The Eagle The Season of Lent

Transcription

1 The Scottish Episcopal Church The Parish Magazine of St John the Evangelist Forres Charity Number SC The Eagle The Season of Lent Volume 9 Issue 2/3 February March 2011 Welcome to this Lent edition of the Eagle. There is always much to reflect upon in this special season but this year the world seems to have gone completely mad! There is the terrible situation in Libia and the earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand and earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. Closer to home an alarming number of our own congregation are ill or injured and our local c o m m unity f a c e s a n uncert a i n fut u re w i t h bo t h o f o u r airbases under threat. The obvious question we ask is - Why are these things allowed to happen where is God in all of this,? When we are hurting and find it so hard to understand the graphic images that the media beam into our homes it is a natural reaction to want to hold someone to account and all too often that someone is God. Earthquakes and tsunamis happen not because a vengeful God pushes a button, but because of the geological features of the Earth. So if God is not to blame for the actual events where is God in these events and what is he doing. Well God is not only in our hearts and minds, He is with those who are suffering, He is with those who are rescuing, He is with those who are caring, encouraging, enabling. Our God is a God who loves, who loves each of us so much that he gave his only Son to die for our sins. Don t blame God, instead work with Him by praying for all those affected, give what you can in aid and journey through Lent in hope. With love and blessings Father Cliff

2 REPORT ON DIOCESAN SYNOD, HELD IN INVERNESS, SATURDAY 12 th MARCH Representatives:- Dean Cliff, Grant Swain, Derek Bedford. 1) Synod commenced with Holy Eucharist, celebrated by Bishop Mark. 2) We then repaired to Eden Court for coffee and the Meeting. 3) The minutes of the previous meeting were approved, and there were no matters arising. 4) The Bishop welcomed newcomers to Synod, thanked those whose terms were completed, and remembered those departed. 5) We then moved on to discuss the Diocese statistics, and it was stressed these were to incorporate a breakdown by gender, with persons in the congregation, broken down into males and females. The good news is that numbers in congregations in total have increased by 114, with rather more females than males. In fact females increased, whereas the males declined in number from the previous year. Charges were urged to get the gender breakdown complete and correct for next year, as there were some discrepancies in the returns! 6) Dean Cliff gave the Dean s Report on buildings, alterations, and refurbishments, reporting on the completion of St Duthac s Diocesan Centre, the Gordon Chapel, where the new priest The Revd Frances Foreshaw is now in residence, and the congregation are back in the newly renovated church. There are however temporary windows in place, as the fine stained glass ones have still to be refurbished. Dean Cliff reported on a number of visits in the Diocese, and said there would be more in future. He reminded members of the absolute requirement for permission under Canon 35 before any changes or works to buildings, fixtures or fittings can be carried out. 7) There was a brief report by the Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer, who told us new Registration forms were on the way, and procedures were being simplified to enable clearance for one category to make it easier to gain approval for the other, so saving on multiple reg- 2

3 istrations. 8) The Diocesan Accounts for the year ended 30 th September 2010 were approved, with the news that there was a small surplus, of 4,371, as Quota giving had increased, and expenditure been controlled. The move away from voluntary Quota to a budgeted system has therefore worked. There are some Parishes still struggling to pay Quota in full, but this has been compensated for by those such as ourselves, who currently give more than required. The other piece of good news, is that the Diocese is now covering the cost of the Bishop, and he no longer needs to be subsidised by the Province. 9) We then heard from Padre Tony Gilbert on the situation at RAF Kinloss, and RAF Lossiemouth, which as we all know are facing problems. He carries responsibility for 10,000 Personnel and their families, many of them facing considerable stress, due to the uncertainty of their situation. He asked for help by local clergy to maintain services at Kinloss, where the RAF Chapel may have to close. He also mentioned the work of SSAFA, which can help with the welfare of service personnel and their families. 10) We then had a brief report from John Payne, of the General Synod Office, followed by Bishop Mark on various items regarding their requirement on the Gender Audit. The first and second recommendations were for equality on Provincial and Diocesan Boards and Committees; the third for the same on Cathedral Chapters and other Clerical posts. The last was annual congregation returns to show gender breakdown, as already noted in Para 5. 11) We then discussed Canon 62 on Clergy retirement which is now set at age 70, when six months previous notice from the Bishop to the incumbent should expire. Arrangements can be made for an extension by the Bishop, under section 3 of the Canon. Incumbents can still retire at 65, which is at present State Pensionable age. An Amendment to go to General Synod was agreed, that if the Bishop failed to give due notice at the correct time, the six month notice period would run from the date he did give the notice. 12) General Synod had also asked that we map our engagement with people of other faiths, which reports were due by the end of December last year. We wait to see the results. 3

4 13) The Bishop told Synod that he had decided after medical advice that he must delegate more, as his health had already suffered from his heavy workload. He and the clergy must concentrate on leading on spiritual matters, leaving the business side to the Laity where possible. He stressed the theme of the Gospel and his sermon (eating with Levi and the tax collectors), that his and the clergy s mission had to be outward looking, rather than just caring for the faithful. He outlined the proposed Diocesan Structure, in which he wants to involve Lay Persons as much as possible. Discussion groups were held, and emphasis put on the Regional Synods, which must be scheduled and held, and be open to all interested parishioners. Grant Swain agreed to be Lay Administrator for our St Drostan Regional Synod. 14) Finally (modelled on the BAFTA s ), the award of the DAFTA s took place, the Diocesan Award for Tremendous Achievement. Among the recipients were Bishop Mark, and for St John s, Dean Cliff, Barbara Westie for her devoted service as Sacristan, and surprisingly myself, nominated by the Diocesan Treasurer, when I had been the one asking the awkward questions! The alternative acronym Devotion and Faith Triumphs All. Derek Bedford 14/03/11 Lay Representative. Restoration of the Murals at St John s The three Murals in St John s have now been cleaned and restored. This was painstaking work carried out by the Conservation Studio, Edinburgh at a cost of 7, The two paintings have been removed to Edinburgh for cleaning and restoration and will return later in the year. 4

