St. Mary s News. Our Mission Statement: June china, all of which we look forward to sharing with you in time.

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1 St. Mary s News Our Mission Statement: Saint Mary s is a Christ-centred family, caring, sharing and working together, seeking to change through growth. June 2015 Dear People of St Mary s, My family and I are glad to have arrived safe and very soundly, thanks to your many efforts. It is delightful to be back in Aberdeen and even more to be at St Mary s. I look forward with joy and hope to many years together. It is indeed a great encouragement to be involved with such a kind and diligent parish. Although a newsletter is not an adequate medium to convey the depth of my gratitude, I want to declare publicly that I am profoundly thankful for your countless sacrifices, generous gifts, and efforts of hospitality. We arrived, a little harried after an almost 10 hour flight (with young children!), to a Rectory that was not only in good order and refreshed, but had beds prepared, a stock of food, and a hot, delicious meal. china, all of which we look forward to sharing with you in time. I must publicly thank Mary Allardyce for organising these donations and preparing the Rectory so finely and considerately that we felt right at home. I should note that the Vestry was diligent in the discernment and transition process, providing immediately and graciously any information I requested. I am also grateful for Father Hobbs who has shouldered much of the burden of the interregnum. Finally, I must commend and thank my wife, Allison, who while I was busy with work, orchestrated our move from top to bottom. Your generosity reveals a certain excitement and confidence in me. For this I am very grateful too, and I intend not to disappoint your trust. Perhaps even more so, especially since I am unknown, your generosity testifies to your excitement and confidence in St Mary s. I share your hope. The coming weeks and months will be an adjustment for both myself and for you. As we become familiar with each other, we will no doubt reflect on the change that has taken place. Of course, when we are unsure of how God might be at work amongst us, we should all take heart in the history of St Mary s which has endured many trials and tribulations in its storied past. We don t have to worry about our future because we have seen God preserve this church in the past. We only need to be attentive to our present, giving ourselves in charity to each other and our community. In faith, hope, and love, James Your provisions exceeded our needs for our first few nights. As I write this, I am still stunned. We had fully intended to live a few, rudimentary years in the Rectory, acquiring pieces of furniture gradually. But we found that your provision had far exceeded our necessities. Beyond beds for ourselves, there was a guest bed (which will be very useful when a former student visits at June s end). We were also given a fridge/freezer, several sofas, various pieces of furniture, a TV and player, toys for Rowan and Evie, an iron and board, kettles, a table and chairs, plenty of crockery, cutlery, and pans, and an exquisite set of fine

2 Installation of New Rector A good crowd of congregation and friends gathered on the evening of 27 th. May for the installation by Bishop Bob of our new Rector, the Rev. Dr. James Merrick. James was presented by the secretary and treasurer, and other members of the congregation presented him with the symbols of his ministry. Bishop Bob preached an excellent sermon full of good advice for both candidate and congregation, reminding us all that we have promised to support James and remember he needs time off from us, too!

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4 After the service the usual groaning tables were brought forth and there was a fine feast of sandwiches and fancy pieces, and the fellowship was good! Normal weekly services: Sunday: Holy Eucharist at 8a.m. and 10.15a.m. Tuesday: Morning Prayer at 7.45a.m. Wednesday: Holy Eucharist at 10a.m. Thursday: Morning Prayer at 7.45a.m. Thanks to all who made the evening so rich and enjoyable, including guest organist Bill Henderson who reminded us what the organ sounded like again! Open 4 Prayer Our lunchtime services continue to take place, normally on the last Tuesday of the month, aimed at attracting the office workers around us in the West End. This is a lovely pause for fellowship in the day with shared worship and contemplation, and a light lunch to follow. The next service is on 30 th. June, at 12.30p.m.

