Autumn 2019

St Mark’s Messenger Autumn 2019

Aberdeen St Mark’s Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity SC015451

Index to Autumn 2019 Messenger Interim Moderator’s Letter 3 Roll Changes/Social Team St Mark’s Sunday School 5 A Note from the Treasurer General Assembly 2019 7 Abigail Ministries Friends International/Big Issue 9 Ramblers (Continued) Stiubhart MacChoille 10 Guild of Friendship Ramblers & Hillwalkers 12 thePavement Cartoon Worship Calendar 13 Advertising Duty Rotas Pull Out 14 Men’s Club/Hard English The next Deadline is for the Winter (Christmas) Messenger on Sunday 10 November 2019.

A Poem for Autumn As we leave behind the summer and autumn takes a hold, as leaves turn myriad shades of red And weather turns wet and cold As chill wind blows its frosty breath Across the land, north, east and west Fear not my friend, for we are blest.

When earth has had her well-earned rest And winter’s course is run, Trees and flowers of all hues Burst forth in springtime sun, With weather warm and daytime long The birds will cheer us with their song.

Till once again the summer ends and autumn takes a hold.

Paul Underhill ©2019 www.theParishWindow.co.uk (used with permission)

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17 18 21 23 24 25 26 27

Letter from the Interim Moderator Dear folks of St. Mark’s Here we are in September 2019, approaching two years since the union of Queen Street and St. Mark’s churches. We are still seeking God’s guidance on the calling and appointing of a minister to St. Mark’s. Regarding the Presbytery of Aberdeen, from early October we will receive the draft plan for the whole of the Presbytery along with the Presbytery report regarding all the public worship places within. In the wider context, as I write this, there are the ongoing uncertainties of what is going to happen regarding our relationship with the European Union. Perhaps on a personal level you may be facing changes and uncertainties too.

May I encourage you to read the letter to the Hebrews chapters 11 and 12? They give us an account of people who underwent many changes in their circumstances, sometimes travelling long distances, experiencing slavery and liberation, people bravely facing up to opponents and threats against their own lives. How did these people cope with these daunting and challenging situations? They navigated their way through them by exercising their faith in God. They learned of God, they believed in God and their actions reflected their trust in God. The writer of the Hebrews looked back on these heroes of faith and was inspired by them. He encourages you and me to be inspired by them.

Some experiences in life can give us quite a shake. What we depended on before we can no longer assume. We can feel ourselves and perhaps even our Church and our nation drifting. It is so vitally important then that we stand on the solid rock of our faith: Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. We might feel we are losing our grip, but our God has great and gracious hands which hold us and guide us through the storms.

(Continued on Page 4)

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“Courage brother! Do not stumble.

Though your path be dark as night; There’s a star to guide the humble: Trust in God and do the right…”

“Will your anchor hold in the storms of life..

We have an anchor that keeps the soul…

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!”

“What a record all of these have won by their faith. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” (Hebrews 11:39 and 12:1) May the Lord bless you From Duncan C. Eddie

Thank You Lord Thank you, Lord, for another day And all this new day brought For sun and rain, for joy and pain And all life’s little things For those we love, who love us too, For every bird that sings, Each sight and sound, the friends we’ve found And all life’s little things

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St Mark’s Sunday School Both Jo Donaldson and Paula Garden have retired as Superintendent and Teacher respectively from the Sunday School Team and it is hoped that a new volunteer rota will take over the Sunday School in future as a new generation of children become our Sunday pupils.

The older boys who started all those years ago have now drifted away from Sunday School and they celebrated their time with us at the final Promotional Service on 30 June but before that they had a final outing to the Lochter Activity Centre as you can see in the following images.

Off Road Driving: The boys did this blindfolded!

(More on Page 6)

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Go Karting: This time without blindfolds.

The Winners: Well they all were really!

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The Church of Scotland, General Assembly, 2019.

The General Assembly starts with a service during which the Queen’s representative, The Lord High Commissioner, is welcomed and the new Moderator is elected.

The lord High Commissioner was His Grace Richard Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott, The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, a cousin of Her Majesty’s who did such a good job last year he was invited to be Lord High Commissioner again. The Rev Colin Sinclair was appointed Moderator. As usual the unaccompanied singing of The Psalms was uplifting.

