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Chruch Magazine
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Arbroath
Chiropody Clinic
Sarah Rigby
MChs, BSc Podiatry
H.P.C. Registered
Chiropodist
Clinic & Home
Visits
25 Commerce Street
Arbroath Angus
Tel: 01241 439 867
WILBOURN
INSURANCE SERVICES Authorised & Regulated by FSA
Professional Advice
Local Personal Service
CAR INSURANCE
HOME INSURANCE
SHOPS INSURANCE
HOLIDAY INSURANCE
SMALL BUSINESS INSURANCE
18 Millgate, Arbroath DD11 1NW
T:01241 877724 F:01241 430600 E:campbell@wilbourninsurance.co.uk
THE INSPIRATIONAL GARDEN
DESIGN & PLANTING
OF BEDS & BORDERS
GARDEN ADVICE & PLANT FINDER
TALKS, DEMOS, COACHING
TECHNICAL PRUNING
TO BE INSPIRED CONTACT
FRANK YOUIL
01241 874124
www.inspirationalgarden.co.uk
Discount
for
OAPs
01241 439423 / 07885 88879
Kitchens with free 3D design service
Fully fitted Bathrooms & Wet rooms
Fitted bedrooms
Sliding Wardrobes
PVC Doors and Windows
Refurbishment and maintenance
www.chrisettershankjoiners.co.uk
Chris was very helpful with
design and how my ideas could
be achieved. Excellent work-
manship and very reasonable
costs - highly recommended.
Mrs Pengelly - Arbroath
GARRY BUICK Plumbing Services
__________________________
The Doo Loft
Leysmill
Tel: 01241 828499
Mobile: 07940 139179
Bathrooms
Kitchens
General Plumbing & Maintenance
www.stvigeanschurch.org Scottish Charity No: SC 003049
April/May 2012
Magazine
2
30
Sunday School
Sunday
11.30 a.m.
Meet in Church
(Jim Menzies
01241 879543)
Sundays
11.30 a.m.
Piano Club
1st
Sunday
in month
3 p.m.
Church
(Lesley Murray
01241 434285)
Dancing
Scottish
Country
Mondays
except 2nd & 3rd
in month
7.30 p.m. Hall
(Noela Watson
01241 875451)
Apr 30th
Alan Smeaton
Duo
Men’s Club
Tuesday
7.30 p.m.
Hall
(Graham Reid
01241 872097
Jim Walker
01241 878304)
The Guild
3rd
Monday
in month
7.30 p.m.
Hall
(Nancy Robbie
01241 878479)
Wednesday
Club
Wednesday
2.00—3.30 p.m.
Knox’s Hall
(Rona Imrie
01241 876791
or Liz Crerar
01241 876258)
Toddlers
Wednesday &
Thursday
9.15 – 11.30 a.m.
Knox’s Hall
(Gail Stott
07403 156193)
Dog Club
Thursday
7-10 p.m.
Hall
(Carol Leonard
07961 519543)
WAGS
Every 6 weeks
Wednesday or
Thursday
8 p.m.
Next is 25.04.12
Lochlands Bar
(Jen Muir
01241 439136)
S.W.R.I.
2nd
Monday
in month
7.30 p.m.
Hall
(Nancy Robbie
01241 878479)
Crèche
Monday to
Friday
9.30—11.30 a.m.
Hall
(Elaine
Macdonald
07540 982041)
This magazine is free but a donation
towards the printing cost would be
appreciated. Thank you.
All adverts at the rear of this maga-zine are accepted at the discretion of the Congregational Board but St Vigeans Church takes no responsibility for the advertisers in the magazine, nor the services or goods offered by them.
Worship
2nd
Sunday
in month
2.30 p.m.
Tarriebank
Home
———
Worship
3rd
Sunday
in month
3 p.m. Hall
(Nelu Balaj
01241 873206)
Birling Bairns
Tuesdays
2—3 p.m.
Hall
(Lesley Balaj
01241 873206)
Easter see pages 4 & 5
C. G. Fleming & Sons
(Butchers) Ltd
27 West Port
&
14 Ponderlaw Street
Arbroath
01241 873252
Still selling quality
meat & bakery
products after 87 years.
Tel (01241) 877223 Lunches 12—2pm Dinner 6pm onwards
Sundays High Teas 4—5.30pm
CLOSED TUESDAYS
A warm welcome awaits at our
“Careml” coffee shop where you can
enjoy light lunches, coffee and home-
baking. Our Function Suite offers the
perfect location for family parties,
christenings or any other
special occasion. Tel. 01241 890232
Jacklyns Flowers Modern Flowers,
Gifts and more.
Jacklyn Ogilvie
Florist/Proprietor
40 Keptie St (opposite train station)
Arbroath, Angus
DD11 3AF
01241 874144
Email: jacklynsflowers@hotmail.co.uk
Facebook: Jacklyns Flowers
Happy to help with any occasion.
