June2016

2016

June

The Parishioner Seeking to be open and caring to all.

Actively growing in faith.

St Mungo’s Parish Church SC007821

Swww.stmungosparish.org.uk

1

Contact Minister

Sang Y Cha Manse of St. Mungo’s, Alloa Telephone: 01259 213872

Session Clerk

David Hynd 62 Nevis Crescent, Alloa Telephone: 01259 720179

Kirk Treasurer

John Carruthers 35 Victoria Street, Alloa Telephone: 01259 213670

Organist

Sandy Sinclair 2 Arns Grove, Alloa Telephone: 01259 723525

Church Officer

Roll Keeper

Irene Hynd 62 Nevis Crescent, Alloa Telephone: 01259 720179

WFO Convener

David Mudie 19 Norwood Avenue, Alloa Telephone: 01259 213891

Gift Aid Convener

Morris Field 50 Smithfield Meadows, Alloa Telephone: 01259 220476

2

More Church Contacts Bible Class

Maureen Drummond 214485

Sunday School

Ann Anderson

212488

Crèche

Andrena Hutchison

215303

Wed Coffee Morning

Elma/Joyce

218703

Sunday Coffees

Elma/Joyce

218703

Safeguarding Officer

Jennie Syme

211763

Finance

David Mudie

213891

Flowers

Irene Stevenson

218011

Mission

Roger McAdoo

729013

Events

Roberta Milne

723984

Communications

Catriona Thomson

928534

Guild

Janette Hunter

214313

Craft

Christine Wildau

213557

Bookings

David Hynd

720179

Property

3

Message from the Minister

Dear all, It is hard to believe that I have been here as your minister for 5 years. Time has flown. I was joking with a church member that Sundays seem to come around every 3 days. Many exciting things have happened during this time too. We put in a concert grade sound system, a new logo, a house group, all age services, Burns Supper and Ceilidh, Christingle service, Christmas service on Christmas morning, even.

Along the way, we derived strength from those things that remained constant: The Guild, the Wednesday coffee mornings, The Christmas Market, to name a few.

I applied for this charge 5 years ago because I believed that I can serve as a bridge to change. And indeed St. Mungo’s is still being gifted with the tremendous opportunity to radically reform itself within its present building through its current work with the Conservation Project for 2019, when the building itself will be 200 years old.

Yet what does “radical reform” mean? I understand it to mean that we must be relentlessly committed to change. As Presbyterians we have, and must continue, to be engaged in reform, as the phrase Ecclesia Reformata, semper reformanda (“the Reformed church, always to be reformed”) reminds us. Change however is tough, especially for such a storied congregation as St. Mungo’s; one finds oneself thinking: “Great, let’s do it, but you go first,” because genuine change is always radical, and sometimes daunting.

The way forward for St. Mungo’s has involved a radical paradigm shift, in which we are trying to effectively bridge the generational gap whilst simultaneously bringing change within the traditional form of worship that is so fundamental to our core identity. The sort of change that we are trying to embrace is therefore a reformation of content, not of form.

Indeed, given our narrative arc, this is no time to be cautious.

It is also sometimes assumed that a parish minister will need to have all the answers worked out regarding issues of faith. To be sure, faith in ministry – in its capacity to shape reality – is a wisdom-determined activity. However, I do not assume to have the answers worked out, but I know that I am a minister. I have often thought that “doubt” is the first sign of intelligence. Many people find comfort in clear choices and perfect opposites because there is comfort in certainty- in knowing how 4

the world works for all time. It’s all written in an infallible book and there is nothing left to discuss. Mission accomplished.

That we belong to one Body is but a reminder that we must constantly revisit and rethink those positions we thought we had just right.

“Dialogue” is therefore a description of our common commitment to keep each other honest as best we can. For me, learning to be a Christian has meant learning to live without all the answers. It has meant being committed to change. In other words, faith is but a name for learning how to go on without knowing the answers. Of course, that task is a task for the entire Church.

As ever, Sang

Pentecost 2016

BI-Con-Cent Update If you are reading this and you decide to come to church for communion, I want you to seek me out and let me know your thoughts on our fund raising project to save the church building. Even if it is only one person, that will let me know that we are reaching people and that you all want to support our church in raising funds for this project.

It seems like madness to me to keep writing these articles and dedicating my time to something that no one cares about. However, I am hopeful this is not the case.

Despite falling behind in our congregational fundraising efforts we have all been busy progressing the project in other areas. We will soon be identifying individuals within the church to drive various activities linked to the community and more specifically to our 200th Anniversary in June 2019.

Again, if you have good ideas around getting the community involved and celebrating 200 years of St. Mungo’s, please let me know.

5

Myself, Morris Field and Terry Goddard recently visited St. Mary’s in Kirkintilloch to find out how they have raised funds for a very similar project. Like us, they too have been granted HLF funding to make repairs and engage more with their local community.

