Winter Newsletter

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

Christmas letter I don’t know about you but I am really looking forward to this Christmas. Last year, because of the lockdown, most of us were unable to celebrate Christmas in the way that we have been accustomed to, so this year we can celebrate once again the coming of Christ into the world 200%.

What thing is it that you look forward to most at Christmas? Is it the Christmas food, or the presents, or being with your family, or in some cases getting away somewhere hot?

For me it’s a combination of the first couple, and not for getting away to somewhere hot because I love to be around Christmas and all that goes along with it. My favourite thing was always the children presenting their Nativity, with faces in anticipation and dressed in the best of Primark’s sheets. The joy in their faces as their story unfolded is an experience I will never forget.

However with all that in mind there is one person that we really do not take into account in the Christmas story and that is the Innkeeper. Most people relate to him as a bit of a meanie, a cruel, unfeeling person because he refused a room to Mary and Joseph. But the thing is, there was really no room at the inn that day and I think he was doing his best when he offered them the dry and warm stable for the Christ child to be born in.

I always feel that the setting is important because Jesus came to serve those who need to be served. He wasn’t born in a grand house or a palace but in a stable and nothing could be more simple than that. We are fortunate now that we can worship here in our church in the way that we want to worship, so please never forget the privilege that you have been given to be able to do just that.

I look forward to serving you all as locum in the new year.

Can David and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2022.

John Watson

ARE YOU WORRIED OR UPSET – HERE’S HOW THE BIBLE CAN HELP YOU

Are you upset with anyone or anything?

Are you feeling weak?

Are you lonely?

Have you sinned recently?

Are you worried about anything?

Are you anxious about life?

Are you unhappy in life?

Are you in any danger?

Are you feeling depressed?

Do you lack faith?

Do you need courage?

Do you need direction?

John 14 Psalm18 V 1-29 Psalm 23 Psalm 51 Matthew Ch 8 V 18-31

Philippians Ch 4 v 4-9 Colossians Ch 3 V 12-17

Psalm 91 Psalm 27 Exodus Ch 14.

Joshua Ch 1 Psalm 73 V 21-26.

Prayer for letting go I have written this prayer specifically for anyone who is unable to let go. By that I mean if you have lost someone in the past and cannot get over it, because we have to let go so that they can travel home.

Dear Lord I am earnestly asking for Your help now so that I can let my loved one go to be with You. I am not the same person since they died because I loved them so much and I find my day to day life so hard to live without them. I know Lord that I am being selfish and thinking of myself and not of them, because I know that their suffering in this world is now passed and that they are now enjoying a special place with You by their side. It is so hard to say the words now but I know I have to say them for their sake and for my own sake.

Lord I know that (name) is now safe from the ravages of this life, so let be me be thankful now that You loved (name) so much that You called her/him home.

In Jesus Name I pray.

Dear Friends It’s around 2 years ago when we first started to hear about Coronavirus/Covid-19 and little did we think then of the huge impact this would have on every aspect of our lives.

One year ago, we had just resumed Sunday worship in person, meeting fortnightly, with strict social distancing, limited numbers, masks, no singing, a closed balcony and no socialising after worship.

The vaccine was in its infancy. What a long way we’ve come in a year! Yes, masks and hand sanitisers are still the order of the day but this is a small price to pay to help keep us safe and healthy whilst enjoying worshipping and socialising together.

Our church organisations are starting to meet again, and two Christmas Coffee Mornings are planned. Hall lets are getting busy again and it’s lovely to welcome back some of our regulars. This is important not just from a financial point of view but as part of our outreach and establishing St Mark’s as a vital and important part of the city centre. The hall has already been used for medical screening of the Afghan refugees who arrived in Aberdeen during the Summer. We’re also proving helpful to our immediate neighbours at His Majesty’s Theatre by providing additional rehearsal space for the pantomime.

Looking ahead to 2022, all five churches have voted to adopt the Aberdeen City Centre and West End Churches Basis of Grouping and this has been approved by Presbytery. Pulpit exchanges, joint services of worship and social events will be planned so that we can all start to get to know each other. The Session Clerks have already met in person and are looking at ways for our various teams to start working together.

Thank you all for your ongoing support of St Mark’s and us as Session Clerks. Wishing you and yours a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

Blessings Dianne and Helen

Seasons Greetings

You always know that Christmas is close because of the adverts on the TV. All of a sudden, commercial breaks are filled with new toys and new perfumes, companies promoting their Christmas stock and Supermarkets telling us they have the best food for our Christmas meals. Growing up I used to love seeing those adverts for toys and games which always looked so exciting. However, this year I have been struck by the tome of the adverts, especially ones for Supermarkets. There is one word which seems to define these adverts – determination. These adverts are saying ‘no matter what happens, Christmas is going ahead, nothing is going to stop us celebrating.’

