News from the PewsNews from the Pews The Newsletter of Markinch and Thornton Parish Church

November 2015

Markinch and Thornton Parish Church

Locum Minister: Rev. Alistair McLeod

A warm welcome is extended to all visitors and newcomers to the

community to share in the worship, work and witness of the congregation.

Church Services

Thornton Church - Sunday 9.45am Markinch Church - Sunday 11.15am

www.markinchandthorntonchurch.org.uk

Communion Sunday You are invited to share in the celebration of

Holy Communion in Thornton Church at 9.45 am

and Markinch Church at 11.15 am on

Sunday 15th November 2015

A message from Rev Alistair McLeod Our Locum Minister

Dear Friends,

Time seems to pass so quickly – it hardly seems any time at all since I was asked to write a letter for “News from the Pews”.

It has been a good period for the church.

I was invited to go to the Primary School prior to Harvest and see them practice for the Thanksgiving Service and later to welcome them to the church itself for the actual service. It was a good service, the boys and girls had been well prepared and they presented the story so well in words music and song; there were a number of children who sang together and some solos. The words were truly meaningful for today’s world and gave both children and adults something to think about – the message of world, and local need was prominent in the service.

What impressed me most I think, was that all the children knew the words of the Lord’s Prayer, something that is missing not only from schools these days but from other services at the graveside or the Crematorium. I am impressed with Markinch School. I have also been invited to go and speak with some of the classes, and I am looking forward to that too.

Two classes from Thornton Primary School visited the church and they asked some really good questions.

I am enjoying being able to help out at Markinch as your Locum Minister. I feel welcome and will continue for as long as it takes (God willing) until you find a new minister of your own.

With every blessing.

Alistair

Your Elder is _____________________________

Contact Details ___________________________

Session Clerk’s Report Eldership, is it for me?

As you would imagine, it’s difficult to attract new elders to the church, as existing elders move away, retire or cannot physically manage any longer. We still have to cover members’ households within set districts and this is a quite a job with these challenges. I wanted to appeal to church members to consider taking on the role of a church elder. Nowadays we can be flexible enough to suit most members, as some elders visit their districts every quarter, but don’t take part in the 4 communion services, whereas some elders manage to mostly cover both these areas, but cannot attend the 5 session meetings held within the year. The main duties of elders are to administer the elements to the congregation twice a year, as there are 2 teams covering the 4 services; visit the houses of a few members within a district 4 times a year and attend session meetings (there are presently 5 meetings over the course of a year). It’s not an onerous job, and the summer period is left free. If anyone is interested in the becoming an elder, or finding out a bit more, please get in touch with me directly. Your approach will be treated in confidence. I look forward to hearing from you. John G Wood, Session Clerk

Treasurer’s Report Thanks to everyone who took out standing orders also all those who increased their giving after our appeal. The main items of income are:- Standing Orders/WFO envelopes/Open Plate - £46567.00 Gift Day - £3722.00 Tax rebate - £10362.00 Other income - £8122.00 Total income at 18th October, 2015 - £68773.00.

Main items of expenditure are:- Ministry & Mission £42470.00. Locum Minister - £8988.00. Salaries - £10103.00 Heat & Light - £5682.00. Organ Repair - £1352.00. Postage/Stationery - £1668.00. Other expenditure - £3697.00.

Totals at 18th October 2015 - Income ££68773.00. Expenditure £73960.00 making a deficit of £5187.00. We still need your support if we are to meet all our commitments before the end of the year Nancy Munro, Treasurer

From the Parish Register Weddings 27-09-15 Arthur James Crummie and Jennifer Hollie Jones

Deaths 12-09-15 Iain Mackie 14-09-15 Jean Lowe 23-09-15 Bunty Mitchelson

Diary Dates Every Monday Coffee morning at Thornton, 10.00am-12noon Every Monday Prayer meeting at Thornton, 10.15am Every Thursday Coffee morning at Markinch, 10.00am-11.30am 7th November Winter Fayre, Markinch Hall, 10.00am-12noon 8th November Remembrance Sunday 15th November Communion Sunday, Thornton, 9.45am, Markinch, 11.15am 4th December Bruce Davies Concert, Markinch Hall, 7.30pm 5th December Christmas Teas, Thornton Hall, 10.00am-12 noon 6th December Women’s Day Appeal hand-in deadline, Thornton Church 11th December Church Christmas Meal, Balbirnie Golf Club, 7pm for 7.30pm 2016 TBA January Whisky Tasting 15th February Fundraising Meeting (10 Loch Venachar Gardens) 19th February Cheese and Wine Evening, Markinch Hall

Markinch and Thornton Parish Church The Glory of Christmas 2015

24th Dec 6.00pm Christingle Service at Thornton 24th Dec 11.30pm Watchnight Service at Markinch

(Lessons and Carols) 27th Dec First Sunday after Christmas

Normal service times at Markinch and Thornton

Everyone is Welcome Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I Am Not A Badge Of Honour

I am not a badge of honour, I am not a racist smear,

I am not a fashion statement, To be worn but once a year,

I am not glorification Of conflict or of war.