However, they have one significant advantage: their church is only 100 years old. It is a beautiful building replete with wonderful period features, architecture and vivid stain glass windows. I made comment during our tour just how much architecture had improved in the time between 1819 and 1914 and how much degradation could ensue when you factor in an additional 100 years of Scottish weather.

All you need to do is look at the stone work outside our church to see the level of work that needs done and the amount of money it will take to complete this.

Our contacts at St. Mary’s have subsequently provided us with invaluable information about other sources of funding which we can pursue over the next few months but if we fail in this initiative there is every chance we will not raise enough money to fund the work we need to do on St Mungo’s.

So once again I ask, please let me know how you wish to help. This can be via a contribution, it can be a sponsored event or it might be simply giving up your valuable time to support us. Whatever the circumstance, we need you now more than ever and I ask that you seek me out and talk about what needs done to save our grand old church.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

David Mackintosh Fund Raising Convenor

BI-CON-CENT The Bi-Centenary Conservation Project of St Mungo’s, Alloa is -

6

care and only for the purpose intended.

Data Protection and St Mungo’s Members and friends should have received a letter about Data Protection from the Church’s Data Protection Coordinator and response form with the last issue of the Parishioner – or at least about the same time. We stated in the letter that St Mungo’s needs your permission to keep your name, address and, in some cases, other personal details on its register of members (the Members’ Roll).

By signing, dating and returning the form you are confirming that the details we hold about you are correct (or to be corrected as you have indicated) and that we can keep them on the register of members.

1.

Why is this important?

Should a breach of security occur and a member’s details be used inappropriately, a substantial fine could be imposed if we were shown not to be complying with the Act.

2.

All organisations, whether they happen to be a big company or small special interest club or anything in between, are required to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998. This Act requires organisations to obtain the express permission of their customers/members/adher ents to hold their personal information, to use it with 7

Do I HAVE to sign and return the form?

The simple answer is ‘No’. However, please consider the consequences of not signing and returning the form to us.

The register of members is what we use when we send out the quarterly invitations to Communion Services and the Parishioner magazines. Also there are, from time to time, other items of correspondence that the Church might want to send to you.

Without your permission we will not be able to continue sending these items to you. If you have not returned the permission form this magazine may be the last you will receive.

Not being on the register of members does not mean that you are no longer a member of the Church – it just means that we can’t keep a record of you or send ‘things’ to you.

3.

all efforts to comply with the Act as soon as possible. I would, therefore, urge all members who have not yet returned their forms, for whatever reason, to act as a matter of urgency. This distribution of Communion invitations and magazines is likely to be the last before we fully apply the conditions of the Act. For us to keep in touch with you, you must respond to us as soon as possible.

Finally, I would like to thank the members, who have already responded (so far about 220 from a total membership of about 320), and the elders, whose efforts have helped to achieve this.

However, we need to have a response from everyone.

I haven’t received a form/ I’ve misplaced the one I was given, what do I do?

It is easy to get another form. You can either contact your district elder or contact the Church’s Data Protection Co-ordinator (see below) to ask for a replacement form.

Whilst there is no specific timescale for getting the response forms back from our Morris Field (220476) members we should be making Data Protection Co-ordinator

REPORTS FROM YOUR ORGANISATIONS EVENTS GROUP The Events group has had a busy and productive first six months hosting events to suit all age groups On 12th March a St Patrick's day themed fish and chip quiz took place in the session house. Great hosting and high energy created a most enjoyable evening for all ages. One not to be 8

missed next time around. Huge thank you to Michelle Mcadoo for making this event so much fun for all.

All in an April Evening followed on 23rd April when a packed session house was fortunate to enjoy the musical delights of the Delaney Family and guests. All genres of music could be heard that night and our own Sandy Sinclair provided the laugher with some of his hilarious renditions. A great evening was topped off by a beautifully prepared supper. These events take a lot of hard work and planning and Janette Hunter and her band of willing helpers excelled themselves.

A church year would not be complete without our annual beetle drive which took place on 27th April where the laughter of children (of all ages ) could be heard in Alloa town centre. Forget the Euro Championships in June the competition was definitely in the session house that evening.

Great work by Linda Sharp and Elma Clark for pulling this event together so successfully. Laugher is definitely a tonic!

On 18th May another Cooking with Campbell took place hosted, as always, by Billy and Marie Campbell. This event is really becoming a St Mungo’s favourite and was attended by guests from throughout the central belt. Chef Campbell tempted the tastebuds of all but only a very lucky few were treated to a meal at the chef’s table. Forget Masterchef. - we have our very own at St Mungo’s. Thanks to Billy and Marie for another great evening which raised £450.

Our next fun day will be the Manse barbecue hosted by Sang.

