QUARTERLY NEWS LETTER
CHRIST CHURCH, KINCARDINE O’NEIL
A Scottish Charity: SC001675
CHURCH SERVICES and
Goings on
December 2023 http://christchurchkon.weebly.com/
Happenings and so forth
Andrew Nicol writes
We live in the Land of the Mountain and the Flood and our thoughts and prayers are with those who are experiencing difficulty with the all the rain and snow; with the sick and vulnerable and with those who mourn the loss of someone in the family or a friend.
These are troubled times, on the global geopolitical scene, on environmental matters, in the Diocese and not without challenge for Christ Church with the interregnum not likely to end any time soon. Father God knows all this so as we enter 2024, let us put our trust in Him afresh. For the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
This is the quarterly communication to let you know what Services are planned for Christ Church and who is down on the batting order to do what and what has been happening.
If for any reason, and it is realised that something can crop up at short notice, you cannot take up your place on the rota, please take responsibility for arranging a swap or finding someone to take your place. This will be a great help.
Whenever you can, please support the Lay Ministry Team by coming a few minutes early to assist with setting up and/or staying on after the Service to help putting things away.
A Scottish Charity: SC001675
CHURCH SERVICES and
Goings on
December 2023 http://christchurchkon.weebly.com/
Happenings and so forth
Andrew Nicol writes
We live in the Land of the Mountain and the Flood and our thoughts and prayers are with those who are experiencing difficulty with the all the rain and snow; with the sick and vulnerable and with those who mourn the loss of someone in the family or a friend.
These are troubled times, on the global geopolitical scene, on environmental matters, in the Diocese and not without challenge for Christ Church with the interregnum not likely to end any time soon. Father God knows all this so as we enter 2024, let us put our trust in Him afresh. For the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
This is the quarterly communication to let you know what Services are planned for Christ Church and who is down on the batting order to do what and what has been happening.
If for any reason, and it is realised that something can crop up at short notice, you cannot take up your place on the rota, please take responsibility for arranging a swap or finding someone to take your place. This will be a great help.
Whenever you can, please support the Lay Ministry Team by coming a few minutes early to assist with setting up and/or staying on after the Service to help putting things away.
The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell was appointed Acting Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney in November 2023. He is the former Bishop of Pittsburgh.
Bishop Dorsey is serving as Acting Bishop during the suspension of The Rt Rev Anne Dyer from the office of Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney while canonical process takes place over complaints lodged against her. Prior to the appointment of Bishop Dorsey, the post of Acting Bishop had been held by Bishop John Armes, who has now returned to full-time duties in the Diocese of Edinburgh.
Bishop Dorsey was appointed Assisting Bishop in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney in May 2022 with a specific remit in Orkney and Shetland. He has moved to Aberdeen and his role has broadened to encompass the Diocese as a whole.
A Christmas message from Bishop Dorsey
The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney, offers this Christmas message:
Beloved in the Lord
When my son was very small, sometimes on a bright afternoon, I would sit on the sofa with him beside me. He would often be in a reflective mood, chatting away in that mystical tongue which all babies understand but grownups cannot, occasionally smiling at some hidden joke. What most charmed me was the way his eyes wandered about, as though tracing the movements of something I could not see. One of our friends, a Sufi Muslim, ventured an opinion: children this young, who have so recently come from heaven, can still see the angels which are always all around us.
I want very much to believe this, that we are at all times surrounded by the Heavenly Host, that they are not just “up there” in some unreachable world, but absolutely down here as well, accompanying us in all our cares. That is the promise of the letter to the Hebrews 12:1, that we are in fact all the time in the company of a great cloud of witnesses, and I know in my heart this is true. But too often the troubles of this life cloud my vision. I want to be able to see with the eyes of heaven. What would this world look like, then?
I am sure that the parents of the infant Jesus must frequently have noticed the same thing I did, as their baby’s eyes appeared to look into mysteries they could not see. But as Jesus grew into adulthood, He still and always saw the earth, and all the creatures in it, with the eyes of heaven. Of course, at the same time, He saw them with human eyes, felt people’s sorrow, their suffering, answered their pleas for help, out of the compassion of His open heart. Yet, more than anything, He saw them with the love of the Father, saw them with all their warts and scars and at the same time saw them as they might look in the Kingdom—ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, as the old hymn puts it. He called them to their best selves and urged them to love one another as He loved them, to love their enemies as much as their friends. On the Cross, even as his eyes closed, His Spirit still looked upon the world, and every life within it, with this same undying love.
Every one of our churches in this diocese, is the eye of Love upon the lives of those around us. People who pass by our doors, may never set foot across the threshold. Yet, the Eucharistic Presence, the hymns, the prayers, are for them as much as for us. Our calling, in all its joy, is to bring the eyes of Christ actively into the world, to see every one as God’s beloved, to imagine—as one ancient rabbi did—that before every woman, man and child there goes an angel, crying out, Make way! Behold the Image of the Most High!, then to treat them accordingly.
Of course, to begin with, we must look upon those close to us with the eyes of heaven. We might practice with those around our table in this season—the grumpy uncle, the troublesome cousin—then apply the same to those in our church, or other churches, who trouble us. We might dare to believe that, as we see with the eyes of Christ, old enmities might dissolve, love might reign in their place, and a way to peace appear. How great a gift might that be for us all this Christmas! How great a gift for us to carry into the world in the New Year.
May you and yours be richly blessed on Christmas Day and throughout the season of the Incarnation.
Faithfully your brother in the Lord
Bishop Dorsey McConnell
The Canon 54 Process
The Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) of the Scottish Episcopal Church has investigated the complaints lodged under Canon 54 regarding Bishop Anne Dyer.
Those complaints which the PPC has decided require further consideration have been referred to the Church’s internal procurator as the next stage of the canonical process. The remainder have been dismissed.
The Church’s procurator will now decide whether to take the complaints that have been referred to him to a hearing before the Clergy Disciplinary Tribunal.
Visiting Clergy
Farewell (not quite) to Rev Prof David Atkinson
Rev Prof David Atkinson, Assistant Priest at St Mary’s Inverurie, celebrated Holy Communion at Christ Church on Sundays 15th October and 19th November. He has announced that he will be having a big birthday in 2024 and is retiring from regular commitments. We bid him grateful farewells on the last Sunday that he was with us and in an impromptu valedictory address he commended the deep faith of the rural congregations of the Diocese. He also did make it clear that he was not averse to being invited back and was promptly reassured that we would. It is still to be confirmed but we hope to have him joining us at Easter.