I am not a paper ornament A token,

I am more.

I am a loving memory, Of a father or a son,

A permanent reminder Of each and every one.

I'm paper or enamel I'm old or shining new,

I'm a way of saying thank you, To every one of you.

I am a simple poppy A Reminder to you all,

That courage faith and honour, Will stand where heroes fall.

These are the heartfelt words of a man who is passionate that we must never forget our fallen heroes. They come from ‘I Am Not a Badge of Honour’, a Remembrance poem penned in just five minutes in 2014 by Paul Hunter, a 57 year old joiner from Benton, Newcastle-on-Tyne After seeing a post on Facebook by a friend who was a serving soldier, which read ‘it’s more than just a poppy’, Paul quickly penned the four-verse poem in five minutes while his wife watched the X Factor. But after he took to the website himself to show what he had written, he watched as thousands of people shared his moving poem ahead of Remembrance Day. He said: “It’s a poem for Remembrance. I don’t want to do anything and I wouldn’t even know how to get started to get it published. “What I would really like is for an actor to read it out and to put it on iTunes and for the money to go to charity. That would be beyond what I thought.” Though Paul has no army background, he told of how he passionately believes we should always remember our fallen heroes and commemorate the dead as conflicts continue to rage across the world. He said: “We have to honour them because conflicts are ongoing. I feel very passionate that we can never forget.”

( Taken from an article originally published in 2014 at www.chroniclelive.co.uk )

Rag Bag Collection The Rag Bag Collection continues to provide us with a continuous income, but we continue to look for textiles, curtains, bed linens, towels, clothes, bags, belts and shoes. Please ensure that donations are placed in a tied plastic bag. Please ask your neighbours, family, colleagues and friends to have a clear out and help this appeal by contributing as well. Markinch Church have been collecting for some time but collections are now being made at Thornton Church as well. A large box has been placed in the choir room for your contributions. Please speak to Betty Gray if you need more information. If you cannot transport your collection or have a large donation that you need assistance to move, please do not hesitate to contact Marianne Sankey to arrange collection. Tel. 07801 279899

Photocopying and Printing Services The church has a high specification photocopier in the Markinch Session House which we use to produce this quarterly newsletter and the weekly bulletins. We are able to do colour or black and white printing up to A3 size at fairly competitive prices and we also have A4 folding and binding facilities. If you or your club, organisation or business require leaflets, posters or programmes printed please give us a chance to quote. Any profits we make will go to offset the rental costs of the photocopier. Contact Ken Wilkie on 01592 760042 or email ken.wilkie@lineone.net

Thornton Prayer Meetings Our prayer group meets at 10.15am on a Monday morning. If you would like us to pray for you or any of your friends or relatives, we have prayer slips available with a box to put them in. These are available in the quiet room which is just before you enter the worship room . We have had people from other churches join us at our Monday morning prayer time. Once again, we would like to invite people from Markinch to join us in our prayer meetings. All will be made very welcome. Jean Kane, Prayer Promoter

Women’s Aid Appeal

Items for the annual Women’s Aid appeal at Thornton should be handed in on or before Sunday 6th December.

These can be gifts for children up to sixteen years of age and also gifts from children for mothers.

