KINGSWELLS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER ADVENT 2011 Christmas Services 2 From the Manse 3 Christmas Giving Project 4 Communion 4 Goodbye to Dolly 5 Stewardship Campaign 7 The Guild 8 Bible Study 8 Prayer Chain 9 Jaffa Kids and Followers 10 Money Matters 10 Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals 11 Christian Aid 12
Christmas Services Sunday 11 January 11am Service of Lessons and Carols Sunday 18 December 11am Family Nativity Service Christmas Eve 11.30 pm Watch Night Service (Soup in the Hall after Worship) Christmas Day 11am Family Worship 2
From the Manse As I write, I am aware that all over America today, people will be celebrating their annual festival of thanksgiving. It s good to stop from time to time and realise how much we have to be thankful for; good friends, family, employment, health, warm homes and appetising food to name just a few. As my time as your Minister draws to a close and I answer God s call to serve in another parish, I am acutely aware that I have had a great deal to be thankful for over the last seven years. These have been evident in the expressions of encouragement and heartfelt thanks I have received from many of you and in the support of the Kirk Session and other Office Bearers. Saying goodbye makes us look back at what we have shared but it also forces us to look at what might lie ahead. At such times it is always good to draw on the promises of scripture and so let me leave you with a verse which has so often helped and sustained me through life s transitions. I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 May I wish you all a joyous Christmas, A peaceful new year: and Every blessing from the Lord, On your future life as God s people here in Kingswells Dolly Purnell 3
Christmas Giving Project 2011 Mugs for Malawi This year we are supporting Aberdeen Presbytery s appeal to meet the costs associated with its Container Project which carries much needed goods to our partner churches and their congregations in Malawi. Whether you have an Anniversary Mug or are using one of your own please bring your gift for the appeal with you to our Nativity Service on 18 th December. THANK YOU Celebration of Holy Communion 11 am Sunday 8 th January 2011 Jesus said I am the bread of life Taste and See that the Lord is Good 4
GOODBYE TO DOLLY On 1 st January 2012 we will bid farewell to our Minister, the Rev. Dolly Purnell as she leaves Kingswells to take up a charge at Drumoak and Durris Church. It is often only when someone leaves and you have the opportunity to reflect on their service, that you realise how much of an impact they have had. The saying time flies when you re having fun has certainly been true in relation to Dolly s time here - for it is difficult to believe that 7 years have passed since she and Neil first arrived at Kingswells in December 2004. During her time here Dolly has never failed to surprise and challenge us. Seeing the pencils in pots at the end of the pews was guaranteed to have the congregation arriving on a Sunday morning wondering what was going to be happening, and occasionally the cry could be heard Oh No! what s she got in store for us today? Whether we were doing a quiz, or trying to discuss with each other one of those difficult questions Dolly liked to challenge us with, Sunday worship has been changed for us forever. We have enjoyed ourselves, some more than others, but of course everything was designed to increase our knowledge and often to provoke our thinking to make us examine our attitudes. Her enthusiasm and dedication to her aim of helping each and every one of us to develop and deepen the personal relationship we have with God has had an impact on us all. Everyone in the congregation will have their own special memory of her teaching, support and encouragement. She has been a friend as well as a Minister, sharing with us both sad times of bereavement, and the happy times of marriage and baptism. There have been so many memorable events and services during Dolly s time that it s impossible to list, or do justice to them all, but I have noted below some of the highlights of the past seven years doubtless there are many others which you will feel are worthy of inclusion: 5
