M A Y 2 0 1 3 Focus The Church Newsletter of Peterculter Parish Church This Month: Christian Aid Week 12 th 18 th May Save the Date! Culter s Got Talent Friday 10 th May Tickets available from church office. More info on page 4. AIYF Concert Friday 2 nd August Norwegian Youth Choir. Tickets available soon. More info on page 4.
From the Manse One thing I have learned about Ministry over the years is that even when something does not go as well as you had hoped, or the response to an event or new idea is poor, it s always important to look on the bright side and find something positive! One example is that there has been a surprisingly poor response from members to the offer to deliver a CD recording of the morning service to those unable to attend church. I asked elders to check with appropriate people in their district as to who might be interested and, at the time of writing, only one elder has responded with a name. The positive side is that the recordings will be placed on the church website from now on so that those with access to it can still listen to the full service and, if you should be interested in receiving a CD, please let me know. I should add that there is no charge for this. An invitation to all those who have joined us from the supplementary roll to a cheese and wine supper also resulted in just one person coming along out of the 30 or so invited. Some may think we were mad but we still went ahead! Helping to encourage one person to get to know more about the church is still worthwhile. In addition, Julia has begun visiting those who have joined us and I hope to begin doing so soon she is better organised than me! And finally numbers at our Reflective Worship services have been fairly low, which has been quite disappointing. However, in saying that, those who have come along have greatly appreciated it and, of course, numbers are not everything! Again, I would encourage you to think about experiencing this even if it is simply a 10 minute visit while you are at coffees. To the team led by Julia who have organised this to date I would like to extend a very big thank you you are doing a great job! Yours sincerely John Ferguson. 2
Dear all, This month I d like to focus on a few aspects of our church life. First of all, I d like to thank all those who have generously responded to the plea from the Aberdeen Seafarers Centre for knitted hats for the seamen. Every year we give away about 6000 hats (with about half of that number around Christmas time when we add them to the Christmas parcels we make up for them). Our congregation have donated well over 100 hats so far thank you so much to all those who have knitted and/or keep knitting the hats. Your donations are much appreciated. Secondly, I d like to thank the Reflective Worship Team for contributing to our monthly worship experience. It s been a tremendous effort with a very encouraging outcome the space we create is appreciated by those who attend: whether they pop in for a while, come to one of the two services at 10.30 am or 11.30 am or stay a little longer. The next two events will take place on the 18 th May and 15 th June all are very welcome to come along. If you have any feedback, ideas or comments, don t hesitate to speak to myself or any other member of the Team. Your comments will be much valued. Last but not least this month is going to be rather busy we re continuing our Stewardship Season of Time on the 5 th and the 12 th May with a congregational lunch after the service on the 12 th May. That same day starts Christian Aid Week where collectors will be knocking on your door and collecting any donations to Christian Aid you may wish to give. If you d like to help in any way, please speak to me I d be more than happy to accommodate you. With every blessing, Julia Mid-Week Lunches Wed 1 st May 12.30-1.30 pm in the large hall A two course lunch for the bargain price of 3.50 All Welcome! 3
Aberdeen International Youth Festival Concert Friday 2 nd August This year we will get the chance to enjoy the Viva Sandnes Choir from Norway. They are about 40 strong and came to the AIYF for the first time in 2010. Friday May 10 th at 7.30 pm Culter s Got Talent If you would like to take part, email the church office secretary@culterkirk.co.uk Open to people of all ages. All kinds of acts accepted singing, dancing, recitation, magician, ventriloquist, dancing dogs! First prize: 100 Second prize: 50 Third prize: 25 Tickets 8 for adults/ 4 for children In aid of the community 4
Table Top Sales The next Table Top Sale will be held on Saturday 4 th May, 10 am - 12 noon. A table costs 5 and set up is from 9 am 10 am. To book contact the church office on 735845 or secretary@culterkirk.co.uk Teas, Coffees and a Chat! Thursday and Saturday Coffee Time Join us for coffee in the small hall on Thursdays and Saturdays between 10.00 and 12 noon. All Welcome. Come and enjoy fellowship, fine fare and fresh coffee. You are also invited to join the short service of workship on Thursday mornings at 11.30 am. A Congregational Lunch will be held after the service on 12 th May to mark the end of our Stewardship Season which focuses this year on the theme of Time. Tickets costing 3 are available from the Church Office or after the service on 28 th April, 5 th of May and, if any are left, on the 12 th of May. Hope you have the time to have lunch at the church on the 12 th. 5
Saturday 8th June 2013 2pm 4pm Tickets: Adults 3.00/Children 1.50 Available from Church Office or at the door (Price includes tea/coffee & home baking) Stalls include: Bric-a Brac Bottle Stall Chocolate Tombola DVDs/CDs As new stall (not clothes) Books Cake & Candy Toys/Games Traidcraft Flowers Please hand in any donations for stalls on Friday 8th June from 7 9pm To arrange any collection contact Richard Little on 733166 or Jill at the Church Office on 735845 6
Church Directory Funerals 8 th April Chris Cowie, Westhill Gardens, Westhill 9 th April Johnina Wilson, Johnston Gardens West 12 th April Graham Alexander Davidson, North Deeside Road 15 th April Daisy Wallace, Annesley House, Torphins 16 th April Helen Michie, Hillside Cresent 17 th April Douglas Evans, Coronation Road 18 th April Bert Tait, Johnston Gardens West 22 nd April Jim Wright, Johnston Gardens North Church Flowers Donations towards the flowers this month were kindly donated by: Anna Findlay Thank you to all whose who supported our coffee morning/daffodil tea at the end of last month. If you are planting up seeds at this time, maybe you could plant a few extra for our stall at the Summer Fayre, which is only 6 weeks away. Thanks. Convenor: Violet Smith, 733317 Treasurer Mabel Taylor, 732030 7
