Easter Newsletter 2021

Aberdeen, St Mark’s Church of Scotland St Mark’s, sharing God’s love in the City Centre.’

On the first Good Friday Disciples silent stood: Weary women weeping; thorns drew blood; crowd spat loud; earth shook; black sky; red wood; soldiers nailed God. Then, Three days Pregnant dark, Earth shakes again, Sets free its treasure, As Christ escapes the tomb At God the Father’s pleasure.

Bright sky, spring flowers bloom; Now soldiers faint, disciples run about, And women shout good news of joy beyond measure.

Acts 2:23-24’Turning Point’ from The Electric Bible

Easter Morning outdoor service

Breakfast in the hall after the outdoor service

St Mark’s Church Players At the time of writing this article I have had the sad task of having to close the “Players” bank accounts and transferring the money to the Church account.

Hopefully at some time in the future we will re - start the drama club, but I thought you might be interested to hear of the donations we have made over the year.

When the Rev. John Watson became our Minister, he asked the congregation if we would like to start a drama club. He and Jennifer called a meeting in May 1990 and 22 members signed up. We started with our usual coffee morning to have some money to start us off. Our first pantomime was in February 1991.

Since then we have done a panto or cabaret in November and plays in the spring. Our biggest shows were Joseph and his Technicolour Dream Coat, Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar which were performed in the church.

As the children got a little bit older Garry wrote little shows and he and Lynne produced them in the hall. They were much enjoyed by all who came along to support the young folk.

Over the years some of our younger members went on to do different things in music, theatre and dance. It was wonderful watching them grow up and gain confidence in themselves.

From 1991 to 2018 we did 55 different shows donating over £55, 000 to the church, £1,500 to the dome fund and £1,500 to the project fund, donated the carpet and chairs when the Session room was refurbished, and £500 to Malawi.

Through the years we made small donations on many occasions.

The last thing the drama did was the Christmas service in 2019. Hopefully, we will be back!

Anne Donaldson.

Dear friends, Easter is, in my view, the most important time for Christians. Out of the darkness of Good Friday, comes light. Out of despair comes hope, and out of death comes life, and life eternal. This is the wonderful news of Easter.

For a long-time I wrestled with the Easter Story. I’ve always believed it, but never really understood it. Now, 20 years into my ministry, I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter that I don’t and never will fully understand it.

I don’t know what happened that first Easter Day, but I’ve come to believe that this story is less about explaining, understanding, making sense of, and more about experiencing what that day means for you and me today. So, I want to tell you three things Easter means to me.

First, it means a promise. A promise that out of even the darkest times of our lives, amidst confusion, pain, anger and hurt, and even death, there comes new life.

Our resurrection is not a future event, something yet to happen. It is a present and every day reality that promises us a future and the chance that this moment will be transformed and changed. Alleluia! Christ is risen.

Second, it means we have hope. It means we have hope for our lives and the lives of those we love. We have hope that our lives matter and God can make beautiful even the ugliest of situations. It means we have hope in the midst of our doubts and uncertainties, and when nothing makes sense and the odds are against us. We hope against hope for the unexpected. Alleluia! Christ is risen.

And third, it means a call. The resurrection is a calling on our lives. And this call awaits our response. We are being called to rise up and follow Jesus, called to love one another, called to serve, called to be light in the world, and called to be like him.

The resurrection is calling us to life, a new life.

My time with St Mark’s has been extraordinary since the day I began at the beginning of June, three months into the COVID Pandemic.

Over the course of the summer, meetings were held via Zoom, and it wasn’t until November 8th that I actually met some of you in real life when we returned to worship, albeit without singing. This was short lived and by January the church was closed again and we resorted to online worship hosted by the City Centre and West End Parish Grouping, and myself sending out emailed devotions.

Often when we feel unsettled, or filled with uncertainty, or even face the darkest of days, there is resurrection.

There is God’s promise, and ultimately, hope. And there is God’s call upon our lives.

Even in the most unsettling of times or the darkest days, never forget that. That out of Good Friday and everything it means, comes Easter Sunday filled with joy.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

With every blessing, Ian

Where are we at St Mark’s?

What’s happening with the City Centre Initiative?

Since the last newsletter, the Revd Robert Smith from Rubislaw Parish Church, along with the other ministers from the West End, have formed a new group to look at how we are to move forward together. Each parish has 2 or 3 representatives on this group, looking at how we are going to move forward in relation to a new mission initiative in the City Centre with St Mark’s at the centre. There’s a possibility that the existing City Centre Strategy Group might be disbanded, which will leave this new group to explore new possibilities and opportunities. The representatives from St Mark’s are Dianne Morrison, Arlene Grant and Sheena Catto.