All are welcome. Please pray for good weather!

Please keep a lookout for future events as there is a full diary coming up.

Thanks to all who have supported and facilitated these events Roberta Milne Convener

See the events report to work out why we have a picture of a leprechaun!!

9

Puzzle Corner Unscramble the letters to discover a passage from Luke, chapter 9.

SA EYTH REEW IAKNWLG OGANL ETH ODAR, A NMA DISA OT MHI, I LWIL WOOLLF UYO EHEEWREVR UOY OG. USSJE IEPRDEL, EXOSF EVHA LEHOS DNA SIDBR FO HET IRA AEVH SSNTE, TBU TEH NOS FO NMA ASH EOHRNWE OT YAL IHS EDAH.

An anagram for the young and “young at heart”.

These can all be found in our church.

TREWO OCPRH SSRCO RAOGN RIITMSEN TPLSEEE TIEADNS SSLGA

PLUIPT HNCCLAE SWPE ETLRCNE OOUICNNMM LAETB

COMMUNICATIONS GROUP The Communications Group is pleased to report that we have a new helper. Shona Mackenzie has kindly agreed to look after and update the Church web-site. Thank you, Shona for taking on this responsibility. If you haven’t looked at our web-site recently, it is worth visiting to see the latest news about St Mungo’s: www.stmungosparish.org.uk We are looking for some more help. Jean Nicolson currently produces the Parishioner. This is published four times a year and Jean would appreciate a “back-up” who might be willing to produce an occasional edition. If you think you might be interested, please contact Catriona on 01259 928534 or Jean on 01259 219908.

10

SUNDAY SCHOOL This session we have been learning about the prophet Elijah using the excellent resources from Scripture Union.

We are now preparing for the end of session presentation which will be on Sunday 12th June as part of the All Ages Service.

This year we will be talking about Sarocha, the young girl from Thailand we are currently sponsoring. We would like to encourage the children to bring their collection each week to enable us to pay for Sarocha’s education and well-being.

To bring the session to a close on 26th June we will be having a picnic in the church gardens during the service (weather permitting).

If your child is aged 3 or over and would like to join us please talk to Ann Anderson or Marie Campbell.

Ann BIBLE CLASS We still meet during the service on Sunday morning and we are still studying Mark’s gospel.

Our approach is simple “teaching and talking.” Episodes in the gospel give ample scope for learning and discussion. For example : a) healing a leper prejudice b) paralysed man friendship c) tax-collector Matthew stealing d) eating with “sinners” discrimination Sometimes we bring in literary references, eg “Hamlet”or J.D. Salinger’s “Franny and Zooey”, but it is all done in a very informal way.

So if you are high school age and would like to join in these talks, please come along on a Sunday morning. We would love to welcome you into our group.

Maureen Drummond

11

THE GUILD

With the syllabus for 2016/17 almost completed the ladies can now relax and enjoy meeting up with friends from Guilds (local and National).

The Guild Summer Outing is going to Inveraray Castle via Lomond Shores. High Tea will be enjoyed at The George Hotel in Inveraray before the scenic journey back to Alloa. All 53 seats on the coach have been booked.

The local Guild Rally is to be held in Dunblane Cathedral on Thursday, 2nd June at 7.00 p.m. Members of St. Mungo's Guild will be going by bus to the Rally with friends from Sauchie and Coalsnaughton and Ludgate Guilds. The bus leaves St. Mungo's Parish Church at 6.15p.m.

Four members of the Guild will attend the Annual Gathering of Guild in the Caird Hall, Dundee on Saturday, 3rd September when the new projects, themes and topics will be disclosed.

The fortnightly meetings will resume after the summer break on Tuesday, 11th October, 2016 at 7.30p.m. This will be an Open Evening (in Church) and entertainment will be provided by the Clackmannanshire Choral Society. Do, please, join us for this musical evening, bring friends, and , with next session's theme in mind, - Go in Joy! Janette Hunter, Convener Christine Wildau, Secretary Jean Nicolson, Treasurer.

THE CRAFT GROUP

The members (and friends) of the Craft Group have been producing Twiddlemuffs over the last two months and I would be 12

obliged if all completed articles could be handed in to Craft Group on Mondays or at Church on Wednesday (Coffee Mornings) or Sundays by end of May so that they can be distributed to Care homes.

Thanks to all who have supported this project.

Christine Wildau,

Convener

After Church Teas / Coffees A welcome “cuppa” and a choice of biscuits, sometimes cakes, are available at the back of the church, on a weekly basis, following the church service.

Members, young and more senior, gather across the church to take the opportunity to chat and “catch up” in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Sang also participates when time permits.

Elma and Joyce co-ordinate this and rely heavily on the team of very willing volunteers who regularly support them. Grateful thanks are extended to all on the rota. If you feel you could “lend a hand”, please choose a suitable date on the calendar placed at the back of the church.