To support our employment initiatives
we need donations of:
Furniture, books, bikes, white goods
Electric goods, audio equipment, TVs
(Electrical goods must be in
working order)
Free uplifts
House clearances considered
01241 878849 9-11 Guthrie Port, Arbroath
Scottish Charity Nos:
SCO 09122/SCO 10211
18
Contacts
Minister Rev Dr Nelu Balaj, St Vigeans Manse, 873206
St Vigeans, Arbroath. DD11 4RF
Joint Session Clerks Mrs H Goodbody, East Newton Fm, 830268
By Arbroath;
Mr G Taylor, 9 Roseville Place 875901
Treasurer Mr M Goodbody, East Newton Fm., 830268
By Arbroath
Church Secretary Mrs A Murray, 17 Elm Hill 875528
Gift Aid Convener Mrs M R Thomson, 34 Inchcape Rd 874207
Clerk to the Board Mrs M Pullar, Redcrags, Auchmithie 876667
Hall Committee Secretary Mrs E Lawson, Abbeythune Farm, 830203
Inverkeilor, By Arbroath
Church Officer
Organist Miss H Addison, B.Mus. ,14 Elliot St 872375
Bulletin Editor Mrs H Lockhart, 5 Patrick Allan- 07974 663474
Fraser St. Email: hml@lockhart.f9.co.uk
Bulletin Distributor Mr E McDonald, 25 Bellevue Gdns 876241
Life and Work Distributor Mrs W Bell, 2/7 Braeheid, St Vigeans 878541
Sunday School Coordinator Mr J Menzies, Railway Cott., St Vigeans 879543
Guild Co-ordinator Mrs J Russell, 7 Albert St 872067
Church Flower Convener Mrs C Fairweather, 27 Inchcape Rd 434819
Stewardship Convener Mr G Robertson, 13 Bloomfield Rd 872894
Social & Community Convener
Mr J Ferrier, 7 Duncan Avenue 876428
Transport Convener Mr E Russell, 7 Albert St 872067
Freewill Offering Convener Mrs V Brandie, Denfield Cottages 878677
Roll-keeper Miss B Brown, 2 Lochlands Drive 870930
Church and Hall Keeper Mrs Liz Carruthers, 21 Bloomfield Gardens
Fabric Convener Mr M O’Donnell, The Woodie, 876783
St Vigeans
www.stvigeanschurch.org
3
From the Manse…
Let’s go to church this Easter
As I write this I am in the middle of planning for Easter week. As
you will see in this newsletter there are a number of activities that
are planned in both churches for Easter this year. We are planning a
wide range of events so that every member and everyone in the parish can have the
opportunity to reflect on the meaning of Easter in the setting that is most comfortable
for them. I just want to highlight the labyrinth at Knox’s church, the Friday evening
reflective service, the Messy Church on Saturday in St Vigeans and the Sunday
morning service in Arbroath Abbey followed by a bacon roll breakfast at Knox’s
church and then a family service at 11a.m. in Knox’s.
As you see there are a variety of activities to suit everyone so that each one of us has
an opportunity to relive anew the spiritual experience of Easter. I hope each of you
will take the opportunity this Easter to come to church and experience the meaning of
the cross and the resurrection in your own lives again. To that extent I would like to
share with you an old story that was recently retold in a daily devotional that I read:
A faithful churchgoer was talking with a sceptical friend about why he bothered go-
ing to church. The friend asked him what his favourite part of the service was. "Oh,
I love most of it: the songs, the Doxology, Communion. The pastoral prayer can be
pretty boring sometimes, but I even get something out of that. Overall, though, I
guess I would say I get the most out of the sermon."
"How many sermons do you think you've sat through in your life?" the friend asked.
The man said, "Oh, I don't know. A couple of thousand?"
"And do you remember them all?"
"Of course not!"
"Then why bother? What's the point?"
The man thought about it for a moment, then asked, "Do you remember every meal
you've ever eaten?"
"No."
"Neither do I," replied the man. "But I sure am glad I ate them."
Nelu
PS. If you wonder what devotional I read, you can find out here:
http://www.ucc.org/feed-your-spirit/daily-devotional/
Check us out on Twitter at @knoxsstvigeans
and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knoxstvigeans
For access to the
museum contact the
Abbey on 01241
878756
CANCELLATION Unfortunately, due to illness, the mixed choir from Wernigerode in Germany has had to cancel their tour and won’t be per-forming at St Vigeans on Friday 6th July.
For access to
the museum
contact the
Abbey on
01241 878756
Family Event
Chocolate
Extrava-
ganza see
page 11
4
Church Bulletin Bloopers
Miss Charlene Mason sang ,“I will not pass this way again,” giving obvious pleasure
to the congregation. [contributed by Margaret Hendrie]
The minister’s day off will
be Monday of each week. It
would be appreciated if on that
day calls to the manse were re-
stricted to emergencies only.
If you know of
anyone in need of a
visit from the min-
ister, please let the
session clerks or
minister know.
SITUATION VACANT: Church Officer Following the retiral of Mr Harry Beattie in 2011, a
vacancy has occurred for the post of Church Officer.
Applicants for the post can be either male or female and
job sharing would be considered. Anyone interested in
applying for the post can obtain further details from
either of the Session Clerks, Mrs Heather Goodbody
01241 830268, Mr George Taylor 01241 875901 or Dr.
Nelu Balaj 01241 873206.
The Church Office is within Knox’s Church
building. Anne Murray,
the Church Secretary, will
be in the office every
Tuesday between the
hours of 9 a.m. and 12
noon. Anyone wishing to
book a wedding or Bap-
tism should call into the
office during those hours.
Mrs Murray will also pass
on any messages left at
the office for the minister
or session clerks. There is
no telephone in the office.
Messy Church at St Vigeans and Knox’s this Easter
This Easter, more precisely on Saturday 7th of
April at 11 am we will have a church service
with a difference, a Messy Church service, at St
Vigeans church.
Some of you might wonder what on earth is this
messy church? Well this is a new initiative which is an alternative opportunity for
parents with children, toddlers and babies to come together to church without being
worried about keeping the little ones quiet or in one place. We feel that church is for
all and since the formal service on Sunday morning could be a challenge for families
with young ones, this service is ideal. We will have crafts, music, storytelling, video,
food and drink, and, above all else, much fun in worshiping God and learning about
him together.
The name ‘messy church’ tells us that family life can be messy sometimes and one
author writing about the contemporary church said that the churches of our age “will
be messy communities where belonging, believing and behaving are in process rather
than neatly integrated”.
