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T he next edition of the magazine will be published on Sunday 24 January 2016. Articles should be handed in to the Church Office or emailed to [email protected] by the 13 January at the very
latest. We would really appreciate photographs of church events and details of activities that would be of interest to others.
Vicky with her winning Fairtrade muffins
Who’s enjoying this more—Neil or Freyja? Ella, Natasha & Ellie-Mae engrossed with Jackie’s craft at Messy Church
The Guild ladies enjoying tea at Dobbies Garden Centre
Blair presenting his cheque to the Arbroath Lifeboat crew Claire & Chloe hard at work making Pine Cone Buddies At Zippy Zach’s Messy Church
The O & A Factor www.old-and-abbey-church.org.uk Issue 13 - 22 November
Arbroath Old and Abbey Church of Scotland Registered Charity SCO13052
F riday 30th October was our second Messy Church session—’Zippy Zach’s’.
Over forty adults and children gathered at 5.30pm for the opening session led by Dolly. Then it was on to crafts. This time the craft activities had either an autumnal theme or were based on the story of Zacchaeus. Sandra looked after the tree collage of children’s handprints which is currently displayed in the Gallery. Since it was Hallowe’en weekend, Neil was in charge of the Do’nut Challenge (see picture on the back page). Linda helped everyone to create Apple plates while Ellen and Sean managed to get everyone sticky with their ‘Tasty Trees’, a sweet concoction of rice krispies and mallow fluff with a Twix for the tree trunk. Jackie’s table were making models of Zacchaeus climbing the tree, planting them in pots and sowing grass seed. Claire had the intricate task of turning pine cones into little people and Avril helped the children to make bird seed hangers. The messy craftwork complete, everyone settled down to watch a video of the story of Zacchaeus. Songs and prayers completed the short act of worship before we gathered for tea of macaroni cheese, toast, bread, Angel Delight and ice cream. A big thank you to those who helped to prepare the food and to those who donated money to help us buy what was needed. Thanks, too, to all the volunteers without whom Messy Church just could not happen. Please join us on Friday 27th November at 5.30pm and see for yourself how much fun everyone has!
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By now, you should have received your Pledge Campaign documents. Anyone who has not received them and would like to participate, please contact the Church Office. The pledge form can be returned by placing it in
the envelope provided and then either putting it in the Offering Plate or handing it into the Church Office. The Church Calendar is still on sale in the Church Office, or at the Tuesday Coffee Morning or on Sunday Mornings. Thank you for your continued support and we would also like to wish you a Happy Christmas.
The Stewardship Group
CONTACT DETAILS CHURCH OFFICE : Tel 877068 ADMINISTRATOR Sandra Ferguson Tues - Fri : 12noon - 3pm MINISTER Rev Dolly Purnell Tel 872196 SESSION CLERK & ROLL KEEPER Carole Munro Tel 874133 DEPUTE SESSION CLERK Sandra Ferguson Tel 875750 TREASURER Trevor Forge Tel 873196 ASSISTANT TREASURER Norma Spence Tel 879235 CHURCH OFFICER Rosemary Menmuir Tel 878171 SAFEGUARDING COORDINATOR Carole Munro Tel 874133 SUNDAY SCHOOL LEADER Fay Forge Tel 873196 GUILD PRESIDENT Eileen McDonald Tel 872932 PRESBYTERY ELDER Victoria Fraser Tel 01674 672327 TUESDAY COFFEE MORNINGS Jean Glass Tel 874191
PUBLICATION DATES During the coming year we hope to be able to publish the magazine on the following dates:
24 January 2016 13 March 2016
8 May 2016 26 June 2016
14 August 2016 9 October 2016
THE COFFEE SHOP On December 8th, the Abbey Playgroup children will be coming to sing for us - an event that everyone looks forward to. After that we will close for the holidays, re-starting on Tuesday 12th January 2016.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2015 Sunday 13th December at 11am Service of Reflection combined with Morning Worship Sunday 20th December at 11am Family Nativity Service Thursday 24th December at 6pm Christmas Eve Family Service Thursday 24th December at 11.30pm Watchnight Service Friday 25th December at 10.30am Christmas Day Family Service In addition, an Advent Bible Study will run over four Monday evenings starting on the 23rd November at 7pm.
