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Church Magazine Summer 2010 |
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Interim Moderator’s
Letter Gardenstown Manse May 2010 May
9th 2010 was a very significant day in the life of the Macduff
congregation, for it was on that day after 39 years of service to the church
and community that Rev David J Randall preached his last sermons as minister
of the charge. Now
we are in that interim period looking for a new Minister, and for how long,
we do not know. We believe that God already knows and is preparing a minister
to accept our call. First we have to determine with the help of our
Nominating Committee who that person might be. The Nominating Committee needs
your prayers as we seek the mind of God. A
church in the London area wrote a prayer, which has been adapted for our own
congregation here in Macduff. This is a prayer you can pray with us. Eternal
God, in every generation, you raise up leaders for your people and give them
wisdom, insight and courage.
Will
you pray this prayer with us, and personalise it with your own words and your
own vision for Macduff? There are well over 100 churches within The
Church of Scotland looking for a minister, so what do we have to offer that
is different and more appealing to a prospective minister? We have a church building which is in good order,
and we have a congregation in good heart. We are ready for the next step of
encouraging and working with our new pastor, all to the glory of God. During a time of vacancy, congregations can
become weary waiting, and it may seem like a battle through the storm, but
take heart. The disciples of Jesus were once up against the fury of the wind
on the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus, walking towards them on the water says, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” We should not fear the future for we believe that
God already has everything in hand, and we only need to fall in with His will
for us. A promise he made to his people long ago was this, “I know the plans I
have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Is
this not also a promise to us in Macduff? May
the Lord bless each one at this time. Donald
N Martin Session Clerk’s
Letter May I publicly express my thanks to
everyone for the tremendous support given in making the events surrounding
the retrial of Rev David Randall such a success? Whether by financial gifts, or through
contributions of time and talents to the farewell weekend, everything came
together to make it a very successful occasion. David and Nan have already taken the
opportunity to pass on their own thanks and sections from a letter they have
written is included elsewhere in this magazine. It was a very fitting way to mark the end
of a very significant chapter in the history of the church in Macduff. As
I thank everyone for their support in marking the Randall’s departure, it is
also my pleasure to welcome Rev Donald Martin as Interim Moderator. Donald is no stranger to Macduff. He and Suzanne, his wife, have worshipped
with us frequently during their holidays.
We look forward to sharing with Donald in the coming months. ` As
we move into the period of vacancy and a new and different phase for us, as
Session Clerk, could I make a number of requests?
I
have no doubt that it will take some time to adjust to the period of
vacancy. However, it can also be a
time of spiritual growth as we reflect on our mission and look for God’s will
for the future. Please pray for the
Officebearers, Elders and Board members as we seek to lead the congregation
and make important decisions about the future. Andrew Simpson Retiral of Rev David Randall The following was received from Rev
David Randall: “I would like to express my heartfelt
thanks to the Kirk Session, the congregation and all concerned in the most
handsome gifts presented to me. The
social was a most enjoyable occasion and the gifts were overwhelming. They will be most helpful in setting up our
new home, but are also valued for the kindness and appreciation expressed by
them. We are very grateful for the
enormous wave of kindness and love with which we have been regaled at this
time. “Obviously we will always remember
Macduff, and we will always remember this last weekend in particular. We will be glad to see members and friends
who care to drop in on us in our new home, which is not far off the road for
people travelling north or south. “Nan joins me in sending warmest good
wishes to all.” Message from the Organising Committee The committee are very grateful to
all for the tremendous support given by members of the congregation and
community. £5165 was received in
donations. The committee decided to
use this to buy: watches for David and Nan (David’s was inscribed “Macduff
Parish Church 1971-2010”); running shoes and equipment; an album containing
signatures of members and donors; a visitors book; Macduff tartan rug;
photograph book containing pictures from the last 39 years; framed photograph
of the Kirk Session; framed print of the view from the viewfinder; tokens for
John Lewis; and a cheque. Arrangements
have also been made to send flowers when they arrive at their new home. Junior Church Anything is possible with God! How well do you know your Bible
characters? Just after Easter, we, in
Junior Church have been going along with Joshua as he led the people of Israel,
taking them across the river Jordan and conquering the city of Jericho. Although he didn’t feel up to the task God
had called him to - Joshua discovered that with God’s help, anything is
possible because God is powerful enough to do anything! See if you can answer these questions 1. How
did Joshua know how to take the city of Jericho? 2. How
many days did they walk around the city with the people keeping silent? 3. What
did Joshua tell the people to do on the seventh day? 4. What
happened when the people shouted? 5. Why
were Rahab and her family saved? Since then, we’ve
been learning how Jesus has promised to be always with us through the coming
of the Holy Spirit. In the coming
weeks, through Mark, we will also learn how Jesus changed lives when he
healed people – a lady who was ill, a man with leprosy, a man with a damaged
hand and Jairus’ daughter. It’s great
to know that Jesus is still able to change lives – He can change us too – if
we let Him – and He will never leave us! During the summer
months there will be a Sunday Club for any children who come along to
church. ‘Thank you’ to those who will help with this and also to all who
help in any way with Junior Church through the year. Anna Sivewright Guild Notes Writing the Guild notes for the June
edition of ‘Church News’ is never easy as, of course, we have not been
meeting since the end of March.