Rev Mike Blake, Priest-in-Charge at St Andrew’s, Alford, took an evening celebration of Holy Communion at 5PM on the last Sundays of October and November and plans a Celtic Holy Communion on Hogmanay, 31st December likewise at 5PM.
On Christmas Day the church was full and Rev Dr Jenny Holden led a Service of Holy Communion. She commented how much she liked Christ Church’s commitment to All-Age worship.
Easter Sunday
You will be aware that I have repeatedly told everyone that on the last Sunday of each month we will always have an evening Service. The church calendar has snookered me as in 2024 Easter falls on 31st March, being the fifth Sunday of that month. Never mind. Anyway on Easter Sunday we will gather at 11AM to rejoice at Our Lord’s Resurrection and we hope David Atkinson will be with us to celebrate Holy Communion.
Aboyne Fareshare: please don’t forget
Please continue to support this appeal. The box remains available in the church porch for donations to Aboyne Fareshare, which covers the surrounding district including Kincardine O’ Neil. A big thank you to all who have generously made contributions of non-perishable food and toiletries to this appeal. As there continue to be a number of local people who are having difficulty in making ends meet, the appeal will remain open until further notice.
October to December 2023 in snapshot
Bishop Dorsey is serving as Acting Bishop during the suspension of The Rt Rev Anne Dyer from the office of Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney while canonical process takes place over complaints lodged against her. Prior to the appointment of Bishop Dorsey, the post of Acting Bishop had been held by Bishop John Armes, who has now returned to full-time duties in the Diocese of Edinburgh.
Bishop Dorsey was appointed Assisting Bishop in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney in May 2022 with a specific remit in Orkney and Shetland. He has moved to Aberdeen and his role has broadened to encompass the Diocese as a whole.
A Christmas message from Bishop Dorsey
The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney, offers this Christmas message:
Beloved in the Lord
When my son was very small, sometimes on a bright afternoon, I would sit on the sofa with him beside me. He would often be in a reflective mood, chatting away in that mystical tongue which all babies understand but grownups cannot, occasionally smiling at some hidden joke. What most charmed me was the way his eyes wandered about, as though tracing the movements of something I could not see. One of our friends, a Sufi Muslim, ventured an opinion: children this young, who have so recently come from heaven, can still see the angels which are always all around us.
I want very much to believe this, that we are at all times surrounded by the Heavenly Host, that they are not just “up there” in some unreachable world, but absolutely down here as well, accompanying us in all our cares. That is the promise of the letter to the Hebrews 12:1, that we are in fact all the time in the company of a great cloud of witnesses, and I know in my heart this is true. But too often the troubles of this life cloud my vision. I want to be able to see with the eyes of heaven. What would this world look like, then?
I am sure that the parents of the infant Jesus must frequently have noticed the same thing I did, as their baby’s eyes appeared to look into mysteries they could not see. But as Jesus grew into adulthood, He still and always saw the earth, and all the creatures in it, with the eyes of heaven. Of course, at the same time, He saw them with human eyes, felt people’s sorrow, their suffering, answered their pleas for help, out of the compassion of His open heart. Yet, more than anything, He saw them with the love of the Father, saw them with all their warts and scars and at the same time saw them as they might look in the Kingdom—ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, as the old hymn puts it. He called them to their best selves and urged them to love one another as He loved them, to love their enemies as much as their friends. On the Cross, even as his eyes closed, His Spirit still looked upon the world, and every life within it, with this same undying love.
Every one of our churches in this diocese, is the eye of Love upon the lives of those around us. People who pass by our doors, may never set foot across the threshold. Yet, the Eucharistic Presence, the hymns, the prayers, are for them as much as for us. Our calling, in all its joy, is to bring the eyes of Christ actively into the world, to see every one as God’s beloved, to imagine—as one ancient rabbi did—that before every woman, man and child there goes an angel, crying out, Make way! Behold the Image of the Most High!, then to treat them accordingly.
Of course, to begin with, we must look upon those close to us with the eyes of heaven. We might practice with those around our table in this season—the grumpy uncle, the troublesome cousin—then apply the same to those in our church, or other churches, who trouble us. We might dare to believe that, as we see with the eyes of Christ, old enmities might dissolve, love might reign in their place, and a way to peace appear. How great a gift might that be for us all this Christmas! How great a gift for us to carry into the world in the New Year.
May you and yours be richly blessed on Christmas Day and throughout the season of the Incarnation.
Faithfully your brother in the Lord
Bishop Dorsey McConnell
The Canon 54 Process
The Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) of the Scottish Episcopal Church has investigated the complaints lodged under Canon 54 regarding Bishop Anne Dyer.
Those complaints which the PPC has decided require further consideration have been referred to the Church’s internal procurator as the next stage of the canonical process. The remainder have been dismissed.
The Church’s procurator will now decide whether to take the complaints that have been referred to him to a hearing before the Clergy Disciplinary Tribunal.
Visiting Clergy
Farewell (not quite) to Rev Prof David Atkinson
Rev Prof David Atkinson, Assistant Priest at St Mary’s Inverurie, celebrated Holy Communion at Christ Church on Sundays 15th October and 19th November. He has announced that he will be having a big birthday in 2024 and is retiring from regular commitments. We bid him grateful farewells on the last Sunday that he was with us and in an impromptu valedictory address he commended the deep faith of the rural congregations of the Diocese. He also did make it clear that he was not averse to being invited back and was promptly reassured that we would. It is still to be confirmed but we hope to have him joining us at Easter.
Rev Mike Blake, Priest-in-Charge at St Andrew’s, Alford, took an evening celebration of Holy Communion at 5PM on the last Sundays of October and November and plans a Celtic Holy Communion on Hogmanay, 31st December likewise at 5PM.
On Christmas Day the church was full and Rev Dr Jenny Holden led a Service of Holy Communion. She commented how much she liked Christ Church’s commitment to All-Age worship.
Easter Sunday
You will be aware that I have repeatedly told everyone that on the last Sunday of each month we will always have an evening Service. The church calendar has snookered me as in 2024 Easter falls on 31st March, being the fifth Sunday of that month. Never mind. Anyway on Easter Sunday we will gather at 11AM to rejoice at Our Lord’s Resurrection and we hope David Atkinson will be with us to celebrate Holy Communion.