If you want to know more about this service please join us on the 7th of April at St
Vigeans at 11 am, or if you want to know more about Messy Church please go to
their website www. messychurch.org.uk If you would like to help with a craft or
with any other aspect, please do let me know as soon as you can – I could do with a
few hands, as this service requires involvement from more people. Nelu
17
ROSTERS
Aspire to inspire before you expire.
Where will you be sitting in eternity, smoking or non-smoking?
[contributed by Alex Small]
Flowers Christine 434819 April May June
1 Mrs C Fairweather 6 Mrs S Grimmond 3 Wedding
8 Mrs A Cargill 13 Mrs N Robbie 10 Mrs L Shepherd
15 Mrs M Thomson 20 Mrs M Cummings 17 Mrs V Brandie
22 Mrs J Keillor 27 Mrs J Brown 24 Communion
29 Mrs M Law
…………………………………………………………………………………………
.Elders (Church Services) Session Clerk 875901 April May June
Mr G Robertson Mr J Goodfellow Mr E Russell
Mr A Imrie Mr A Small Mr J Gray
Mrs M Gellatly Mrs A Cummings Mrs M Cargill
Mrs V Brandie Ms J Muir Mrs J Russell
To be on duty at 11 a.m. Please arrange for a replacement if
unable to attend and advise clerk.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
.Elders (3 p.m. services in hall) Session Clerk 875901
April 15th May 20th June 17th
Mr I Fleming Mr M Goodbody Mr E McDonald
Mr J Menzies Mrs S Wilbourn Mrs A Cummings
Mrs M Milne
Mrs J Mathieson
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Board Members (Door duty at close of Church Service) April May June
1 Mrs N Robbie 6 Mrs H Lockhart 3 Mrs C Nairn
8 Miss B Brown 13 Mrs C Fairweather 10 Mrs M Pullar
15 Mrs J Murray 20 Mr M Nairn 17 Mrs J Duncan
22 Mr D Smith 27 Mrs M Hendrie 24 Communion
29 Mrs I Forret
Please arrange for a replacement if unable to attend
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Social Committee (To help with Snack Lunches) Jay 876428
April 1st May 6th
Mrs S Wilbourn (C)* Mrs I Christie (C)*
Mrs J Duncan Mrs Paton
Mrs H Gray Mrs A Peters
Mrs N Robbie Mrs I Forret
If you are unable to help on those dates, please arrange for a substitute, inform that
day’s co-ordinator (C)* and let Jay know.
16
DIARY
Birling Bairns a new activity hap-
pening on Tuesday
afternoons. See pages
2 & 11
Sun 1 Apr 11:30 Sunday Morning Worship-Palm Sunday - St Vigeans
12.30 Snack lunch - Hall
Mon 2 Apr 19:30 Scottish Country Dancing
Wed 4 Apr 10:00 Bible Study - Knox's Vestry
Thu 5 Apr 19:00 Maundy Thursday Service - West Kirk
Fri 6 Apr 10.30 Labyrinth at Knox's - Knox's Church until 16.30 hrs
19:00 Good Friday Service - St Vigeans Church
Sat 7 Apr 10:30 Labyrinth at Knox's - Knox's Church until 16.30 hrs
11:00 Messy Church Service in St Vigeans - St Vigeans
Sun 8 Apr 09:30 Worship in the Abbey - Arbroath Abbey
10:00 Knox's for Breakfast - Knox's Church Hall
11:00 Sunday Morning Worship-Joint Service in Knox's -
14:30 Worship at Tarriebank Residential Home -
Mon 9 Apr Easter Monday
Sun 15 Apr 11:30 Sunday Morning Worship -
15:00 Service in Hall
Mon 16 Apr 19:30 Guild
Sat 21 Apr Tay Bridge Cross - For Christian Aid
Sun 22 Apr 11:30 Sunday Morning Worship
Mon 23 Apr 19:30 Scottish Country Dancing -
Wed 25 Apr 20:00 WAGS - Lochlands Bar
Sat 28 Apr 14:00 Chocolate Extravaganza-Family Event - Knox's until 16.00 hrs
Sun 29 Apr 11:30 Sunday Morning Worship -
Mon 30 Apr 19:30 Scottish Country Dancing - Alan Smeaton Duo
Sun 6 May 11:30 Sunday Morning Worship -
12:30 Snack lunch - Hall
19:30 Guild AGM -
Sun 13 May Christian Aid Week Begins
11:30 Sunday Morning Worship -
12:30 Magazine Deadline
14:30 Worship at Tarriebank Residential Home -
Fri 18 May 19:30 Items for coffee a.m. accepted to 9 pm- Arbroath Town Mission
Sat 19 May 10:00 Christian Aid Coffee a.m. to 12 noon- Arbroath Town Mission
Sun 20 May Heart & Soul Event - Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh
11:30 Sunday Morning Worship -
15:00 Service in Hall -
Sun 27 May 11:30 Sunday Morning Worship -
12:30 Magazines ready for distribution
Articles for the next magazine by Sunday
13th May 2012.
hml@lockhart.f9.uk
Magazines ready for collection 27.05.12
5
Labyrinth @ Knox’s Church
After having a successful laby-
rinth last Easter in Knox’s
Church we have decided to do
another one this year. Those of us
who went through the labyrinth
last year found it very inspiring
and the reflection very meaning-
ful. A number of people said that
if they knew what the labyrinth
was they would have come to
experience it for themselves. So
in a few sentences I will try to
paint a picture of what the laby-
rinth is.
The labyrinth is an ancient form of pilgrimage designed for pilgrims unable to travel
to the Holy Land during the Crusades. In the church we will have a number of
‘stations’ to help us focus on aspects of Jesus’ journey and our own faith journey too.