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July 3 Mrs D Wood
10 Mrs J Glass / Mrs M Tulleth
17 Mrs A Nicol
24 The Manse
31 Mrs F Steven
Aug 7 Mrs S Marr
14 Mrs J McKay
21 Mrs B Allan
28 Mrs M Fulton
Sept 4 Mrs M Reid
11 Mrs F Robertson
18 Mrs S Tasker
25 Mrs I Miller
Oct 2 Mrs B Lowson
9 Mrs M Cargill
16 Mr R Bridges
23 Mrs P Whyte
30 Mrs J King
Nov 6 Mrs J Hammond
13 Mrs E McDonald
20 Mrs J Milne
27 Mrs C Munro
Dec 4 Mrs M Proudfoot
11 Christmas Decorations
18 Christmas Decorations
25 Christmas Decorations
DIARY DATES Friday 27 November 2015 Messy Church - Angelic Advent In the New Hall at 5.30pm Sunday 29 November 2015 Pastoral Care Afternoon Tea In the New Hall at 2.30pm Mondays 30/11, 7/12, 14/12 Bible Study for Advent In the Small Hall at 7pm Saturday 5 December 2015 Senior Sunday School Trip to Glasgow Tuesday 8 December 2015 Abbey Playgroup Christmas visit to the Coffee Morning Sunday 13 December 2015 Service of Quiet and Reflection In the Church at 11am Tuesday 15 December 2015 The Guild Christmas Lunch At the Harbourside Grill Saturday 19 December 2015 Sunday School Party In the New Hall at 2pm Sunday 20 December 2015 Family Nativity Service followed by refreshments In the Church at 11am Monday 21 December 2015 School Christmas Services in the Church - Hayshead at 10am Ladyloan at 1.30pm Thursday 24 December 2015 Family Service at 6pm Watchnight Service at 11.30pm Friday 25 December 2015 Family Service In the Church at 10.30am Sunday 10 January 2016 Communion Service In the Church at 11am
O&A Flower Donors 2016
Jan 3 Mrs M Riddle
10 The Guild
17 Mrs C Smith
24 Mrs I Clark
31 Mrs M Carswell
Feb 7 Mrs S Ferguson
14 Mrs O McNeill
21 Mrs M Middleton
28 Mrs R Menmuir
Mar 6 Mrs J Glass / Mrs M Tulleth
13 Miss E MacKenzie
20 Mrs M Reid
27 Mrs Y Gordon
Apr 3 Mrs M Strachan
10 Mrs I Sands
17 Mrs F Forge
24 Mrs M A Welsh
May 1 Mrs B Allan
8 Mrs O Fulton
15 Mrs I Sands
22 Mrs N Munro
29 Mrs N Grant
June 5 Mrs Y Gordon
12 Mrs M Lorimer
19 Mrs A Wakefield
26 Mr R Bridges
July 3 Joy King
10 Muriel Proudfoot
17 Lesley Christison
24 Elinor MacKenzie
31 Rosemary Menmuir
Aug 7 Irene Clark
14 Fiona Wilson
21 Vacant
28 Elinor MacKenzie
Sept 4 Vacant
11 Brenda Allan
18 Norma Spence
25 Sheena Marr
Oct 2 Joy King
9 Muriel Proudfoot
16 Lesley Christison
23 Elinor MacKenzie
30 Vacant
Nov 6 Rosemary Menmuir
13 Irene Clark
20 Fiona Wilson
27 Elinor MacKenzie
Dec 4 Muriel Proudfoot
11 Christmas Decorations
18 Christmas Decorations
25 Christmas Decorations
O&A Flower Distributors 2016
Jan 3 Vacant
10 Helen Muir
17 Rosemary Menmuir
24 Irene Clark
31 Jennifer Milne
Feb 7 Elinor MacKenzie
14 Vacant 21 Brenda Allan
28 Vacant
Mar 6 Aileen Robertson
13 Sheena Marr
20 Joy King
27 Muriel Proudfoot
Apr 3 Flora Steven
10 Vacant
17 Vacant
24 Rosemary Menmuir
May 1 Irene Clark
8 Fiona Wilson
15 Elinor MacKenzie
22 Vacant
29 Brenda Allan
June 5 Flora Steven
12 Aileen Robertson
19 Norma Spence
26 Sheena Marr
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TO Vicky Fraser on winning the Arbroath heat of the Arbroath Fairtrade Bake-Off and to Norma Spence who came second.