Aboyne Fareshare: please don’t forget
Please continue to support this appeal. The box remains available in the church porch for donations to Aboyne Fareshare, which covers the surrounding district including Kincardine O’ Neil. A big thank you to all who have generously made contributions of non-perishable food and toiletries to this appeal. As there continue to be a number of local people who are having difficulty in making ends meet, the appeal will remain open until further notice.
October to December 2023 in snapshot
Clockwise from top: Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 1st October led by Toby and Lucy Rider; Field of Remembrance. The Act of remembrance at the War Memorial and the Service in the Church were taken by Andrew Bradford; All-Age Service for All Saints Day – drawing saints; a full Church on Christmas Day after Holy Communion led by Rev Jenny Holden; the Choir for the Carol Service on Sunday 17th December; All-Age Service on First Sunday in Advent led by Lucy Rider – if you cannot always be angelic, you can still make an angel!
Christ Church website http://christchurchkon.weebly.com/
What’s happening and when
Andrew Nicol writes
This is the quarterly communication to let you know what Services are planned for Christ Church and who is down on the batting order to do what and what has been happening.
If for any reason, and it is realised that something can crop up at short notice, you cannot take up your place on the rota, please take responsibility for arranging a swap or finding someone to take your place. This will be a great help.
Whenever you can, please support the Lay Ministry Team by coming a few minutes early to assist with setting up and/or staying on after the Service to help putting things away.
Visiting Clergy
On Sunday 13 August, Rev Dr Jenny Holden, who has recently taken up a new post within the Diocese of Advisor for Christian Life, led a celebration of Holy Communion at Christ Church and was most helpful in suggesting resources for the All-Age Services.
Rev Prof David Atkinson, Assistant Priest at St Mary’s Inverurie, visited Christ Church on Sundays 20 August and led us in Holy Communion and likewise on 17 September when he preached on Creationtide slipping in a quote from “The Wind in the Willows.”
Rev Mike Blake, Priest-in-Charge at St Andrew’s, Alford, took an evening celebration of Holy Communion at 5PM on the last Sundays of July, August and September.
On the last Sunday of each month we will always have an evening Service: now at the earlier time of 5PM.
On Friday 21 July the funeral of Margaret McLean took place at Christ Church. The Service was taken by Rev Canon Lynsey Braybrook, Rector of St. Ternan’s, Banchory. Our thoughts and prayers are with Paul and Alison Panchaud and all the family.
We are therefore being well served by the Clergy of the Diocese which is helping to take pressure off the Lay Ministry team.
Harvest Thanksgiving
11am Sunday 1st October 2023
Please help with decorating the church on the morning of Saturday, 30th September
What’s happening and when
Andrew Nicol writes
This is the quarterly communication to let you know what Services are planned for Christ Church and who is down on the batting order to do what and what has been happening.
If for any reason, and it is realised that something can crop up at short notice, you cannot take up your place on the rota, please take responsibility for arranging a swap or finding someone to take your place. This will be a great help.
Whenever you can, please support the Lay Ministry Team by coming a few minutes early to assist with setting up and/or staying on after the Service to help putting things away.
Visiting Clergy
On Sunday 13 August, Rev Dr Jenny Holden, who has recently taken up a new post within the Diocese of Advisor for Christian Life, led a celebration of Holy Communion at Christ Church and was most helpful in suggesting resources for the All-Age Services.
Rev Prof David Atkinson, Assistant Priest at St Mary’s Inverurie, visited Christ Church on Sundays 20 August and led us in Holy Communion and likewise on 17 September when he preached on Creationtide slipping in a quote from “The Wind in the Willows.”
Rev Mike Blake, Priest-in-Charge at St Andrew’s, Alford, took an evening celebration of Holy Communion at 5PM on the last Sundays of July, August and September.
On the last Sunday of each month we will always have an evening Service: now at the earlier time of 5PM.
On Friday 21 July the funeral of Margaret McLean took place at Christ Church. The Service was taken by Rev Canon Lynsey Braybrook, Rector of St. Ternan’s, Banchory. Our thoughts and prayers are with Paul and Alison Panchaud and all the family.
We are therefore being well served by the Clergy of the Diocese which is helping to take pressure off the Lay Ministry team.
Harvest Thanksgiving
11am Sunday 1st October 2023
Please help with decorating the church on the morning of Saturday, 30th September
Harvest Thanksgiving will be the theme of the All-Age Service at 11am on Sunday 1st October and will be led by Toby or Lucy Rider. Contributions, large or small, and help with decorating the church on the morning of Saturday 30th September will be much appreciated.
Aboyne Fareshare
The box continues to be available in the church porch for donations to Aboyne Fareshare, which covers the surrounding district including Kincardine O’ Neil. A big thank you to all who have generously made contributions of non-perishable food and toiletries to this appeal. As there continue to be a number of local people who are having difficulty in making ends meet, the appeal will remain open until further notice.
Feeding the Five Thousand
Enthusiastically led by Toby Rider, at the All-Age Service on 3rd September, there was a real sense of the Lord’s joy bubbling up. Mathematics came into the equation: if one loaf MIGHT POSSIBLY feed a couple of dozen folk, how many would be needed to satisfy 5000? It is of course feasible that my concentration lapsed at a vital moment, but I have to say that I do not recall a definitive answer to the question. A good time was had by all though.
The Bell does not just happen…
Photo credit: Andrew Bradford
As some will have noticed, the church bell has been silent since the spring of the year, muffled most effectively by the nests of the local jackdaws, who are past masters at making themselves at home at Christ Church. Mindful of keeping the Congregation’s environmental credentials intact, the Vestry have held back from doing the needful until the end of the nesting season and so it was on Friday 8th September that the heavies moved in and stormed the heights on ladders kindly loaned by Kincardine Estate to muck out the twigs and other matter so liberally left behind in the belfry. Our thanks go to Andrew Bradford and Toby Rider for taking this task on.
It was a joy to ring the bell again the following Sunday.
As some will have noticed, the church bell has been silent since the spring of the year, muffled most effectively by the nests of the local jackdaws, who are past masters at making themselves at home at Christ Church. Mindful of keeping the Congregation’s environmental credentials intact, the Vestry have held back from doing the needful until the end of the nesting season and so it was on Friday 8th September that the heavies moved in and stormed the heights on ladders kindly loaned by Kincardine Estate to muck out the twigs and other matter so liberally left behind in the belfry. Our thanks go to Andrew Bradford and Toby Rider for taking this task on.
It was a joy to ring the bell again the following Sunday.