And that is understandable, from a business point of view of course, shops and supermarkets want to have the best sales ever.

But, after Covid lockdowns, isolation from others, not being able to be with loved ones for special celebration, it’s perfectly understandable to want to celebrate and be determined to go ahead no matter what.

In the Church too that determination is there. The celebration of Christmas lies at the very heart of our faith. The memories of Christmases past, of nativities and carols and watchnight services are powerful indeed. But more powerful still is the story of Christmas, the birth of the Christ child, the Good News sounded out that, no matter what, God is with us. The promise of hope sounded out for ‘the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.’

How important that message is for us in our present time! With all the uncertainty we face, about Covid effects and restrictions, about the future of the Church, about what is happening in each of our own lives. How important it is to know that God is with us and therefore, no matter how deep the darkness we face, the light goes on shining and we have hope.

No wonder then our determination to celebrate this Christmas. No wonder our determination not to give in to the darkness but instead to celebrate the light!

As I write these words, I have no idea what restrictions will be in place this Christmas, or what our celebrations and services will look like, just as I have no idea what lies in the future for anyone of us.

But of this I am certain, come what may, the promise and the hope of Christmas, the love of God who comes to us in the child in the manger, will never be diminished by circumstance or weakened by events. Always, always, we have hope because the darkness, whatever form its takes, will never extinguish God’s light.

Whatever form and shape our Christmas takes, let us be determined that nothing will stop us joining with the shepherds and the magi and the angels to praise the one who is Immanuel – God with us.

I wish you all a joyful, safe, peaceful and wonderful Christmas Season.

David Stewart Interim Moderator Readers Rota Please note your date for reading and if you are unable to make it please contact others on the list.

2 Jan 9 Jan 16 Jan 23 Jan 30 Jan 7 Feb 14 Feb 21 Feb 28 Feb

Helen Burr Peter Gray Gail Hogg Richard Foster Elsa Black Anne Donaldson Marjorie Lord Ian Lord Judy Millar

7 Mar 14 Mar 21 Feb 28 Feb

Helen Burr Peter Gray Gail Hogg Richard Foster

4 Apr 11 Apr 18 Apr 25 Apr

Elsa Black Anne Donaldson Marjorie Lord Ian Lord

BOWLING FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED A LESSON IN COOPERATION AND DEVOTION Let me introduce you to some friends - Betty, Harry, Ali, David, to name but a few, who meet on a Friday in Summerhill. Nothing unusual about that you say. In addition though I must add that they play bowls at Summerhill Indoor Bowling Stadium. Again not unusual except to say they are blind. They are accompanied by three or four helpers who guide them by a dedicated clock system to direct their bowls. During their bowling careers some have played at several venues around Scotland. Some have even been as far afield as New Zealand, Canada, Israel and South Africa for the World Bowls Competition. What is striking about these people apart from their unbounded enthusiasm for their sport is their extremely admirable care of each other, especially for the weaker members of the group. I have never asked them about their religious beliefs but the world could learn a lot from their care for each other, both the able and the underdog and their faith in the value of every human being. If you have visual problems and you would like to join us on a Friday at 11.40 you would be made very welcome.

Contact Graham Millar tel 01224 318738 or rg-millar@sky.com Christmas Coffee Shops We are delighted to announce that there will be two Christmas Coffee shops held in St Mark’s church hall on Saturdays 11th & 18th December 2021 from 10am to 1pm. Soup, bacon, sausage, egg rolls, sandwiches, tea & coffee will be available.

There will be no charge for these but if wished a donation would be most welcome. There will also be home baking available for purchase. Come and join us for some festive fellowship.

Joyce Forbes

Walking group The walking group have enjoyed lovely walks this year, a great pastime, and a way of keeping fit. We always take a flask and a sandwich with us during our wanderings.

Recent walks have been a stroll around Aberdeen City centre looking at the lighthouses. Only one walk was done during October and that was bus to Dinnet for a walk to Ballater. The rest of the planned walks had to be cancelled due to heavy rain.

November saw the walkers meeting at the Castlegate and doing a circular walk that took in the Broadhill, the Beach Prom and Fittie before heading back to the starting point.

A recent bus trip to Countesswells on 9th November had the walkers taking a short coffee stop in a nice spot before walking through to Hazlehead. Lunch was at the picnic tables before a short stroll through the woods and getting the bus home. Tuesday 16th November had the group bus to Cults and a wander around taking in the Allan Park for a short break before heading up hill to the large Cairn that is close to Cairnlee Avenue East.

Listed below are future walks Tuesday 21st December Christmas City centre wander.