We invite you to come along and join us in our fellowship on a Sunday before you leave to go home. We would be delighted to welcome you!

Wednesday Coffees The session house continues to be very vibrant on Wednesday mornings from 10.00-11.30am when the weekly coffee morning takes place. We are most grateful to our “regulars” who create this welcoming and relaxed atmosphere and contribute to the enjoyable fellowship. The range of good quality home-baking is much appreciated by all who attend.

Again, sincere appreciation is extended to the team of volunteers for all their time, effort, commitment and generosity in making this successful. Some volunteers are standing down and we take this opportunity to recognise their much valued contribution. Additional recognition is given to Tracy for her continuing enthusiastic and good humoured service. Regularly and so willingly, she clears away the tables and counts the donations to assist us.

13

We are seeking new volunteers and if you feel you would like to join the team on the occasional Wednesday, or donate baking if you cannot attend in person, please contact Elma on 218703.

The session breaks for the summer on Wednesday 29th June and resumes on Wednesday 7th September.

We would be delighted to welcome new people to share in our fellowship. The coffee morning is open to all and is not restricted to members of St. Mungo’s.

St Mungo's house group Coming to the Home Group, you are assured of four things: a) b) c) d)

a warm welcome good, friendly company short,comforting prayer stimulating discussion.

All in all, it makes for a great evening.

Why not come along and join us?

As from the beginning of June, the House Group will meet on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm at Isla Roy’s house. All are welcome.

For more information, please contact Isla on 01259 215720.

St. Mungo’s News Retirement of Church Officer John Syme, our Church Officer, has announced that he is retiring.

John has served St Mungo’s as Beadle and Church Officer for 17 years and we are very appreciative of his long and loyal service.

Recognition of John’s contribution to the life of St Mungo’s will take place at a special service to be held later in June. Full details will be announced later.

As a result of John’s retirement there is a Vacancy for Church Officer. Please see the advert on the back page.

14

New Elder At the March Communion Neil Mackinnon was inducted as an elder of St Mungo’s.

Many of you will know Neil from when he was an elder in St Mungo’s previously and we are very pleased to welcome him back.

Neil says: I am really happy to be back in Alloa and St Mungo's where Sandra and I were married and our sons, Stuart & Marc were christened.

Although we moved to and spent 25 years in Linlithgow, we have always maintained our connection with St Mungo's and Alloa through our close family. I enjoy running my own Chartered Accountancy business and love spending my leisure time golfing, hillwalking and with my family and friends.

Bonnie McDowell is our new Community Development Worker. This post is shared by Ludgate and St Mungo’s.

Bonnie can be contacted on Tel: 07704 601 983 Email: BMcDowell@churchofscotland.org.uk Bonnie has contributed the following poem to the Parishioner.

It is from a collection published by the Iona Community.

Neighbours God with us, You did not put us in the world alone You gave us people to live beside To keep us company To share skills and resources To stop us getting bored.

Thank you for good neighbours People who are kind, people who are funny People who notice if something is wrong People we trust enough to leave our keys with.

15

God beside us, Sometimes we don't like our neighbours We can't believe you really mean them When you said, 'love your neighbours', did you God? Not the nosey or noisy ones Not the messy ones Not the ones whose children don't behave Whose dress or manners we don't like?

If you really do mean them God We're going to need your help.

Help us not to be too quick to judge.

Help us to hold out a hand of friendship.

Help us to remember that loving our neighbours is not what we feel, but what we do.

From: The pattern of our days, edited by Kathy Galloway (1996) Wild Goose Publications, Glasgow. www.ionabooks.com New Members The following were admitted to the St. Mungo's Communion Roll by resolution of the Kirk Session at their meeting on Monday, 16th May. Mrs. Nancy Irvine, 20 Thorne Road, ALLOA FK10 2HG Mr. Alistair Clow, 7 Fairyburn Road, ALLOA Mrs. Jan Hewitson, 33 Ludgate, ALLOA Miss. Georgina Hewitson, 33 Ludgate, ALLOA. We wish them a long and happy membership at St Mungo’s.

Flower Arranging On Tuesday 10th May a small group of volunteers attended a Flower Arranging Class given by Julie Duncan of Serendipity Flowers & Crafts. Julie very kindly demonstrated the Art of Flower Arranging and gave some useful hints and tips. We were all able to take home our own small arrangement.

16

An enjoyable evening was had by all.

If anyone is interested in helping arranging flowers on a Sunday please contact Irene Stevenson, Tel 218011 There is also one space available for anyone who would like to donate flowers. Please contact Irene Stevenson The flowers from the chancel are delivered each Sunday to people who are ill or no longer able to get to Church or who have celebrated a special occasion recently. We need more volunteers to deliver the flowers after the service, If you are able to do this from time to time please contact Irene on 218011.