It is a very simple but very effective way for many to reflect, pray and meet with God
in a new way.
The Easter labyrinth is an interactive experience which invites us to use all our senses
to experience God. The labyrinth has been used for centuries for prayer and spiritual
growth. This kind of multi-sensory worship is growing in popularity once more.
I hope you will be able to come and experience it for yourself. It will only take you a
few minutes to walk through it. Nelu
EASTER SERVICES
Palm Sunday Sunday 1st April
in St Vigeans Church at 11.30 a.m. (come dressed as a Jerusalemite and wave
your home-made palm branches to welcome Jesus in)
Maundy Thursday Thursday 5th April
Joint Service in The West Kirk 7 p.m.
Good Friday Friday 6th April
Service in St Vigeans at 7 p.m.
Messy Church service [see article page 4] Saturday 7th April
in St Vigeans Church at 11 a.m.
Labyrinth [see article below]
Friday 6th April Saturday 7th April in Knox’s Church
10.30 a.m. — 4.30 p.m.
Easter Sunday Sunday 8th April
Worship in the Abbey 9.30 am Breakfast in Knox’s hall at 10 a.m.
Family Service in Knox’s Church at 11.a.m. (even if you cannot manage the Abbey, we
hope you will join us for breakfast)
6
TOONIE PARTIES Here is a great idea for children’s parties that started in Vancouver.
Parents were concerned about the amount of packaging that toys
are wrapped in and wanted to cut down on that waste and the waste
of buying unwanted toys while also capping the amount spent on
presents. They also wanted to teach their offspring the value of
money and the importance of giving to charity.
Guests bring three coins to the party instead of a present. The coins can be of any
value but the highest denomination coin allowed is a “toonie” which is a Canadian
two-dollar coin. (Here, a £2 coin would suit)
The first coin is given to the birthday boy/girl so they can decide on something they
really want as a gift, the second coin goes into a fund for the child’s future savings
and the third goes into a collection for charity. [from an article in “Woman Alive”]
Calling All Campers & Caravanners If you enjoy camping, would you be interested in a camping &
caravan rally for Knox’s & St. Vigeans churches? It would be
good for us to enjoy a weekend away together as congregations
and this could be the ideal opportunity. This year we plan to attend
the Solas Festival which takes place in Wiston by Biggar, South
Lanarkshire, from 22nd to 24th June 2012. They have an amazing
line up of events for everyone to enjoy.
For more details of Solas check out their website or contact Des
Nicol who will be happy to give you more details of our very own caravan & camp-
ing rally. Solas tickets will need to be booked by the middle of May at the latest, so
to avoid disappointment please contact Des soon on 01241 434919.
If you are unable to come along to this rally then please still contact Des and let him
know you are interested in future trips.
Heart and Soul 2012 - Sunday 20th
May
The Principal Clerk has sent us information
about the Heart and Soul event that will take
place in Princes St. Gardens, Edinburgh, on the
Sunday following the General Assembly. We
would like people to consider going to this and
if we get enough interested we would hire a bus
with all sharing the cost Contact George Tay-
lor on 01241 875901 Details of the events are on the
website or visit www.heartandsoul2012.org.uk The
theme is Seek, Love and Serve. Join the 250-voice choir;
listen to the youth bands, Fischy Music, Scotland African Choir and organ music; take
part in the youth football tournament; watch the magician; listen to the story-tellers;
worship with Messy Church; listen to speakers; take time for quiet reflection, & more.
A Gentle Stroll Anyone who enjoys walk-
ing and would be inter-
ested in assisting a walk-
ing group for
the less able
among us
please con-
tact Lesley
Balaj on
873206.
15
loose interpretation of the angels heralding the birth of Jesus.
Bill and I attended the Open Day at the school (Nelu and Lesley were there too – as
parents) and we were guests at Primary 1's Nativity Play. The Christmas end-of-term
service at St. Vigeans Church was awesome. Every seat was taken and many people
had to stand. Of course, parents and grand-parents were there to see their children
take part in the readings and musical items, but nevertheless they were keen to come
and perhaps it will make it easier for some to make another visit........perhaps to wor-
ship with us.
The team is very conscious of the great opportunity we have in sharing our faith
with the children.
We would be delighted if some of you reading this would come and help us. If you
would like to know a bit more, without committing yourself, please speak to me or
phone 01241 876428.
Betts Ferrier
I’m No Mad Just a little bit more attention to the spelling
and grammar, and the title would say what it
should say : “I’m a nomad.”
Over the past 15 years I have been working
in Chad with real nomads, trying to help start
literacy classes in the camps. Nomads spend
a lot of their time moving, and so their chil-
dren are not able to attend school. My job is
to help them to learn to read and write in their
own language.
To be able to do that I spent nine months
living in a village close to the Chad/Darfur border, so that I could learn to speak
Chadian Arabic, and then I had to learn how to read and write it, which was fun, be-
cause Arabic script goes from right to left. It took a few months to find a group who
was willing to let me go out and work in their camp – after all, everyone knows that
“white people can’t walk!”
The leaders had promised that 400 children would turn up for classes — sitting out
under the trees. The idea of having so many students at once made me very nervous,
but, happily, I never had as many as that turn up at one time. In fact, the most that
ever came on one morning was 30, or so.