Christ Church Website http://christchurchkon.weebly.com/
Newsletter June 2023 What’s happening and when
Andrew Nicol writes
This is the simple quarterly communication to let you know what Services are planned for Christ Church and who is down on the batting order to do what and what has been happening.
If for any reason, and it is realised that something can crop up at short notice, you cannot take up your place on the rota, please take responsibility for arranging a swap or finding someone to take your place. This will be a great help.
Whenever you can, please support the Lay Ministry Team by coming a few minutes early to assist with setting up and/or staying on after the Service to help putting things away.
Mrs Susan Smith
Although not unexpected, we are saddened to hear of the news of Verity’s, Nicky’s and Kate’s mother, Susan Smith, who died peacefully on Friday 16 June. Our prayers are with her and the family at this time.
Coronation of King Charles III
Andrew Nicol writes
This is the simple quarterly communication to let you know what Services are planned for Christ Church and who is down on the batting order to do what and what has been happening.
If for any reason, and it is realised that something can crop up at short notice, you cannot take up your place on the rota, please take responsibility for arranging a swap or finding someone to take your place. This will be a great help.
Whenever you can, please support the Lay Ministry Team by coming a few minutes early to assist with setting up and/or staying on after the Service to help putting things away.
Mrs Susan Smith
Although not unexpected, we are saddened to hear of the news of Verity’s, Nicky’s and Kate’s mother, Susan Smith, who died peacefully on Friday 16 June. Our prayers are with her and the family at this time.
Coronation of King Charles III
The Coronation was celebrated at the All-Age Service on Sunday 7 May led by Toby Rider and…
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… there were loyal and delicious cup-cakes to follow.
Aboyne Fareshare
A box has been available in the church porch for donations to Aboyne Fareshare, which covers the surrounding district including Kincardine O’ Neil. A big thank you to all who have generously made contributions of non-perishable food and toiletries to this appeal. As there continue to be a number of local people who are having difficulty in making ends meet, the appeal will remain open until further notice.
Aboyne Fareshare
A box has been available in the church porch for donations to Aboyne Fareshare, which covers the surrounding district including Kincardine O’ Neil. A big thank you to all who have generously made contributions of non-perishable food and toiletries to this appeal. As there continue to be a number of local people who are having difficulty in making ends meet, the appeal will remain open until further notice.
Visiting Clergy
On Easter Day, Sunday 9 April, Rev Dr Jenny Holden, who has recently taken up a new post within the Diocese of Advisor for Christian Life, led a celebration of Holy Communion at Christ Church. She is due to visit Christ Church again on Sunday 13 August.
Rev Prof David Atkinson, Assistant Priest at St Mary’s Inverurie, visited Christ Church on Sundays 30 April, 21 May and 18 June and led us in Holy Communion.
Rev Mike Blake, Priest-in-Charge at St Andrew’s, Alford, took an evening celebration of Holy Communion at 5PM on the last Sundays of May and June.
On the last Sunday of each month we will always have an evening Service: now at the earlier time of 5PM.
We are therefore being well served by the Clergy of the Diocese which is helping to take pressure off the Lay Ministry team.
The Services planned for July to September follow. As ever, if you spot any errors, oversights or discrepancies please let me know.
100 Quarters on and into a New Year
Andrew Bradford writes
As you see from the top right of this page this is the 100th edition of this quarterly newsletter since I first issued it in 1997. The newsletter started some years after I first became Hon. Secretary and, as has been well-trailed in the last few months, this will be my last one and the reins of Hon. Secretary will pass to new hands.
There has been some difficulty in finding a replacement. The Vestry has agreed that the role should be split between Administrator and Hon. Secretary. Alasdair Ross, currently administrator at Kincardine Estate Office will take on the admin role and the Vestry has appealed to the congregation for a volunteer to fill the post of Hon. Secretary who will be needed to act as minute secretary for vestry meetings as well as filling the non-administration duties which, no doubt, will include providing the opinion and insight of this newsletter which I trust will continue.
The newsletter started some years after I became Hon. Secretary and while I should take this opportunity to bore you with excerpts from the last 30 or so years of my time in the role I shall spare you, not out of any pity for you but because, owing to reorganisation of the records at Kincardine by the ‘new management’ the church archives are currently buried under a mountain of other files and are inaccessible. Suffice it to say that in my time we have seen ministers come and go – Ross Royden, David Berryman, Marie Rostvik, Lisa Eunson, Vincent Perricone, David Greenwood with inevitable interregnums.
The experience of having Marie Rostvik and Lisa Eunson taught us all the merits that women can bring to ministry. With Marie and then David Greenwood we demonstrated that a small church can grow if it has a good, dedicated, locally-based pastor or minister. I am sorry to say that I am leaving at a time when we lack strong leadership in the Scottish Episcopal Church and our diocese which leaves us in somewhat of a vacuum. Coupled with the current long interregnum and Covid-19 still rampant across the land I am handing over at a difficult time for Christ Church. Looking on the bright side, however, for a successor taking over at this low point the only way is up!
I have every confidence that with a good pastor for Christ Church and a restoration of sound leadership in the Scottish Episcopal Church we have a bright future.
Finally, while Nicky and I will be spending much more time in the Outer Isles, we aren’t disappearing altogether and look forward to seeing you when we’re residing in Kincardine O’Neil. With best wishes to you all for Christmas 2021 and for the year ahead.
IN THE SECOND YEAR OF COVID
With the Omichron variant of Covid-19 now rampaging across the country we have had to change arrangements yet again and services, where the congregation is likely to exceed twenty people, are being held outside in order to lower the risk of spreading the disease.
It is probable that the Government may impose restrictions and, from past record, the Scottish Episcopal Church may then gold-plate them and make them more onerous than necessary for a small church but meantime we are applying what amounts to common sense, so please observe the following procedures for any church service:
Rev. Vittoria Hancock, St. Thomas’, Aboyne has kindly offered to take Holy Communion in Christ Church. Owing to the expectation that this service will be sparsely attended it has been deemed safe to hold the service in the warmth of Christ Church. At this service Vittoria will consecrate the elements for Reserved Sacrament to be used at Christ Church at Christmas and beyond.
A year ago we held the Christmas Day service outside in a churchyard covered with a few inches of snow. A year on and Groundhog Day seems to have struck for, once again, we shall find ourselves celebrating the birth of Christ in the churchyard. Whether we shall have snow or not I cannot say at the time of writing – two of the three forecasts I look at say we might get a dusting, the other is clear that we shall not. Regardless of the weather we shall be holding a service of Holy Communion using the Reserved Sacrament at 11am. Please dress very warmly, bring facemasks, keep your distance in your household groups.
