Upper Cowal Courier. Parish News-sheet for the linked parishes of Strachur & Strathlachlan and Lochgoilhead & Kilmorich

Transcription

1 Upper Cowal Courier ISSUE 035 Parish News-sheet for the linked parishes of Strachur & Strathlachlan and Lochgoilhead & Kilmorich October 2016 October Sun 2nd Holy Communion, & Harvest Thnksgiving -Kilmorich 12 noon Wed 5th Coffee & Chat, Lochgoilhead Village Hall, 10.30am (all welcome) Sun 9th Guild Dedication Service, in both Strathlachlan & Strachur Mon 10th Guild 2.00pm Strachur New Hall Speaker Jugh Henderson Haiti Project (All welcome) Tue 25th Conversation Group pm, Tigh na Lachan Sun 30th The service in Lochgoilhead Church will be especially for children. Sun 30th Evening service Kilmorich 7.00pm Notices Lochgoilhead Sunday School meets every Sunday in the Church 1100am 12 noon Lochgoilhead Village Voices meets every Monday in the Church 7.30pm 9pm. Letter from the Manse Dear Friends Upper Cowal Courier is published monthly on the last Sunday of the month Prior to issue. Information for the November 2016 issue should be sent to either of the editors by Sunday 23rd October Betty Acklam, Ardshiel, 23 Baycrofts, Strachur PA27 8BW ; .acklam950@btinternet.com Upper Lorraine Cowal Drew, Courier 3 Donich Issue Park, 035 Lochgoilhead October 2016 PA24 page 8AB ; lorraine.drew@yahoo.co.uk

2 Letter from the Manse Dear friends, 'To everything its season,' wrote Koheleth or the Preacher. Last month as I wrote to you I was talking about the summer weather. With the equinox passing on the 22nd of September, we now very much feel ourselves to be in Autumn. The swallows that found themselves nesting places at churches such as Kilfinnan and Strathlachlan have gone. There is not the same immediacy about singing in such places the psalm: How lovely is thy dwelling-place, O Lord of Hosts, to me! The tabernacles of thy grace, how pleasant, Lord, they be!. Behold, the sparrow findeth out an house wherein to rest; the swallow also for herself hath purchased a nest, even thine own altars, where she safe her young ones forth may bring. Appropriate singing is one of the aspects of the changing seasons that is to be enjoyed. On a good summer Sunday many still take delight in the opportunity to sing, Summer suns are glowing over land and sea; happy light is flowing bountiful and free. Earlier, in the Spring, we may in the past have sung with the children, Farmer, farmer sow your seed up the field and down; God will make the golden corn grow where all is brown, as well as singing with Easter joy, Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain. Autumn is, I suppose, dominated as far as singing hymns is concerned by harvest song Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home! and, All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above. Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all his love. John Arlott, the doyen of cricket commentators, wrote hymns. Perhaps he was too preoccupied in the Summer to write them. At any rate, those I know of are a spring one and an autumn one. For Spring he wrote, By the rutted roads we follow, fallow fields are rested now; all along the waking country soil is waiting for the plough. This is first of all man's labours, man must always plough the earth; God, be with us at the ploughing, touch our harvest at its birth. And for harvest he wrote, God, whose farm is all creation, take the gratitude we give; take the finest of our harvest, crops we grow that all may live. We assert strongly and practically that the world's harvest is for all when we give food away, or when we send help to people whose harvest has failed. With all this talk of singing, I must mention Village Voices in Lochgoilhead. The church has a piano and a good acoustic, so they have been meeting there. Amid variety on an international scale, they have been singing of the French cuckoo and more inscrutable things. Carols may soon be on the menu. It's for anyone who would like to join in. Yours sincerely, Robin Mackenzie Upper Cowal Courier Issue 035 October 2016 page 2