Childrens work: especially the close working relationship developed with Kingswells Primary School, the Simpsons Mania meetings, the Chocolate Stop, and Youth Alpha courses Family Services: fun filled all-age worship with memorable contributions by our young people, and some of our more mature members, starring in plays specially written by Dolly. Education: the introduction of Alpha Courses, morning Bible Study meetings, and the many different and varied Lent studies over the years. Outreach: The visit to Malawi by congregation members, the Coffee Shop, and the up-dated web site with sermons available to download or listen to for those unable to attend Events: There have been a number of significant events during Dolly s time with us the 150 th Anniversary with the wonderful Flower Festival, the installation and dedication of the disabled access, and the installation of two new stained glass windows. And of course we must not forget to include Neil in our farewell thanks. He has been a constant support to Dolly during her time here, and has acted as the leader for the Followers group, been the technology guru for us, and provided the soothing sound of flute music during worship. January 1 st will mark an ending and a beginning for both Dolly and the congregation. However as Dolly has already said, change is nothing to fear, she has given us the inspiration to be able to look forward to the future with faith and confidence. We wish Dolly every happiness and fulfilment in her new charge. For and on behalf of all our members, friends and adherents, Lorna Graham 6
STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN The Kirk Session is planning to undertake a Stewardship Campaign in 2012. Discussions about undertaking a campaign were already underway, when events overtook us and the General Assembly issued an instruction that all congregations were required to undertake a Stewardship event in 2012. Christian Stewardship is about using our gifts wisely in order to glorify God and share the Gospel through worship, mission and service. The Kirk Session s aim is to build Stewardship into the church calendar, on a rolling programme. In 2012 we will be focusing on Money, then in future years on Time and Talent. To undertake this Stewardship campaign next year the Kirk Session needs your help. A successful campaign should involve the whole congregation, and we are looking for people to become part of the Planning Group there are lots of roles to fill within the groups responsible for Administration, Publicity, Visiting, Gatherings/Events and Follow-Up & Analysis. If you have skills in any of these areas and would be interested to find out more about what is involved, please speak to me any Sunday. We hope to have the first meeting of the Planning Group in February 2012 with the aim of starting the campaign in early Autumn. We will be receiving a lot of help and advice from the Area Stewardship Consultant, Fiona Penny, who will meet regularly with the Planning Group. Please give this request your prayerful consideration and get in touch if you would like to be part of this exciting initiative next year. Lorna Graham Session Clerk Tel: 313048 Email: lorna.graham15@btinternet.com 7
THE GUILD Prior to our first proper meeting of Session 2011 2012 we paid a visit on 18 September to our GuildLink friends in Broughty Ferry. We had a wonderful time joining them in their Guild Dedication Service, viewing their new church halls and then enjoying a wonderful lunch at a local hotel. We then had our own Service of Dedication on 25 September before our first meeting on 4 October when we were delighted to hear Neil Hehir play his fiddle and tell us about all things fiddly! At our second meeting we heard about the wonderful work and commitment of the charity Somebody Cares - we should all be encouraged to support this by donating goods and visiting their cafe and salerooms at the former Dobbies site. Our next meeting is our Christmas Party on 6 December when we will also have a bring-and-buy table. We hope that the weather will be kind to us and we will not have to cancel what promises to be a fun, enjoyable evening. As in previous years we have no meeting planned for January but look forward to meeting up on 7 February 2012. Please remember that if you would like to attend any of our meetings you are very welcome even if you do not consider yourself a member - and if anyone would like a lift at any time please give me a call and I will gladly arrange this. Wishing you all a blessed, peaceful and happy Christmas. Joyce Taylor, Secretary (279976) THE BIBLE STUDY GROUP You are very welcome to join us at the Bible Study Group on a Tuesday morning. A group of us meet up at 9.30 to read and discuss a passage from the Bible. We follow a study book and we talk about the passage and how it relates to our lives and us and also to the present day situation worldwide. We find we help one another gain greater insight to the word of God and encourage and support one another in our walk with Christ. 8