What might this City Centre Initiative look like?

Initially the plan was for the congregations of the West End churches to support a new initiative in the city centre through sponsorship. This means each congregation, including St Mark’s, puts forward 2 or 3 representatives to work together as a team of around 20 people, committed to doing something new in the City Centre. Leadership would come from the appointment of a Transition Minister who would focus 2/3 of her or his time on helping St Mark’s congregation find a new identity amidst these changes and opportunities, and 1/3 focussed on exploring and developing these new opportunities in the City Centre with the rest of the group.

However, it’s still not clear as to whether or not this model is agreeable to the ministers and congregations in the West End of Aberdeen. It’s understandable, in this current climate where ministers feel already stretched and under some pressure, that there’s concerns that commitment to new expressions of city centre mission simply adds to their work load. There might also be concerns that congregations might ask, what’s in this for us and our parish of Rubislaw, Queen’s Cross, Holburn West etc?

Until we are clear and agreed in understanding where we are going, we’re stuck. Therefore, I’ve prepared three different models of ministry for the City Centre and West End of Aberdeen which includes a SWOT analysis – the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats from

each option. These are very much in draft form at the moment, until the ministers in the West End have had an opportunity to discuss them.

Thereafter, it will be important that Kirk Sessions and congregations have an opportunity to contribute. Only after we’ve agreed on a model and direction of travel, can an application be made for a Transition Minister for St Mark’s and the City Centre.

What’s the future for St Mark’s?

I’ve made it very clear in my reports to Presbytery and Faith Nurture (formerly Ministries Council), that as the last remaining CofS congregation in the City Centre, St Mark’s is essential as a building and congregation. It’s also essential that we explore new opportunities for both the building and the congregation in the context of the new mission initiative for the city centre. These I laid out in my last report based on the Heart Edge Model where we form small groups or teams within the congregation to look at Compassion – how the congregation reaches out to the pastoral needs of the wider parish and city centre.

Congregation – how we build upon and develop new expressions of worship, prayer groups, bible study and anything which relates to the spiritual life of the congregation. Culture – how St Mark’s relates and connects with His Majesty’s Theatre, The Art Gallery, and essentially, the Union Terrace Gardens Development. How do these organisations and initiatives provide opportunities for St Mark’s? And finally, Commerce – how can St Mark’s make the most out of their building as a resource?

What potential is there for developing the basement halls to ensure a good financial return which will enable funding for mission and outreach etc?

What’s happening at present at St Mark’s?

Since I was reminded that my role with St Mark’s is specifically to carry out a feasibility study for the congregation and city centre, rather than becoming fully involved as a Parish Minister (which is what I’m called to do, as an ordained Minister!) the Kirk Session has appointed the Revd John Watson as Locum Minister responsible for the conduct of worship, funerals and pastoral care. John has already been helping out, previously at KSNU and St Mark’s, and has been a great support to myself and the wider congregation.

Equally, the Revd David Stewart has stepped up his role as Interim Moderator for St Mark’s. David was appointed to this role back in June last year, but given my responsibilities at that time, there wasn’t a great deal of work for him to do. This has changed now that he has taken on full responsibility for overseeing the administration of the charge and conduct of Session Meetings.

When will worship resume in St Mark’s?

Clearly, changes are being made to level 4 restrictions and the First Minister has announced the intention to reopen places of worship, with attendance limits increased from 20 to 50 where there is space for social distancing, on Friday 26 March. A final decision will be taken on Tuesday 23 March which might allow for a return to worship on Palm Sunday, 28th March and Easter Sunday on the 4th April.

What is my future role at St Mark’s?

One of the reasons for my role at St Mark’s being reduced is to allow me to undertake other work with the National Church and 121 George Street, including heading up a national consultation looking at amending legislation to allow multiple ministries of equal standing in a single charge. Faith Nurture agreed that my time with St Mark’s will not extend beyond December 2021, but realistically, should be concluded by mid-summer.

