Issue 86 December 2012
Church Services
December
10.00am Aberlemno 11.30am Guthrie
January
10.00am Rescobie 11.30amAberlemno
February
10.00am Guthrie 11.30am Aberlemno
March
10.00am Rescobie 11.30am Aberlemno
6.30pm Guthrie on 10th
Christmas Services
16th December - Family Services
10.00am at Aberlemno
11.30am at Guthrie
(Toys etc left under the tree for needy children)
23rd December – A service of Carols and Readings
at Guthrie at 11.30am
24th December – Carol Service : 8.00pm at Aberlemno
Christmas Day : Rescobie at 10.30am
30th December : United Service at Aberlemno at 10.00am
There will be a retiring offering in aid of The Marie Curie Nurses at all our Christmas Services
The Manse
Guthrie
Christmas2012
Dear Friends
May I begin my letter with a request for help. At the time of writing we have almost raised enough funds to purchase the Digital Hymnal I spoke about in the last newsletter . On most Sundays when we use it I will be able to operate it from the pulpit. If, however, we require touse it when I am not taking the services then we will need volunteers to do this. If you think this is something you might be interested in doing, please get in touch with me and we can practice using the hymnal. It is surprisingly simple to operate. You don’t need to be a whizz kid to do it.
One of the things I enjoy at this time of year are the scents of Christmas; cinnamon and cloves, pine trees and log fires, candles and incense. They are wonderful not just in themselves but also because they evoke thoughts and memories. They remind us of past Christmases and those we shared them with. They can be amongst the most evocative of all the symbols which so enrich this time of year.
In fact, Christmas itself is a symbol to remind us each year of God’s love for us and for His desire that His world is one that He wants to be ruled by a spirit of love. He showed that love by the birth of His son as a vulnerable baby in a humble stable in a world in as much turmoil as ours today. We are asked to reflect that love in our lives just as the tinsel and baubles of Christmas catch a little sparkle of the light that shines upon them. We do that by sharing our love with those around us and those who are in need.
I hope and pray that your Christmas will be full of love and peace and that you are blessed by sharing it with loved ones or comforted by happy memories of those no longer with us.
A Happy Christmas to you all
Brian and Christine
POPPY FUND COLLECTION
Aberlemno : £81.07 Guthrie and Rescobie : £59.50
Our local collecting tins raised £391.22.
Thank you all for your support of this very worthwhile cause.
Sunday Schools Dates for 2013
Aberlemno – 3rd February, 3rd March and 31st March
Guthrie and Rescobie – 20th January, 3rd February, 17th February,
3rd March and 17th March
New members are always very welcome. Contact Mr Ramsay for more details
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Guthrie and Rescobie Church Quiz Night – 8th February – 7.30pm Guthrie Village Hall
Aberlemno : An Evening of Entertainment with Sketches from Scotland the What and Music. Friday 1st February at 7.30pm in Aberlemno Church. All welcome to what should be a very entertaining evening.
Aberlemno Church Coffee Morning : Saturday 13th April in the Guide Hall, The Myre, Forfar
FRIENDLY CIRCLE
Due to falling numbers our meetings will be house groups in January, February and March to economise on hall heating.
We wish all our friends a good Christmas and prosperous New Year.
GUTHRIE HALL
The musical evening, at the beginning of October, with Steven Carcary was very well attended and a great event. A big thank you to Steven and his entourage of very talented youngsters.
The craft fair at the end of October was a huge success with over 300 members of the public attending and the hall raising £670 which will go a long way to help pay our annual insurance costs. Thank you to all who attended, your enthusiastic support is so much appreciated.
The Men’s Club – every Tuesday evening. All welcome. Contact Neil Ross 01241 828323 for information.
Aldbar WRI hold their meetings in the hall and would welcome new members. Contact Mrs Allan for more information on 01307 830246.
Angus Embroiderer and Textile Artists now hold their meetings regularly at the hall – please phone Pat Beaton on 01241 828092 for more details.
Scottish Dancing nights every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 7.45pm to 10.00pm. Live music and run by Steven Carcary. Cost £3. All welcome.. For more details contact Steven on 01738 813997 or 07952026633.
Guthrie Hall is available for private hire for wedding receptions, parties, meetings and club activities etc – very modest rates which have remained static for many years. A superb venue with first class facilities. Please telephone Christine Shand on 01307 819473.
Final Events for 2012
14TH December - Christmas Dance and Party – 7.30pm –please bring your own food and drinks. Children welcome.
GUTHRIE & RESCOBIECHURCH
TREASURER’S REPORT
In August I predicted that it would be a close run race between loss and surplus for the year by the time we got to 31st December 2012. This is still the case as we go to print. Over the last 15 years we have only had a deficit in three of these years, including last year, and it would be great if we can avoid another one this year.
We have a great community based round our two churches and are extremely fortunate like Aberlemno, in having Brian Ramsay as our Minister. We must look outwards and encourage all those who have an interest in keeping our churches going and use the churches from time to time to assist financially. PLEASE spread the word. Once again, can I thank our wonderful stalwarts who helped with our special events this year raising funds for the church.
Friendly Circle £75
Walk£726
BBQ less expenses£345
Guthrie Craft Teas£156
Angus Embroiderers £65
James Osborne
Treasurer
November 2012
ABERLEMNO TREASURER’ REPORT
Mrs Dorothy Ryan stood down as our treasurer in September after almost 10 years in the post. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Dorothy for her dedication and excellent work for our Church. She has served as treasurer during a time of almost constant change in the way church finances have been required to be recorded and has done a wonderful job. Thank you very much.
In the meantime I will act as treasurer while we examine the best way forward for this part of church life.