Last year the Assembly gave instructions for a committee to bring forward an urgent plan to reshape the future of The Church of Scotland. The Special Commission reported and proposed changing the structure of the Church from the top down. The Commission of Assembly, which has about 60 members, would be replaced by 12 Trustees, appointed be the General Assembly. The World Mission would merge with The Church and Society Council, and Ministries and Mission would merge with the Council of Assembly.

During the World Mission debate, we were told of the difficulties of refugees who were made homeless because climate change has caused the sea level to rise and swamp their homes. They would never have a native homeland to return to. The use of single use plastic was highlighted and discouraged. Youth Assembly delegates pointed out that the committee table was using small bottles of water and single use tumblers. This was quickly changed for jugs of water and washable glasses! Kirks are encouraged to follow that example.

Church Treasurers will be pleased to hear that Ministries and Mission payments will be frozen for next year. The Social Care Council would become more financially independent. More responsibility is to be given to Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions. At the moment there are 45 presbyteries. This they hope will merge into about 12 presbyteries during the next few years.

(More on Page 8) 7

Unusually for the General Assembly the result of the changes will change our Church but there is no set vision of what the final outcome will be. A move in Faith.

The Guild gave a review of their year followed by the ‘Guild Big Sing’ in the evening. About 800 Guild members and friends gathered to Praise God in their favourite hymns.

The Safeguarding Committee is to instruct Kirk Sessions to Conduct Basic Disclosure Checks on Organists, Church Officers/Caretakers, and café workers and any other people in positions of trust. This does not mean that anyone on Beadle duty occasionally should be carrying the Bible in one hand and a Disclosure Certificate in the other.

During a speech The Very Rev Dr James Simpson quoted a line from the hymn ‘Abide with me’ which he would like to change. Instead of ‘Change and Decay’ he wanted to say, ‘Change OR Decay’. During this year’s Assembly the Church has tried to start changing.

This has been a short summary of the debates and if anyone wants to ask anything further please speak to us.

Betty & Malcolm Steel.

If you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep Count instead on the Shepherd

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FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL Aberdeen is looking for more helpers to meet up with foreign students while they are studying in Aberdeen. If you are interested in becoming a host, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can be prepared for this year’s student intake. You can choose if you want to host 1,2 or 3 students and are required to contact them 2/3 times in the academic year.

David and I have been hosting students for many years now and find it very rewarding as we hear their stories and learn about other cultures.

It is so exciting meeting the students and they have certainly enriched our lives. I would encourage anyone to become a host as you have nothing to lose but so much to gain. If you would like any further information, please contact me.

Kathleen Innes

Big Issue Our treasurer, Douglas Rankin decided to retire on his 75th Birthday in April.

Douglas worked as Treasurer since Big Issue started more than 10 years ago and as well as banking the money, collating the accounts and sending the required information to Big Issue, he was always willing to step in at short notice to cover shifts. He will be missed very much but we accept that he has decided it is time for him to retire and we thanked him for his many years of dedicated service.

We are still looking for more helpers with Big Issue, so If you could spare a few hours a month to help, please contact Kathleen Innes.

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Stiubhart MacChoille "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin" (Zech. 4:10 NLT).

Begin. Just begin! What seems small to you might be huge to someone else. Just ask Bohn Fawkes. During World War II, he piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. Even though his gas tanks were hit, the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane.

On the morning following the raid, Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell. He wanted to keep a souvenir of his incredibly good fortune. The crew chief explained that not just one, but eleven shells had been found in the gas tanks, none of which had exploded.

Technicians opened the missiles and found them void of explosive charge. They were clean and harmless and with one exception, empty.

The exception contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it, a message had been scrawled in the Czech language. Translated, the note read: "This is all we can do for you now."

A courageous assembly-line worker was disarming bombs and scribbling notes. He couldn't end the war, but he could save one plane.

He couldn't do everything, but he could do something.

So, he did it. God does big things with small deeds.