BOXING DAY SERVICE – Sunday 26th 11AM – IN CHRIST CHURCH
With the Sunday after Christmas falling on Boxing Day it doesn’t take a prophet to foretell that turnout will be low! Nevertheless Andrew Bradford will take a Morning Service as advertised irrespective of how many turn up. It wouldn’t be surprising if he found himself preaching to himself.
ALL AGES SERVICES WILL RESUME ON 1ST SUNDAY IN FEBRUARY
The all-ages services that re-started on the first Sundays of November and December will continue. However, with that Sunday falling on 2nd January, the decision was taken that a sizeable turnout of children was unlikely. Thus for 2nd Jan we shall revert to Matins as was the norm beforehand. We really welcome Lucy Rider’s input into the all-ages services and I’m sure her participation will encourage others of her generation to join in too.
BAPTISM SERVICE held outside on 19th December
On a still, freezing, Sunday afternoon two infant children were baptised at Christ Church. Sholto Holden (18m) the son of Rupert and Louisa; and William Bradford (6m), son of Charlie and Sophie were welcomed into the church with the service kindly taken by Rev. Prof. David Atkinson. At the service a scratch choir from the Bradford household sang two verses of Jesulein to the Bach arrangement.
CAROL SERVICE – held outside on 19th December A small choir of seven, plus Nicky Bradford at the keyboard in the porch, led an outdoor Carol Service at 6pm last Sunday. Including the choir about 25 attended on a still, icy evening and sang many favourite carols and listened once again to the nine readings.
There’s no doubt that having to forgo the warmth of the church brought home the humble circumstances of our Lord’s birth.
THANKS FROM THE SCOTTISH POPPY APPEAL
The collection at Christ Church on Remembrance Sunday raised £199 for the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
SILLY
In a church newsletter: “There will be a procession in the grounds of the Monastery next Sunday afternoon. If it rains in the afternoon the procession will take place in the morning.”
Andrew Bradford writes
As you see from the top right of this page this is the 100th edition of this quarterly newsletter since I first issued it in 1997. The newsletter started some years after I first became Hon. Secretary and, as has been well-trailed in the last few months, this will be my last one and the reins of Hon. Secretary will pass to new hands.
There has been some difficulty in finding a replacement. The Vestry has agreed that the role should be split between Administrator and Hon. Secretary. Alasdair Ross, currently administrator at Kincardine Estate Office will take on the admin role and the Vestry has appealed to the congregation for a volunteer to fill the post of Hon. Secretary who will be needed to act as minute secretary for vestry meetings as well as filling the non-administration duties which, no doubt, will include providing the opinion and insight of this newsletter which I trust will continue.
The newsletter started some years after I became Hon. Secretary and while I should take this opportunity to bore you with excerpts from the last 30 or so years of my time in the role I shall spare you, not out of any pity for you but because, owing to reorganisation of the records at Kincardine by the ‘new management’ the church archives are currently buried under a mountain of other files and are inaccessible. Suffice it to say that in my time we have seen ministers come and go – Ross Royden, David Berryman, Marie Rostvik, Lisa Eunson, Vincent Perricone, David Greenwood with inevitable interregnums.
The experience of having Marie Rostvik and Lisa Eunson taught us all the merits that women can bring to ministry. With Marie and then David Greenwood we demonstrated that a small church can grow if it has a good, dedicated, locally-based pastor or minister. I am sorry to say that I am leaving at a time when we lack strong leadership in the Scottish Episcopal Church and our diocese which leaves us in somewhat of a vacuum. Coupled with the current long interregnum and Covid-19 still rampant across the land I am handing over at a difficult time for Christ Church. Looking on the bright side, however, for a successor taking over at this low point the only way is up!
I have every confidence that with a good pastor for Christ Church and a restoration of sound leadership in the Scottish Episcopal Church we have a bright future.
Finally, while Nicky and I will be spending much more time in the Outer Isles, we aren’t disappearing altogether and look forward to seeing you when we’re residing in Kincardine O’Neil. With best wishes to you all for Christmas 2021 and for the year ahead.
IN THE SECOND YEAR OF COVID
With the Omichron variant of Covid-19 now rampaging across the country we have had to change arrangements yet again and services, where the congregation is likely to exceed twenty people, are being held outside in order to lower the risk of spreading the disease.
It is probable that the Government may impose restrictions and, from past record, the Scottish Episcopal Church may then gold-plate them and make them more onerous than necessary for a small church but meantime we are applying what amounts to common sense, so please observe the following procedures for any church service:
- Do not attend if you have Covid Symptoms or a positive Covid test.
- Take a lateral flow test before you attend.
- Bring and wear a mask throughout the service unless you’re reading lessons or choir.
- Keep your distance from other households.
- Sign the attendance register.
- Sanitise hands.
- CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE – Friday 24th - 10AM – IN CHRIST CHURCH
Rev. Vittoria Hancock, St. Thomas’, Aboyne has kindly offered to take Holy Communion in Christ Church. Owing to the expectation that this service will be sparsely attended it has been deemed safe to hold the service in the warmth of Christ Church. At this service Vittoria will consecrate the elements for Reserved Sacrament to be used at Christ Church at Christmas and beyond.
- CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE – Saturday 11AM – IN THE CHURCHYARD
A year ago we held the Christmas Day service outside in a churchyard covered with a few inches of snow. A year on and Groundhog Day seems to have struck for, once again, we shall find ourselves celebrating the birth of Christ in the churchyard. Whether we shall have snow or not I cannot say at the time of writing – two of the three forecasts I look at say we might get a dusting, the other is clear that we shall not. Regardless of the weather we shall be holding a service of Holy Communion using the Reserved Sacrament at 11am. Please dress very warmly, bring facemasks, keep your distance in your household groups.
BOXING DAY SERVICE – Sunday 26th 11AM – IN CHRIST CHURCH
With the Sunday after Christmas falling on Boxing Day it doesn’t take a prophet to foretell that turnout will be low! Nevertheless Andrew Bradford will take a Morning Service as advertised irrespective of how many turn up. It wouldn’t be surprising if he found himself preaching to himself.