There are many good reasons for learning to read. One of the main reasons for me
is so people can read God’s Word and discover the promise of eternal life. Living
alongside the nomads I have many good opportunities to show them God’s love, and
to tell Bible stories to them. Even if the nomads I work with could all read, none of
them would be able to pick up the Bible in their own language and read it. It doesn’t
exist yet! The New Testament is now ready to go to the printers, and it is our hope
and prayer that it will be back in Chad by the end of the year. Jill McKinnon
[Jill is originally from Arbroath, and on Sunday 18th March she visited St Vigeans
to talk to us about her work]
14
Spotlight on: The Chaplaincy Team The idea of Chap-
laincy Teams arose
through the Church of
Scotland's desire to
give children in
schools the opportu-
nity to hear about
Christianity. We are
all too well-aware
that our faith has
stopped reaching the
majority of young
ears and that educa-
tion authorities are
more guarded on how
information about religion should be given.
As far as St. Vigeans and Knox's is concerned, it seems a logical step to go into our
parish primary school – Inverbrothock - to back-up Nelu, who visits the school fre-
quently and sees many of the children on a one-to-one basis. To also build on the
relationships formed by the Toddlers Group and WAGS. The young parents in these
two groups are now familiar with friendly faces from both congregations and know
we exist. Therefore, when we appear at Assemblies, or at the end-of-term services in
St. Vigeans, they know who and what we are and who we represent.
The Chaplaincy Team at present is Nelu, Bill Beedie and Alice Menmuir, of Knox's,
and myself. We also have a mystery man who prepares our Power Point Presentation
(PPP) and who wishes to remain anonymous! At the moment, we visit Inverbrothock
Primary School on one Monday morning per month to take the Assembly There are
over 400 pupils. The Head teacher and her colleagues are very supportive and the
children are well behaved.
Bill and I started off in August 2011. For the first couple of assemblies Nelu came
with us (giving up his precious day off) to “show us the ropes”. We have approxi-
mately 30 minutes with the children. We speak about values that the school is teach-
ing the children or when it is the time of Advent, Christmas, Easter etc. we would
explain what these great Christian events are about.
One of us gives a short talk on the topic, relating it to a present-day Christian view-
point. We use the PPP and, as we become more experienced, we hope to use this tool
in a more sophisticated way to make our beliefs more interesting, challenging and
entertaining for the children. Later on either Bill or I give a Bible reading from a
Children's Bible and explain the Biblical relationship to the topic. We intersperse the
talks with either a hymn or song. Alice comes into her own here. She has the whole
school singing with gusto.
Finally, Bill leads us in prayer which includes the teaching of the Lord's Prayer and
we close with the Benediction.
We have fun times. The Christmas quiz went down very well as did a trumpet duet
by Bill and I – the kids just loved it when we launched into our jazzed-up fanfare – a
From left: Betts Ferrier, Alice Menmuir and Bill Beedie
7
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Thank you for supporting the worship, mission and service of the Church through the
money you give in your offering. It is important that you know what happens to this
money. This letter tells you how your congregation’s Ministries and Mission Contri-
bution is used to enable the work of the Church.
Congregation: Contribution
ARBROATH: KNOX’S £27,841
ARBROATH: ST VIGEANS £44,143
£71,984
Ministries (86%) £61,906
This provides over 1,000 ministers and other parish workers in
communities throughout Scotland and in the Presbytery of England,
and supports the cost of recruitment and training. The 2012 cost
of a parish minister at the top of the stipend scale is £39,895
(stipend plus employer’s national insurance and pension contributions).
Mission (14%) £10,078
This supports the Church’s work in resourcing congregations for
Christian education and outreach, in caring for the most vulnerable
in society, in partnership with Churches in some of the poorest
parts of the world, and in providing a Christian perspective on the
issues of today. It also provides financial, legal, safeguarding and
other services for congregations and committees, and supports the
cost of the General Assembly and the Moderator.
Please note that Ministries and Mission Contributions only provide part of the
total funding required for the work of the Church listed above. A fuller picture
is given in the leaflet Ministries and Mission 2012, which is available free to all
congregations.
I hope that this helps you to understand Ministries and Mission Contributions and
shows you are enabling the sharing of the gospel through the money your congrega-
tion sends through the Church Offices to all parts of Scotland and beyond.
Yours sincerely Gordon D Jamieson,, Head of Stewardship
THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
MINISTRIES AND MISSION CONTRIBUTIONS 2012
Young students were being tested on their knowledge of the Bible.
Here are some of their answers!
Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt during the day but a ball of fire during the night.
Moses led the Jews to the Red Sea where they made unleavened bread which is bread
without any ingredients.
The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.
St Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony which is another name
for marriage. [contributed by Andy Stewart]
8
Congregational Board
At St Vigeans Church on the 24th day of January 2012 the Congregational Board
met in the Session Rooms at 7 pm. Present: The Rev Dr Nelu Balaj (Chairman), 28
Elders and 10 Board Members as per sederunt. The Rev Dr Nelu Balaj welcomed
members and constituted the meeting with prayer.
MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting held on 15th November 2011 were read,
approved and signed.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Manliffe Goodbody advised as follows:
Copies of the accounts to 31st December 2011 were circulated and a copy in the
OSCR format was available.
Manliffe then explained each account in detail with the most salient points being:
General Fund. This fund shows a deficit of £1,240 which is less than the £2,223
forecast in last year’s Budget. There were two significant savings - about £1,000 for
beadle services, and cost of electricity was only £660 as we had previously over
paid. Without these savings the deficit would have been £700 more than the predic-
tion. Manliffe expressed his thanks to the acting Church Officer and deputies.
Overall giving was down by £2,132.77 but overall costs were approximately the
same as last year.
£15,000 which was previously on deposit has been invested in the Church of Scot-
land Investors Trust Income and Growth units.
Charitable offerings are similar to last year.