Presbytery Plan Following General Assembly instructions all Presbyteries throughout Scotland were tasked with producing Presbytery Plans for the next ten years taking account of the reduced number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) posts to be paid for from central funds. For Aberdeen this meant a drop from 45 posts in the previous Plan to only 38.1 FTE s. There was no regular meeting of Presbytery in April but a special meeting was held on Tuesday 16 th April to discuss the proposed new Plan submitted by a sub-committee of the main Planning and Deployment Committee (PDC) which had been unable to suggest a new Plan last year. Following discussion the new Plan was agreed by Presbytery and now awaits the agreement of the Ministries Council, which meets in May, before the Plan can be fully implemented during the next ten years. There will be a review of the Plan each year. For most charges, including Peterculter, if a vacancy occurs, a full time Minister of Word and Sacrament should be inducted without restriction. The main changes are: Dissolution of Gilcomston South Eventual union of Mastrick and Summerhill with worship centred at Mastrick although a new building for outreach may be built at Summerhill subject to the development being financially sustainable A Parish Grouping to be formed between Cove and South St Nicholas Kincorth Dissolution of the City Centre Parish Grouping of St Mark s, Queen Street and Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting with a review of city centre ministry to be completed by March next year New Stockethill and Cove, both currently New Charge Development (NCD) charges, to be raised to full status in the lifetime of the Plan. Instead of the present 35 parish ministries there will be 32 leaving 6.1 additional ministry posts available to be allocated. The new Plan has a section on Shaping the Future Together and includes an instruction for Kirk Sessions to meet with other Kirk Sessions to discuss the need for closer co-operation and a reshaping of ministry across parishes. Richard Little 8
Bite Back at Hunger Christian Aid Week 12 18 May 2013 It s very rewarding to know that Christians of different traditions are working together for one common aim during Christian Aid Week. Christian Aid Week volunteer Thousands of churches will stand together this Christian Aid Week to speak out for change. Some 100,000 committed volunteers will go out and put their faith into action, raising funds to help some of the world s poorest and most vulnerable people. This includes Britain s largest house-to-house collection, an extraordinary act of witness demonstrating to our communities that we care about ending poverty and injustice. There is enough food for everyone in the world, but one in eight people will go to bed hungry tonight. This year s Christian Aid Week tells the story of how Christian Aid is helping communities to bite back at hunger through the lens of land rights in Bolivia, new technology in Kenya and innovative agriculture in Zimbabwe. You can support Christian Aid Week by looking out for local events, and discover how you can be involved by contacting Julia Lewandowska on 739378, by signing the sheet at the church door or by visiting www.caweek.org/article. 9
Holiday Club Space Academy! Once again we will be running a Holiday Club this summer for all children in Primaries 1-7. The club will run from August 12 th 16 th, from 10.00 am 12 noon. The cost will be 3 and 2 for siblings. We will be using Scripture Union material called Space Academy. To sign up and register, please email the church office at secretary@culterkirk.co.uk. General Assembly I will be attending the General Assembly this year, which runs from May 18 th 25 th. Julia will be providing pastoral cover. This should be an interesting assembly because of the issue of same sex relationships and the ministry. On Tuesday May 28th at 7.30pm in the small hall I will be giving a presentation on the General Assembly and offering an outline and reflection on some of the key decisions made. All are welcome. Birch Group Birch Group is a new group of volunteers within the church. We're exploring the possibility of holding services in the Birch House at Brighton Place in Culter. It's a facility for adults of all ages with learning disabilities and associated physical disabilities. You can check their website here: http://www.europeancare.co.uk/birch-house. At this stage we're exploring options but nothing has been decided yet. If you'd like to know more, please speak to Julia or John. 10
Outdoor Service and Barbecue On Sunday June 23 rd, we hope to have another outdoor service at the Glebe, followed by a barbecue and games for the children. Last year s went very well, even if it did have to be postponed until August! The service will start at the later time of 11.00am and those requiring transport down to the glebe should come to the church first for a lift down. Full details will be in the next issue of the magazine. Worship Diary 5 th May 10.30 am Morning Worship 12 th May 10.30 am Morning Worship Christian Aid Week Sunday 19 th May 10.30 am Morning Worship 26 th May 10.30 am Family Communion Reflective Worship The next Reflective Worship will take place on Saturday 18 th May from 10.00 am 12 noon. Drop in any time for a moment of peace, prayer and silence. You can opt in to two short acts of worship at 10.30 am and 11.30 am. The service at 11.30 am is a Communion Service with the common cup. 11
The purpose of Peterculter Parish Church is to celebrate our faith in God and in the Good News of Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship, teaching, outreach and pastoral care and to participate in the work of the worldwide Church. Peterculter Parish Church Mission Statement Minister Rev John Ferguson Tel: 735041 Email: minister@culterkirk.co.uk Probationer Julia Lewandowska Tel: 01224 739378 Email: probationer@culterkirk.co.uk Session Clerk Dave Gordon Tel: 01224 732036 Email: sessionclerk@culterkirk.co.uk Magazine Editor Val Muir Tel: 01224 735001 Email: editor@culterkirk.co.uk Church Office Jill Grant Tel: 01224 735845 Email: secretary@culterkirk.co.uk Church Office Hours Wednesdays & Fridays: 9 am 1 pm Next Issue: Material to editor Ready for distribution Sunday 19 th May Sunday 26 th May Peterculter Parish Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no.: SC001452