None of us are experts, in fact we would probably all say we have a lot to learn but we have found that we get a lot out of meeting regularly like this. If you would like to learn more about the group why not come along one Tuesday and see for yourself we are all very friendly and you will be made very welcome. Anne Rodger THE PRAYER CHAIN The prayer chain will willingly pray for people both in the church and in the community. We pray for lots of different subjects - for health issues, big or small, bringing things before God for blessing or asking for guidance in the decisions we have to make in life. We pray for all age groups and people and we give thanks regularly for answered prayer. If you would like us to pray you can write out the prayer and put it in the box at the door of the church or otherwise you can contact. Anne Rodger on 743742. AN ADVENT PRAYER Another year Has passed us by, We get ready to celebrate Your coming into our midst. You have kept us safe, You have been the light in our darkness, Hope in moments of despair Shelter in the storm. We remember Your love for us Emmanuel, We know You are always with us, So along with the house of Jacob, We will walk In the light of our LORD And give thanks to your name. 9
News from Jaffa Kids and Followers We have had a busy few months since the start of the school year Around Harvest time we were thinking about Fairtrade, Feast and Famine and sent 36 from our collections to the DEC fund to help people affected by the drought in East Africa Followers helped to delivery some gifts of fruit and flowers to elderly members of the congregation after the Harvest service. They also helped to sell Fairtrade goods at the Sale organised by Chris Maxwell Jaffa Kids have been finding out about the angels who spoke to Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds, bringing good news about the birth of Jesus and on 18 December will be taking the parts of angels and shepherds in the special Christmas All Age Worship Service Look out for more evidence of our activities on our noticeboards or come and talk to us after the service Audrey Wilson-Hay MONEY MATTERS The congregational finances in the general account show an improvement with the accounts for the eleven months to 31 November showing a surplus for the year to date of almost 15,000. Since my last report expenditure on day-to-day items has changed little. May I take the opportunity to thank all those who give by way of freewill envelopes for a very smooth transition from the old to the new. Despite all that I have said we cannot be complacent, as new financial challenges will always confront us. In this context I urge anyone who is a taxpayer and who regularly gives to the church, to consider giving by Gift Aid as we can then recover the tax on their giving not only in future but also on any identifiable contributions over the past four years. This is particularly important as the beneficial transition arrangement, which all charities have enjoyed since the tax rate changed from 10
22% to 20% three years ago, ended in April 2011, as a result of which we will lose around 1,200 per year. The retiring offering at the remembrance service raised a total of 210.48 (2010-217.77), which has been sent to Poppy Scotland. I thank you for your continuing support. Jim Henderson, Treasurer Baptisms Jesus said Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven 25 th September Savannah Lilly Sutherland 2 nd October Lewis Alexander Cameron Callum Robert Cameron 23 rd October Ava Louise Scott 6 th November Matthew Brian Mitchell 27 th November Louise Ellen Beatty Weddings in 2011 Love one another as I have loved you 8 th April Alison Price & David Gordon 9 th April Pauline Howie & Alexander Ingram 23 rd April Sara Minton & James Fordham 23 rd July Lucy Latham & Christopher Fowlie 6 th August Emma Binns & John Watt Funerals I am the resurrection and the life. 29 th September Mr Peter Kemp 11 th November Mrs Anna Robertson 11
This Little Light of Mine There's a little flame inside us all: Some shine bright, Some shine small. The rains will come And the waters rise But don't you ever lose your light. In this life you will know Love and pain, Joy and sorrow. So when it hurts, When times get hard, Don't forget whose child you are. May you live each day with no regret. Make the most of every chance you get. And your eyes get wide When you look at the stars With the same sense of wonder As the heart of a child. There will be days when you want to give up When clouds settle in; But after the rain, comes the sun, Don't you ever forget! One day there will be no more pain And we will finally see Jesus face. So until then I'm gonna try To brave the dark And let my little light shine! Give a goat and you could provide a family with milk to drink and kids to sell on at market. 15.00 Fruit trees could provide healthy, nutritious fruit for a struggling family in Nicaragua. 16.00 Eggs from 2 chickens could provide a valuable source of nutrition and extra income. 21.00 Visit presentaid.org or phone 08453300500 or see Chris Maxwell for catalogue to make your purchase and help people to help themselves 12