December 2008
ENJOY Christmas Celebration
Diary Dates - December 2008
EACH WEEK
Wednesdays 7.30 pm Choir Practice in the Old Church Hall
Sundays 10.00 am Children's Sunday Club in the Old Church & Stables
Wednesday 3rd :
Coffee and Chat 10.30 am Old Hall
Sunday 7th :
MORNING SERVICE 10.00 am Old Church
Guild Dedication
Admission of New Communicants
Sunday 14th :
MORNING SERVICE 10.00 am Old Church
CHRISTINGLE SERVICE 4.00 pm Old Church
Monday 15th :
The Guild Christmas Meal 7.00 pm
Sunday 21st :
FAMILY CHRISTMAS SERVICE 10.00 am Old Church
followed by Christmas Brunch in the Old Hall
Monday 22nd :
Carol Singing (see details on the middle page)
Wednesday 24th :
WATCHNIGHT SERVICE 11.30 pm Old Church
Thursday 25th :
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE 10.00 am Old Church
Sunday 28th :
MORNING SERVICE 10.00 am Old Church
A service of music through the Christian Year - see later page
Coming in January
After us repeatedly asking for one, the Presbytery of Buchan will be organising a training course in Child Protection to be held in our own hall. See the January Bulletin for more details or contact Kathleen Craig (841221), Katherine Hyman (812541) or the Minister (841229).
DECEMBER HYMN BOOK - CH4
FROM THE MINISTER 26 November 2008
Dear Friends
Christmas Services
Once again Christmas is almost upon us and I am looking forward to our Christmas Services. It seems to me that we have a wonderful opportunity to increase the numbers who will attend our worship over the festive period. Coming so soon after our successful Back to Church Sunday, I am sure many of you will recall the interest shown that day and can think of people to whom you can go back with an invitation to attend a Christmas Service. You did not let me down for the B2CS day, so let us see if we can fill the church with the sound of Christmas praise.
On the last Sunday of the year we have something special happening. To mark the last Sunday that we shall have Rosemary Lund as a regular organist, I have asked if the choir could sing us through the Christian year. Instead of yet another Christmas sermon, those coming to the church on the 28th will be able to listen to all the anthems sung by the choir this year. I personally have felt that Rosemary's selection for the choir this year has resulted in the best selection that we have had over a twelve month period and so well worth hearing again. If you missed any of them first time round, then here is a wonderful opportunity to catch up
Churchyard
Immediately after a recent burial I shared with one of the mourners, Councillor Stephen Smith, my long time concern about the state of the churchyard pathways. The use of heavy graveyard machinery combined with inclement weather can leave the paths rather muddy and on that particular day it was the worst I had seen. I told Councillor Smith I would copy to him a letter I intended to send to the Council but before I did so he sent me a copy of an exchange of correspondence he had had with the appropriate council official. I am happy to report that we have been given an assurance that steps will be taken to improve the situation.
Your friend and minister
Rodger Neilson
CHRISTMAS IN CRUDEN CHURCH
There will be a CHRISTINGLE SERVICE at the Old Church at 4 pm on Sunday 14 December. This service, where everyone present receives a Christingle (an orange with a candle) is particularly suitable for children to come to.
The children of the Junior Church will be giving their perspective on the Nativity story at the family service on the 21st. After the service, our annual CHRISTMAS BRUNCH will be served in the Hall.
The Old Church will be open at 11:10 pm (and not before!) on Christmas Eve for the WATCHNIGHT SERVICE and as soon as enough people are in the church, carol singing will begin. The service will start around 11.30 pm, finishing at about 12.10 am.
The CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE will be held in the Old Church at 10.00 am. Children coming are invited to bring along one of their Christmas presents.
THINKING OF OTHERS
At the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services there will be an opportunity to make an offering which the Kirk Session has decided this year should go to support Erskine Hospital which cares for disabled servicemen.
CHRISTingle service
in cruden old CHURCH
4 pm Sunday 14 December 2008
Come along & bring a friend or two
A CHURCH WALK FOR SINGERS AND OTHERS!
Come and join us for a Carolling Singalong on Monday, 22 December at 7 pm, meeting at the car park beside Cruden Bay Congregational Church. All welcome. Torch and high visibility clothing advised.
Why not bring a flask.
Blood Donor Session this Christmas in Peterhead are as follows
DATES Sunday 21 and 28 December
TIMES 10 am to 12.30 pm and 2.15 pm to 4.30 pm
PLACE Peterhead Football Club
The gift of your blood might be the greatest gift you will give this Christmas!