ALL AGES SERVICES WILL RESUME ON 1ST SUNDAY IN FEBRUARY
The all-ages services that re-started on the first Sundays of November and December will continue. However, with that Sunday falling on 2nd January, the decision was taken that a sizeable turnout of children was unlikely. Thus for 2nd Jan we shall revert to Matins as was the norm beforehand. We really welcome Lucy Rider’s input into the all-ages services and I’m sure her participation will encourage others of her generation to join in too.
BAPTISM SERVICE held outside on 19th December
On a still, freezing, Sunday afternoon two infant children were baptised at Christ Church. Sholto Holden (18m) the son of Rupert and Louisa; and William Bradford (6m), son of Charlie and Sophie were welcomed into the church with the service kindly taken by Rev. Prof. David Atkinson. At the service a scratch choir from the Bradford household sang two verses of Jesulein to the Bach arrangement.
CAROL SERVICE – held outside on 19th December A small choir of seven, plus Nicky Bradford at the keyboard in the porch, led an outdoor Carol Service at 6pm last Sunday. Including the choir about 25 attended on a still, icy evening and sang many favourite carols and listened once again to the nine readings.
There’s no doubt that having to forgo the warmth of the church brought home the humble circumstances of our Lord’s birth.
THANKS FROM THE SCOTTISH POPPY APPEAL
The collection at Christ Church on Remembrance Sunday raised £199 for the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
SILLY
In a church newsletter: “There will be a procession in the grounds of the Monastery next Sunday afternoon. If it rains in the afternoon the procession will take place in the morning.”
October 2021
TURBULENT TIMES
The first part of the report by Rev. Prof. Iain Torrance on our bishop was received by the College of Bishops who attempted at first to suppress its publication but relented after the report became public. The report can easily be found on the internet. It is probably not the role of this newsletter to comment save to say that resolution of the issues that have left much of the diocese in a certain state of limbo would probably be welcomed greatly by most church members.
IN THE SECOND YEAR OF COVID
At the time of writing Covid is still stalking the land with around 35,000 cases and 137 deaths being the daily UK average. In the last quarter the Scottish figures have been appalling but are declining which is heartening as we enter the autumn with few restrictions on gatherings. Most people are being sensible about keeping their distance and wearing masks in shops and close company which is undoubtedly helping.
BRIDGE REPAIR IN VILLAGE PUTS A93 BACK TO ITS OLD ROUTE
Repairs to the bridge over the Neil Burn in Kincardine O’Neil have caused lengthy delays for weeks. At present the A93 has been diverted back to the line the road took before it was straightened and is currently using the old bridge while the ‘new’ bridge is repaired. The severe kink in the road was apparently notorious for upsetting stagecoaches in the old days but would have been excellent at traffic calming! There were also similar bends in the A93 at either end of the village at Willowbank and Borrowston which were also straightened more than 50 years ago. One has to wonder at the logic of straightening roads to speed up traffic so that more effort needs to be put in to slow it down again – still, I suppose it does stop stagecoaches from falling over.
SILLY
A kindergarten teacher was walking around her classroom of children while they were drawing. She got to one girl who was working diligently and asked what she was drawing.
“I’m drawing God” she replied
“But nobody knows what God looks like” said the teacher.
Without looking up from her drawing the little girl said, “They will in a minute”
July 2021
REV. CANON KEN GORDON
It is with immense sadness that we record the death of Ken Gordon who has so generously helped us out over the past few years. Andrew Nicol and Andrew Bradford were invited to attend his funeral service which was held in St. Devenick’s Church, Bieldside on Friday 2nd July. This was followed by an opportunity to meet and greet and both took the chance to have a conversation with Ken’s sons Andrew and Phil, Phil’s wife Kim and their two daughters. The service was taken by Canon Ian Ferguson, the former Rector at Westhill Community Church, in the planting of which Ken played an important part. Excellent reflections on Ken’s life were given by Phil Gordon and Ian Ferguson.
Ken’s generosity in serving us at Christ Church was, in part, occupational therapy for him following his wife’s sudden death and his first illness. He informed your secretary about his terminal diagnosis around Easter but asked for this not to be shared. All who attended the outside service on Easter day will remember the blustery day, the billowing robes, the chalice being blown over (happily before the consecration) and the fact that after the service Ken was given a heartfelt and well-deserved round of applause. His service to us, in his last few weeks, deserves that applause a hundred-fold. May God bless him.
IN THE SECOND YEAR OF COVID
When the previous edition of this quarterly newsletter was written in late March the Indian (now Delta) variant of Covid-19 was not a big topic but it rapidly became so in April and the UK has experienced a third wave in which Delta-Covid is the dominant vector. Happily the high level of inoculation amongst the most vulnerable groups has kept a lid on hospitalisations and deaths even while daily positive cases rise rapidly to >25,000. It is clearer than ever that this disease has a long way to run. We are all learning to live with it and the pundits expect there to be a further wave of infection as we go into the autumn which is likely to be combined with a resurgence of flu – which took a back seat last winter.
For the duration of the pandemic we have issued a weekly newsletter called DON’T PANdemIC which is now in issue 68. In consequence this quarterly newsletter has been greatly slimmed down and is mainly issued now to publicise the next quarter’s services and to reach out to the wider circulation who don’t receive DON’T PANdemIC which, after a stuttering start, has settled down into providing a weekly ‘service’ of sorts with links to hymns and psalms. YouTube has proved a wonderful resource except that frustratingly the best cathedral choirs often record superb performances but don’t include the words as subtitles. For our purposes it is far more convenient to find a posting that includes the words. Tracking down versions of the hymns for the day, with lyrics and sung by an acceptable choir avoiding electronic music, often takes a surprising time. When that proves impossible we include the words in the newsletter with the link to one of the aforementioned choirs but of course one needs then to check that the words sung are the same as those in our hymn book – not always the case.
While services have resumed we shall keep DON’T PANdemIC going until we get the all-clear.
If you want to be placed on the distribution list for the weekly newsletter please let us know.
VESTRY SECRETARY
The Vestry was informed in the spring that your vestry secretary has announced his intention to retire from his honorary post after the Issue No. 100 of this newsletter his published at the end of the year. He has served as secretary for some time prior to the start of that quarterly newsletter. After 100 editions he feels it is time someone else takes over.
SILLY
From a church magazine: The Vicar is on holiday until the 27th. Clergy from the diocese will be celebrating while he is away.
April 2021
CHURCH HAS RESUMED – FORTHCOMING SERVICES
We resumed church services on Palm Sunday when Ken Gordon took Holy Communion.