Fabric Fund. This fund benefited this year from a payment of £11,421 from Knox’s,
being their share of the manse refurbishment in 2010. Main expenditure this year
has been £5,291 for the manse and garden, and a further £3,424 for sundry items
which included gravel for the car park, railings at the church front door, carpet and
underlay for the new area in the Church, our share for the Mother and Toddlers
shed, sound system/loop and boiler repairs. It was pointed out that a refund of
£1,000 is due for the pews that were removed. Funds are now in Church of Scotland
Investors Trust Income and Growth units.
Music Fund. Music in St Vigeans did well last year with good attendances and was
up by approximately 63%. This was also partly due to the fact that there were no
soloists to pay. However, organ repairs were higher than usual. Balance on this ac-
count is £175.
Social Fund. Income from the Snack Lunches is up by £280 and the cost of the Sen-
iors Outing has been reduced by over £200 due to donations.
Hall Account. There has been good rental income this year, particularly the rent
from the Tiny Tots Crèche which has increased by £700. The balance on this ac-
count stands at £7,021 an increase of approximately £1,600 on 2011.
Guild Account has risen by £222 partly due to a very successful Quiz Night.
Anderson Account shows a net deficit of £243.24.
St Vigeans Charitable Trust. Income was £115, and £105 was distributed to people
in need, at the discretion of the Minister.
Budget for 2012. Manliffe advised it was very difficult to accurately predict next
year’s budget but gave the following overview.
General Account.
It is predicted that there will be a deficit on this account of around £4,000.It is hoped
that the Stewardship Project will in time improve this account which has
13
Prayer by Jean McPhail, Prayer Secretary
The following meditation was written by Lyn Gitchel and appeared in the March/
April issue of “Inspiring Women Every Day,” published by CWR. Lyn’s theme for
the month of March is “Lord, teach us to pray.” This seemed a natural follow-on to
my contribution in the last magazine—I hope you find it helpful.
Meditation on our Father God…
Father means that it is His choice not ours that we are his family at all “Praise be to God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has
given us new birth into a living hope…” 1Pet 1:3 “You
did not choose me, but I chose you…” John 15:16
Father indicates a love relationship, not a ser-vant relationship “The Father loves the Son and has
placed everything in his hands.” John 3:35
“...the Father himself loves you because you have loved
me…” John 16:27
Father denotes that there will be chastise-ment, correction “...do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the
Lord disciplines those he loves and he punishes everyone
he accepts as a son.” Heb. 12:5—6
Father means that obedience is required of us “...he humbled himself and became obedient to death.”
Phil. 2:8
“...chosen...through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for
obedience to Jesus Christ…” 1 Pet. 1:2
Father indicates a sharing of responsibility “...the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only
what he sees His Father doing, because whatever the
Father does the Son does.” John 5:19
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John
20:21
Father means there is receiving of an inheri-tance “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal,
the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing
our inheritance…” Eph. 1:13—14
“...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to
share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of
light.” Col. 1:12
Father promises to provide for his own “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or
store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matt.
6:26
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his
glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19
Concerns for prayer:
The “Pray for Scotland”
team who visited Lowson
Memorial Church in For-
far on Saturday 3rd March
want us to pray and ask
God to RESTORE Scot-
land’s inheritance as a
Godly nation.
REVIVE the church in
Scotland so that many can
receive His salvation.
Give us thankful hearts to
REJOICE in Him so that
the heavens will also re-
joice over Scotland once
again.
Let us declare together:
“Scotland is loved by
God.”
Everyone who calls on the
name of the Lord will be
saved.” (Acts 2:21)
A Celtic Blessing
May the road rise to meet
you,
May the wind be always
at your back,
May the sun shine warm
on your face,
The rain fall softly on
your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the
palm of His hand.
Every blessing,
Jean McPhail
12
CHURCH REGISTER
14.02.12 Mrs Ivy Miller
Tarriebank
M
16.02.12 Mrs Margaret Gibb
53 Beechwood Road
M
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK This year, Christian Aid Week is from 13th May –19th
May with the coffee morning being held at the Town Mission on Saturday 19th May
between 10 a.m.—12 noon.
Coffee Morning: St Vigeans is joining with St Thomas Church to be
responsible for the Fruit, Flowers and Veg. stall. Because of the fresh na-
ture of the goods for the stall, all donations should be taken to the Town
Mission either on the Friday night, 18th May, from 7.30 p.m.—9 p.m., or at
9.00 a.m. on the Saturday. If anyone needs something to be collected,
please phone me on 877277. Donations for any of the stalls would be greatly appreci-
ated. Other stalls are: Books; Craft & Jewellery; Grocery & Sweets; Baking. Two
members from each congregation are asked to help serve the coffee. Please bring a
tray and two tea towels and report to the kitchen at 9.30 a.m. Coffee morning tickets
will be on sale soon.
Door-to-Door Collection: Collection packs and envelopes will be
available shortly. I will be phoning everyone to see if they can collect this
year. Anyone who hasn’t collected in the past and wishes to do so now,
please contact me on 877277. I am sure we will again have a successful Christian Aid
week and hope you will give generously for such a worthwhile cause.
. Elaine Taylor, Local Organiser
TAY BRIDGE CROSS
Take part in Tay Bridge Cross with your
friends and family and raise money for
Christian Aid. The Tay Bridge Cross will
take place on Saturday 21st April 2012
starting at Tay Bridge.
When we think of walking, we are often
reminded of the story of Jesus and the road
to Damascus. When we walk, we feel that
Jesus is walking alongside us, guiding us
and our thoughts. His walk along the road
inspired those he walked with to return to
Jerusalem and tell the Eleven of his resur-
rection. We take this inspiration with us as
we plan and take part in our sponsored
walks, walking with Jesus in our hearts.