Against a towering giant, a brook pebble seems futile. But God used it to topple Goliath. Compared to the tithes of the wealthy, a widow's coins seem puny. But Jesus used them to inspire us. And in contrast with sophisticated priests and powerful Roman rulers, a crosssuspended carpenter seemed nothing but a waste of life. Few Jewish leaders mourned his death. Only a handful of friends buried his body.

The people turned their attention back to the temple. Why not?

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What power does a buried rabbi have? We know the answer. Mustardseed and leaven-lump power. The power to tear away death rags and push away death rocks. The power to change history. In the hands of God, small seeds grow into sheltering trees. Tiny leaven expands into nourishing loaves.

Small deeds can change the world. Sow the mustard seed. Make the call. Write the cheque. Whatever you can do to help another; whatever service you can do for the Lord, do it.

Moses had a staff. David had a sling. Samson had a jawbone. Rahab had a string. Mary had some ointment. Aaron had a rod. Dorcas had a needle. All were used by God. What do you have? Much more than you might think!

God inhabits the tiny seed, empowers the tiny deed. He cures the common life by giving no common life, by offering no common gifts.

Don't discount the smallness of your deeds. We can all do something.

Happy memories are pictures That you can have and hold To help you through a weary day When you feel you’re growing old.

So, whenever you feel lonely Or your thoughts are filled with sadness, Reach for some happy memory To replace your gloom with gladness.

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St Mark’s Ramblers and Hillwalkers Since the last article in the June magazine the walking group have been busy with walks around the City and Shire. The following is a very brief highlight list of some of the interesting outings.

We had an interesting walk from the bus stop at the mains of Drum and walked up to Drum Castle, it was a lovely walk around the estate and gardens. This was followed by walks to the Den of Maiden Craig and Hazlehead Woods, while Stonehaven was the destination the following week. Other walks completed have been Culter to Garthdee along the railway, Potarch to Banchory this covers a short part of the famous kilt walk. Paths and track not previously covered around Portlethen were followed by a wander from Mintlaw to Aden Country Park the following week.

Tuesday 25th June had the group looking for some of the Oor Wullie bucket trail figures covering an interesting route around the City Centre from Rosemount Viaduct to the sports village on King Street, calling at St Nicholas Centre, Arts Centre, Footdee and along the Prom.

This was an interesting day’s walk, in good weather. A few Thursday evening walks were undertaken with destinations that included Seaton Park and the river Don circular, Duthie Park and Stonehaven.

Other Tuesday walks took the group to Crathes for a lovely walk around the estate and back to the bus via the railway line walk, noting how progress is going extending the railway closer to Banchory.

Kemnay was visited again with the lovely walk alongside the river. A walk from Wallace Statue to Seaton Park was along some paths and roads we had not walked before including a visit to Sunnybank Park, this was sadly very overgrown and neglected.

(Continued on Page 23)

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St Mark’s Worship Calendar St Mark’s Worship Calendar Please note that Sunday morning services at St Mark’s normally start at 11.00am. Any changes will usually be intimated in the Pew Leaflet or on the website.

During the current vacancy, Stiubhart MacChoille our Locum will lead worship each Sunday with Sacramental Services led by invited preachers. Further details will be available in the Pew Leaflet and on the website. www.stmarksaberdeen.org.uk/worship 29 September

6 October

13 October

20 October

27 October

3 November

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost 11.00am Morning Worship The Overlooked - Two Tombstones Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost 11.00am Morning Worship Harvest Sunday Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 11.00am Celebration of Holy Communion Rev Brian Sheret 2.00pm Circle of Care Communion followed by Afternoon Tea Rev Brian Sheret Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 11.00am Morning Worship Rev John M Watson Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost 11.00am Morning Worship Rev Brian Sheret All Saints Day 11.00am Morning Worship Worship Calendar continues on Page 16

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St March Church Duty Rotas Autumn Messenger Pull Out Supplement Beadle Duty Rota There are two Office Bearers on duty each week Mrs Alice Officer Mrs Anne Donaldson Miss Elsa Black Miss Jean Black Mr Alan Brown Mrs Arlene Grant Mrs Helen Burr Mr John Burr Mrs Jacqueline Hepburn Mrs Marjorie Lord Mr Graeme Low Mrs Lynn Low Mr Ian Lord Miss Dianne Morrison Mr Alex McConochie Mrs Jillian Carrol Mrs Gail Hogg Mrs Anne Donaldson Mrs Joyce Forbes Mr William Forbes