The creche needs volunteers. Please help out if you can.

Andrena would be very grateful. Tel:215303 A collection box for donations of groceries etc for The Gate can be found at the back of the church. These will help disadvantaged and needy people in our community.

THE CHURCH GARDEN As most members will know, there is a sizeable plot of ground on the south side of the church and a very small area of grass at the North porch entrance. This is all that remains of the much larger area that at one time belonged to St Mungo’s just as well perhaps.

At the South side of the church the ground comprises a large area of grass, a fairly large gravel drive, a number of ornamental shrubs and a collection of large trees of no very great distinction.

This area has seen various uses-for example wedding photographs, the 1985 Kirk Session photograph, bouncy castles and Fun Days, Garden Parties (of some degree of formality and style), Barbecues etc. This is, therefore, an important space for church activities (weather permitting of course).

17

You will now appreciate the reason for describing this asset when we consider the effort required in maintaining the grounds.

At one time, when St Mungo’s had a full time Beadle/Caretaker, maintenance of the grass at least was included in the job description.

For at least the last twenty years, the work has been carried out by volunteers, and more recently the workforce has been reduced to one.

As all who have, or have had, gardens know, maintenance is best undertaken on the basis of a small amount carried out frequently.

In our case, if we had a number of volunteers, the amount of time spent by any one individual could be as little as an hour occasionally.

If you feel that you are able to contribute in any way please let me know.

David Mudie Tel: 213891 Since David submitted this, I am pleased to report that he has had two offers of help. This is very much appreciated. Further offers would still be very welcome as this would help to reduce the work for any single individual.

Many Congratulations to :

Mr and Mrs Lafferty, 21 Paton Court, Alloa on the occasion of their Golden Wedding on 19th March, 1966.

And also to: Mrs Irene McKie on the occasion of her 100th birthday on 16th May 2016 Congratulations, too, to Ian Syme who once again took part in the Alloa Half Marathon with proceeds of around ÂŁ250 going to the Bi-con-cent project. Well done, Ian!

18

Three lucky people enjoying the main course Chef Campbell at work

See the report of the events group

Alloa Baby and Toddler Group warmly invites you to join us with your child (or children) on Fridays from 9.30am to 11,30am in the Session House of St Mungo’s Church Free Play

Creative Play

Messy Play

Tel: 07497-259-288 Annual Membership Fee (1st April - 31st March) 1st Child

£9

£2.50

Additional Child Under 6 months

£1 each Free 19

Healthy Snack

SOME OF OUR YESTERDAYS In recent months I have been trying to tidy the cupboards in the Abercromby room and, apart from the real rubbish, I have found quite a few gems. My most precious find though has been coming across a little box containing our church magazines from the mid 1940's. During the 1940's, our publication was called “Supplement for St. Mungo's Alloa”.

I decided to dig out the issues for 1946, my year of birth. The minister at that time was J. Pitt Watson, although this was to be his final year at St. Mungo's. But more of that later.

January Not surprisingly, the minister in his regular letter looked back on the war which had just finished, but tried to look forward to a brighter future. Pitt Watson was quite sure how the world would be saved. “If mankind is to be saved from itself, its salvation must be sought on the level of spiritual regeneration.

The scientists cannot save us”.

Another part of this issue clarifies a recent vote on the eligibility of women for the Eldership. Here are the figures:Kirk Session

For 10

Against 14

Congregation

For 61

Against 126

February ( Now here's a novel idea! ) Members of the congregation will now have time to become acquainted with the handsome Book Stall which stands in the porch. All you require to do is to select the book you want and put the price of it in the box provided for the purpose.

March A full-page advert appears in the Supplement seeking support for a C.R.E. (Christian Reconstruction in Europe) choral and orchestral concert to be held in Alloa Town Hall on Friday 22nd March featuring the Edinburgh University Singers, conductor Ian Pitt Watson, and the Edinburgh Chamber Orchestra conducted

by Claire Spence.

20

April (Here comes the news, in the Minister's Letter, that Pitt Watson will probably be leaving St. Mungo's ).

Since our last Parish Supplement was issued, an event has happened which effects me personally and which may lead in the course of a few months to the termination of my ministry at St. Mungo's. On Wednesday 27th March, I was nominated by the Board of Nomination for Church and University Chairs, Scotland, to the vacancy in the Chair of Practical Theology at Glasgow. This nomination has still to be confirmed by the General Assembly, but, as I intimated at morning worship on Sunday 31st March, if the appointment is offered to me, I have decided after very anxious and prayerful consideration, to accept it. I have now ministered in Alloa for between 16 and 17 years, a much longer ministry than was exercised by any of my predecessors in this century.