Lay off over Christmas/New Year until Tuesday 11th January. Blow away the holiday blues with a wander to the beach.

Tuesday 18th January bus to Kingswells P&R for walk back via Summerhill. Other walks are still to be arranged.

Contact Ian on 01224 321882 or 079297 20846 or e mail if you would like to join us or want more information about where to meet and arrangements.

Email ianlord64@btinternet.com

Scottish Country Dance Class 1964-2020 56 years +++ The members of the Scottish Country Dance Class have decided to hang up their dancing pumps. We had planned to finish in April 2020 but Covid-19 put paid to that, so we ended in March instead.

Our numbers had decreased due to health, age and a reluctance to go out at night.

I wish to say a huge thank you to all who supported the class through the years. A final donation of £300 has been given to St Mark’s Church.

The Scottish Country Dance class was set up by the South Church Womens’ Guild (when exactly I’ve been unable to find out) who met as a Guild on Monday one week and as a Scottish Country Dance class the next.

I joined the class in September 1964 and the class had been going for years before that, led by students from the Dunfermline School of Physical Education with Mrs Lennox on piano. Mrs Lennox was still the pianist in 1964. Mrs Low was the teacher until 1981. After that, we continued on our own and all pitched in and did our bit.

The class ran Scottish Country Dances to raise funds for various local charities and St Mark’s Church. We had live bands to dance Reels/Jigs & Strathspeys. In our Church’s Centenary year a book of 10 dances was published, including 2 of our own, St Mark’s Celebration - a jig, and The Centenary Strathspey. All sold and some even went abroad. The class also took part at our Church’s Burns’ Suppers and St Andrew’s Night celebrations.

Over the years £13,800 was raised. Well done to all.

Margaret Brown

GUILD The Guild resumed last month with its first meeting on the afternoon of 18th November when 23 people attended, which was a very encouraging start. There is a potential membership of about 30 and anyone interested will always be welcome. There was a brief summary of the six new Projects for 2021-24 and then, over tea, an opportunity for everyone to have their say on arrangements for meetings after the New Year. It seems clear Thursday afternoon is suitable for most people and there should be no meetings in January; the committee will now look at the responses to the other points to be decided.

Meetings will be led by three 2-person teams and Marjorie Lord is our ‘Contact Person’ with Guild Office in Edinburgh and with the local Aberdeen Guilds Together.

The next meeting is at 2 p.m. on Thursday 16th December when we will enjoy “Something Christmassy”.

Doreen Gray Parish Grouping Update On 4th November Presbytery approved the Aberdeen City Centre and West End Churches Basis of Grouping. This will take effect from 1 st December 2021. The 5 congregations had voted in favour as follows: All 5 Churches St Mark’s Total Votes – 397 Total votes - 70 For – 363 For – 63 Against – 34 Against – 7 The Parish Grouping Ministers have made plans for united services over the Advent period: On Christmas Day there will be one united service of worship at Midstocket Church.

On Boxing Day there will be one united service of worship at Holburn West Church. On Sunday 2nd January 2022 there will be one united service of worship at St. Mark’s Church.

Information from the Mission and Outreach Group Good Morning Service The good morning service is a free service for elderly residents living alone in and around Aberdeen. We provide a friendly telephone call between 9-11am each day or as required. Could the good morning service bring peace of mind to you or a loved one? If so, please contact us with your details or the person to be called along with a next of kin contact in case our calls go unanswered. To request registration with the good morning service please contact: 07918 696958. The Duthie Trust,1 East Craibstone Street.

Silver Line Scotland Helpline – 0800 4 70 80 90 www.roseberycentre.org.uk/resources/silver-line-scotland email:- roseberycentre@outlook.com Care and Repair Aberdeen Care and Repair Ground Floor Office Tel: 01224 251133 11 Waverley Place Email: gencareandrepair@castlehillha.co.uk Aberdeen Monday - Friday, 9am - 12pm and 1pm - 4pm AB10 1XH www.aberdeencareandrepair.co.uk/contactus.html Bon-Accord Care 01224 570400 email:- bacinfo@bonaccordcare.org www.bonaccordcare.org NHS 111 Telephone 111 www.nhs.uk Police 101 For 101 non-emergency number

Alzheimer Scotland www.alzscot.org 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline tel:08088083000 Cruse Bereavement Care Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland Aberdeen 0845 600 2227 42a Rose Street, Aberdeen, AB101UD Free Helpline: 0808 802 6161 Weekdays 9am-8pm, Weekends 1pm-4pm www.crusescotland.org.uk Those who have gone before us John Boyne Gilbert McHardy Francis Hornby Graeme Clark Patricia Mitchell Margaret Mant 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