September 2009
This year’s Back to Church Sunday
gives you an opportunity to bring a friend.
27 September – Sacrament of Holy Communion
in conjunction with the other churches of Cruden
Diary Dates
September 2009
EACH WEEK
Sundays 10.00 am Children’s Sunday Club in the Old Church & Stables
Wednesday 2nd
Coffee and Chat: 10.30 am, Old Hall
Choir Practice: 7.30 pm, Old Hall
Thursday 3rd
Social Committee: 7.30 pm. Manse
Sunday 6th
MORNING SERVICE: 10.00 am, Church
Monday 7th
District Elders Meeting: 7.30 pm, Manse
Sunday 13th
MORNING SERVICE: 10.00 am, Church
Cruden Churches Walk: Whitehills Stone Circle
Monday 14th
Watch and Talk Group: 7.30 pm, Main Street Cruden Bay
Wednesday 16th
Choir Practice: 7.30 pm, Old Hall
Sunday 20th
MORNING SERVICE: 10.00 am, Church
Monday 21st
Guild: 7.30 pm, Old Hall
Sunday 27th
MORNING SERVICE: 10.00 am, Church
BACK TO CHURCH (BRING A FRIEND) SUNDAY
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Sunday 27th September– Friday 2nd October Church Group on Iona Pilgrimage
CRUDEN GUILD
The Guild begin their new session on 21 September at 7.30 pm in the Old Church Hall. Former and new members will be made most welcome
FROM THE MINISTER
20 August 2009
Dear Friends
BACK TO CHURCH – MARK 2
Last year we organised a Back to Church Sunday which involved visiting all the homes in the parish with an invitation. This year it will be different for the onus is being placed on all our church members to help make it successful. WILL YOU HELP US MAKE IT A SUCCESS?
In conjunction with St James’ Episcopal Church and Cruden Bay Congregational Church, BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY this year will be on 27 September, which, for us, is a Communion Sunday. Posters will soon be going up telling everyone about this.
BRING A FRIEND
With this Bulletin you will find two cards. We would like you to consider not only making sure you come along on 27 September but that you invite a friend (or two) to come along with you. It might be a family friend, a neighbour or even a relative stranger! It doesn’t matter whether they belong to our church, any church or no church.
Hand to whomever you invite one of the cards with its reminder of when the service is. Why not write their name on the line below the heading thus personalising the invitation.
The Kirk Session are hoping and praying that you will play your part in enabling us to have a successful Back to Church Sunday this year.
RETIRING ELDERS
At its August meeting, the Kirk Session agreed to the wishes of three elders to stand down from active involvement after many years. It was placed on record the warm appreciation of the Session for the contributions made by Helen Fowlie, Margaret Jamieson and Anne McNaughton. All three will continue to be supportive and involved in different ways.
Your friend and minister
Rodger Neilson
PARISH REGISTER
*denotes Cruden Parish Church member
DEATHS
*Mrs Isabel Sandison, Hatton Farm Road, Hatton.
*Mrs Isobel Simpson, Braehead Drive, Cruden Bay.
WEDDING
6 June
Ross Forrester and Nicola Willox, Ellon.
Holy Communion
Old Church 27 September 10 am
Duty Elders Betty May, Betty Forrester, Judith Taylor,
Annette Garden, Kathleen Craig, Beatrice Fawkes, John Lamb,
Peter Slamaker, Sandy Beedie, Irene Will
CRUDEN CHURCH CHOIR
Practices will take place on certain Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm in the Old Church Hall. The Diary Dates page will indicate which Wednesdays but it is expected they will be fortnightly. The Choir would be delighted if anyone wanted to join them to practice the hymns for Sunday and some of the special anthems that occasionally enhance our worship.