Blair Durno for organising a a ‘Fish Supper’ which raised £410 for the Arbroath Lifeboat.
Well done all three of you!
O&A PARISH REGISTER
John Y Smith 7 Cliffburn Road Died 29 September 2015 May Cowie Balhousie Antiquary Care Home Died 5 October 2015
CHURCH FLOWERS You will see from the table printed on page seven that we desperately need volunteers to deliver the flowers on a number of Sundays. If you can help with any of these, please contact our Flower Convener Mrs Joy King Tel: 872536
BLYTHSWOOD SHOEBOX APPEAL 2015 Boxes were packed by a team of volunteers after worship on Sunday 8th December. The total number at that stage was 147. On Wednesday 11th just as the drivers arrived to transport the boxes to the Blythswood lorry, a further two were handed in! Later that morning a Joanne Park arrived asking for boxes to pack. She has now contacted Blythswood and arranged that they will collect hers and her friends’ boxes at a later date.
THE O&A FACTOR The Church magazine is produced 6 times a year, very roughly every 8 weeks. Just over 200 homes have a printed copy of the magazine delivered by a group of volunteers to whom we are very grateful. Others in the congregation prefer to have their copy of the magazine emailed to them or they read it on the church website. We ask those who have printed copies delivered to pay 50p per copy to cover the production costs - the paper and the ink. You will find inside this magazine a small brown envelop in which you might like to place £3 to cover the cost of all your magazines for the coming year. Please seal the envelope and write your name and address on the front and either hand this in at the church or give it to the person who delivers your magazine next time they call. We hope you enjoy reading about what’s going on in your church. Feel free to submit articles at any time!
On Sunday 8th December Dolly led the congregation in a traditional Remembrance Sunday service which was very special for many present. At the conclusion of the service Jim Mann placed the poppy wreath below the Church’s war memorial. ‘They shall not grow old, as we are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them’
SERVICES AT SEATON GROVE Regular monthly services have now been re-established at Seaton Grove Care Home, one being held in October and another on Remembrance Day, 11th November.
These have been attended by residents and also Day Care patients who have enjoyed the short, meaningful acts of worship led by Dolly. In time, Gavin will share these services with Dolly but both they and the residents would appreciate the support of members who could be there to join in the singing and spend a little time talking with those who attend.
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Following August’s very successful Afternoon Tea for our members who are unable to attend Sunday worship or other church activities, the Pastoral Care team are busy with the arrangements for a Christmas one which will be held on Sunday 29th November in the Hall at 2.30pm. If you or someone you know would appreciate an invitation to the tea, just contact either Helen Muir (Tel: 873521) or Flora Steven (Tel:875537).
As the number of housebound members increases it is becoming more difficult to visit everyone who would benefit from this. If you would be interested in becoming a Pastoral Visitor please speak to either Helen or Flora.
Are you ready? I bet that’s a question you have been asked many, many times. I know I have as a child from an exasperated mum; as a teenager from the starter at a swimming race; from my dad on the day of my wedding; from lecturers preparing us for dreaded exams; and more recently from a husband who is truly blessed – he must be – he’s had years of long suffering!
As we approach the season of Advent, the question, Are You Ready? comes readily to my mind because it’s a question that could be asked of almost everyone involved in the circumstances that surrounded the birth of Jesus. Ask yourself How ready was Mary for the visit she received from the angel? How ready were her mum and dad for the disgrace she brought to their family? How ready was Joseph to discover that the woman he loved had betrayed him? How ready was he for the dream which told him otherwise? How ready was Herod for the prospect of losing his throne? How ready were the shepherds for the blinding light that shone from the host of angels? How ready were the Magi for the long journey ahead? None of them were and yet God choose to bring the most amazing certainty into the midst of their confusion, the certainty of his presence through the birth of Jesus and the certainty of everlasting life through him. By the way there’s two more people in this story, Simeon and Anna, a couple of pensioners no one took any notice of. They were ready to receive God’s blessing as he placed himself in their arms and felt the warmth of their embrace of faith.