Sunday School

"God is with us wherever we are" was the theme when we came back after the summer break The children brought photos of their holidays and their various activities. The parable of the sower and the seeds was covered in the period leading up to harvest and we also sowed cress seeds which the children took home in the holidays to (hopefully) watch them grow and then eat ! Surafel Surafel has been off school recently as he has been attending hospital for treatment. This may have been for his epilepsy but the letter does not say. He thanks us for the treatment as our contributions go towards this. The letter can be seen on the wall in Markinch hall. We have sent £10 for his Christmas. Some of this money will be spent on clothes and a small gift for him. Thanks to all who have contributed over the year. A new calendar will be available shortly Thank you Helen Paterson

Markinch Local Committee of Cancer Research UK

are holding a

Christmas Coffee Morning in Balbirnie Court, Markinch

on Saturday 12th December 2015 10am till 12noon

Christmas Raffle & Book Stall Tickets £2.00

Please come along and support Cancer Research Fundraising

Contact Details

Locum Minister Rev Alistair McLeod Tel 01592 744558 Email alistairmcleod1936@gmail.com

Session Clerk John G Wood 16 Loch Katrine Gardens, Glenrothes, KY6 2NW Tel 01592 750327 Email sessionclerk@markinchchurch.org.uk

Treasurer Nancy Munro Tel 01592 743822 Email amunro6687@aol.com

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Restoration of the Markinch Session House

As the restoration of the Session House reaches its final stages, thanks go out to all those who helped with the project. The building itself was designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson around 1875 and may have replaced an earlier one designed by Robert Hutcheson. Well over a century of wind and rain had caused havoc to the soft sandstone, particularly around the western end. Markinch Heritage Group in conjunction with the Kirk Session decided that it was time to do something to stop further deterioration and an approach was made for Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) under the Living Lomonds

Landscape Partnership. A grant from this source attracted further finance from Fife Environment Trust and a contribution from the Church of Scotland Central Office in Edinburgh. Conservation experts Arc Architects of Cupar and mason Nick Sweeney were called in to complete the task. The archaeology works at the church were also HLF funded but under a different project heading.

It was a very complicated financial arrangement requiring many hours of voluntary effort but the work on the Session House has left us with a building that will last for another hundred years at least. We now have a place that can be used by church and community alike, and with recent approval of funding towards a Pilgrim Way passing through Markinch, ideas are already beginning to come forward for future uses.

Bruce Manson October 2015

Markinch Church Hall Youth Club The Youth Club meets on Thursday

evenings from 6.30pm till 8pm for

fun, games, crafts and chats. We

have just acquired a new pool table

and are looking at new craft ideas for

the youngsters to try out. Come

along and join us if you are aged

9 or over. Only £2 per youngster

(additional youngsters from the same

family only pay £1) For more

information please contact Tracy

Thomson on 07786 675507 or email

her at tthomson01592@hotmail.com

(Poster by Abbie)

Do you shop online at

If you shop online this Christmas you can help our church raise extra funds by using the link on the front page of the church website to take you directly to the Amazon website. If you then order any items from Amazon.co.uk our church will automatically receive up to 5% commission on every purchase you make, at no extra cost to you.

www.markinchandthorntonchurch.org.uk

Rotary Shoeboxes Markinch and Thornton Church will be supporting the Shoebox Appeal this year again. Boxes are available from Markinch Church Hall and Thornton Church. All filled boxes have to be returned by the beginning of November 2015. To help with the shoebox and transportation costs it is suggested that sellotape £1 to the box lid. If you are unable to fill a box but would like to support this appeal donations of items can be left and boxes will be filled on your behalf. The gift of a shoebox that contains toys, toiletries, educational items or household goods is a drop of happiness to the people of Eastern Europe who live in a world of poverty. For many, it will be the first present that they have ever received and it lets them know that somebody, somewhere cares. If you would like to take part, we would love to hear from you. What's goes in the Boxes? The type of contents are indicated on the box top. The contents should be of good quality, remembering that the recipient will be opening the box in eager anticipation, and especially with the toys for the children, quite possibly the first real gifts they have received for as very long time. Baby Box. This is given to new mothers and can include baby wipes, cotton wool buds, baby shampoo, baby oil, talc powder, bonnet, bootees and mitts, Babygro, knitted matinee coat, small soft toy or plastic rattle. Age up to 12 months Children’s Box. Toys such as ‘Matchbox’ type toy cars, small bouncy balls, jigsaws, fluffy toys, dolls, colouring books, felt tip pens, Lego, yoyo’s, bubble blow, etc. Should indicate if for a boy or girl. Teenager’s Box. Please remember boxes for teenage boys and girls up to the age of 18. Such as: make-up, toiletries, sportswear, scarf, gloves, hat, writing materials, deodorants, comb, mirror, football memorabilia, etc. Household Box. Household Goods such as hand soap, toothpaste and brushes, envelopes, letter paper, biro pens, etc.�Toys are especially appreciated, since these boxes can be used for birthday gifts.�This box is also good for older folk, especially if a warm scarf or a pair of gloves is included. For more information please contact Tracy Thomson on 07786675507 or email tthomson01592@hotmail.com

www.rotaryshoebox.org

Complete the name of the famous actor. Tom ...........?