However, this has now changed following my decision to resign from my position as the Interim Minister for the East of Scotland and employment with Faith Nurture in order to take up a completely different role with the Church of Scotland General Trustees and local presbyteries, in the new post of Building Officer for the East of Scotland and North Isles. Taking annual leave into account, my role in Interim Ministry will terminate on Friday 7th May. Obviously, this concentrates my work with St Mark’s, and before the 7 th of May, I will prepare a feasibility study in consultation with the Kirk Session, the current serving ministers in the West End Parishes and the Presbytery of Aberdeen & Shetland. Much of this work has already been done, and it’s simply a case of pulling it all together to help discern future options and opportunities for St Mark’s and the wider Parish Grouping.

Revd Ian Murray Interim Minister, East of Scotland Region 15 March 2021 From Rev John M Watson, Locum at St Mark's.

When I retired in 2009 after 20 years as the minister of St Mark's I never imagined that I would be back serving as locum.

When asked, there was no way I was going to say NO. St Mark's always has and always will continue to be a special place for me and I cannot wait to start my duties with you all. Most of you know me well. Those of you who don’t know will soon find out that I am more than willing to work alongside those who are committed and supportive and I will be with you for as long as it takes. There will be a lot of catching up to do.

God has a way of making changes in our lives, changes that we sometimes don’t like, but when we step out in faith we usually find that He was right all the time. I am grateful for the inclusion Ian made for me over the past months and I wish him success and well in his new venture.

A starting date for worship has yet to be announced. It will at first be like the last time where you will have to make it known that you wish to attend church, but gradually I hope and pray we will get back to our ways of worship that are important.

This Resurrection Sunday in April will be, I hope the day that we start back. That is in the hands of others.

In the meantime please keep safe and stick to those rules.

Blessings John

In 2019 we raised £960 for Christian Aid Week, but last year when Covid arrived just as we would have been making our plans for 2020, activity stopped.

However nearly £4million was raised in the UK despite all the restrictions imposed on us.

The news now available about church worship may make it possible to hold a CAWeek service in St. Mark’s this year during 10-16 May and to have donation envelopes available. If not, we would hope to be able to do something by Zoom.

Attention this year is on the climate crisis and our neighbours in Kenya which has suffered from prolonged drought to flash flooding, which severely affect people who live without what they need to survive - a reliable source of water.

If you wish to send a cheque to:

donate at any time, you can

Christian Aid Scotland, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1E

Hello, my name is Morag Ledgerwood. Thank you for accepting me to become your new treasurer. I have been working in that capacity for the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting for the last 2 years. I am an elder at Stockethill church in Aberdeen, and have been a member there since approx. 2003, serving both in the leadership team, now called the Kirk Session, since we moved to full status, and also am on the finance and preaching teams there. I also work as a part time personal carer for an elderly lady in her own home. Previous to this role I was a money adviser for a housing association tenants for 10 years, and for the 5 years before that I was a Financial Adviser with Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, advising clergy with personal finances.

I am married to Drew, and we have 3 children and 7 grandchildren, and one dog, a cockapoo called Ruby. When not working, dog walking or grandchildren sitting, I enjoy facilitating a ladies bible study group with Bible Study Fellowship International, www.bsfinternational.org, now meeting online, like everything else for now, rather than in person. I find this keeps me much more grounded to be able to deal with life generally.

I am grateful to you for taking me on in this capacity as just as one door closes at KSNU, another has opened with you. I will endeavour to learn and expand my knowledge as a treasurer further, and with God’s grace and your prayers I will. I have large shoes to fill I fear?

I am a member of ACAT, the Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers. I am hoping to use the Church of Scotland’s suggested and approved accounting software, via Data Developments UK, which is designed especially for church use. Please feel free to contact me with any questions / suggestions. I am sure I will be asking lots of questions

as I get to grips with the accounts and the history of them, so I hope you don’t mind me doing so? My phone number is 07877864935 and my email, ledgerwoodmorag@gmail.com.

Looking forward to working with you all � Locum Minister/ Interim Moderator We are delighted to confirm that Presbytery have appointed Rev. David Stewart, South Holborn Church of Scotland as Interim Moderator at St Marks . If you need to contact David he can be contacted by email : dstewart@churchofscotland.org.uk or at the manse 01224 317975 or mobile 07801 556363. We very much look forward to working with David.

We are also delighted to welcome back Rev John Watson who has been appointed as Locum Minister at St Marks . John is known to many of you and is looking forward to being able to meet everyone in church as restrictions allow .