Want to be ready? Then Join us this advent season, as we try to put Christ at the start of Christmas. Here’s what’s on : Nativity Bible Study 7-8pm Monday evenings from 23rd Nov – 14th December Messy Church’s “Angelic Advent” Friday 27th November 5.30 – 7pm A Quiet Space for Christmas 11am Sunday 13th December Hope you can join us May God bless you this Advent Season. As you prepare to welcome him let him welcome you.
Dolly
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THE GUILD We are now well into the new session and already have had several good meetings. Our opening concert by the Condor Military Wives was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Our own minister, Dolly, held a short communion which was very meaningful for all of us. On Tuesday
10th November we had a trip to Dobbies. Many of us went along to the House of Angus, which had a sale on, and had a rare time browsing and buying. With lighter purses (and sore feet) we went back to Dobbies and had a well-earned cuppie and cakes. It was lovely to see all the Christmas displays and the smell of cinnamon pine cones was redolent. We have a few more meetings before our Christmas meal at the Harbourside Grill in December; we are all looking forward to event. Yours aye,
Eileen (Convener )
HERE AT LAST !
They say that patience is a virtue and that good things come to he who waits. I have been waiting three long months to join you as your Parish Assistant and finally on Monday 9th November, my wait was over as I reported for duty at Old & Abbey; bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I am really thankful to God for giving me this opportunity to join your church family and serve you as best I can. Jesus gave challenging advice to his disciples about what it means to be great in the Kingdom of God and it flies in the face of our worldly attitudes because it involves humbling ourselves and putting the needs of others way ahead of our own. You won’t be surprised to know that this doesn’t come naturally to any of us in our fallen state, but with God’s help, through the power of His Holy Spirit, we can all do much more than we ever thought possible. Just like the disciples, we often misunderstand each other and we behave in ways unworthy of the master. You will quickly discover that I am no different, but with God’s grace and a healthy dose of patience on your part and mine, it is my prayer that we grow together in our love for the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and each other. Please come and introduce yourself to me after the Sunday morning service or meet me for a coffee at a more convenient time during the week. I look forward to getting to know you all better in the weeks and months ahead and will be grateful for your prayers as I settle in to my new job. Wishing you all God’s richest blessings.
Gavin
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Hug Somebody Today Submitted by Doreen Wood
THOUGHT FOR TOMORROW When your open your eyes in the morning, sit for a moment and appreciate the gift of a new day, create a peaceful thought and enjoy some moments of silence throughout the whole day.
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VICKY’S FAIRTRADE CHOCOLATE BEETROOT MUFFINS
Ingredients Makes: 12 muffins
250g well-drained, cooked beetroots, pureed (use blender) ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 200g fairtrade demerara sugar (can use up to 300g depending on personal taste) 125ml Scottish rapeseed oil 2 locally-sourced eggs, beaten 100g plain flour 125g beremeal flour (ancient Scottish grain from Orkney) 1 ½ teaspoons bicarbonate of soda ¼ teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons fair-trade cocoa powder
Method Prep: 30 mins > Cook: 25 mins > Ready in: 55 mins
Preheat oven to 180 C / Gas 4 and put cases in muffin tray. Combine pureed beetroots, eggs, vanilla, oil and sugar using an electric mixer on low speed until well combined. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and cocoa. Add gradually to the creamed mixture, beating together well. Spoon batter into cases. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until done and cool in muffin tray for 10 mins then transfer to a cooling rack.
Serving suggestions:
dust with icing sugar (which will melt if stored) frost with your favourite icing serve warm with ice cream store in a cool, dark place - will keep for five days freezing – not tested but muffins usually freeze well
COMMUNION SERVICES AT THE OLD & ABBEY
Commencing in 2016, Dolly would like us to have quarterly Communion Services - one in January, one in April, one in July and one in October.
The first of these will be held on Sunday 10th January 2016 at 11am.
Youth Group
Sunday 13th December 6.30 – 8p.m.
In the Small Hall Please join Dolly and Gavin
otherwise they will eat all the goodies!
Festive Fun and Food
STOP PRESS !!!
Face painting was very popular at this year’s ‘Christmas Cuppie’.