Services
and Events
About
Us
|
|
||
|
Services
and Events
|
About
Us
|
|
Quick Links: Regular Services • Monthly Services • Dates for your Diary • Church News • Monthly Letter
|
|||
|
|
|
||
|
|
August
Collects, Intercessions
and Readings
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Lambeth Conference News and Reports SEC Daily Prayer - Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Night Prayer (Compline) Anglican Cycle of Prayer and Diocesan Prayer Cycle Online
worship from the SEC Scottish Christians asked to join in prayer every Sunday at 7pm Dates for your Diary: See also hall calendar for the year
Vestry
Secretary's Report Church Summer Opening The church is open to visitors every Wednesday from 12 noon to 3pm. If you would like to join the rota of volunteers, please speak to Richard Stanley or Gordon Johnson. Church Chairs The new chairs have arrived two weeks earlier than anticipated. For those who have donated the cost of a chair, Jeanette will contact you to confirm what wording you would like on the plaque. Disposal of the pews is being coordinated by Peter Darmady. Vestry Meeting The Vestry met on 17th July 2022 at 1pm in the church. The meeting was chaired by Bishop Mark and six members were present. A summary of the meeting is shown below. Church Chairs: Delivery was expected in the week commencing 8th August. Helpers would be needed to unload the chairs and move the pews out. [This was subsequently changed to w/c 25th August.] PVG Coordinator: The position had been advertised in Outlook. We were currently covered by Denise MacFarlane until the position could be filled. Priest's Report: The Bishop noted that he would be attending the Lambeth Conference. Rev Grant would cover some services. He said there was a need to consider the long term ministry in Caithness, although the next few years would maintain the existing pattern. He asked to be notified if anyone would like home communion. Arrangements for Christmas services would need to be planned soon. He noted that the Synod had approved the reprinting of the 1982 Scottish Liturgy using inclusive language. Treasurer's Report: Pat had circulated the financial figures before the meeting. The current account stood at £15,151. Book sales had provided a boost to funds. The Bell Ringers continued to donate for the use of the hall. The Bishop noted that if the current account were to reach a certain balance, any excess could be invested. The insurance cover for the church would increase from August, to take account of the new extension. Electricity usage for the church had been high during construction of the extension. However, usage at the hall had been very low, resulting in a credit balance of £2,000 on this account. Pat would contact the provider to use the hall credit to offset the church usage. Financial Update on Toilet Fund: Jeanette reported that the final invoice from the architect was expected to be around £3,000. If this was the case, around £4,700 would remain in the toilet account. These funds would be used to start repaying the Provincial loan of £13,000. Sound System: This had been taken out of use during the construction of the extension. Richard proposed to re-instate and improve the system, after consulting with the original installer. The Bishop noted that there may be some renewal funds remaining in the Diocese which could be used. Disposal of Pews: Peter had put forward a proposal that the pews be advertised locally at £150 per pew, with a discount if delivery or modification not required. The Bishop also noted that Sarah Murray, Provost at the Cathedral, may have some ideas. Jeanette agreed to consult the Provost and update Peter. Book of Remembrance: The book required to be updated following the COVID lockdown. An article would go into Outlook to check that no names had been missed. The Bishop suggested that a separate book be kept with more details on each person, and their connection with St John's. Use of the Common Cup: It was agreed that two ministers would be required at communion services, one to distribute the host, and one to hold the common cup. The congregation could choose to take either one or both. Intincture would not be allowed. Gift Aid: Lyn noted that the donations for the new chairs should be gift aided. The Vestry agreed that it was important to make the most of gift aid. Fundraising: Lyn updated the Vestry on some ideas for events. A musical evening was planned for 30th August, with an organ recital later in the year. She had brought along examples of merchandise, following the success of the tea towel. A bag, mug and notepad were chosen to take forward for costing. The Bishop noted that joint events could be held with the Friends of St Peter's. Book sales were planned for September and November. Next Project: The Vestry agreed that the roof and railings would be the next items for major expenditure. However, repayment of the loan for the toilet project was the immediate priority. Tree Stump Sculpture: Lyn was arranging for the stump to be inspected. If suitable, ideas for a sculpture would be discussed. Free Church Use of the Hall: The Free Church would begin using the hall for Sunday services from 31st July. It was agreed that the first month would be free of charge as they had continued to make donations throughout lockdown. Meter readings would be taken before deciding on future charges. The Psalm: Richard agreed to prepare a printed sheet each week, so that the psalm could be brought back into the service. Paving Slabs: Neil had a quantity of bedding material available for use. The slabs taken from the front path would be re-laid in the grounds. Book of Remembrance During the lockdown we did not have access to the Book of Remembrance. If you have names that you wish to be entered, please let me know. Church Attendance During the Bishop's visit to celebrate the 152nd anniversary, he reminded us that all were welcome in the life of the church, whether regular attenders or occasional visitors. This extract from a poem by John Betjeman seems appropriate.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
I have just returned from my daughters Graduation ceremony where she was awarded and Batchelor of Arts as an Actor Musician from the University of Surrey (or Guildford School of Acting for those of a theatrical bent). She is now off into the world to make her way in difficult times. For us August and September tend to be the times of new beginnings for school, college, training, university or post education employment. It is tempting to always think of Easter as the time of 'new' things but in secular society this is, more often than not, an autumnal event. All societies have them, although they can be at different times (in Japan for example it is April when this happens). So what of church and spiritual things? Well, we must think of pressure on people, whether young people, teachers, employers or parents and relations. And where there is pressure, there is often uncertainty, fear, anxiety, stress. All these give rise to suffering, sometimes acute suffering, that we must remember in our prayers and in our relationships. Jesus was there for those making new starts. After all, the disciples got up and followed him. They didn't take their fishing boats on the road with them. Although they briefly returned to their old ways after the crucifixion, they went back out into the unknown to do God's work, and to do it with confidence in spite of everything. They did it with confidence because they knew Jesus was with them. So let us all pray for someone setting out on a new journey, irrespective of age. Let us all make sure they know that God is with them and, each in our own way, let us stand alongside them as they take the first steps. May the peace of God be with you whatever stage you are at on life's journey Barrie
|
||||
|
|
||||