Sunday, September 29, 2019 Sunday, October 06, 2019 Sunday, October 13, 2019 Sunday, October 20, 2019 Sunday, October 27, 2019 Sunday, November 03, 2019 Sunday, November 10, 2019 Sunday, November 17, 2019 Sunday, November 24, 2019 Sunday, December 01, 2019

Door Duty Rota

On Communion Sundays there are usually five Office Bearers on Door Duty.

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St Mark’s Church Duty Rotas Autumn Messenger Pull Out Supplement Readers Rota Sunday, September 29, 2019 Sunday, October 06, 2019 Sunday, October 13, 2019 Sunday, October 20, 2019 Sunday, October 27, 2019 Sunday, November 03, 2019 Sunday, November 10, 2019 Sunday, November 17, 2019 Sunday, November 24, 2019 Sunday, December 01, 2019

Mr Alex McConochie Miss Jean Black Miss Elsa Black Miss Carole-Anne Brazendale Mr Richard Foster Mrs Helen Burr Mrs Anne Donaldson Prof Peter Gray Mrs Kathleen Innes Mr Alex McConochie

Flower Rota Date

Provision

Sunday, September 29, 2019 Sunday, October 06, 2019 Sunday, October 13, 2019 Sunday, October 20, 2019 Sunday, October 27, 2019 Sunday, November 03, 2019 Sunday, November 10, 2019 Sunday, November 17, 2019 Sunday, November 24, 2019 Sunday, December 01, 2019

Mary Caie Kath McBain Kathleen Annand Lynn Low Elaine Macdonald Alex McConochie Lynne Watson Pamela McDonald Mary Caie St Mark's Guild

Distribution

Lynn Low Elaine Macdonald

St Mark's Guild

We are still looking for volunteers to deliver the flowers to members after worship.

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St Mark’s Worship Calendar St Mark’s Worship Calendar 10 November 17 November 24 November 1 December

Remembrance Sunday 10.50am Morning Worship Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 11.00am Morning Worship The Reign of Christ the King 11.00am Morning Worship The First Sunday in Advent 11.00am Morning Worship

8 December

The Second Sunday in Advent 11.00am Morning Worship

15 December

The Third Sunday in Advent 11.00am Morning Worship

22 December

The Fourth Sunday in Advent 11.00am Morning Worship

24 December

Christmas Eve 10.45pm Carols & Fun 11.30pm Watchnight Service 12.01am Christmas Day Followed by Tea and Mince Pies in the Hall

It's time to quit playing church and start being the church.

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Roll Changes Change of Address Norman Hutton No longer at Banks O’ Dee Care Home Mrs E Lawson No longer in Heathryfold The whereabouts of these members is unknown.

Deaths – He will surround you with love on that Golden Day 23 January 2019 Mrs Patricia Walker Fairview Care Home* 4 May 2019 Mrs Pamela Mavor Devonshire Road 24 May 2019 Mrs Annie Thomson Hilton Court 5 June 2019 Mrs Margaret McFarlane Torry Care Home 13 July 2019 Mrs Margaret Brazendale Sheddocksley 29 July 2019 Mr John Black Summerhill 30August 2019 Miss Margaret Rennie Riverside Care Home 31 August 2019 Alex Duncan Formerly Queen Street

The Social and Fundraising Team As I write this, there are only three coffee shops left and I would like to thank all who have supported them in any way during the summer. Many thanks to all who provide home baking, raffles and all other items needed for the coffee shops. A huge thank you to all the helpers who do their official coffee mornings, and then come along to help out on many other days. When we see everyone chatting and enjoying their coffee and eats it makes all the hard work very worthwhile.

The Christmas Coffee Shops will be held on Saturdays 28 November, and 7 & 14 December and we hope to see you and your friends continuing to support us.

Anne Donaldson 17

A Note from the Treasurer Since the Union on 3 November 2017 our financial position has been a little unclear due to the costs involved in looking after the Queen Street Church building, the settlement of the numbers in the congregation, selling the St Mark’s Manse and finally selling Queen Street Church. The income from both sales has been invested and this will provide income as time goes on.