Boys' Brigade
The Boys’ Brigade Company |
HARVEST THANKSGIVING 2009
Our Harvest Thanksgiving service this year will be on 11 October. Look out in the next issue of the Bulletin for further details about Why and How YOU can buy some rice from us. It is all to do with
MALAWI KITCHEN
LIFE AND WORK - SEPTEMBER’S ISSUE
The Warm Heart of Africa Thomas Baldwin joins a group of children from the Church of Scotland on a groundbreaking trip to Malawi.
A Moral Framework Jackie Macadam meets Julia Ogilvy, award-winning businesswoman, Church of Scotland elder and author.
Cathedral of Green Colin MacDonald reflects on the links between golf and spirituality.
A Rural Life Celebration Bryan Kerr on the Scotland’s Churches stand at the Royal Highland Show.
Missing Malawian Millions Una Bartley explains the background to Christian Aid’s tax campaign for Africa
A Wise Monk Ron Ferguson reflects on the life of Father Joe and the importance of genuine listening.
A Source of Inspiration The Moderator reflects on conflict, climate and Calvin.
Crisy-hypo The Very Rev Dr James Simpson looks at two forms of hypocrisy.
If you would like to read Life & Work, the magazine of the Church of Scotland,
contact Isobel Young on 812360
OUR WELCOME CUPPA
Thank you to all those currently on the Tea Rota for ensuring our welcome cuppa is provided after morning worship. It is a valuable part of our fellowship in Cruden Church. I would welcome any new helpers and, since it only involves helping on a maximum of 3 Sundays over 6 months, does not require too much of a commitment.
If you feel you can assist, please contact me on 01779 841516.
May I remind those already on the rota that, if unable to fulfil the duty, please find a substitute person (even if they are not on the rota) prior to informing me of the change. It can cause some concern not knowing who to expect if duty peson does not attend. Thank you.
Wilma Moir ( Tea convener)
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Since the last issue of the Bulletin there have been two events, the first being the “50’s Afternoon Tea” when a good number came along to enjoy the delicious food kindly donated. Music from the 50’s was played in the background while paper quizzes provided a challenge, and encouraged even more conversation. See below the thanks of the two primary organisers of the event.
The second event was the Church Outing to Aden Park. In mid June after a week of uncertain weather it was a delight to have warm sunshine on the day. A small group of all ages attended and thoroughly enjoyed making their own entertainment, eating their picnic and lastly playing rounders. Two teams certainly showed the competitive spirit as they battled with bat and ball and demonstrated how fast they could run. Perhaps there had been some ‘practicing’ beforehand. One comment which delighted the organisers was “that was just like a family picnic.”
It will soon be time for the 2009/10 ‘Coffee and Chat’ Mornings to begin (date elsewhere). However I must acknowledge the donations, which were given in the last session and which amounted to £235.17. This amount has been given to the Ekwendeni Account and I say “thank you” to all involved.
Beatrice Fawkes
BIG THANK-YOU !
The "Back in Time " Tea Party held in Hatton Public Hall on Saturday 30th May was a happy occasion for all! Its success was due to a great turnout of "guests", many willing helpers (young and not so young), those who kindly donated raffles, our inimitable Jim MacDonald and, we are sure you will agree, a superb effort by the "hostesses" who provided a wonderful selection of tempting home-bakes in a most beautiful setting of vintage embroidered tablecloths and pretty china. Grateful thanks to each and every one of those who contributed towards a great afternoon's entertainment, and especially those gracious ladies who took the time and care to treat us all.
Margaret Adams and Lindsey Savage
Girls' Brigade
A sister organisation to the Boys’ Brigade, the GB are fundraising to replace existing facilities with a new National Centre at Guay, Perthshire to include outdoor and training facilities which will be accessible to the wider church. The Kirk Session has agreed that throughout September there will be an opportunity for members to donate to this fundraising by means of a retiring offering.
www.girls-brigade-scotland.org.uk/Guay.htm
CRUDEN CHURCH FAMILY
CONGRATULATIONS
to the Rev & Mrs F Coutts,Manse Place, Hatton who recently celebrated their Ruby Wedding.