1. Cruise ? 2. Sail ? 3. Voyage ?

The prize - a trip to a film premiere in London on the 19th & 20th August 2015.

Sunday August 2nd. I never normally win anything, but, I enter:- ‘1. Cruise’.

Tuesday, August 11th, 2015, at 6.15 pm, the telephone rings. Is that you? Congratulations, you are the winner, can you go to London next Wednesday, and come home again on the Thursday, after attending the film premiere of 'Me, and Earl and the Dying Girl'. Yes, I can do that. Fine, I shall arrange your rail transport from Edinburgh, and your overnight hotel in London, and someone else will contact you about the film premiere. By Thursday, I know that the rail tickets have to be collected at Waverley, a chauffeur-driven car will collect us at King's Cross Station and take us to the Amba Hotel at Charing Cross, and the film premiere starts at 9.00pm on the Wednesday evening.

By Monday 17th, it is necessary to decide what we want to eat from the Hamper which we will be given when we get to the Premiere, then it is explained that the Hamper has to be collected between 6.00pm and 6.15pm at Somerset House, where the Premiere is part of the Summer Series. The doors will open at 6.30pm, and it is advisable to have a cushion, or rug, to sit on, as no chairs, folding or otherwise, are allowed, nor are any tables, or glass bottles, or glass tumblers. This is an outdoor film presentation, in the splendour of Somerset House Courtyard, but the Courtyard has a cobble-stone surface, not smooth.

The East Coast train leaves Waverley at 9.00am, and by 1.50pm we are in the chauffeur-driven car, heading to the Amba Hotel, which is the hotel at Charing Cross Railway Station, just at the end of the Strand, and Somerset House is only five minutes walk along the Strand. We check-in, then start to do the tourist thing in London. As it is a lovely afternoon, we stroll down to the Thames, along to the London Eye, where the waiting-time is one hour, so we keep on touring, then return via Westminster Abbey towards Buckingham Palace. En route, we pass the new Flanders Fields 1914-2014 Memorial Garden, beside the Wellington Barracks, laid out with the earth which we had seen Prince Philip collect at the Menin Gate in Ypres last year, but soon it is time to head back to the Amba to prepare for the Premiere.

When we leave at 6.00pm for Somerset House, it begins to drizzle. Luckily, we have ponchos, as well as hats and jackets, as the drizzle soon becomes rain, and the rain only stops when the film ends at 10.50pm. We collect the Hamper, and have our cushions and rugs, and take our place in the queue. When the doors open at 6.30pm, people all move to claim their place to put down their rug and cushion and start to have their picnic, in what was then still drizzle. The couple next to us had been trying for five years to get tickets for the Summer Season at Somerset House, and were so looking forward to the evening in such brilliant surroundings. So were we, and we admired the Red Carpet as well. There was a disco playing music for the intervening two and a half hours, until darkness allowed the film to commence on schedule at 9.00pm, after a presentation by the Director, and stars of the film.

Markinch District Community Choir Markinch District Community Choir's Christmas concert this year will be held in Markinch Church Hall on Saturday December 5th at 7.15pm. This is a change of venue for us and we are hoping to have a full audience. We will be singing our usual wide variety of pieces including some Christmas favourites. We will be supported by Tullis Russell Youth Band and Amelia Mah and also a young surprise guest. Tickets will be available from Wednesday 4th November from choir members or contact David McCracken on 01592 758149. As this is a smaller venue I would recommend buying tickets before the night of the concert. We hope to see you there. Evelyn Wann (chair)

'Me, and Earl and the Dying Girl' is an award-winning film, a moving film with a touch of comedy, about teenagers at High School coping with the discovery that the girl in their class has leukaemia. For many people, the storyline will be very close to their own family life or history, as it was for us, and despite Me and Earl trying to make light of the situation, the reality was different. We were frequently told there would be a happy ending, but that was not to be.

After the film ended, people gathered up their wet cushions and rugs, and any other valuable possessions, well some did, some just left them as they were rather wet. We returned along the Strand, to the Amba. It was so good to be only five minutes along the road, how ironic that by then, the rain had stopped.

On the Thursday, there was time to do more sightseeing, as we were being collected at 16.00 at the Amba, for the 16.40 from Euston to Edinburgh. It transpired that the chauffeur thought we were going from King's Cross, but we were able to tell him otherwise.