5 Prayers for Healing The next month s Prayers of Healing and Wholeness service, a Healing Eucharist, will be held on Sunday, 7 th. June, at 6p.m., Prayers for Healing are usually held on each first Sunday of the month. In addition, there are short prayers for healing after each Sunday service in the War Memorial Chapel. Vestry Report The vestry met on 13 th May. Despite a notice stating that the grounds are for private parking only, there are still some people parking there who are not members of the congregation or people attending Pilates classes etc. The vestry decided to have parking permits prepared for those people who need to park their cars there occasionally and these as well as tickets which will be put on the windscreens of people who are not eligible to park within the grounds have been prepared. If any members of the congregation require a permit, please see the vestry secretary. It would however be appreciated if members of the congregation could avoid parking in the grounds on weekday mornings as the facility to park there is a big point in favour of the premises being used by other groups. There will be a concert in Saint Mary s on Saturday 6 th June at 7.30pm. Please see the poster in the Choir Vestry and in the notice board in the grounds for details. Repainting and the repair of the cornice at the Rectory have been completed. The post of organist was advertised in the local paper and various members of the congregation have tried to identify a possible replacement for Kyle but unfortunately we have so far had no response. hot meal ready for them so that they did not arrive to an empty shell. The Rector s address is jmerrick@stmaryscardenplace.co.uk A quote has been received for the repainting of the 5 white panels in church and for the upper half of the Choir Vestry and the work will be undertaken during July when there are no Pilates classes. Unfortunately during heavy rain recently it has been noticed that there is still a leak in the choir vestry. D&D Slating are being contacted to inspect the roof. Rev Jason wished to thank all members of the congregation who have preached during the vacancy, it is very much appreciated by him. Rev Jason also would like to know if members of the congregation are unhappy with any of the changes he has made to the service and if so, please let him know about them via David Rose. The secretary suggested that we might give a small gift to those members of the clergy who have celebrated the Eucharist on Wednesday mornings during the vacancy. The vestry agreed to this suggestion. Rob Smith has audited the accounts and as there was no change to the figures given at the AGM the vestry has approved them. There have been some complaints about children playing the piano in the choir vestry during coffee on Sunday mornings whilst people are having coffee as they cannot have conversations due to the noise. The vestry will meet again on 1 st July Mary Allardyce Vestry Secretary Our new Rector arrived safely from Arizona on 14 th May and by the time this is printed will have been installed at Saint Mary s. Thanks to donations of furniture and food from members of the congregation there was some furniture and a

6 Sunday School Three young men share this month: Lewis Smith will be twelve on the 13 th ; Damon Cormack reaches double figures with his tenth birthday on the 19 th, and one of our newest members, Rowan Merrick, will be five on the 25 th. Happy birthday to all! Protection of Vulnerable Groups: a date for your diaries. A PVG training day will be held at Westhill Community Church on Saturday 29th August. Places have already been reserved for the rector, the PVG co-ordinator and a nominated member of vestry but the event is open to all who may be interested. Members of pastoral care teams and anyone else who works with children or vulnerable adults are especially encouraged to attend. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch provided. To book a place please contact Pat Johnston, Diocesan PVG co-ordinator at pat@13scotstoun.co.uk A reminder that the daily orders for morning prayer, evening prayer and Compline are available on the Provincial Website at er/daily-offices/ for those who wish to use these more regularly. Mary McKinnell Parking in the Church Grounds Do you need to park in the Church Grounds? Free permits can be obtained from Mary Allardyce. Please park considerately, and if you can avoid parking during the week it would be very much appreciated. Friday Openings Because of the loss of some volunteers from the rota, Friday Openings have been suspended until the arrival of the new Rector. Weekly Prayers with the Diocese Following the response to the daily Compline prayers that we did for Lent, the spirituality convener and I are looking to make this a more regular event. Starting in a few weeks time, once the system is set up, each week we will ask people to join in prayer each Tuesday at 9:00pm (or at a time that suits you) using the order of Compline available on the Provincial Website. We will send out an during the day on that Tuesday with the direct link to Compline, and also with some prayer requests that are relevant to that week - there will be the facility to be able to request prayers to be included in this on the Diocesan Website. Clergy and Lay Readers will be included on the mailing list. If others want to receive them, they should send their name and address to me ( itofficer@aberdeen.anglican.org) and I can add them to the list - so please do circulate this message around your congregation. Church Grounds Does anyone know of a gardener who would be willing to take on some work keeping the grounds in order? Someone prepared to double as a general handyman would be particularly appreciated. Any ideas, please, to a vestry member.

7 Waiting It s four in the morning, and I cannot sleep I ve tried dreaming of Cliff Richard and counting sheep I decide to get dressed and get some fresh air The pavements are quiet with none to share Once outside the air clears my head The cold makes me shiver, I should have stayed in bed But something tells me to stop and wait Something will happen, what is my fate? I need to know who is walking down the street? Dressed in white and leather on their feet They are very determined in the way they walk I need to join them and hope they will talk I put my head down, and run down the street, Hoping the stranger will be glad to meet I have no idea who is dressed in white But something tells me I ll be stunned at the sight But wait! Jesus? Jesus? Could it really be him? My mind starts to whirl but is it a whim? The world has waited for His coming back Two Thousand years with no trace or track At last I reach him, and he turns around His radiant face shines with peace abound He smiles at me and signs me to talk, Can this really be why I needed to walk? I have so many things I would like to know But his time is limited and he has to go I need some pictures to show who I met Jesus agrees so my mobile I get I quickly take pictures from his head to his toes Jesus nods his head before he goes But a blessing He gives before leaving thee I feel so humbled that Jesus chose me He turns and walks quickly down the street Dressed in white and leather on his feet With joy in my heart I m in awe what I ve seen Is it reality, or just a wild dream? I have to tell someone, but it s only five in the morn Someone who does not mind waking at dawn Someone who shares the joy Jesus brings And knowing that Jesus is a wonderful thing My sister I waken when I return to the house And we both go downstairs quiet as a mouse I share with her who I met on my walk I am so excited I can hardly talk My sister looks at me in a doubtful way She just cannot believe what I have to say Why should Jesus choose me to tell he s back And the story I told her seems to lack facts I reach for my mobile for my pictures to glow I took twenty one to ensure that the scenes flow But I cannot understand where the pictures have gone For my mobile does not show even a glimpse of one I hurriedly press several buttons on my phone But all I can find is a pic of me on my own My sister again doubts the story I ve told Waiting Two thousand years is hard to unfold. Jenny Cruickshank, May 2015 (not to be reproduced without permission from the author) Book Review: Everyday God: The Spirit of the Ordinary, by Paula Gooder This is a cheerful, chatty, approachable book that begins with the reassuring idea that we can t (and indeed in some cases don t want to) be at peace to feel God s presence, that He also speaks to us in our daily gallop to deal with what ordinary life throws at us. Each chapter begins with a brief Bible passage and a suggestion for further biblical reading around that passage. These lead us through the themes of God s use of the ordinary to reveal Himself to us and how we should also be prepared to see Him there. He is not just in gilded palaces on Sundays, but in our everyday life. Gooder shows us how God therefore transforms our ordinary into His own extraordinary, and the effect this has on us and on those around us. This book began with reassuring us that we don t need peace to appreciate God: nevertheless the feeling it brings is ultimately one of peace and hope that we might just be able to do things right, however busy we are.

