Contact is the magazine of Mastrick Parish Church, Greenfern Road, Mastrick, Aberdeen AB16 6TR, Tel

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1 Spring Contact 2018 Contact is the magazine of Mastrick Parish Church, Greenfern Road, Mastrick, Aberdeen AB16 6TR, Tel FROM THE MINISTER I am getting ready for my trip to visit Vivien, August and our new grandson Isaiah in the Philippines. At the moment I seem to have lots of to do lists. I have a list of all the things that Vivien can t get over there and wants us to bring like Bisto granules, maltesers, hot chocolate sachets, Deans shortbread and of course as much chocolate as I have room for. I have another list of all the things I need for the trip and as I tick them off that list I pop them into my suitcase sandals, sunglasses, cropped trousers. None of these I will need in Aberdeen at the moment! Then there is the list of all the work I need to finish before I go - like this article for Contact. If I am honest, sometimes I feel like I have a spiritual to-do list as well, that at times is two miles long! Do you know what I am talking about? I m supposed to be reading my Bible, I need to be praying, I need to be a good wife, a good mother, a good grandmother. I need to make sure that I m witnessing and on and on it goes. And what about the church? Is it just another to-do list that we have to add to our pile? But I view it differently because I believe that the local church is like a spiritual greenhouse. It is an environment that God has created. So you see, loving the church is not just another thing we need to do, it is the thing that God has called all of us every Christian to do, so that we can thrive and grow the way He wants us to. I will take greetings from Mastrick Church to the folk in Santiago, Isabela and look forward to seeing you all when Bill and I return. love and blessings Susan PARISH REGISTER BAPTISM It has been a pleasure to welcome to our church family: George Tapscott FUNERALS We remember with thanksgiving those who have died recently and we offer their families our prayerful sympathy: Norman Hoggins Ina Taylor Marie Milne June Lamond Robert (Bob) Hepburn Thomas Battensby John Grant 1

2 WORSHIP Service of Communion on Sunday 4 March 2018, at 11am You are all invited to share in the Lord s Table HOLY WEEK Maundy Thursday 29 March Service at Summerhill Church, at 7pm Good Friday 30 March Service at Mastrick Parish Church, at 7pm Easter Sunday 1 April We will join our friends at Summerhill for an early morning service at 9.00 am. Afterwards we will have breakfast together am service at Mastrick as usual. Please bring along daffodils for our cross which will be at the main door of the church. SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR SUNDAYS 4 March Exodus 20:1-17 & John 2: March Numbers 21:4-9 & John 3: March Jeremiah 31:31-34 & John 12: March Psalm 118:1-2, & Mark 11: April Acts 10:34-43 & John 20: April Acts 4: & John 20: April Acts 3:12-19 & Luke 24:36b April Acts 4:5-12 & John 10: April Acts 8:26-40 & John 15:1-8 SUNDAY MORNING TEAS AND COFFEES It s good to see so many members enjoying the Thanks to Avril for her help, and to everyone who beverages, biscuits and chat. contributes biscuits, sweets etc. MASTRICK CHURCH STATED ANNUAL MEETING will take place in the Church, after our Communion Service on Sunday 4 March

3 HOT CROSS BUN GIVE-AWAY IN MASTRICK We are looking for donations of hot cross buns to give away to people at the shops on Good Friday, 30 March. These can be brought along to the Pearl Cowie room any time after 9.00 am on the day. We are looking for folk to butter and bag the buns along with a serviette explaining why we are giving out Hot Cross Buns. Volunteers are also required to hand them out. If you can help, even for an hour or so, this would be very much appreciated. Why a cross on a Hot Cross Bun? Traditionally eaten on Good Friday, when Jesus Christ was put to death, the bun's cross reminds us of what Jesus did for all humankind - even you! Just a story or the most significant event in all history? There's more to a Hot Cross Bun than you realise and there's even more to Jesus Christ than you think. THE LONG ROAD TO HEAVEN Nick Bowry, the curate, at St Clements Church has invited us to join them for a Lent Study course based on the film The Way. It will run on a Thursday afternoon and evening starting on 22 February, then 1 st, 8 th, 15 th and 22 nd March. Details are as follows: Afternoon: Gather at 3.30pm for tea and coffee, start discussion at 4pm. Finish at 5.15 pm Evening: Gather at 7.00pm for tea and coffee. Start discussion at 7.30 pm. Finish at 8.45 pm POP UP CAFES AND PLAY SESSIONS Pop Up Café & Play Sessions have proved popular over the past year, and so they now take place each Thursday during school terms, in the Church Hall from pm. The Café and Play Sessions are for those caring for pre-school children to get together over a cuppa, and make new friends, while children play together. Lots of different toys are available and we enjoy singing with children playing the bells, tambourines, drums anything that can make a noise! great fun for children and adults alike! Please share this information with family, friends, and neighbours and encourage them to come along all welcome! Thanks to those who volunteer and make it possible if you would like to consider volunteering, further information is available from Teresa Broere. MESSY CHURCH The next Messy Church will be held during the summer, and details will be shared in the Summer Contact. THANKYOU! A cheque for has been given to the Len Ironside Centre from the money raised from the sale of our bows which decorated the Christmas tree inside the main door of the church. This was gratefully received by the charity 3