At the time of writing it looks like we will end the year with a similar balance to that at the beginning of 2012. The Strawberry Tea raised £75 and the sponsored walk £425. Thank you to Helen and Lyall Ramsay for their hospitality and to all those who took part in the walk to Loch Brandy.
The Church Calendars and Christmas cards are still available to help raise Church Funds. Contact either Lyall and Helen Ramsay (01307 830285), Lorna and Mark Hooghiemstra (01307 830441) or myself if you would like to buy some.
Brian Ramsay
ABERLEMNO PRIMARY SCHOOL NURSERY
The nursery at Aberlemno Primary School has been unable to open since August 2011 due to a lack of 3 and 4 year olds in the local area. We now have a couple of parents who are very keen for their child to attend and this is why we are looking for eligible children who would be able to commence in August 2013. We are very fortunate in Aberlemno that our nursery is in the school and that the pre-schoolers are very much a part of school life thanks to the fantastic teachers that we have always had. The nursery has its own safe play area and garden for the children and an amazing amount of resources for their benefit.
Enrolment forms for places in the 2013/14 year must be placed with Angus Council early next year.
If you live in the Aberlemno or Pitkennedy area, or indeed further afield, and would like further information on your child coming to the nursery please contact either Paula Spence (Chair of Aberlemno Primary School Parent Council) 01307 830418 or Brian Ramsay.
ABERLEMNO VILLAGE HALL
As the nights draw in, look forward to winter at your village hall. After Christmas and New Year, why not enjoy an evening with your family and friends dancing to the music with Steven Carcary? (Tuesday 1st January – Refreshments provided). And of course, the Aberlemno Burns Supper on Saturday 26th January (volunteers or suggestions for speakers to Hall Committee members please). Details of events will be available on line ( on the notice board at the hall or from Committee Members.
For further information, please phone George McDonald on 01307 830330. The next hall committee meeting is 7.00pm on Tuesday
27th November, if you would like to come along.
Aberlemno Community Council News
The main topic of discussion at present is the plethora of Wind Turbine applications which have been submitted in the last few months in the Aberlemno Community Council area or highly visible from it. These have taken up a considerable amount of time and discussion in Community Council meetings. We objected to those that were highly visible or seriously blighted the landscape in what we think is a particularly picturesque part of Angus.These have included the Major Wind Farm at Nathro, 3 turbines at the west end of Finavon Hill, and a single turbine south of Carsegownie Farm [ Planning application number 11/00782/Full ] submitted by Jim Mitchell of Woodside Farm. The first being a large Wind Farm will be decided by the Scottish Government, the second at the west of Finavon was refused by Angus Council, and the third application was originally refused by Angus Council. Jim Mitchell has appealed that refused application so that application is still ongoing.
The Aberlemno Community Council would be pleased to hear comments from any members of the community who wish their views to be taken into account.
There is also a planning application in process of being considered which is for 5 Wind Turbines at the west end of Finavon Hill at St Mary’s Well. The Community Council will consider this application once it has been submitted sometime in early 2013.
Should any member of Aberlemno Parish wish to raise any points with the council please raise them with the Secretary for discussion at our next meeting which is on Monday 3rd December 2012.
R B H Young Sec Tel: 01307 830230
GUTHRIE & RESCOBIE GUILD
Once again we thank all who supported the Church Sales table at the craft fair. We raised a total of £566 after expenses. Also thanks to everyone who has returned their sunshine bags and to those who still have to return theirs. The profit from the afternoon tea this year is going to the digital hymnal fund. With Christmas approaching and things getting a bit hectic just remember -
When everything’s in chaos
Pause for a little while
In the middle of the muddle
Just keep calm and smile
If someone offers helping hands
Let them share your load
It’s when we walk with others
That we find the even road.
The Guild members wish you all a happy festive season and a peaceful New Year.
Minister:Rev Brian Ramsay B.D. D.P.S. M. Litt
The Manse
Guthrie
Forfar Tel: 01241 828243
ABERLEMNO
Session Clerk
Mr Lyall Ramsay
Cotton of Pitkennedy
01307 830285
Treasurer
Rev Brian Ramsay
As above
Clerk to the Board
Mrs Ruth White
The Old Smiddy
Balgavies
Tel: 01307 830306
Treasurer (WFO)
Mike Macleod
Hillbarns
Tel: 01307 830318
GUTHRIE & RESCOBIE
Session Clerk
Arthur Smith
The Cottage
Gardyne
Tel: 01241 828465
Clerk to the Board
Mrs K Gray
Meadowlea
Clocksbriggs
Tel: 01307 464173
Treasurer and Bonds
James Osborne
Balmadies
Forfar
Tel: 01307 818242 / PARISH REGISTER
Aberlemno
New Members
Mr Robert and Mrs Fiona Ritchie, 14 Station Road, Forfar (from Lowson Memorial)
Mrs Maralene Bennie, 14 Brechin Road, Forfar (from Lowson Memorial)
New Communicants
Mrs Avril Gordon, 85 Strachan Avenue, West Ferry
Mr Steven Ritchie, 14 Station Road, Forfar
Weddings
Jacqueline Blake and Alastair Orr, at the Earl Gray Hilton, Dundee on 10th November 2012
Guthrie & Rescobie
Weddings
Cheryl Ritchie and Sean Gray at Craigsanquhar House, Fife on 25th August 2012
Leona Salmond and Michael Bargh at Guthrie Church on 22nd September 2012
Lorna Hamilton and Tony Read at Crichton Church, Dumfries on 18th October 2012
Deaths
Mrs Bella Ramsay, Doonby, Fallady Bank on
5th September 2012
Mr John Compton, Ward of Turin on 18th September 2012