3 Editorial Summer has passed so quickly and now we are into autumn and have enjoyed some good weather during the earlier part of September which enabled us to tidy up our gardens and get out and about before winter is upon us but sadly at the time of writing the weather has deteriorated.. The Guild will be starting their new session this month and further details can be found on page 5. The Conversation Group will also be commencing their meetings this month. We also welcome and look forward to John McCulloch joining us. The Harvest Lunch at Strachur New Hall was very successful and our thanks to Elspeth Ferguson and Fiona Campbell and all who helped to make this a very enjoyable time with good fellowship and as usual an excellent meal. While on holiday in Strachur I was inspired to pen these words having been impressed by a book entitled Signposts, a devotional map of the Psalms by Derek Tidball. Strachur Saved by Jesus Trust in Him Rest in Him Awake to His presence Call on his name Holy is his name United in divine love Rejoice in His love always Jean Wallace Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen carefully Seek to do good and you will find that happiness will run after you Nobody has eve measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold Upper Cowal Courier Issue 035 October 2016 page 3

4 News from Parish of Lochgoilhead & Kilmorich Update on Iona Trips This year we again had two Iona trips but this time it was slightly different. Our group of 7 went with all the 11 to 14 year olds to the Iona Community s Camas Centre on the Ross of Mull in April. We met up with a group from Glasgow and also some of the older group that go to festival later in the year who were there as young leaders. It was a totally different experience than what we are used to. This centre is an eco centre with no piped in water, electricity or even a road in. We got off the bus at the Camas gates and we walked the mile and a half along the track with our luggage! We spent the week helping with the garden, walking around the Ross of Mull, wild camping, artwork, lots of singing around the fire in the evening and also had the great experience of seeing some of the magical northern lights. We had our morning and night reflections which were all run by the young leaders. This was humbling for me to witness as the group this year were all 11 or 12 years old and the young leaders, who are now 17 or 18 years old having been going to Iona since they were that age. It was fantastic to see them take on that responsibility with faith and courage. Iona Festival this year was the first week of August. The theme was Speaking Truth to Power. There were groups from Jacksonville, New York, Sweden, Glasgow and England as well as ourselves from Cowal. The young people were put into clans, and each clan, along with their morning and evening workshops on the theme, also taking a service on this speaking truth with power theme. As the service followed through the theme each evening, they built to the last evening, the Agape service where everyone took part in serving each other and being served. It was a week full of laughter, games, ceilidh, beach, pilgrimage and great community spirit enjoyed by all. Next year s trips will be organised soon and if anyone is interested in joining our groups or would like any information please get in touch (Submitted by Lorna Alexander). Upper Cowal Courier Issue 035 October 2016 page 4

5 News from Parish of Strachur & Strathlachlan CrossReach I have received the Christmas Card and Calendar Collection for 2016 from CrossReach, the social work department of the Church of Scotland. This is a very worthwile cause. Their work includes helping people with drug addiction, prisoners and their families, mothers with post-natal depression and they also run care homes all over Scotland, one of which is Invereck in our area and many more projects. A couple of the catalogues are available in both Strachlachlan and Strachur Churches. If you would like to place an order please get in touch with me either by telephone 01369=860030, acklam950@btinternet.com or personally. The latest date to place an order with me is Sunday 30th October. The Guild Betty Acklam Our 2016/17 Session commences on Monday 10th October at 2.00pm in Strachur New Hall. The speaker will be Hugh Henderson The Haiti Project. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible and new members will be made most welcome. Notice There is a flower calendar in Strachur & Strathlachlan Churches for 2016 and if you would like to help by supplying flowers please add your name at the appropriate date. Supporting People In Food Crisis If you know of a family or individual requiring our support please contact us on the following number We can deliver food parcels in the Dunoon and Cowal area 7 days a week. We can also supply baby food, nappies and toiletries. Upper Cowal Courier Issue 035 October 2016 page 5