Reopening of St Marks At the time of writing this for the magazine , The Scottish Government have advised that it intends to allow places of worship to reopen from 26th March 2021 subject to continued improvement in the COVID-19 statistics . Should progress suppressing the virus continue , St Marks plans to reopen on Sunday 28th March 2021 . Attendance limits have been increased from 20 to 50 . As previously , reopening will be within the current COVID -19 restrictions . A booking system will be in place requiring anyone who wishes to attend worship to book a place . Our church secretary Carole , is currently working from home. Please contact Carole if you would like to attend a Sunday service Carole can be contacted by email or telephone to book a place . Email : office@stmarksaberdeen.org.uk , telephone 01224 640672 or mobile 07857812071. Please note Carole will be working 10am – 1.00pm , Monday to Friday and can be contacted during office hours to book a place . Please contact Carole as soon as you are able and no later than 12pm on the Friday in the week preceding the Sunday to let us know if you would like to attend to allow Carole to complete the list of attendees as required by current COVID regulations . We would also gently remind

you that we are only able to take bookings for 1 week to be fair to all members of the congregation who may wish to attend . Unfortunately , as you will be aware, we are unable to accept bookings if the church is already at its legal capacity . This also means we may have to turn folks away if they don’t have a booking and we have reached our 50 capacity.

As previously, current guidelines require face coverings to be worn at all times in church, there will be no singing in church and no coffee/ teas in the Hall after the service . We have also been asked to kindly remind those attending services that having secured opening of churches ahead of opening of any other venues we need to take as much care as possible in keeping everyone safe . Whilst we , understandably , wish to chat with friends who we may not have seen for many months we would ask that you do not gather outside church to chat !

A final decision regarding reopening will be taken by Scottish Government on Tuesday 23rd March 2021. We will let you know if circumstances change .

We look forward to seeing you again in St Marks when you feel ready to return . Meantime online services, which so many have enjoyed, will continue . Carole will continue to send out the link for these services .

With best wishes , Helen and Dianne - Joint Session Clerks Guild At the time of writing more positive news on moves out of lockdown has been issued by the Scottish Government and perhaps we can hope that meetings will be allowed to resume in the autumn. In the meantime members are keeping in touch by various means and soon it will be possible to even meet face to face again outside.

We contacted members before Christmas regarding payment of our annual fees and giving the opportunity to donate to the ongoing 2018-21 Projects. It was good to know that 32 have continued their membership and that we were able to contribute £550 towards the continued funding of the Project.

Intimations Dianne would like to thank the St Mark’s family for all the cards, letters, phone calls and flowers she received following the passing of her Mum, Kathleen.

Your kindness, support and prayers were greatly appreciated.

Abigail Ministries – Rugut Projects Abigail Health Care Centre (AHCC) is now a fully functional Medical Centre and hundreds of people, young and old have been helped and protected. Babies have been born, vaccinations given and bloods tested to determine cases of malaria, typhoid etc. As AHCC is 7km from a tarmac road and a further 15km to the nearest alternative facility, it has proved a blessing to the rural community.

SEED School – During lockdown, Grace had to download and print copies of the online lessons as the families do not have access to internet. This was made possible using a laptop and printer supplied by Abigail Ministries. Grace enlisted the help of a local motorbike driver to distribute the papers ( which had to be sanitised prior to collection and delivery) to the families. It is hard for the children to keep up with their schoolwork during lockdown as many of them do not have furniture or facilities to work at home. And sadly, many of them are not getting meals that they would normally get at school so are going hungry. Please remember Daniel, Grace and all the families of SEED School at this difficult time.

Big Issue

Due to current restrictions, we have not been able to operate as a distribution centre for Big Issue. The vendors were able to get their magazines from near the Denburn car park on a Tuesday but this has ceased during the lockdown. In the meantime, Glasgow Office are supporting the vendors with food vouchers and small cash payments.

We are hopeful of opening up again as soon as restrictions are lifted.

New Members Miss Martha Harris Miss Evelyn Swanson Miss Alice Merrilees Those who have gone before us.

Isobel Beattie Olive Black Isobel Buchan Margaret Buchan Mary Caie Norma Christie Peter Cogle Elizabeth Coull Dorothy Cromar Jean Davie Irene Deans Robert Dron Sydney Fettes Doryce Hill Marion Imray Kathleen Leaper

Sheila Main Alex McConochie Neil McKechnie Maysie McLeod James Milne Sandra Morrice Kathleen Morrison Eliza Noble Charles Officer Evelyn Reid Iris Thomson Ellen Tweed Andrew Walls Ronald Watt Jean Weyms Grace Wilkie

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God: believe also in me. My Father’s House has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? John 14 1 - 2

Aberdeen St Mark’s Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity No. SC015451