CRUDEN GOOD NEWS
The Presbytery of Buchan asked all its congregations to complete a short questionnaire outlining the congregation's Good News. The intention is to circulate the Good News to provide mutual encouragement and a sharing of ideas. At its November meeting, this is what Cruden Kirk Session agreed to send to the Presbytery.
What is the most encouraging thing that is happening in your congregation just now?
- Our Back to Church Sunday had TWICE the usual turnout with a few new people showing continuing interest making all the work involved so worthwhile. It is good to know that we are attracting more people on a Sunday morning.
- A renewed enthusiasm, seen, for example, in our participation at the National Gathering at Ingliston, seems to exist throughout the congregation. We have an enthusiastic, if small, Junior Church and an active Social Committee encouraging fellowship throughout the congregation.
- A piloted Adult Sunday School was successful and has continued with a most encouraging attendance enjoying a range of different subjects and varied presentations.
- Members have decided to organise a proposed pilgrimage to Iona to follow up the 2007 trip to the Holy Land.
What new developments have you seen recently?
- Despite, the loss of our Missionary Partners, we continue to have a commitment to support the work of the Churches in Malawi.
- We now have a church website about which positive comments have been made.
- The closure of a church building now means that we can consolidate all our worship and activities in one church centre.
What are the biggest challenges facing your congregation at this time?
- Maintaining and expanding on the outcome of Back to Church Sunday.
- Ongoing struggle to encourage younger families.
Is this what you would have said?
WATCH and TALK GROUP 13th November
Our DVD this month was entitled "Inside the Saudi Kingdom" broadcast on BBC2. Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen, a nephew of the King of Saudi Arabia, made the unusual decision to allow the documentary to be filmed in an attempt to explain to the Western World that, although the people of Saudi Arabia live a very different life from most of us, their aims are pretty much the same, just being approached from a different angle.
It is obvious that women are still very much the underdogs. There is very little they can do without first getting permission from either their guardian of father. A good percentage of them still remain covered from head to foot in black: some have a slit for the eyes, some have not. However, it is quite apparent the women do not see themselves as being oppressed, for them it is a way of life with which they have been brought up. Changes may come through the young women who have access to some rather outspoken TV programmes and also to the Internet. Perhaps there is an Emily Pankhurst among them ready to fight in their corner. The Prince stated that a woman's place in society has been determined by the teachings in the Quran and who can argue with that?
It seems, from what the Prince said, that democracy should be allowed to evolve in Saudi Arabia as it has in other parts of the world and not be forced upon them by others. Saudi Arabia wants to be involved with the scientific and technological advances in the rest of the world but has no wish to advance too quickly in any other way.
It was a very interesting DVD and goes a long way to helping the outside world understand Saudi Arabia, its customs and beliefs. As governor of the province of Hail, we can only assume the Prince was only speaking on behalf of his own region.
The next Meeting will be on Monday 12 January 2009 at the home of Mrs Marilyn Samways, Cruden Bay at 7.30 pm. All welcome.
Jenny McGarrol
CHURCH QUIZ
A Quiz organised by the Social Committee took place in Cruden Bay Clubhouse on 31 October when “11 tables” took part. The Question Master was Jon Roberts, chef at the Club House who was ably assisted by Rosemary Pittendrigh, while the winners were Eddie and Lindsay Savage and their friends. An amazing £212 was raised for Church funds. Thanks are expressed to all who supported the event.
Beatrice Fawkes
BLYTHSWOOD SHOE- BOX APPEAL
Despite the rising cost of living, we managed to collect 77 Christmas boxes for the Blythswood Charity. Sincere thanks to everyone who made the effort to make this possible and also thanks to those who donated acceptable items and money. A lot of work went into collecting and filling the boxes this year and the team would like to express their thanks to all concerned, the team being Jean Beedie, Annette Garden, Betty Forrester and myself.
Jenny McGarrol
Life & Work : December review
What Christmas Means to Me …by authors Michele Guinness and Jamie Stewart; Rev Dr Samuel Ayete Nyampong of Ghana; Lynne McNeil, editor of Life and Work; Ian McLarty, Moderator of the Youth Assembly; and Esme Duncan, National Convener of the Guild.
Plus a fresh perspective on Christmas from Maggie Lunan, Christmas prayer and story, a round up of new seasonal books and tips for an ethical Christmas.
Israel's Inhumanity Jackie Macadam meets Jeff Halper, a Jewish activist fighting the cause of Palestinians in Gaza.
‘Where God is at work' The Moderator reflects on his recent visit to Nepal.
Reaching for Wholeness Ruth Harvey and Pauline Steenbergen address the problem of conflict in relationships.
Laurence Whitley also continues his series on how Christians should deal with unpleasantness.
Poet and preacher Ron Ferguson recalls his first Orkney Christmas and pays tribute to the poet George Mackay Brown.