Not all members of the former Queen Street Church came to St Mark’s, but this too has settled down, with some folks attending initially but not permanently and others taking a full part in the life of the united congregation.

This means that 2019 should be a ‘normal’ year, albeit we have to cope with the vacancy and the chance that we will attract a new minister before the year end. With that in mind I wanted to outline to you all how are finances are bearing up, now that the first six months of the year are behind us.

On the following pages I have set out tables of Income and Expenditure for the period to 30 June 2019. This shows that our income from offerings is well below anticipated levels of income. Standing orders reached only 46% of the annual budget with FWO even lower at 42%.

Gift Aid, although only a 7% is normal at this time as such income tends to come later in the year.

The Open Plate however is at 69% of budget, although this is a relatively lower level of income. Like Gift Aid, Other Donations should improve as we get nearer to the year end. This is also true of our Congregational Organisations’ donations. June sees only one month of our Summer Coffee Shops.

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Aberdeen St Mark's Church Treasurer's Report for Second Quarter 2019 to 30 June All figures are rounded and reflect Accruals Proposed

Actual

Budget £

to 30 June £

% of Budget 50%

Income Offerings Standing Orders FWO Scheme Gift Aid Donations Tax on Gift Aid Donations Ordinary Offerings (Open Plate) Other Offerings, Donations etc.

48,000 21,000 3,000 12,500 3,000 9,000 96,500

72,000

21,910 8,877 215 5,382 2,078 3,230 41,692

31,002

46% 42% 43% 7% 43% 69% 36% 43%

Other Ordinary General Income Contributions from Congregational Organisations Regular Fund Raising Events Weddings, Funerals & Baptisms Interest and Dividends Use of Premises Other Income

5,000 8,500 150 7,000 6,000 3,250 29,900

450 2,847 280 1,886 6,833 2,776 15,072

9% 33% 187% 27% 114% 85% 50%

126,400

56,763

45%

Expenditure - See overleaf Total Ordinary Expenditure

112,979

60,167

53%

Surplus (Deficit) for period

13,421

(3,404)

Total Ordinary General Income

Interests and Dividends only reflect the Congregational Account and will be adjusted at the year end. Income from Hall Lets is much improved and we have already received more than the annual budget.

Other miscellaneous income is well ahead of expectations such that, overall our Other Ordinary general Income has reached 50% of the budget. However, our Total Ordinary General Income is only at 45% compared to Expenditure at 53% such that we currently have a deficit of £3,404.

(More on Page 20)

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Expenditure

Ministries and Mission Allocation Presbytery Dues Local Staffing Costs Minister's Travelling Expenses Minister's Telephone and Other Expenses Pulpit Supply Other Salaries and Related Costs Building Costs Fabric Repairs and Maintenance Heating and Lighting Water Charges Insurance Manse Council Tax Cleaning Materials and Other Supplies Other Local Costs Telephone/Postage/Printing/Stationery Other Expenditure

Total Ordinary General Expenditure Notes on Extraordinary Expenditure Purchase of CoSIT Income Fund Units

Proposed

Actual

Budget £

to 30 June £

% of Budget 50%

59,310

29,655

50%

1,760

1,760

100%

500 0 330 23,529 24,359

158 0 210 11,898 12,266

32%

4,000 6,000 1,600 10,000 0 700 22,300

5,496 4,345 751 2,569 0 1,102 14,264

137% 72% 47% 26%

2,750 2,500 5,250

951 1,271 2,222

35% 51% 42%

112,979

60,167

53%

64% 51% 50%

157% 64%

333,996

Our Ministries and Mission Contribution to 121 is exactly on budget and our local Presbytery Dues are fully paid for 2019. Local Staffing Costs are on budget, but Building Costs are well ahead, with Repairs running at 137% of budget and Cleaning and Other Supplies at 157%. This latter head including payments for training to Street Pastors and a donation to the Christian Union at RGU. Other local costs are however lower at only 42%. Overall Expenditure is at 53% of budget.

