Our Mission Statement:

Saint Mary’s is a Christ-centred family, caring, sharing and working together, seeking to change through growth.

February 2012

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!

I hope you were able to enjoy some special time with family and friends over the festive season, as I did, and would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours every blessing in this New Year.

A story I read recently touched my heart: I hope it does the same for you…

At this time of year there is a musical play frequently performed, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” which was composed by Gian Carlo Menotti. In this story, Amahl is a young boy who must use a crutch to walk, and he has a bad habit of telling fibs. One night as he is sitting outside, his mother calls for him to come inside, and when he tells her that he sees an enormous star “as big as a window” over their house, she does not

EVENTS TODAY! 29th. JANUARY

St. Mary’s A.G.M. - after the 10.15 service

Burns Celebration Lunch - after the A.G.M.!

believe him. Later that night there is a knock at their door, and three kings, the Magi, stand before
them, asking if they could rest overnight in the house, explaining that they are on a long journey to give gifts to a wondrous child. After the kings fall asleep, Amahl’s mother, who is worried that her son will become a beggar, tries to steal gold from one of the kings. When she is caught, Amahl tries to attack the king’s guard who is holding her. The king is filled with mercy when he sees Amahl’s pitiful defence of his mother, and the king tells her to keep the gold, explaining that the Holy Child, for whom the gold was intended, will not need it, because his kingdom will not be built on earthly wealth. Amahl’s mother, filled with shame and remorse, begs the Kings to take back the gold, and wishes she had a gift to send the Holy Child. Amahl gives the kings his crutch, his only possession, to give to the child. And miraculously, Amahl’s leg is healed, and he sets off with the kings to see the child and give thanks.

In this marvellous tale, both music and story work together as we witness an intervention by God into the life of a poor family, an intervention that results in profound change.

 The call of Christ can be seen as an intervention because that is what it is. I hope we too can examine our own lives to see what we can do for Christ, His church and the building of God’s kingdom during this New Year.

In the words of that old familiar Christmas carol,

What can I give Him, poor as I am;
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man I would do my part,
But what I have I give Him, give my heart.

God’s Peace and Love to you all,

Graham.

Normal weekly services:

Sunday: Holy Eucharist at 8a.m. and 10.15a.m.

Tuesday:
Eucharist at 7.00p.m.

Wednesday:
Holy Eucharist at 10a.m.

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer will continue to be celebrated on Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Mary’s at 7.45a.m. All are welcome.

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Open 4 Prayer

Our lunchtime services continue to take place, normally on the last Tuesday of the month, aimed at attracting the office workers around us in the West End. Please support them and make our new worshippers welcome! The next date is 31st. January at 12.30pm.

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The next Prayers of Healing services will be held on Sunday, 12th. February at 6p.m., and thereafter on each second Sunday of the month. In addition, there are short prayers for healing after each Sunday 10.15 service in the War Memorial Chapel.

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Vestry Report

The Vestry met on Wednesday 18th January.
Weeds have grown again in the grounds at the west end of the Church. The gardener has sprayed them with weed-killer but has advised us that due to the amount of weeds growing there and therefore the number of seeds present in the ground prior to the work undertaken by him that this will be an on-going problem. We will have to treat them regularly ourselves for some time to come. More chuckies are needed for all of the grounds and a quote has been requested.
Church heating has been serviced and a quote in excess of £39,000 received for a new system. Further quotes are being sought.
There will be a Mission Day led by the Bishop on Saturday 11th February at 10.00a.m. All members of the Vestry are expected to attend along with all members of the congregation interested in mission. Please add your name to the list at the back of the Church if you intend to attend this meeting.
The leak at the front of the east end of the Nave has worsened over the winter with very large amounts of water coming through. There has also been a lot of what is thought to be mortar falling to the floor. Freddie Stephens has taken a sample of this material to show the building surveyor who is investigating the problem.
The toilets in Church are badly in need of redecoration. The Rector is to ask a member of the congregation if he would be prepared to undertake this work.
The Rector thanked Mary McKinnell for producing the posters for the notice board at the west end of the grounds of the grounds of the Church, Morag Kelly for the Christmas cards distributed to the houses in the vicinity of the Church and all those who distributed leaflets advertising our Christmas services and carol singing.
The Rector has received quite a number of positive comments about the advertisement placed in the local papers at Christmas. He will now investigate the possibility of placing an advert in the local paper once a month.
The Bishop has had a reply from the Bishop in Mthatha to say that Mlu, the priest in Mqanduli is delighted to receive an invitation to visit Aberdeen. Due to possible difficulties regarding visas for the whole family, he may visit on his own or with his wife only. Further information and a date for the visit are to be pursued.
Both carol singing events were very successful this year.
The Tuesday evening service is to be developed by including a short meditation or reflection. It is hoped more people will then be encouraged to attend.
A mission group will be established with the aim of developing links with the homeless and needy in Aberdeen. Please speak to the Curate or the Rector if you would like to be involved with this initiative.
The Rector thanked Bobbie and Nicola for planting out the tubs at the west end of the Church. Unfortunately, high winds have destroyed the plants but they will be planted out again in the spring.
There will be another cleaning day on Saturday 31st March before Easter. Please put this date in your diaries in come along to help clean Saint Mary’s for the Easter Festival.
The Rector thanked the secretary for organising the Christmas Raffle which raised a total of £710.
Nicola is preparing a booklet of all the hymns which are not printed in our hymn books. The Rector thanked her for this initiative.