There will be a special Good Friday service at 11am held by Rev. Canon Ken Gordon
There will be a service of Holy Communion on Easter Sunday at 11am. In order that we can plan for this please let us know by e-mail if you intend to attend the Easter service, and how many in your group. If numbers are too great we may have to have the service outside which will come into the category of a nice problem to have.
Thereafter, all being well and assuming no further lockdowns, church services will be as set out in the schedules in this and subsequent newsletters.
IN THE SECOND YEAR OF COVID
In the last quarterly newsletter we announced the return of communion to our weekly services only for that plan to be shot down by a return to lockdown in January. As you see above that ban on church services has just been lifted.
With spring firmly established we have entered the second year of this pandemic in better spirits than I think most of us would have expected a year ago had we known that we’d be locked down for so long and that 4.3 million of us in the country were to catch Covid and over 126,000 would die of it. Nevertheless I suspect most of us are totally fed up with the restrictions imposed upon us. With the warmer weather and longer evenings comes the prospect of those restrictions easing and we can only hope that greater social mixing combined with the third-wave ramping up in France and much of the continent don’t steal our forthcoming freedoms away. The inoculation story in the UK is a good one and that should help. Masks and social distancing are likely to be with us for quite a while yet.
For the duration of the pandemic we have issued a weekly newsletter called DON’T PANdemIC which is now in issue 54. The effect that has had is that this quarterly newsletter has been greatly slimmed down and is mainly issued now to publicise the next quarter’s services and to reach out to the wider circulation who don’t receive DON’T PANdemIC which, after a stuttering start, has settled down into providing a weekly ‘service’ of sorts with links to hymns and psalms. YouTube has proved a wonderful resource except that too often the best cathedral choirs record superb performances but don’t include the words as subtitles For our purposes it is far more convenient to find a posting that includes the words. Tracking down versions of the hymns for the day, with lyrics and sung by an acceptable choir avoiding electronic music, often takes a surprising time. When that proves impossible we include the words in the newsletter with the link to one of the aforementioned choirs but of course one needs then to check that the words sung are the same as those in our hymn book – not always the case.
While services have resumed we shall keep DON’T PANdemIC going until we get the all-clear.
If you want to be placed on the distribution list for the weekly newsletter please let us know.
SILLY
A minister who had taken a week’s holiday to look after his two young children while his wife was in hospital discovered just how much time mothers spend tidying up after their children, putting away their clothes and toys. He later confided that St Paul’s words had taken on a new meaning for hm. “When I became a man I put away childish things.”
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
We are constantly told that church isn’t a building – it is the people. Never has there been a time when across the world so many congregations have been asked to put that to the test. It is ironic because in any other sort of national emergency such as war we would expect our church buildings to be open even simply as a location for quiet retreat from a world in turmoil. Instead we must keep them closed in case they too form a route of contamination. We have tried to keep you involved with a weekly newsletter. Please let us know what you think and how we can improve upon it. With Easter coming up fast we are lucky to have input and a sermon from Rev. Canon Ken Gordon for the 4th issue.
Your editor would love input from others to help keep the pandemic newsletter going. In theory, those scheduled to preside at the services (see the monthly rotas below) will contribute a short sermon or commentary for that week.
CHURCH HALL UPDATE
The process continues. The pre-planning consultation resulted in the council’s Historical Environment Team being rather negative towards our preferred choice of a building with a traditional pitched roof. They preferred a lantern styled roof which, in the opinion of the Vestry, would be undesirable for various reasons – the higher cost of construction; the higher cost of future maintenance (it wouldn’t be possible to hook a roof ladder over the ridge and access to the roof would probably require a cherry picker or scaffolding) and reduced storage capacity in the loft space.
After a further meeting with the Architects who suggested a minor variation to the design of the west gable (shown above) to try to meet the HET’s desire for a building to emphasize its height the Vestry has asked for the design to be submitted for planning permission. Our aim is for this project to be ‘shovel-ready’ for when normal life resumes.
TURBULENT TIMES
The first part of the report by Rev. Prof. Iain Torrance on our bishop was received by the College of Bishops who attempted at first to suppress its publication but relented after the report became public. The report can easily be found on the internet. It is probably not the role of this newsletter to comment save to say that resolution of the issues that have left much of the diocese in a certain state of limbo would probably be welcomed greatly by most church members.
IN THE SECOND YEAR OF COVID
At the time of writing Covid is still stalking the land with around 35,000 cases and 137 deaths being the daily UK average. In the last quarter the Scottish figures have been appalling but are declining which is heartening as we enter the autumn with few restrictions on gatherings. Most people are being sensible about keeping their distance and wearing masks in shops and close company which is undoubtedly helping.
BRIDGE REPAIR IN VILLAGE PUTS A93 BACK TO ITS OLD ROUTE
Repairs to the bridge over the Neil Burn in Kincardine O’Neil have caused lengthy delays for weeks. At present the A93 has been diverted back to the line the road took before it was straightened and is currently using the old bridge while the ‘new’ bridge is repaired. The severe kink in the road was apparently notorious for upsetting stagecoaches in the old days but would have been excellent at traffic calming! There were also similar bends in the A93 at either end of the village at Willowbank and Borrowston which were also straightened more than 50 years ago. One has to wonder at the logic of straightening roads to speed up traffic so that more effort needs to be put in to slow it down again – still, I suppose it does stop stagecoaches from falling over.
SILLY
A kindergarten teacher was walking around her classroom of children while they were drawing. She got to one girl who was working diligently and asked what she was drawing.
“I’m drawing God” she replied
“But nobody knows what God looks like” said the teacher.
Without looking up from her drawing the little girl said, “They will in a minute”
July 2021
REV. CANON KEN GORDON
It is with immense sadness that we record the death of Ken Gordon who has so generously helped us out over the past few years. Andrew Nicol and Andrew Bradford were invited to attend his funeral service which was held in St. Devenick’s Church, Bieldside on Friday 2nd July. This was followed by an opportunity to meet and greet and both took the chance to have a conversation with Ken’s sons Andrew and Phil, Phil’s wife Kim and their two daughters. The service was taken by Canon Ian Ferguson, the former Rector at Westhill Community Church, in the planting of which Ken played an important part. Excellent reflections on Ken’s life were given by Phil Gordon and Ian Ferguson.