A Sigh of Belief The Very Rev James Simpson reflects on the mischief of misprint.
Anyone wishing to subscribe to this most interesting and informative magazine of the Church of Scotland should contact:
Mrs Isobel Young Tel: Cruden Bay 812360
Congregational walks
New Pitsligo Sunday 16 November
The walking group was welcomed to New Pitsligo by a shower of rain but it did not last long so we set of from the square on a three mile walk heading north along High Street till the houses finished on the right. Taking a track to the right called Low Road it took us to the Banff/Fraserburgh road where we turned left to the Broad Milestone and back to New Pitsligo. Turning up Church Street we admired a bubble car licensed ready for the road. At the top of the street we turned left into Widdy Brae, a tarred path through woodlands and over the Benburn along School Street and back to the cars.
We then went to the Willows Animal Sanctuary where we had some refreshment, looked at pictures and items in the gift shop and then went out to see the horses, ponies, donkeys, sheep, goats, cows pigs, cats, rabbits, poultry and reptiles. After petting as many as we could, we set of home having had quite a good day.
Robert Petticrew
CRUDEN CHURCH FAMILY
Congratulations
to Mrs Elizabeth Henderson, West Teuchan, Cruden Bay and Mrs Muriel Simmers, Golf Road, Cruden Bay who will be celebrating their 80th Birthdays this month.
The minister would welcome, in writing please,
any news for this feature in the Bulletin.
!!!! HOLES YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN !!!!
Those who attend events in the church hall or our church services will be pleased to note that the Kirk Session has agreed that the potholes in the car park should be filled in as soon as possible.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 2009
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is usually observed between 18 and 25 January. As we did two years ago, we are looking for people to observe it – on their own . A pamphlet of prayers and reflections, with the theme “RECONCILE YOUR PEOPLE”, is available to anyone who would like privately to work their way through these eight days guided by the leaflet. The headings for each day are:
Day 1 - Face to Face with Difference
Day 2 - Face to Face with Violence
Day 3 - Face to Face with Poverty
Day 4 - Face to Face with Creation
Day 5 - Face to Face with Prejudice
Day 6 - Face to Face with Pain
Day 7 - Face to Face with Dialogue
Day 8 - Face to Face with Hope
If you would like to do this sometime around the last fortnight of January (it won't matter if it is not over 8 consecutive days) please let the Minister know and he will pass on the leaflet. If enough people take up this opportunity, then there will be an invitation to come together for one evening at the very end of the month. If you are interested, please get in touch right away.
Morning Prayer
O God, Lord of all good life, help me to use today well.
Help me to use today:
To know you a little better;
To do my work a little more diligently;
To serve my fellow men a little more lovingly;
To make myself, by your help, a little more like Jesus.
Help me make today a day of progress in my life,
and to become a little more like what you want me to be.
This I ask for Jesus' sake. Amen.
William Barclay
`More Prayers for the Common Man' (Harper Collins)
Twelve Days Of Christmas
These are the replies received by the young man from his true love, when he sent her the gifts of the 12 days of Christmas:
December 26:
Dearest Bill: I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a wonderful thoughtful gift! I couldn't have been more surprised. With deepest Love and Devotion, Sarah
December 27:
Dearest Bill: Today the postman brought your most wonderful gift. Just imagine - two turtledoves! I'm delighted at your very sweet gift. They are just adorable. I will have to get a cage for them. With deepest Love, Sarah
December 28:
Dearest Bill: Oh! Your third gift arrived! You really went too far, I think. I don't deserve such generosity - three French hens. They are just lovely, but I must protest - you've been way too kind. Love, Sarah
December 29:
Dearest Bill: Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now, really, they're quite nice, but now I have 10 birds and nowhere to put any more... so please, no more birds!! But, thanks. Affectionately, Sarah
December 30:
Dearest Bill: What a surprise! Another present... and not a bird this time! Wow! Today the postman delivered five golden rings, one for each finger. You're just too extravagant, but I love it! Frankly, all those birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves, but the rings are wonderful ...and so quiet!! All my love, Sarah
December 31:
Dear Bill: When I opened the door there were actually six geese a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge! And it was bird poop that they were laying... complete with a large count of salmonella bacteria. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbours are complaining. The police came by with a formal complaint, and I can't sleep through all the racket. I guess I have my own noise-makers for the New Year's Eve celebration tonight. Please stop. NO MORE BIRDS!! Cordially, Sarah
January 1:
Bill; Happy New Year ...to some people. It hasn't been so happy with me. What's with you and those dumb birds? Seven swans a-swimming. What kind of practical joke is this? There's bird guano all over the house and they never stop squawking. I could not sleep all night and I'm a nervous wreck. You have gone too far, bird brain. STOP SENDING BIRDS!! NO MORE BIRDS!! GOT IT? Sincerely, Sarah
January 2:
OK, WISE GUY: I think I prefer the birds over this. What am I going to do with eight maids a-milking? It's not enough with all those birds and eight maids a-milking, but they had to bring their cows. Have you ever smelled a yard full of cow pats? There are piles all over the lawn, and I can't move in my own house. Leave me alone. NO MORE OF YOUR "GIFTS" . Sarah
January 3:
Hey, Vacuum-for-a-Brain: What are you? Some kind of freak? Now there's nine ladies dancing... right in the smelly you-know-what and tracking it all over my house. The way they've been bickering with the milk maids, I hesitate to even call them ladies. You've got it coming, chum! Sarah Truelove
January 4:
You rotten piece of scum!!!! What's with the ten lords a-leaping? I have threatened to break their legs so they can never leap again. All 23 of the birds are dead. They've been trampled to death by the leapers, the dancers, and the cows. At least, I don't have to worry about them any more. However, the cows are mooing all night because they have diarrhoea. My living room is a sewer! The County Council has summonsed me to explain why my house shouldn't be condemned. I'm filing a complaint to the police about you! ONE WHO MEANS IT!!!