Mary Allardyce
Vestry Secretary

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Gift Day

The Gift Day in December raised an amazing £1460! Many thanks to everyone for their generosity.

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Friday Openings

More volunteers are always needed to keep the church open to the public on Friday lunchtimes. This is an invaluable service for people in need of a church open for them to stop, think and pray, as well as those just curious about what the inside of the Tartan Kirkie looks like. If anyone can give up a little time, between 11a.m. and 2 p.m., for this valuable service, please contact the Rector.

St. Mary’s Mission Day

The Bishop will lead a Mission Day at St. Mary’s on 11th. February, from 10a.m. to 3p.m. This will include a study of how congregations work, how to manage transition, and planning for the future development of our life at St. Mary’s. The Bishop has been instrumental in several amazing mission events in the diocese already, leaving people buzzing with energy and ideas – come and be part of making St. Mary’s even better! Sign up at the back of the church the next time you’re in.

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Christmas Services and Carol Singing at St. Mary’s

The Christmas services at St. Mary’s in 2011 were particularly well attended, with forty worshippers on Christmas morning and a remarkable 90+ on Christmas Eve. Part of this was due to the prominent advert in the Press & Journal, as well as to the website, to word-of-mouth, and to the terrific support of our own regular congregation!

Carol-singing was also very successful, with a party touring the neighbouring streets on 15th. December, and a second party, supported by musical accompaniment from Lesley, situated outside the church on 23rd. December. No local resident or passerby was safe! and great fun was had by all.

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Sunday School

Happy Birthday to Henry Steward, who will be sixteen on the 21st.!

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Wednesday Lunches

Wednesday Lunches will start again this month on 1st. February, and continue on the first Wednesday of the month until further notice. Come and sample amazing soups, bread, cheese and fruit – all you need for your healthy New Year diet! Note there will be no weekly Lent lunches this year, though, so don’t miss the monthly ones!

The Aberdeen Passion:
One Life Given
(Aberdeen Passion Plays)

Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

Friday 6th. April 2012, 7.30p.m.
Saturday 7th. 2.30p.m. and 7.30p.m.

 Tickets:
Aberdeen Box Office, 01224 641122

Evenings £12 (£10), matinee £10 (£8)

www.aberdeenpassion.com

The Bishop’s Lent Appeal
 
To you all, my greetings.
I have much delight in introducing to you my Lent Appeal for 2012. It is for the Parish of Park in our companion diocese of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Park is a vast sprawl of shanty type dwellings on the edge of Mthatha city. In the mid 1990’s a small handful of people gathered for worship in someone’s kitchen and began the Anglican presence in that community.
Since then the church has grown wonderfully. There is huge poverty in the area and the congregations of the now four churches in Park both continue to grow and to serve the needs of the local people.
Archdeacon Nkonzo gave up her well paid job as a magistrate a couple of years ago to serve as a priest in this community and her self-sacrificing commitment is winning through. I have seen what is being achieved and it is wonderful.
Bishop Sitembele has twinned Park with St. Mary on the Rock, Ellon and both our Canon Peter and Mrs. Mari Mander were with Sitembele when he established this link.
In February the vestry secretary from Ellon, Hayden Barrett, will be visiting Park with his wife Sue, and next August Canon Ian and Mrs. Heather Ferguson will be in Mthatha and will be spending extensive time there.
So our contacts are good and we know the money will be put to valuable use in the development and growth of the parish. We have been asked to trust them to use the money wisely. Our experience of having supported projects previously in Mthatha diocese before is that this will indeed be the case.
I therefore ask you to support this Appeal most generously.
In the next few weeks you will be receiving a colour leaflet giving more details about the Lent Appeal and, more importantly, more details about Park.
With my blessing and thanks,
†Bob

Do you want to meet friends and influence people?