Ken’s generosity in serving us at Christ Church was, in part, occupational therapy for him following his wife’s sudden death and his first illness. He informed your secretary about his terminal diagnosis around Easter but asked for this not to be shared. All who attended the outside service on Easter day will remember the blustery day, the billowing robes, the chalice being blown over (happily before the consecration) and the fact that after the service Ken was given a heartfelt and well-deserved round of applause. His service to us, in his last few weeks, deserves that applause a hundred-fold. May God bless him.
IN THE SECOND YEAR OF COVID
When the previous edition of this quarterly newsletter was written in late March the Indian (now Delta) variant of Covid-19 was not a big topic but it rapidly became so in April and the UK has experienced a third wave in which Delta-Covid is the dominant vector. Happily the high level of inoculation amongst the most vulnerable groups has kept a lid on hospitalisations and deaths even while daily positive cases rise rapidly to >25,000. It is clearer than ever that this disease has a long way to run. We are all learning to live with it and the pundits expect there to be a further wave of infection as we go into the autumn which is likely to be combined with a resurgence of flu – which took a back seat last winter.
For the duration of the pandemic we have issued a weekly newsletter called DON’T PANdemIC which is now in issue 68. In consequence this quarterly newsletter has been greatly slimmed down and is mainly issued now to publicise the next quarter’s services and to reach out to the wider circulation who don’t receive DON’T PANdemIC which, after a stuttering start, has settled down into providing a weekly ‘service’ of sorts with links to hymns and psalms. YouTube has proved a wonderful resource except that frustratingly the best cathedral choirs often record superb performances but don’t include the words as subtitles. For our purposes it is far more convenient to find a posting that includes the words. Tracking down versions of the hymns for the day, with lyrics and sung by an acceptable choir avoiding electronic music, often takes a surprising time. When that proves impossible we include the words in the newsletter with the link to one of the aforementioned choirs but of course one needs then to check that the words sung are the same as those in our hymn book – not always the case.
While services have resumed we shall keep DON’T PANdemIC going until we get the all-clear.
If you want to be placed on the distribution list for the weekly newsletter please let us know.
VESTRY SECRETARY
The Vestry was informed in the spring that your vestry secretary has announced his intention to retire from his honorary post after the Issue No. 100 of this newsletter his published at the end of the year. He has served as secretary for some time prior to the start of that quarterly newsletter. After 100 editions he feels it is time someone else takes over.
SILLY
From a church magazine: The Vicar is on holiday until the 27th. Clergy from the diocese will be celebrating while he is away.
April 2021
CHURCH HAS RESUMED – FORTHCOMING SERVICES
We resumed church services on Palm Sunday when Ken Gordon took Holy Communion.
There will be a special Good Friday service at 11am held by Rev. Canon Ken Gordon
There will be a service of Holy Communion on Easter Sunday at 11am. In order that we can plan for this please let us know by e-mail if you intend to attend the Easter service, and how many in your group. If numbers are too great we may have to have the service outside which will come into the category of a nice problem to have.
Thereafter, all being well and assuming no further lockdowns, church services will be as set out in the schedules in this and subsequent newsletters.
IN THE SECOND YEAR OF COVID
In the last quarterly newsletter we announced the return of communion to our weekly services only for that plan to be shot down by a return to lockdown in January. As you see above that ban on church services has just been lifted.
With spring firmly established we have entered the second year of this pandemic in better spirits than I think most of us would have expected a year ago had we known that we’d be locked down for so long and that 4.3 million of us in the country were to catch Covid and over 126,000 would die of it. Nevertheless I suspect most of us are totally fed up with the restrictions imposed upon us. With the warmer weather and longer evenings comes the prospect of those restrictions easing and we can only hope that greater social mixing combined with the third-wave ramping up in France and much of the continent don’t steal our forthcoming freedoms away. The inoculation story in the UK is a good one and that should help. Masks and social distancing are likely to be with us for quite a while yet.
For the duration of the pandemic we have issued a weekly newsletter called DON’T PANdemIC which is now in issue 54. The effect that has had is that this quarterly newsletter has been greatly slimmed down and is mainly issued now to publicise the next quarter’s services and to reach out to the wider circulation who don’t receive DON’T PANdemIC which, after a stuttering start, has settled down into providing a weekly ‘service’ of sorts with links to hymns and psalms. YouTube has proved a wonderful resource except that too often the best cathedral choirs record superb performances but don’t include the words as subtitles For our purposes it is far more convenient to find a posting that includes the words. Tracking down versions of the hymns for the day, with lyrics and sung by an acceptable choir avoiding electronic music, often takes a surprising time. When that proves impossible we include the words in the newsletter with the link to one of the aforementioned choirs but of course one needs then to check that the words sung are the same as those in our hymn book – not always the case.
While services have resumed we shall keep DON’T PANdemIC going until we get the all-clear.
If you want to be placed on the distribution list for the weekly newsletter please let us know.
SILLY
A minister who had taken a week’s holiday to look after his two young children while his wife was in hospital discovered just how much time mothers spend tidying up after their children, putting away their clothes and toys. He later confided that St Paul’s words had taken on a new meaning for hm. “When I became a man I put away childish things.”
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
We are constantly told that church isn’t a building – it is the people. Never has there been a time when across the world so many congregations have been asked to put that to the test. It is ironic because in any other sort of national emergency such as war we would expect our church buildings to be open even simply as a location for quiet retreat from a world in turmoil. Instead we must keep them closed in case they too form a route of contamination. We have tried to keep you involved with a weekly newsletter. Please let us know what you think and how we can improve upon it. With Easter coming up fast we are lucky to have input and a sermon from Rev. Canon Ken Gordon for the 4th issue.
Your editor would love input from others to help keep the pandemic newsletter going. In theory, those scheduled to preside at the services (see the monthly rotas below) will contribute a short sermon or commentary for that week.
CHURCH HALL UPDATE
The process continues. The pre-planning consultation resulted in the council’s Historical Environment Team being rather negative towards our preferred choice of a building with a traditional pitched roof. They preferred a lantern styled roof which, in the opinion of the Vestry, would be undesirable for various reasons – the higher cost of construction; the higher cost of future maintenance (it wouldn’t be possible to hook a roof ladder over the ridge and access to the roof would probably require a cherry picker or scaffolding) and reduced storage capacity in the loft space.
After a further meeting with the Architects who suggested a minor variation to the design of the west gable (shown above) to try to meet the HET’s desire for a building to emphasize its height the Vestry has asked for the design to be submitted for planning permission. Our aim is for this project to be ‘shovel-ready’ for when normal life resumes.
The rota for the next three months is elsewhere on this website.