8 Answers given by small children to the following questions (part I) Why did God make mothers? 1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is. 2. Mostly to clean the house. 3. To help us out of there when we were being born. How did God make mothers? 1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us. 2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring. 3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts. What ingredients are mothers made of? 1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean. 2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think. Why did God give you your mother and not some other mother? 1. We're related. 2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mother like me. What kind of a little girl was your mum? 1. My mum has always been my mum and none of that other stuff. 2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy. 3. They say she used to be nice. What did mum need to know about dad before she married him? 1. His last name. 2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer? 3. Does he make at least $800 a year? 4. Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores? sees the stuff under the bed. 3. I guess mum is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad. What's the difference between moms and dads? 1. Mums work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work. 2. Mums know how to talk to teachers without scaring them. 3. Dads are taller and stronger, but mums have all the real power because that's who you have to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends. 4. Mums have magic; they make you feel better without medicine. What does your mum do in her spare time? 1. Mothers don't do spare time. 2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long. What would it take to make your mum perfect? 1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery. 2. Diet. You know her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue. If you could change one thing about your mum, what would it be? 1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that. 2. I'd make my mum smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me. 3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head. Early Reminder! The Gallowgate Fair is on the first Saturday in August we will need cakes and baking and help on the day. Don t book your holiday without checking this date! Why did your mum marry your dad? 1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mum eats a lot. 2. She got too old to do anything else with him. 3. My grandma says that mum didn't have her thinking cap on. Who's the boss at your house? 1. Mum doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball. 2. Mum. You can tell by room inspection. She

9 Saints Days in June: 1 st. St. Justin 3 rd. The Martyrs of Uganda 4 th. John XXIII 5 th. St. Boniface of Mainz 8 th. St. Ephrem the Syrian 9 th. St. Columba 11 th. St. Barnabas 12 th. John Skinner 14 th. Ss. Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianus, & Gregory of Nyssa 18 th. Bernard Mizeki 20 th. St. Fillan 22 nd. St. Alban 24 th The Birth of John the Baptist 25 th. St. Moluag of Lismore 26 th. Robert Leighton 27 th. Alexander Jolly 28 th. St. Irenaeus of Lyons 29 th. Ss. Peter & Paul CHURCH DIRECTORY Rector: Rev. Dr. James Merrick (584123) jmerrick@stmaryscardenplace.co.uk Assistant Priest: Rev. Jason Hobbs Rector s Warden: David Rose People s Warden: Rachael Cormack (209380) Vestry Secretary: Mary Allardyce (704743) Vestry Treasurer: Lydia Ross (864072) Lay Representative: Nicola Mills Sacristan: Mary Allardyce Organist: Vacancy Sunday School: Gillian Rose LEGO Young Adults Group: Mary mjmckinnell@gmail.com Protection of Vulnerable Groups Co-ordinator: Elizabeth Smyth Flower Convener: Lucy Fleming Church Administrator: Avril Scott (561383) Tuesdays 8-11a.m., Fridays p.m. office@stmaryscardenplace.org.uk Website: Your Magazine You can order your St. Mary s News to be sent to you each month by , or ask for a Large Print version, or ask for any back copies of editions you may have missed. Just contact the Editor! All copy for the July / August double issue magazine must be with the Editor by 22 nd. June, Hard copy to Nicola Mills, or telephone , or to palaeography@aol.com. Thank you! St. Mary s Episcopal Church, Carden Place, is a charity (Scottish Charity No. SCO 14062).