5 LENT SERVICES at 7.00 pm on Fridays during Lent commencing 11 th March Stations of the Cross followed by Compline. St JOHNS NOTICES THE MOTHERS UNION meets on Tues 15 th March at 2.00 pm in the Parish Room. A Service to celebrate Lady Day will be held on Thurs March 24 th at am at St John s. COFFEE MORNING - Saturday 2 nd April in the Town Hall, all the usual stalls, donations of Crafts, Baking, Chocolate, Bottles, Raffle Prizes, Bric a brac, Clothes, Plants CONFIRMATION CLASSES Bishop Mark will preside at St John s for a Confirmation Service on Mothering Sunday 3 rd April. The Service will be followed by a Pot Luck Lunch. People whose surname begins A-L to provide a pudding and M-Z savouries. (this is a change round to previous catering arrangements). VESTRY Mon 11 th April Parish Room at 7.00 pm PALM SUNDAY 17 th April Bishop Mark will be the Celebrant. (Dean Cliff is away) TABLE TOP SALE - Saturday 14 th May up to 10 tables are available at 10 each the Church will sell refreshments. BURGIE HORSE TRIALS - June 15 th - 19 th volunteers will be required please note the date. BIG CHOIR CONCERT - 25 th June at 7.00 pm in aid of Church Funds. ALTYRE GARDEN OPENING Sunday 31 st July in aid of Church Funds. ST JOHN S PRAYER CIRCLE meets the first Monday in each month. Please speak to Barbara Fleming or Daphne Dann for details. 5

6 Diocesan Lent Appeal This years Lent Appeal is Women's Aid. There are information leaflets and a Gift Aid Declaration Form available in Church. St John s Quiz Night St John s Quiz Night was exceptionally well attended this year with no less than nine teams contesting the coveted Quiz Trophy. At the end of the penultimate round very few points separated the teams. However in the fourth and final round the winning team stormed to an impressive victory scoring heavily with the bonus questions. The winning team, Pensioners of North Britain (PNB) pictured above are, from left to right, Sally Bedford, Derek Bedford, Ella Daykin and Julian Rudd. Congratulations to the PNB. Whilst this event is primarily a social event a total of 180 was raised for Church Funds, do be sure to enter a team for the next Quiz. 6

7 Easter Services at St Johns 2010 PALM SUNDAY 17 th April 8.00 am Holy Communion (1970) Said Service am Sung Eucharist (1982) Bishop Mark Presiding. Commencing with the Liturgy of Palms and Procession into the Church HOLY WEEK Monday 18 th April, Chrism Mass St Andrew s Cathedral Inverness am. Tuesday 19 th & Wednesday 20 th April am Holy Communion at St John s Forres. THE TRIDUUM Maundy Thursday 21 st April 7.30 pm Eucharist (1982), Washing of Feet, Stripping of Altar and Vigil until Midnight. Good Friday 22 nd April am Children s Workshop (in the Church Hall) ending with a Service in the Church pm Standing at the foot of the Cross, with periods of silence, prayer and hymn-singing pm The Celebration of the Lord s Passion. Reading of the Passion - Solemn Intercession - Meditation on the Cross - Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. Easter Vigil 23 rd April 8.00 pm Sung Eucharist (1982) Lighting of the Easter Fire - Blessing of the Paschal Candle - The Exsultet - Renewal of Baptismal Vows - Communion. EASTER DAY 24 th April 8.00 am Holy Communion (1970) Said Service am Sung Eucharist (1982) 7

8 READERS ROTA DATE READER OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT GOSPEL 20 March Lent 2 27 March Lent 3 3 April Lent 4 Mothering Sunday & Confirmation 10 April Lent 5 17 April Palm Sunday 24 April Easter Day 1 May Easter 2 8 May Easter 3 15 May Easter 4 22 May Easter 5 Sue Piper Genesis 12:1-4 Romans 4:1-5, Ron Fleming This edition of the Eagle is available in full colour on St John s Website. The Very Reverend Clifford J Piper The Rectory, Victoria Road, Forres, IV36 3BN Phone: stjohnsforres@btinternet.com St John s website: Diocesan website: Provincial website: 8 John 3:1-17 Exodus 17:1-7 Romans 5:1-11 John 4:5-42 Ann e Philp 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Julian Rudd Ezekiel 37:1-14 Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 Seymour Monro Alison Manson Anthony Montgomery Handley Barrett Kirsteen Mitcalfe Gareth Whymant Isaiah 50:4-9 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 26:14-27:66 Acts 10:34-43 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-18 Acts 2:14, Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 Acts 2:14, Peter 1:17-23 Luke 24:13-35 Acts 2: Peter 2:19-25 John 10:1-10 Acts 7: Peter 2:2-10 John 14:1-14