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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 magazine@old-and-abbey-church.org.uk 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

Hugging is healthy; it helps the body’s immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it relieves stress, it induces sleep, it is invigorating, it is rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects - hugging is no less than a miracle drug. Hugging is all natural; it is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and 100% wholesome. Hugging is practically perfect; there are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic check-ups, high energy yield, low energy consumption, inflation proof, non fattening, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theft proof, non taxable, non polluting and, of course, fully refundable.

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’.