Then join our sidesperson rota or become a coffee person! The duties aren’t onerous, you don’t have to wear a uniform, the pay won’t tax your mathematical abilities and the social life is great!

See Rachael Cormack for more details!

Malawi Kitchen Rice Challenge

Thanks, everyone – we’ve now sold over 65 kilos of rice! Remember, we have to sell 90kg. to hit the target and help a Malawi supplier to send a child to school!

The rice is at the back of the church and in the Choir Vestry, and there are also plenty of goods on the Fair Trade stall at the back of the church. If you have any special requests or interests in Fair Trade goods, please let me know!

Nicola Mills

A Letter from Barnardo’s

Dear Rev. Canon Graham Taylor,

Barnardo’s Scotland (Aberdeen) would like to thank you very much for your continued support and the food donations you have kindly donated through 2011. We know that the young people and their families appreciate this.

We hope you and your congregation have a lovely Christmas and best wishes for 2012.

Yours sincerely,

Angie Henderson,
Children’s Services Secretary,
Barnardo’s Scotland Fostering (Aberdeen).

The Barnardo’s box is still in the porch, and we are looking for donations of non-perishable food which will be taken over to Barnardo’s each month. The staff there have said how much these donations are valued by them and by the young people in their care who receive them.

Please remember the giving bowl for our mission to bring Rev. Mlu and his wife to St Mary's, and as you give, check the map to see how far we have already come!

Tartan Kirkie Shorts

Here’s a new event on the social calendar! On Saturday 14th April at 7.00p.m., the end of Easter Week, an Easter Feast dinner will be held in the choir vestry. A delicious two-course meal will be served and tickets will be on sale soon at £15.00 per head. Book early and bring your friends – this shows every sign of being a lovely evening!
The Race Night this year will be on 16th. June. This is a very entertaining evening and a huge fundraiser for the church, but we need 80 people to make it happen. Now is the time to tell your friends all about it and line them up to buy tickets as soon as they are available!

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Dates for your Diary:

February 21st. Pancake Party
26th. Bring and Buy
April 8th. Easter Breakfast
14th. Easter Feast Dinner
29th. Bring and Buy
May 27th. Bring and Buy
June 16th. Race Night
24th. Bring and Buy
August 19th. St. Mary’s Gift Day
26th. Bring and Buy
September 2nd. Barbecue
28th. Silent Auction
30th. Bring and Buy
October 28th. Bring and buy
November 9th. Cheese and Wine
25th. Bring and Buy

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Touching words from the mouths of babes

What does 'Love' mean?

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca, aged 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy, aged 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl, aged 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissie, aged 6

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'
Bobby, aged 7

Saints’ Days in February:

1st. St. Bride of Kildare
2nd. The Presentation of Our Lord
6th. The Martyrs of Japan
10th. St.Scholastica
14th. Ss. Cyril and Methodius
15th. Thomas Bray
17th. St. Finan of Lindisfarne
18th. St. Colman of Lindisfarne
19th. Martin Luther
23rd. St. Polycarp of Smyrna

Your Magazine

You can order your St. Mary’s News to be sent to you each month by e-mail, or ask for a Large Print version, or ask for any back copies of editions you may have missed. Just contact the Editor!

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Rector: Rev. Canon Graham Taylor, 28, Stanley Street (584123)

Curate: Rev. Jason Hobbs

Rector’s Warden:

People’s Warden: Rachael Cormack (209380)

Vestry Secretary: Mary Allardyce (704743)

Vestry Treasurer: Lydia Ross (864072)

Lay Representative: Nicola Mills

Sacristan: Mary Allardyce

Organist: Kyle McCallum

Sunday School: Gillian Rose

Child Protection Officer: Elizabeth Smyth

Flower Convener: Josie Duncan (645309)

Website: www.stmarysepiscopal.co.uk

All copy for the March magazine must be with the Editor by 28th. February, 2012. Hard copy to Nicola Mills, or telephone 01224 488700, or e-mail to palaeography@aol.com. Thank you!

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Carden Place, is a charity (Scottish Charity No. SCO 14062).

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