4 FLOWERS IN CHURCH The Flower Calendar is available in the Church foyer or contact Helen Gauld direct to donate money or flowers for a specific date during the year. Many thanks to everyone who has donated so generously so far this year and during The flowers are greatly appreciated by those who receive them and we receive numerous cards indicating the pleasure and comfort they give, knowing they come with the thoughts and prayers of the Church family. Helen Gauld JAMES TYRRELL CENTRE Everyone at the Centre had a very good time over the festive period with lots of Christmas games and activities. The Christmas party was very good, a lovely lunch, good entertainment, a visit from Santa - what more could we ask for?! Thanks to staff and volunteers for making it all happen. It was very much appreciated by members and guests. The start of the year brought sadness for all of us at the James Tyrrell Centre. Our driver Bill Hadden died suddenly at the turn of the year. Bill was a dear friend to the members, he was so caring and helpful, always willing to help them, doing so much more than he was expected to do. We have lost a colleague who did so much to help all of us and contributed in so many ways to the smooth running of the Centre and indeed the church. Bill will be sorely missed. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers for all they do to enhance the lives of our members: without their input and support The James Tyrrell Centre would not be the unique place that it is. We always need more volunteers, and you can get more information about this by contacting the James Tyrrell Centre on Rose Clayton, Management Team Chair PROPERTY There are two separate heating systems, one for the church and one for the halls and recently there have been severe problems with the system heating the halls. It badly needs to be upgraded and soon before it fails completely. See elsewhere in this edition of Spring Contact for more information about how we propose to fund the necessary work. Work on the gable end of the hall roof and the windows and sills at the outside of the Pearl Cowie kitchen is needed, and will happen soon, weather permitting. Some outside paintwork at the manse will also be done once we get warmer weather. Raymond plans to start tidying up the garden once that the weather is better and warmer. Rose Clayton 4

5 NEWS FROM BRIAN GAULD, SESSION CLERK As well as welcoming a new addition to Susan and Bill s family in the Philippines, Helen and I also welcomed a new grandson slightly closer to home in Edinburgh. Woody Alexander Platts was born on 1st February to daughter Emma and her husband Dave. The expectation was always that Emma and Dave would have a quirky name for their son but I was extremely touched when they included the middle name Alexander in remembrance of my great uncle Alexander Gauld who was a Gordon Highlander in the First World War. Through research by Stewart Mitchell a volunteer researcher at the Gordon Highlanders museum it was discovered that Alexander probably joined up in early 1916 aged 18 years though there is every likelihood that he lied about his age and joined up in He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field. This WW1 medal was a distinguished award for bravery for NCOs and soldiers of the British Army, second only to the Victoria Cross for other ranks. Notification of the award was published in the London Gazette on the 14th January 1918 though we have no indication without further research of the actual date of the action or the significant act of bravery which merited the recognition. Sadly, Regimental history indicates that the 24 March 2018 was a disastrous day for the Gordon Highlanders and a lot of ground was given up with heavy casualties. Alexander survived that offensive but on 25th March the Germans made another push against the British lines and during this time 400 of the 4th Battalion were killed, wounded or missing. Alexander was one of those casualties. He has no known grave. I am so proud that Emma and Dave chose to remember Alexander in the naming of their son, recognising the character and bravery of the young man who went to war for his country, fought so bravely for almost the duration of the war, sadly perishing in a foreign field on 25th March It is also poignant that we welcome a new life in our family in 2018, with Alexander s name remembering the significant anniversary of the centenary of his death and the end of the First World War, the like of which, hopefully, none of our children or grandchildren will ever have to experience. Brian Gauld COME AND HELP US STEAM TOWARDS OUR BOILER FUND! COLOURS LADIES FASHION SHOW AND POP UP SHOP at Mastrick Parish Church Wednesday 4 April 2018 Doors open at 7.00 pm, show starts at 7.30 pm Tickets 5 to be purchased in advance include a glass of wine/soft drink and cake 5