All of this activity led to one wag commenting:Wot's on in St. Mungo's pulPITT? Has the minister taken a fit?

He's weary of standing And so he's demanding A CHAIR upon which he can sit.

May ( Pitt Watson is still writing about his nomination to the Chair ) The editing of this Parish Supplement has been so long part of the regular routine of my life and work that it is difficult for me to realise that I shall only have one, or at most 2 further opportunities of addressing you through this monthly letter. The General Assembly, if it confirms my nomination, will also have to decide at what time I shall demit my charge in Alloa.

The Minister's Class for First Communicants held its first meeting on Sunday, 5th May. As this is likely to be the last Communicants' Class which Mr. Pitt Watson will have the privilege of conducting, he is anxious that as many as possible of the young 21

people of the congregation should enrol and so prepare for First Communion on Sunday 16th June.

June

The Minister's Letter.

I am writing this letter on the assumption that it is the last of many such letters which it has been my privilege to address to you. It is just possible that I may have one other such opportunity, for although my nomination to the Chair of Practical Theology at Trinity College has now been confirmed by the General Assembly, the date of my demission of office has still to be settled. The date cannot be earlier than the 30th of June, and it is certainly not likely to be later than the 31st of July. I shall be residing in Alloa as a private person for some weeks after I have ceased to be minister of St. Mungo's. My wife and I asked the Kirk Session to grant us this favour in order that our daughter, Eileen, might be married on the 17th of August from the house which has been home to her from childhood, and in the church endeared to her by so many associations.

Letter from Session Clerk On 28th March the members of the Kirk Session received with surprise and regret a note from Mr. Watson stating that he had been nominated to the Chair of Practical Theology in Glasgow University. The Session with complete unanimity appointed Rev. James Shirra as locum-tenens during the vacancy.

July

Pastoral Letter, James Shirra.

It has been made known that J. Pitt Watson will conclude his ministry in St. Mungo's on Sunday, 14th July, and that on the following Sunday, the Rev. J.S. Clark of St. Andrew's Church, who will act as Interim Moderator in the vacancy, will conduct the morning service and declare the charge vacant. Thus there will be brought to a close a ministry which has been as distinguished as any in the history of St. Mungo's.

This seems a good point at which to finish this article, the end of 22

a very distinguished ministry at St. Mungo's by a very distinguished man. We shall return later to the other half of 1946, a very special year.

David Hynd.

THE STORY BEHIND THE HYMN All my thirteen years as a schoolboy were spent as a pupil at Leith Academy but the Parish of Restalrig where I lived with my parents until I was twenty nestles just outside, technically in Edinburgh and between Leith and Meadowbank. As such it was conveniently on two City bus routes, one for Leith and the other directed towards Portobello to which one of the families that were our neighbours had strong affiliations. When the two sons joined the then flourishing company of the Boys' Brigade in that seaside resort on Edinburgh's Riviera, pretty soon after the whole street of boys, myself included, were flooding down to the BB hall in Pipe Street twice a week, Wednesdays for Parade night and Sunday morning for Bible Class. In good weather, we forsook buses and cut over Craigentinny Golf Course and walked along the Promenade from Seafield, often clutching towel and swimming trunks to "have a dook" in the sea - after Bible Class, of course! Without any doubt, it would have been during those eight years, first as a Life Boy then as a teenage BB that I would have first come across the hymn "Will your anchor Hold through the storms of life?" It has stayed with me throughout all the succeeding decades thanks, I am sure, to the happy marriage of its splendidly direct march tune to the equally stirring, near apocalyptic text.

It is, of course, intimately associated with the Boys' Brigade, founded in 1883 by William Alexander Smith (1854-1914). Born in Thurso to a major in the British army, his family moved to Glasgow in 1869 following his father's death. It was there that he started to take an active part in church work, especially as a youth worker, and in Glasgow, at the age of 29, he formed the first Company of the Boys' Brigade. Very quickly the fledgling organisation spread throughout the United Kingdom and 23

overseas to America and the many countries making up the then British Empire. But at what point the hymn under discussion first figured so strongly in the musical praise of the Brigade I am frankly unsure. But what may come as a slight surprise to some is that it is the work of 2 citizens of the United States of America. But then, perhaps it has a bit of a Moody and Sankey feel to it! The words were written by Priscilla Jane Owens (1829 - 1907) and the music by William Kirkpatrick (1838-1921), both of them members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, she from Baltimore and he from Pennsylvania.

Owens was of mixed Scottish and Welsh descent who interested herself in Sunday School work for over fifty years, writing the lyrics of well over 100 hymns, most of them conceived as children's hymns for Sunday School use. However, only two of them have retained their initial popularity - "We have heard a joyful sound" and our BB favourite "Will your anchor hold". As with so many good hymn writers, the words incorporate many references to scripture from both Old and New testaments, perhaps most potently Chapter 6, verse 10 of "Hebrews" "which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast". Thus do we get both the motto and the badge of the Boys' Brigade".