The net proceeds from the sale of the St Mark’s Manse were invested in the Church of Scotland Investors Trust.

Alex McConochie Congregational Treasurer

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Abigail Ministries – Rugut Fund Thank you to everyone who came along to the Coffee Morning in May to raise funds for the Rugut Projects. It was very successful and the sum of £670 was raised. A huge thank you to all the helpers and contributors.

If you would like to join our small band of sponsors by giving a small amount on a monthly basis, please let me know and I will send a standing order form.

Here are the emails that Grace Rugut sent earlier this year from the Rugut children. I have not made any corrections to the children’s words.

You will also find a copy on the notice board in the Hall .

From Kinyor

I am doing well and going to form four because i repeated form three so that i can improve. i am very happy that i was number 13 out of 231 and this is the number i have never had. i used to be between 210- 223 but i improved when i repeated and i am happy of my results. i am a member of the music club and i participated upto regional level. i am also in journalism club and i am the chief media cover. i would like to be a journalist and write many stories and life experiences. i have been busy with church activities and went for in youth retreat and i thank God. Because i want to do well next year i am attending private teaching classes every day from 8 am-11am which my uncle has paid for my tuition. pray for me i want to thank you for all the support you have given to our family since i was very young. thank you for building seed school. this has assisted so many children who could not go to school. they have better lives in future. thank for friends who have contributed to change our society. we love them so much. i always see photos i believe i will one day come and visit our friends.

(More on Page 22)

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From Chepchumba I am doing well and will be joining form 3 next year. i have adjusted to the school weather which is a very cold place and sometimes it rains the whole day. my best subjects are kiswahili and English and also history and CRE. My worst subject is mathematics. i wish Erica was in Kenya to teach me. I would like to be a lawyer. i am a commander of the scout club in school and also active member of the debating club. i actively participate in the christian union activities because it is very good and pleasant being a christian. i sing in the church and i am now attending catechism class for confirmation in December. i appreciate your support. we have milk now at home. in august we did not have any milk because the cows had not given birth. we are very greatful for all the support Kathleen. we hope that you will soon visit us. welcome and we love love you so much.

From Kathleen hi KATHLEEN. i love you so much. how is Erica and David. we miss you so much. i am going to class 8 next year.my birthday was 29/10/2018 but i was not bought cake because mum did not have money. i love running and dancing. i am attending VBS from yesterday and it is so good.i am with other children and we are reading the bible. thank you for helping us and buiding our schiool. i want to be a teacher when i grow up but not for maths. i fail maths poorly. mum tells me to work hard to improve and i will. greet children from St peter.

Tell them we love them so much. welcome to kenya.

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Ramblers from Page 12 A visit to the Cruickshank Gardens was the complete opposite to Sunnybank, it was beautifully kept and looking lovely. We walked through Seaton Park and finished this walk on King Street, with a bus back to Union Street.

Lumphan was the starting point for a walk to Kincardine O’ Neil. This lovely walk turned into a wet experience as the paths were very overgrown and wet after the previous downpours over the weekend.

Lovely views didn’t dampen the spirits and we had plenty to laugh about, even the shelter from a sudden rain shower in a barn was very amusing.

Our latest walk, before this had to be compiled for the magazine, was an interesting wander around Stonehaven. We had an opportunity to look how the flood defense work was progressing. We noted how busy the place was with lots of visitors and families around the town. The fine weather and last day before the schools returned after the summer holiday perhaps was the reason.

The list below features some of the planned walks for the future. Easier walks will be undertaken during the winter.

Tuesday September 17th Saturday September 21st Tuesday September 24th Tuesday October 1st Tuesday October 8th Tuesday October 15th Tuesday October 22nd Tuesday October 29th

Kirkhill Forest Glentanar Autumn walk meet in car park at 10 am Banchory to Crathes Castle and Grounds Portlethen to bridge of Dee via Causeymounth road Duthie park to Kincorth Hill and Nature Trails Diamond Bridge to Persley, circular along the river Tarland Forest Walks (by car) Brimmond and Elrick Hills (by car) (Continued on Page 24)

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If you would like to join us on our little adventures, please get in touch with Ian for more information. 01224 321882 Mobile 079297 20846, email ianlord64@btinternet.com

Guild of Friendship We start again on Monday 14 October at 2.15pm. We are a small group who are part of the outreach of the church, trying to attract those on their own in the community to come along and make new friends. I am sure there are members in our church who could come along and support us.