6 JUSTICE AND PEACE Fairtrade The Fairtrade stall each Sunday morning continues to have a reasonable turnover - although there is not so much choice at the moment some items are on order and will be available soon. There is also a book for you to order any goods that you may wish to purchase Instant Neighbour It s a sad fact that many people in the UK increasingly find themselves in need of foodbanks, and Aberdeen despite its wealth and status as the Oil Capital of Europe is no exception. Instant Neighbour co-ordinates one of the foodbanks here in Aberdeen, and for a number of years, members of the congregation have regularly filled their collection box at the Church door with donations of tea, coffee, and various food items. Many thanks to the folk of Mastrick who so generously and regularly keep the box well-stocked! Stamps Rose sent a box of stamps off to the Church of Scotland Appeal - it was so heavy it had to go by courier! Cross Reach has yet to send information about how they are to receive their stamps. Thank you to all members for your contributions to the stamp appeals, please keep them coming! A Prayer For Those Who Live Alone I live alone, dear Lord, stay by my side. In all my daily needs, be Thou my guide. Grant me good health, for that indeed I pray, to carry on my work from day to day. Keep pure my mind, my thoughts, my every need. Spare me from fire, flood, malicious tongues, From thieves, from fear, from evil ones. If sickness or accident befall Then humbly, Lord, I pray Thee, hear my call, and when I m feeling low or in despair Lift my heart to help me in my prayer. I live alone, dear Lord, yet I have no fear, because I feel your presence ever near. Thanks to Cath White for sharing this poem 6

7 FINANCIAL MATTERS AND FUNDRAISING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, at 121 Each year we make Ministries and Mission contributions to the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. The total contribution for 2018 is 31,294 which is a substantial increase from the amount paid last year of 23,070. CHURCH BOILERS! One of the boilers heating the church hall has not been working since January 2017 and now we must replace both of them. For the last couple of months we have been trying to obtain quotes from local plumbers to undertake the work and these are still outstanding. So we have had to look further afield. We know this will be costly though we do not yet know how much it will be. The Presbytery Business Committee has been contacted requesting help from the Gilcomston South Fund. We may also be eligible for a grant from the General Trustees and will have to wait for the quote to advance this. The Kirk Session has agreed that we will need to step up our fundraising. As you know we are having a Fashion Show on the 4 April, we will have a special Giving Day on 3 June at our Communion Service, and on Saturday 28 July we will have an Afternoon Tea. Please put these dates in your diary - more details will follow shortly. FORTHCOMING EVENTS! Monthly car boots sales started up again last October. They have been well supported and we raised over 500 in the two months for our Fabric Fund. Entry fee is 50p. Tea/ coffee and a fine piece is 2. Doors open at am and we finish around 12 noon. We start again on Saturday 24 February. Donations for our raffle are always welcome. If you would like to book a table. or donate a raffle prize, please contact Linda Barron on TORRY MEMORIES AND HERITAGE SOCIETY The Torry Memories & Heritage Society is designed to give the people of Torry and the surrounding area the opportunity to enjoy the company of others and reflect on their memories and experiences in a safe and friendly environment. We encourage people to share and ultimately preserve their memories and the rich Heritage of Torry and Aberdeen. The Society hopes to eliminate the isolation that many of the older generation experience living at home. We also hope to enhance community participation by encouraging local schools to participate, learn and enjoy inter-generational conversations and experiences. We have created a memory room in the form of a 1940's/50's living room. The room evokes memories and helps stimulate conversation for those with memory problems. It is the first memory room available to a community in Aberdeen. If you would like more information on the Society and/or would like to visit the Memory Room, please contact Pamela Swanson at torrymemoriesheritagesociety@gmail.com or call Are you thinking about joining our Church? Please contact the minister on to speak to her about when you would be available to attend a short course about church membership 7

8 CONTACT POINTS Minister Rev Susan Sutherland, Manse , Church Office , Parish Assistant Teresa Broere, Church Office 01224, , Session Clerk Brian Gauld, Minute Clerk Jean Bell, , Treasurer Organist Roll Keeper Church Officer Finance Team & Gift Aid Bill Booth Kareen Nicol Margaret Gee, , Bill Russell Kathleen Donald, , Freewill Offering Moira Stewart, Property Team & Hall Lets Rose Clayton, , Pastoral Care & Minibus Audrey Lawrence, Justice & Peace Team Brian Gauld, Flower Team James Tyrrell Centre Management Team Helen Gauld, , Rose Clayton, , Leisure Club Stan Stewart, Rainbows Brownies Guides JayCarroll, Christine Bell, , Shannen Brown-Cran, , Contact Editor Jean Bell, , 8