January 5:
Listen, Gormless: Now there's eleven pipers piping. And they never stop piping... except when they're chasing those maids or dancing girls. The cows are getting very upset and sound worse than the birds ever did. What am I going to do? There is a petition going around to evict me from the neighbourhood. I hope you're satisfied, you rotten, vicious swine. Your sworn enemy, Sarah Truelove
January 6:
Dear Sir: This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve drummers drumming which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Sarah Truelove. The damage, of course, was total. She was found beating her head against the wall to the beat of the twelve drums. If you should attempt to reach Miss Truelove at Happy Glen Home for the Bewildered, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter please find attached a warrant for your arrest.
Yours faithfully,
Sue, Grabbit and Scarper (Solicitors)
STATEMENT ON TRANSPORT
TO CHURCH EVENTS
The Kirk Session has once again given full consideration to its desire to assist people in getting to church on Sundays or for any midweek church events.
• We want people to feel free to ask for transport to be arranged.
• We acknowledge that some people would like to be able to make use of transport without having to arrange it in advance.
• However it would not be cost effective to hire a bus. We must rely on volunteers driving their own cars.
• This means that we have no choice but to say that the only way we can assist people is if they ask for a lift as and when they need one.
• We would encourage those without their own transport to seek to make their own arrangements. However, if that is not feasible, we would encourage people to phone one of our transport conveners – currently
Sandy Beedie 841370 or Rosemary Pittendrigh 812220.
They will do their best to put in place an arrangement that will suit both the person requiring a lift and those willing to offer a lift.
• We believe that by offering this facility, no one should feel they are deprived of an opportunity to attend a church event. To put it another way, it would be difficult therefore for anyone to use lack of transport as an excuse for not attending.
TO PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE
TEACHER Why are you late, Carol?
CAROL Because of the sign
TEACHER What sign?
CAROL The one that says, “School Ahead, Go Slow.”
TEACHER Lynne, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor? LYNNE You told me to do it without using tables.
TEACHER Paul, how do you spell “crocodile?”
PAUL K R O K O D I A L
TEACHER No, that's wrong.
PAUL Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it!
PARISH REGISTER
*denotes Cruden Parish Church member
DEATHS
Mrs Margaret Fyfe, Coldwells Cottage, Longhaven.
Mr Jimmy Shewan, Sunnybank Care Home, Cruden Bay.
WEDDINGS
30 August
David Grieve and Shona Stephen, Fountainbleau, Cruden Bay.
13 September
Charles Scott and Annette Allison, 33 Manse Road, Hatton.
TO THOSE ON SUNDAY DUTY
If unable to do door duty, please inform Sandy Beedie - 841370. If unable to do tea duty, please inform Mary Esson - 812206. We would prefer, if you are unable to fulfil your duty, that you endeavour to find your own replacement before informing Sandy or Mary as appropriate.
POSTAGE STAMPS
Please do not throw away the stamps from your cards this Christmas. Those attending church on Sundays are invited to bring used postage stamps cut carefully from envelopes and postcards. Please place them in the receptacle by the Church notice board. If you cannot bring them yourself, please ask a friend to do so.
2009 FLOWER CALENDAR
Calendar for the Old Church will now be found on the notice board at the Church and members are invited to add their name beside any date on which they would wish to place flowers on the communion table. The gift of such flowers is always greatly appreciated. In particular, it is hoped that the early months of next year will soon be filled up.