The minister would welcome, in writing please, e-mail preferred, any news for this feature in the Bulletin. He feels that it should not simply be a list of anniversaries and birthdays.
RESTARTING September 2nd
Cruden Church Coffee and Chat
(with homemade pancakes)
in Old Hall on Wednesdays
at 10.30 am to 12 noon
ALL ARE WELCOME
2009: Sept 2 Oct 7 Nov 4 Dec 2
2010: Feb 3 Mar 3 Apr 7
CRUDEN CHURCHES WALKING GROUP
13 JUNE - Fettercairn
At Fettercairn, the walking group divided and four of us decided to take the gentler walk around the grounds of Fasque House. The track through the trees took us past a tranquil lake, where we admired the swans, and as we continued we found the track was bordered by banks of rhododendrons and azaleas of colours ranging from white to deep purple. In spite of Robert Petticrew's excellent guide we took a number of wrong turnings but managed to find the gardener's cottage and the tiny Episcopal Church. Robert was also contacted by mobile to identify what we thought were small deer or goats which in fact were Jacob’s Sheep. The hinds and stags in the Deer Park observed us with some curiosity. The final amble by the banks of the Burn of Garrow completed a truly delightful walk on which we had enjoyed many unexpected pleasures
Annette Garden
13 JUNE – Mount Battock
Our group's starting point for Mount Battock on Saturday 13 June was Millden Lodge in Glenesk. The first three miles were uneventful, our upward progress punctuated by brief stops to observe meadow pipit, grouse, lapwing and curlew.
Things changed dramatically just below the grouse butts around 1500 feet when rain and mist swept in. The track deteriorated and the gradient steepened considerably. We were forced to use the fence as a navigational aid over the featureless terrain to reach the top of the hill. No views for us whatsoever but Shonah Taylor did spot a ptarmigan! A brief stop at the trig point to take a compass bearing, and we headed south following another fence. Our planned descent was across Hill of Saughs and Hill of Turrett but in the mist there was nothing to aim for. Unsure of our exact location, we stumbled through bog and peat hag. When we reached a land rover track we pressed on. We were next faced with an uncharted fork in the track and opted for the west branch that took us down earlier than we ought to have done. In the valley, however, the weather brightened tremendously and we could see ahead and behind us and for the first time could see the summit now bathed in sunlight.
Margaret Wiseley
19 July - Rattray Head to Peterhead
We passed the ruins of St Mary’s Chapel on the way to our starting point at Rattray Head Lighthouse Station. Automated since the early 1980s, it is built on “the Ron” about 150 yards offshore and accessible by foot only at an exceptionally low tide. We were pleased to welcome Peter and Trish Robertson who joined us for the first part of our walk. Underfoot conditions were fine, our group seeking out the firmest sand right on the foreshore.
The South Backwater burn just past the St Fergus Gas Terminal presented a problem for us. We were not sure if the “Annachie Bridge” shown on the map was viable or ruinous and after much debate, we opted to wade across the burn at its widest and shallowest point. Annette went first with boots on but the water swept in and over them right up past her ankles. The rest of us took our shoes and socks off and either singly or in pairs for support, teetered across.
The group split at South Scotston. Marilyn’s group, having done 5 miles, opted for an early coffee at the Waterside Inn. The rest of us continued south encountering a further but less challenging burn-crossing on the way. Rodger and Robert leapt across the two-mere gap while Alison and I waded through the shallows. We continued to make good progress past the Craigewan Golf Course to meet up with Marilyn again at the George Baillie Memorial Bridge.
Margaret Wisely
Watch and Talk Group
The first meeting of the Watch and Talk Group will be on Monday 14th September at 7.30 pm and once again Marilyn Samways has kindly agreed to host it at 3, Main Street, Cruden Bay.
A very warm welcome is extended to new and former members of the group, to view a number of interesting programmes over the winter period.
So come along and enjoy fellowship, discussion and a stimulating evening.
Annette Garden