The money that you will be raising will go to help the work of Christian Aid around
the world. They work with 507 partners in 47 countries. One such partner is the
Hope Agency for Relief and Development (HARD). They are a Sudanese organisa-
tion started in 1995 in order to assist the war-affected southern Sudanese. Ajang Ga-
rang is 11 years old. She lives in South Sudan and attends her village school. It is
here that HARD have built a new kitchen and latrines. Before, the toilets were dirty,
smelly and dangerous. Now the toilets are safe, hygienic and partitioned—boys and
girls have their own toilets and privacy. It is the money from Christian Aid support-
ers such as you that has enabled us to fund this work and many other projects world-
wide. Challenge yourself and your friends to fight poverty step by step and raise
money for Christian Aid. Register to take part in Tay Bridge Cross with your local
organiser. Contact Elaine on 01241 877277 [Church Press Release-Christian Aid]
“There is nothing in death or life that
can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
29.12.11 Mr Jack Miller
11 Tarry Road
SVP
20.01.12 Mrs Lizzie Douglas
22 Brothock Way
M
Deaths:
9
been in decline for many years.
Fabric Account. The main expenses for next year are further work to the Manse and
gardens and maintenance of the Church.
It was agreed to give the Auditors three bottles of wine.
The accounts were approved by George Taylor and seconded by Alex Small. Thanks
were expressed to Manliffe for all the work he undertakes every year.
COMMITTEE REPORTS Property & Halls Michael O’Donnell, Convenor gave the following report.
Manse. Back door – quotes are being obtained and should be available in approxi-
mately 2 to 3 weeks time. The gates are now being made and should be available
shortly.
Church Office at Knox’s Church
It was agreed that we require a telephone and internet in the office and the Fabric
Committee is to pick the best business deal.
Sign Board for Church. Stuart Bell had prepared a proof which had been approved by
the Rev Dr Nelu Balaj. It was approved by the Board.
The next Fabric Committee meeting will be held on 29th February 2012 when the
objectives and remit of the committee will be discussed.
Social and Community Jay Ferrier, Convenor, advised that two long standing mem-
bers of the Social Committee had resigned: Wendy Bell with immediate effect and
Jessie Murray in the summer. Jay thanked them for all their hard work over the years.
A Ceilidh is to be held in the Hall on 11th February starting at 4.30pm with haggis,
neeps and tatties being served at 5pm. The committee recently met to discuss their
remit and it was suggested that a vice convenor be appointed. Laura Paton agreed to
take on the post.
Stewardship George Robertson, Convenor, was not present but the Rev Dr Nelu
Balaj advised that he was looking forward to the Stewardship campaign which is to
take the form of a rolling three year plan. This plan has three sections Time, Talent
and Finance. A further meeting will be held within the next 3 – 4 weeks and 121
George Street will assist and advise. The Committee is also to discuss their remit.
Bulletin Heather Lockhart, Convenor advised that the next issue of the magazine will
have 10 advertisements, 9 of which have agreed to advertise for the next year. Enve-
lopes for donations to the cost of the magazine are to be enclosed in this issue. The
Rev Dr Balaj thanked Heather for all the work she has done.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: William Lawrie raised the issue of disabled access. There are regular members and
also people at funerals who require assistance. Angus Council have done temporary
repairs to the steps and further areas discussed were improved access at the hall gate
and a ramp at the side door. These areas would be looked at.
Elaine Taylor advised that Christian Aid Week is from 13th to 19th May and more
volunteers are required.
Gertrud Smith asked if it would be possible to use less paper and if the Order of Ser-
vice was necessary. Members felt it was worthwhile.
The new area in the Church still requires chairs etc. Members were asked to think
about ideas and these would be discussed at the next meeting.
The next Board Meeting is on 7th March 2012 at 7 pm in the Session Rooms and The
Annual Stated Meeting on Sunday 11th March 2012 after the morning service.
The meeting closed with the Benediction. NEXT MEETING JUNE 6TH
10
The Guild
WAGS The next meeting of the WAGs group is
on Wednesday 25, April at 8pm in
Lochlands Bar. All women are welcome
to come along and enjoy the chat and
laughter that the rest of us already en-
joy. Jen Muir (Tel. 439136)
After our two month break, the guild
members were happy to be back to our
regular monthly meetings. It seemed
such a long time since we had been to-
gether enjoying the fellowship that the
guild provides us with. The winter was
a big improvement on last year’s awful
conditions, so this will be one of the
items on the agenda for discussion at the
next committee meeting.
Our April meeting will be open to all
local guilds and to anyone who may be
interested. We will be entertained by
some local artistes and it should prove to
be an enjoyable evening. We usually
have a high attendance at our open
nights.
Our AGM will be held slightly later than
usual, on Monday 7th May. The busi-
ness meeting will be followed by some
fun as usual. The present committee are
a very dedicated and supportive team
and they have coped extremely well in
sharing the duties of the lead role, and
without their co-operation in this, our
guild could have broken down. No one
finds it easy to speak to others publicly,
so it is to their credit that they have
worked hard to overcome this and have
selected readings and worship relevant
to our theme and to the topic of the eve-
ning.
Perhaps we shall see you at one of the
meetings before the end of the season.
If not now, please consider it for next
term. Jean Russell, Co-ordinator We have two new advertisers in this
magazine: Garry Buick, plumber, offers
an emergency call out service and
tackles all plumbing jobs, from replac-
ing a tap washer to fitting full bath-
rooms; and Chris Ettershank Joiners, a
cheery professional team, who offers a
complete service with all trades organ-
ised and a discounted price for OAPs.
The teacher was explaining evolution
to the children. She asked a little boy:
Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the
grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up
and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few
minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God up there?
TOMMY: No...
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't
see God because he isn't there. Possibly
he just doesn't exist.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask
the boy some questions.