As the hotel is at Charing Cross Station, it was easy to get a Tube train, so we headed off to the Imperial War Museum, where we spent an excellent five hours. Most of that time was spent looking at the superb First World War exhibition in the I.W.M., and we did not have time to see everything in the Museum, although we did manage to visit the Holocaust exhibition there. We left at 3.15pm to head back for a Tube to Charing Cross, collect our luggage at the Hotel, and await our carriage at 4.00pm. Then, it was through the heavy traffic for the 16.40 from Euston to Edinburgh, arriving at 10.20pm, then the train home, after what was effectively a day trip to London. Just a shame that it rained non-stop during the outdoor film premiere.

But, it just goes to show that it is possible to win competitions that you see in the newspapers!

Harry Gould

Markinch and Thornton Parish Church Fundraising Diary Dates for 2015 / 16

7th November Winter Fayre & Hamper Draw, Markinch Hall 10am-12pm 28th November Christmas Teas, Thornton Hall 10am-12pm 4th December Bruce Davies Concert 5th December Thornton Winter Teas (Thornton Church Hall)

2016 TBC January Whisky Tasting 15th February Fundraising Meeting (10 Loch Venachar Gardens) 19th February Cheese and Wine 9th April Thornton Spring Teas 18th June Sponsored Walk 25th June Thornton Strawberry Teas 14th August Church Garden Party 17th September Tea at the Ritz TBC October Thornton Autumn Teas 12th November Markinch Winter Fayre

Many thanks to everyone who has volunteered to help with the fundraising effort, if you can spare some time to help at any of the events above or have any other ideas for fundraising activities please get in touch.

Communion Coin Boxes – There are individual collection boxes for you to take home or to work and fill between communion services. Collection boxes can be emptied any Sunday or Thursday morning by seeing Marianne Sankey, Karen Wood or Meg Sankey. Additional boxes will be made available for anyone who wishes to take one to work, or give to their extended family or non-members who would like to help. If you cannot collect a box but would like one, we can deliver and collect them by telephoning Marianne Sankey on 07801 279899. Rag Bag – Donate any clothes, towels, bed linens, shoes, curtains, bags or textiles. If you need transport for your donation, please contact Marianne on 07801 279899 to arrange an uplift. Jigsaw Lending Library – A cost of £1 per jigsaw. If you require any information about this activity please contact Meg Sankey on 07834 729420. Markinch Church Figurines At a cost of only £19.99 each these are an ideal gift for friends or as a keepsake for anyone who is getting married in the church. Sales Table – Handcraft items for sale in Markinch hall. Please feel free to make a donation to church funds in the dish provided. To donate handcrafts, baking, plants, jams, chutney’s etc., please place them on the sales table before any church service. ‘Made in Markinch’ Cookbook - At a cost of £5. Limited availability left. ‘Cross in my Pocket’ – These keepsakes are available in the vestibule at a cost of £1 each.

Church Flowers To arrange for flowers to be put into Markinch Church contact Teresa Henderson on 01592 754892. To arrange for flowers to be put into Thornton Church contact Margaret Colville on 01592 774295. We would also ask if members of the congregation could inform us of the elderly, sick, bereaved or anyone who they think might like a visit. so that we can brighten up their Sundays with a lovely bouquet of flowers.

Remember - This is YOUR newsletter !

If you have any interesting news, stories, poems etc, please hand them to Ken Wilkie or email ken.wilkie@lineone.net or call 01592 760042

The deadline for the next issue is 31st January 2016

Christmas Teas Thornton Church Hall

Saturday 5th December 10.00am to 12noon

Stalls will include, cake & candy, books, bric-a-brac, etc. Donations to stalls would be greatly appreciated

and helpers are also required on the day. Tickets £2 or pay at the door

Coffee Morning & Winter Fayre Markinch Church Hall

Saturday 7th November 10am - 12pm Wood turning, Jewellery, Wrapping Paper & Gift Bags,

Craft Stall, Cake & Candy Stall, Bric-a-brac Stall, Tombola Stall, Bottle Tombola Stall etc

Entry £2, includes Coffee/Tea. Everyone is welcome. Come along to browse the stalls or just have a chat and some cake

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A Healthy Start £5 This gift could enable Christian Aid partners to help children like Marcia rebuild their strength by providing them with a sachet of de-worming medicine and a tub of nutritious food supplement.

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