6 While we were on a cruise to Norway last summer Bob visited this church and found it very interesting and thought he would share this with you. Var Freisers Kirke Haugesund, Norway (Our Saviour s Church) Church of Norway Lutheran The Church was designed by Architect Einar Halliland. Constructed in redfacing brick and in New Gothic, Historistic style with the steeple towering 160 feet above street level. Dedicated The stained glass, made by Linnicher Kunstanstalt, Germany, presents The Holy Trinity. The alter piece by Frederik Kolsto, shows Jesus in Gethsemene, with open hands towards his heavenly Father as well as to everyone that comes inside the church. In front of the pulpit King Frederik II s Bible from 1589 is displayed. Betty Acklam Var Frelsers kirke is the central sanctuary Haugaland Deanery, which is a part of Stavanger Diocese. Upper Cowal Courier Issue 035 October 2016 page 6

7 Session Clerk Treasurer Active Elders CHARGE of UPPER COWAL Minister Rev. Dr. R. K. Mackenzie The Manse, Strachur PA27 8DG Tel: Parish of Strachur and Strathlachlan - Shirley McHugh - Douglas McHugh - Betty Acklam, Bob Acklam, Anne Fiddes, Elizabeth Fraser Cathie Montgomery, Donald Maclauchlan, Margaret Maclauchlan, Douglas McHugh, Shirley McHugh, Roy Sutherland, Lindsay Walker. Parish of Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich Session Clerk - Jean Campbell Treasurer - James Sim Elders - Lorna Alexander, Alex Burgess, Nigel Callander, Jean Campbell, Sadie Mackenzie, Alistair McCallum, Roddy MacDiarmid, Margaret Paterson, James Sim. Board - Margaret Adams. Sunday Worship Please see back page for details of service times at all four churches. Communion Lochgoilhead: The 3rd Sunday in March, the last Sunday of June and September and the 2nd Sunday in December. Kilmorich: The third Sunday in March and the first Sunday in October. Strachur & Strathlachlan: The second Sunday in January, the first Sunday in March, Easter Day, the first Sunday in June, the third Sunday in September and the first Sunday in November. Coffee and Chat On the first Wednesday, every month you are invited to an informal social occasion in Lochgoilhead Village Hall Library. Simply enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and fellowship. Everyone is most welcome and there is no charge. Visitors are especially welcome so watch out for the dates. Contact Jean Campbell for more information tel Guild Strachur & Strathlachlan Guild meet on the 2nd Monday of each month October - March at 2.00pm in Strachur New Hall. All welcome. Contact the president Lorna Sutherland for more information Conversation Group The Conversation Group meets on the last Tuesday of each month October - June at 7.30pm. Contact Roy Sutherland for more information tel. Thank you to Argyll Holidays for the provision of printing services for this issue (Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich copies) Upper Cowal Courier Issue 035 October 2016 page 7

8 Services for October 2016 Lochgoilhead Strathlachlan Strachur Kilmorich Sun 2nd 9.45am 10.00am 11.45am 12 noon HolyCommunion Door L Alexander Lorna & Roy Elizabeth Fraser & Sutherland Margaret McNab Bell J Sim Elizabeth Fraser Flowers Harvest Betty Mack /Harvest Sun 9th 9.45am 10.00am` 11.45am Door J Campbell Lorna & Roy Sutherland Elizabeth Fraser & Margaret McNab Bell A Burgess Elizabeth Fraser Flowers Mrs D Brooks Sun 16th 9.45am 10.00am` 11.45am 12 noon Door L Alexander Lorna & Roy Douglas McHugh Sutherland Bell I Graham Douglas McHugh Flowers L Alexander Margaret McNab Sun 23 rd 9.45am 10.00am 11.45am Door J Campbell Lorna & Roy Elizabeth Fraser & Sutherland Margaret McNab Bell G Gordon Elizabeth Fraser Flowers Mrs S Burgess Sun 30th 9.45am 10.00am 11.45am 7.00pm Door L Alexander Lorna & Roy Sutherland J Sim Bell Flowers Mrs M Brodie To be advised Upper Cowal Courier Issue 035 October 2016 page 8