However it’s a good way to let you know what’s happening and also to
convey information to Guild members. At the Guild AGM we said goodbye to
Nan who has led and encouraged the Guild for the past three years with
interesting meetings and inspirational worship. On behalf of all the members, Lydia
Cunningham graciously and lovingly made our presentation to Nan. At the same meeting Elsie Tough was also
thanked for nurturing our link with Duntocher Trinity through regular and
imaginative correspondence over many years before ‘retiring’ just now. Several of us attended the Buchan
West Presbyterial Council’s Coffee Evening in early May and enjoyed taking
part in both discussion and song, led by worship leader, Fiona Squires. As I write we look forward to the June
Rally in Rothienorman Parish Church. Recycling is very much the ‘in-thing’
so much so that the team has decided to recycle me as their leader!! I feel I should have a label – ‘Slightly
worn leader –special reduction- for one year only! Enough of this frivolity! There are so many folk in our Guild who
would make really excellent leaders and I hope and pray earnestly that one of
them will feel called to take on the responsibilities and experience the
rewards of this role by the time of the next AGM. For Session 2010 -2011, members the
team (slightly influenced by the leader) have decided that:
*[No
funding for the Guild comes from the central Church of Scotland at all. Indeed the Guild has to pay an annual rent
of over £8000 to C of S for the Guild Office in 121 George Street in addition
to all the other running expenses.] ‘Will the Guild be having a shop this
year?’ they asked. YES, so if you’ve
been planning ‘reddin oot’ under the stair, under the bed, in the garret or
wherever, now’s the time! No clothing
or shoes this time, please, no very large pieces of furniture or large
electrical items, but just about everything else. The shop will be open Wednesday 30th
June, Thursday 1 July and Friday 2 July.
Further details later! God willing, we open our new session
on Thursday 7 October when we look forward to having Esme Duncan with
us. Many of you will know Esme through
Scripture Union and also as a past National Guild Convener so it should be a
really interesting opening meeting.
You know, we think there’s just no substitute for ‘The Guild’ so if
you’ve been thinking about coming, just do it and open yourself to a whole
great experience of faith, fellowship
- and fun! May you all know the blessings of
health and love and happiness over the summer months. Elspet McIntosh Visiting Preachers |
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4
July 2010 |
Murray
Cambell Fishermen's Mission |
Murray
Cambell Fishermen's Mission |
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11
July 2010 |
Tim Barker |
Tim
Barker |
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18
July 2010 |
Rev.
Donald Martin Interim Moderator |
Jim
Givan |
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25
July 2010 |
John
Macdonald Faith Mission |
John
Macdonald Faith Mission |
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1
August 2010 |
Andrew
Simpson |
Adrew
Simpson |
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8
August 2010 |
Tim
Barker |
Jim
Givan |
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15
August 2010 |
Paul
Williams Portsoy |
Paul Williams Portsoy |
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22
August 2010 |
Andrew
Simpson |
Andrew
Simpson |
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29
August 2010 |
Tim Barker |
Tim Barker |
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