But how? and when? Well, I think the answer must lie in the fact that Miss Owens's hymn was first published in 1898 in the Church of Scotland Hymnary which must be the one that preceded the old Revised Hymnary. The BB movement soon produced their own Boys Brigade Hymnal featuring, of course, the subject of this article and another which I remember well from my youth which must surely have been a commission from the organisation containing, as it does the refrain "Underneath the banner of the cross arrayed, Lord! we ask Thy blessing on the Boys' Brigade" The research into such matters generally produces unexpected little nuggets of information.. Many of you may already know this morsel that I unearthed in my investigations but according to Wikipedia, "Will your anchor hold" has been appropriated by Dollar Academy and is even officially identified as the Dollar Anthem". Well, well.

Although I ceased to have any involvement with the BBs after I left school, apart from a get-together marking the centenary back in 1983, I look back on these years with affection and 24

gratitude and also recall a chat I was having with my dad when, at a guess, I must have been in my mid-twenties. I had always known that he'd also been a BB as a teenager and we were both reminiscing and comparing notes. At one point I found myself asking him, "Dad, did you enjoy your 3 or 4 years as a BB?" Always a bit of a comedian, he replied, "Oh aye, Sandy but If I'd known then what I learned later, I think I might have preferred to have joined the Girl Guides!"

Sandy Sinclair

Recipe Philly Cheesecake 200 gms. Digestive biscuits – or you can use ginger nuts if you think it would suit your choice of filling.

100 gms. Butter 2 teaspoonfuls sugar (if you are using digestive biscuits) 200 gms. Philly cheese.

1 table Jelly – any flavour 1 tablespoonful water or fruit juice.

1 sachet Dream Topping Milk Crush the biscuits and stir into melted butter, press into an 8 inch tin.

Melt the jelly in the microwave with the water or fruit juice. Add the milk to make up to ½ pint altogether. Whisk the cheese and Dream Topping together. Add the milk and jelly mixture and whisk well. Pour over the base and chill until set. Decorate with fruit to suit the flavour of jelly.

It's easy......enjoy!

Irene Hynd 25

Dates for Your Diary Date Sunday 19th June Monday 20th June Saturday 25th June

Event

Led By

Communion

Church

Kirk Session Meeting

Session House Minister

Barbecue

The Manse

August Date to Classical be confirmed Musicians Saturday 3rd September September Date to be confirmed Sunday 18th September Monday19th September

Venue

Minister

Minister

Church

Coffee Morning

ABC

Cooking with Campbell

Church

Communion

Church

Kirk Session Meeting

Session House Minister

Events

Minister

Large Print Parishioners The Parishioner Team are now able to produce copies of the Parishioner in large print. If you would like a copy please phone Catriona 01259 928534 and she will arrange for your Elder to deliver.

Receiving the Parishioner Friends of St Mungo’s who do not live locally but who wish to keep in touch with our activities and with the progress of the Conservation project may like to have the Parishioner sent to them regularly. It is published quarterly (March, June, September and December). If so, please contact Catriona Thomson (contact details above). A small donation to cover the cost of postage would be welcomed.

26

27

Book of Remembrance This book forms a lasting memorial of simple dignity to the departed and occupies a special place within the Church. Inscriptions need not necessarily be for deceased Church members, but are available for anyone who wishes to remember a loved one in this way.Every day throughout the year the Book is on display, open at the page commemorating the date of death of those whose names are entered. It is hoped that families will regard the continued preservation of St Mungo’s Parish Church as a fitting memorial to their loved ones and any gift will go to the Fabric Fund.

The minimum charge for an entry, which covers the cost of the inscription by a calligrapher, is £15.

The attached order form should be completed and sent to:Mrs Cath Carruthers 35, Victoria Street, Alloa Tel. 01259 213670 . "…………………………………………………………………………………

Date on which inscription should be entered:- ie date of death Day …………………………..

Month/Year ………………………………

Surname…………………………………………………………………..

Christian Names

…………………………………………………..

Year of Birth

……………..

Please record in The Book of Remembrance the inscription given above under the date indicated. I enclose a remittance for £ …………. which covers the cost of inscription (Cheques should be made payable to St Mungo’s Parish Church).

Name Address

………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………

Telephone Number

…………………………………………………………………….

28

Church Register Funerals: “In my Father’s house are many rooms”

Date of Funeral *2-March2016 *8-March2016 *10-March2016 *15-March2016

Name

Address

Mrs. Margaret Downie

63 Claremont, Alloa 76 years old

Mr. Martin Scagell

11 Titania Alloa

Mrs. Patricia Given Mr. Robert Murray

*14-April-2016 Mr. William Roy *10-May-2016 Mrs. Joyce Grant

17 Doo'cot Brae, Alloa 29 Arns Grove, Alloa 27 Church Street, Alloa 87 Mary Stevenson Drive, Alloa

Age

67 years old 79 years old 83 years old 67 years old 92 years old

* denotes a member of this congregation Baptisms: 8-May-2016 Beth Hutchinson There have been no Weddings in the Church since the last Parishioner was published.