The teacher agreed and the little girl
asked the boy: Tommy, do you see the
tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the
grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the
teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what
we were taught today in school, she
possibly may not even have one!
[contributed by Andy Stewart]
11
Dancing
There will be dancing on Mondays the
2nd, 23rd and 30th of April. The Alan
Smeaton Duo is booked to play for us
on the 30th. This will be the last eve-
ning for the session. Noela Watson
Family Events
Chocolate Extravaganza. If you are a bit of a chocoholic then
mark this event in your diary: Saturday
28th April 2 – 4pm in Knox’s church
hall.
We will meet first to have hot chocolate
and then to enjoy some biscuit decorat-
ing, chocolate tombola, and some
chocolate games. Come and have some
fun with us. Entry £1. All donations of
anything chocolate (anything from
chocolate milk, chocolate sauce, choco-
late cake or biscuits to bars of choco-
late) will be gratefully received for our
tombola. Lesley Balaj
St Vigeans Men's Club has continued
to stay strong in membership over the
past session of meetings.
The last weekly meeting was on 20th
March and the AGM was held on
Tuesday 27th March.
Club members have taken part in the
Federation of Mens' Club carpet
bowls competitions held in the Com-
munity Centre in Arbroath. The Club
has visited and have welcomed Men's
Clubs in the surrounding area.
Meetings will recommence in Sep-
tember after the summer break. Start
date will be published in the Church
magazine.
Graham Reid
St Vigeans Men’s Club
What great fun adults and children had
at the first meeting of Birling Bairns.
This is a group for pre-schoolers and
their accompanying adult to have some
fun with Scottish Country Dancing. The
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
(East Angus Branch) have been instru-
mental in the setting up of this group.
We had 16 families on our first day with
a few more who were unable to attend at
that particular time. If you have a pre-
schooler who may be interested in this
group please speak to Lesley, as num-
bers are limited due to shortage of
space. Lesley Balaj
Birling Bairns
We have been very busy during the last
2 months, celebrating Burns Day, Val-
entine’s Day & Mothers’ Day. The
children have taken part in baking ac-
tivities as well as sticking and glueing
and have enjoyed it immensely. The
adults have given themselves whole
heartedly in participating in the activi-
ties with their children.
We continued to explore our circle
theme and have looked a little at
weather with rainbows and clouds. As
the weather has improved we have
turned our mind to getting outside with
the children and are exploring the possi-
bility of erecting a gate (with the per-
mission of Session) between the hall
and church building so that the children
can play inside and out. We look for-
ward to this new opportunity later this
month.
Toddlers would like to thank all the
volunteers that help make the group so
good. If you would like to join our band
of volunteers please let Lesley know.
Toddlers
5 x = 30
x ÷ -
x 3 = 12
= = =
20 - 2 =
Scottish Charity No.: SC003049
5 x 6 = 30
x ÷ -
4 x 3 = 12
= = =
20 - 2 = 18
Animals
that lay
eggs. Turtle,
platypus,
goldfish and
bird all lay
eggs.
Fill in the missing
numbers below to
complete the sums.
What can you hold without touching it? A conversation
Which egg is
going to hatch
first?
Work out the answer
using the clues be-
low and tick the cor-
rect box.
The egg is lying on its side.
The egg is start-ing to crack a
little bit.
It has spots on it.
What dance do tin-openers do?
The can-can!
What is the definition of an archaeolo-
gist? A man whose career is in ruins!
What date is a command to go forward?
March 4th!
For
how
many
minutes
do you like
your eggs
boiled?
Apr/May 2012
SUNDAY
SCHOOL Meet in church
Service begins 11.30 a.m.
Ever since people started
writing, there have been mistakes
in what is written. And ever since
pencils were invented, people have
been trying to figure out ways to
correct their mistakes. For two hun-
dred years, until the eraser was in-
vented, the best way to remove the
errors was to scrub the pencil marks
away with a small piece of bread.
Then, in 1752, the first eraser was
made from tree sap. It was also
called a rubber because that is what
it did—it rubbed away the mistakes. Soon, anything made from eraser
material was called rubber. Finally, in 1858, American inventor, Hy-
men Lipman thought of the best place to keep an
eraser . Of course! He simply slid a slice of eraser
into a groove carved on top of the pencil so it would
always be handy to make mistakes disappear.
What happens when you make a mistake, like lying
or losing your temper? You feel terrible about it,
but you don’t know how you can get rid of the dark
mark you made. God loves you so much that he invites you
to come to him and tell him you are sorry, and he will for-
get whatever it is you’ve done wrong. The Bible says, “Oh,
what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose
sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose re-
cord the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in
complete honesty!” God erases completely the things you
wish you had not done, and he never thinks of them again.
These three women are Jesus’ friends.
They have come to his grave and are surprised to see the stone has
been rolled away. An angel is inside and tells them that Jesus isn’t
there! Jesus is alive! He was dead but God made Him alive again! Je-
sus had said this would happen, but no one had believed Him. Now his
friends know that whatever Jesus says is always true.
Do you know who the women are? Now colour in the picture.
Jesus died so we might be forgiven.
God might not always like what we do, but he loves us just the same,
and he’ll forgive us if we are truly sorry and ask his forgiveness.
Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome.
ANSWER
Which animal lays eggs? (put a tick under each one):
turtle dog platypus goldfish bird
Action prayer (say the prayer aloud while doing the actions.)
Jesus died for us (arms out, head down)
Now he’s alive for us (jump up and clap hands above head)
Hip, hip, HOORAY!
Jesus is alive today (raise arms)
We remember the stone being rolled away from Jesus’ grave when we
roll our eggs at Easter. Look at the drawing below.
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