We will be starting with the following: Monday 14 October Monday 21 October Monday 28 October Monday 4 November

Rev Brian Sheret giving a talk on his travels.

Mr Richard Foster - Life as a Blind Person Games Afternoon Moira & Hilary

Don’t sit at home alone, come along and join us.

K Montgomery Chairperson

Prayer does not cause faith to work, faith causes prayer to work.

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Š2019 thePavement and Ken Pyne

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MASTRICK PARISH CHURCH

James Tyrrell Centre (SC029188)

CENTRE SUPERVISOR ACTIVITIES CO-ORDINATOR/ (Temporary) CARER (Temporary) The centre supervisor shall Work as part of a team, to ensure organisation of the centre ensure the smooth running of and maintain a high standard the centre and to provide clients whilst ensuring a caring with the maximum benefit and environment is provided to stimulation in a safe and caring enable the clients to maximise environment.

Monday their social, mental and physical Thursday (11am - 3pm) functioning. Monday - Thursday (8:30am - 4:30pm) For more information contact Rose Clayton  01224 683720/ email roseclayton.mbe@hotmail.com 150 years ago in May 1869, a heart-felt desire to meet the social care needs of the people of Scotland led to the forging of what has become the Church of Scotland’s legacy of social care.

From that point and throughout the decades that followed, the Church of Scotland demonstrated a passion to make a real and lasting difference to individuals and communities throughout Scotland by its continued and uncompromising commitment to social care.

Today, while the way services are delivered has changed, CrossReach (the operating name for the Church’s Social Care Council) is honoured to continue this work. It is our privilege to invite you to celebrate 150 years of dedicated commitment by staff and volunteers alike by travelling back in time with us and walking through snap shots of our story. For more information visit www.crossreach.org.uk/150thanniversary 26

The following are the Men's club meetings till year end.

October 7th October 21st October 28th November 4th November 18th November 25th December 2nd December 16th

Welcome back Games Night Mountain Rescue - Mr Charlie Hunter Games Night Crossreach Breadmaker - Mr Donald Anderson Games night with Guild Christmas Party with Guild Games night

Men’s Club Contacts:

President Graeme Low 01569 549391 Secretary Ian Lord 01224 321882 Treasurer Derek Caie 01224 317978

Why English is so hard to learn The bandage was wound around the wound.

The rubbish tip was so full, the workers had to refuse more refuse.

How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

The soldier decided to desert his tasty dessert in the desert.

Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present to his girlfriend.

I did not object to the object he showed me.

The insurance was invalid for the invalid in his bed.

He was too close to the door to close it.

On seeing the tear in the painting, she shed a tear.

I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

Contributed by Jean Black 27

Aberdeen St Mark’s Church of Scotland Rosemount Viaduct Aberdeen AB25 1JY

Interim Moderator

Rev Duncan Eddie 31 Cranford Road

01224 325873

Joint Session Clerks

Mrs Helen Burr 63 Fairview Manor, Danestone Miss Dianne Morrison 45 Bonnymuir Place

01224 824805 01224 630161

Prayer Co-ordinator

Mrs Gail Hogg 10 Binghill Road North

01224 868924

FWO Treasurer

Miss Dianne Morrison 45 Bonnymuir Place

01224 630161

Congregational Treasurer

Mr Alex McConochie 73 Oakhill Grange

01224 950338

Gift Aid Convenor

Mrs Lynn Low 6 St John’s Walk, Newtonhill

01569 549391

Organist

Mrs Kathleen Anderson 15 Countesswells Terrace

01224 321584

Church Secretary

Miss Carole-Anne Brazendale

01224 640672 Church Office Down steps between Church and Library.

Open 10.00am to 1.00pm Monday to Friday. Answering Machine operates when office is closed. Leave Name, message and contact number.  01224 640672 Messenger Editor - Alex McConochie messenger@stmarksaberdeen.org.uk www.stmarksaberdeen.org.uk 28