Members in care homes The Home Visit group have attempted to include members in care homes among their visits. However, it has become obvious that our information on members in homes is out-of-date and inaccurate.

We are often not informed of the details for members moving into care homes, or those who are no longer there.

If you have information regarding any of our members resident in care homes, and think that we may not be aware of them, please inform any Elder, so that appropriate amendments can be made to the Communion Roll,and the Home Visit group can be alerted.

Please don’t assume that someone else has passed on the information - we would rather be told the same information ten times than not be told at all.

29

Flower Rota FLOWER CONVENER - Irene Stevenson 01259 218011 June

July

Donated by

Arranged by

Delivered by

Mrs I Duncanson

Mrs A Anderson - Tel 01259 212488

Mrs M Campbell

12th Miss K Smeaton

Mrs A McGregor - Tel 01259 216448

19th Mrs E Barrett

Mrs A Anderson - Tel 01259 212488

Mrs C Thomson

26th Mr D K Mudie

Mrs A McGregor - Tel 01259 216448

Miss J Ferguson

3rd

Mrs A Anderson - Tel 01259 212488

Mrs C Carruthers

10th Mrs C Wildau

Mrs A McGregor - Tel 01259 216448

Mrs E Clark

17th Mrs N Gemmell

Yvonne/Catriona - Tel 01259 928534

Mrs J Douglas

5th

Mrs B Campbell

Mrs J Fleming/Mrs C 24th Mrs A McGregor - Tel 01259 216448 Howie

Mrs A Anderson

31st Mrs C Milne

Mrs J Hunter

August 7th

Mrs I Stevenson

Mrs C Milne - Tel 01259 743147

14th Mrs A Anderson

Septe mber

Mrs L Sharp Mrs A McGregor

21st Mrs M Hamilton

Mrs M Hamilton - Tel 01259 212215

Mrs I Stevenson

28th Mrs S Marshall

Mrs S Marshall

Mrs E Clark

4th

Mrs L Sharp

Mrs A McGregor - Tel 01259 216448

Mrs I Stevenson

11th Mrs R Milne

Mrs A Anderson - Tel 01259 212488

Mrs M Campbell

18th Mrs H Drysdale

Yvonne/Catriona - Tel 01259 928534

Mrs I Hamilton/Mrs E 25th Margaret Hamlton - Tel 01259 212215 Harrower

If you know any member of the congregation who is ill, bereaved or who should receive the church flowers for any other reason, please write their name and a brief note of the reason in the Flower Book kept in the Church Porch.

You can find the complete rota for 2016 on the Mission Group Information Board in the Church porch. If there are any problems or amendments, please contact Irene on 218011. A reminder: Please, if flower rota activities are swapped, can either the Rota Coordinator or Catriona Thomson be informed so that the Sunday morning PowerPoint slide is correct.

30

Ewan Douglas, Plumber.

David Hutchison

Bathrooms, plumbing, tiling.

Decorator Ltd, 32 Smithfield Loan,

Tel: 01259 215036 or

Alloa.

07861498692

Tel: 01259 210395

Email: ewandouglas21@gmail.com

or 07808207457

www.ewandouglasplumbing.co.uk

If you would like to advertise in this space, please contact Catriona for further details.

Duncan Brown H.P.C Professional Podiatrist/Chiropodist Personal Home Visits (Alloa Area) Tel: 01259 721242

Tel:01259 928534

31

CHURCH OFFICER VACANCY We currently have a vacancy for a Church Officer.

Any member interested in finding out more about the duties, conditions, and responsibilities of this post, please contact David Hynd, Session Clerk Tel:720179 This Magazine was put together by St. Mungo’s Parish Church Communications Committee, Convener: Catriona Thomson

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ANY ARTICLE, NEWS OR CONGRATULATIONS PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE PARISHIONER MAGAZINE, PLEASE CONTACT CATRIONA 928534 OR Email ARTICLES TO Thomsoncatriona@aol.com

The Parishioner is also available to download from the church website www.stmungosparish.org.uk St. Mungo’s Parish Church of Scotland 10 Bedford Place Alloa FK10 1LJ Web: www.stmungosparish.org.uk Tel: 01259 723004 Email (general enquiries): contact@stmungosparish.org.uk Email (minister): SCha@churchofscotland.org.uk Scottish Charity Number : SC007821 Follow us on Facebook - St Mungo’s Parish Church Alloa

32