my efforts are at least partly devoted in administraCon and publicity for the Stewardship Programme. However I can say that aKer six months of the year, offerings have shown a slight improvement on the posiCon I reported on in the Summer Messenger and Expenditure is slightly below budget resulCng in a reducCon in our deficit. This however is not the Cme to rest on our laurels (if we ever did) parCcularly with the Stewardship Programme asking every single member to think about their GiKs to God, for that, aKer all is what all our money is for. Whether used locally to heat and light the church or sent to ‘121’ for Ministry and Mission our offerings are a GiK to God in thanks for all he has done for us and is doing for others through our efforts to spread the Good News of Jesus. The best GiK we can Give to God is of course ourselves, simply by being in church each week, joining in worship with the rest of the St Mark’s Family. It’s a wonderful family so come along and join with us.
Church Bulle"n Bloopers Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you. 17
Guild of Friendship We start our new session on Monday 7th October at 2.00pm, in the hall as usual, when our guest will be Rev Diane Hobson. The full syllabus for the first half is shown below, with something for everyone. Men members will always be made very welcome. Any further informaCon can be had by telephoning me at (01224) 642293. Pat Skene 7th October
Rev Diane Hobson
14th October
Beetle Drive
21st October
Jim & Marisha Addison
28th October
Ruth Sturgeon
4th November
“Sounds Familiar”
11th November
Ian Lord
18th November
“ShowCme”
25th November
Bill Stephen (Safeguarding)
2nd December
Beacon Singers
9th December
Christmas Party
Church Bulle"n Bloopers The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hosClity. 18
The Projects Commi$ee Coffee Shops The coffee shops have finished and again they have been very successful and enjoyed by all who came along. Thanks are due to all who gave up several Saturdays to help, all who donated home baking and raffles and to everyone who came along and supported them each week. The Christmas coffee shops will take place on 30th November, 7th and 14th December and again we would appreciate baking, raffles and especially your support. Garden Party This year we really had a Grianan Garden party, well part of it in the garden and part of it in Alex’s house as the rain arrived, but it did not spoil the fun. We must thank Alex for all the work and Cme he puts into this event, unfortunately he announced that this will be the last one as he has decided to ‘down size’ for his old age! However he is going out on a high as this year a record amount of £700.00 was raised. Thank you Alex for hosCng this very happy event for the last few years. Anyone with a large garden please get in touch ! Anne Donaldson Projects Convener Mistakes are not intended to down us rather they make us stronger. 19
St Mark’s Guild St Mark’s Guild restarts again for the winter session on 7th October and listed below are the dates and details of our meeCngs. 7th 21st 28th 4th 25th 2nd
October Theme “A fellowship to build” October Gentle Exercise October Beetle Drive November Seafarers’ Centre Talk November Mary’s Meals Talk December Christmas Party
with Mrs A Grant with Isobel Jagger with the Men’s club by Rev Howard Drysdale by Moira Morrison with the Men’s club
MeeCngs start at 7.30pm and all are welcome to join us.
O.A.K. Report O.A.K. would like to thank all our loyal staff who manned the Café during the summer months. We have had beauCful sunny weather for holidays but we were sCll able to remain open. Thank you. While the summer suns are sCll glowing we remind our friends that Christmas is just round the corner and donaCons for the Shoe Box Appeal should be with us at the end of October. This is to enable us to pack the boxes and send them to The New Hope Trust so that they may distribute them in Eastern Europe in Cme for Christmas, bringing God’s love along with the presents. We look forward to the Special Lunch in November in aid of The Sco sh Bible Society and our Christmas Lunches in December. We look forward to seeing you at one or more of these occasions. Be$y & Malcolm Steel. 20
Roll Changes Change of Address Mrs Rita McWilliam
from Summerhill to ResidenCal Care
Mr Colin Thomson and Mrs Lynn Thomson
from Bridge of Don to Hilton Campus
Mr Duncan Thomson
from Bridge of Don to NorthďŹ eld
Miss Jillian Thomson
from Bridge of Don to Hilton
Mr Steven ChrisCe
from Rosemount
to Stonehaven
New Members by Extra Step of Commitment Mr William MacDonald
Old Aberdeen
Mr Ian Sutherland Summerhill and Mrs Beatrice Sutherland Disjunc"ons Mrs Margaret Duncan
Bridge of Don
Mr Stephen Lorimer and Mrs Georgina Lorimer
Summerhill
Miss Valerie Kemp
Gt Western Area
Deaths - He will surround you with love on that golden day 7 May
Mrs Chrissie Porter
ResidenCal Care
2 July
Mr Ron Irwin
Findon
12 July
Mrs Margaret Leslie
Ferryhill
19 August
Mrs Elizabeth Soutar
Ruthrieston
For Data ProtecCon reasons only limited address informaCon is provided in the Messenger. 21
The Sunday School The Sunday school were delighted to catch up with each other aKer a long summer break. We enjoyed sharing what we had all been up to and finding out what was new in our lives. It is always a nice Cme when our Sunday school family reconnect with each other. Planning has been the key aspect of our Cme together recently, firstly deciding what we would like to share at the gatherings in September and of course organising our annual ouCng. The children and leaders had a grand Cme looking through our old photographs and sCrring up old memories, some of the children didn't even recognise themselves. Needless to say we are having a hard Cme choosing what to include as we get up to lots of interesCng things. Hopefully you will get a chance to see our finished display which the children are very much involved in construcCng. As for our ouCng it has caused no end of upset, we were reminded of the lovely Cmes spent at Brechin Castle, who can forget the tractor racing, a scienCfic trip to Satrosphere (I sCll say someone was snoring in the planetarium) and days where we were rained off and had to have sports day in the hall and yes there was definitely cheaCng going on. It was so difficult to decide, in the end we narrowed it down to our favourites of a trip to the cinema and tubing at the Garthdee snow slope. Timings permi ng we should be off to one of these acCviCes on the 15th September. Many of the leaders are in training just in case its the tubing opCon, that hill is steeper than it looks and believe me when you have to carry an inflatable tube with you its even higher! Jo Donaldson Superintendent Find the Fives - Answers 1. Thousand 2. loaves 3. wise 4. foolish 5. talents of gold 6. talents of gold 7. husbands 8. stones/pebbles 9. months 10. gold rings 22
St Mark’s Men’s club will restart its winter session on Monday 7th October and listed are the planned meeCngs for the remainder of 2013. All meeCngs in the Church hall at 7.30pm unless stated otherwise. October 7th October 21st October 28th November 4th November 25th December 2nd
Welcome Back and Games Night Slide Show in Session Room by Ian Lord Beetle Drive with Guild all welcome Seafarers’ Centre - a talk by Rev Howard Drysdale Games Night Christmas Party with Ladies from the Guild
A warm welcome is extended to anyone who would like to join us. The meeCngs always finish with a cup of tea or coffee. For more informaCon contact any of the commi!ee below Graeme Low Ian Lord
01569 731389 321882
Milton Montgomery Derek Caie
486839 317978
Church Bulle"n Bloopers This evening at 7pm there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married in the church on October 24. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. 23