A total of £5184.11 was collected during Christian Aid week in May. that £1990.27 was collected by EPC and £119.93 was handed in to the Kirk Centre.
Thank you to everyone who helped achieve this by giving their time and money. proves that it is worthwhile giving up a few hours in one week to help the needy.
Isobel white
Christian Aid Co-0rdinator, EPC Mission Group
Pastoral Care Group
Ellon Kirk Centre Coffee Shop Ltd
VOLUNTEER STAFF REQUIRED
For dish washing and waiting duties
Short shifts available
There are vacancies within the Day Care Facility.
If you feel that you would benefit from company in warm, comfortable pleasant surroundings with a choice of activities and enjoyable food ... and caring staff on hand to assist you as required. Then why not give us a call.
For more information telephone Margaret McEwen on
01358 742244
The Church of Scotland Day Care Service at Balmedie House also has staff vacancies
CrossReach employees should be in sympathy and supportive of our Christian ethos
Church Services Audio Files
Our new sound and recording system enables services to be recorded. As a trial, these are being made available on the web site so that those unable to attend the service can still "participate" and enjoy the event. We hope you enjoy this facility. Any comments or suggestions can be sent to the Webmaster.
"Coming Home" Service 20 December 2009 (39 minutes)
A HUGE THANK YOU TO SARAH DOAK WHO DONATED £500 TO THE REFURBISHMENT FUND FROM THE £1000 GIFTED AT HER 21st BIRTHDAY PARTY. SARAH REQUESTED DONATIONS TO CHARITY IN LIEU OF GIFTS.
Downs Syndrome Scotland was chosen as the recipient of the other £500.
SLAINS KIRK enjoyed a Fundraising Soup & Sweet Lunch and boosted the coffers by £350
The Diminishing Coffee/Increasing Tea events are still ongoing - raising a lot of pennies for the piggy bank!
THANKS TO ALL FOR CONTINUING SUPPORT
CHEERS!
JIM ANDERSON
REFURBISHMENT PROJECT FUNDRAISING CO-ORDINATOR
ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
Loose Loot ~~~ A Smart Move ~~~The Knitters ~~~ Home Baking ~~~ Coffee mornings/evenings ~~~ Sponsorship of chairs and flooring
Loose Loot jars may be handed in to the office at the Kirk Centre.
Smarties may be obtained at the office and returned there when tube is filled with 20 pences or £1 coins
Home Baking - why not bake a few extras and bring them along to Ellon or Slains to sell after the service?
The Knitters are still clicking their needles; chairs and flooring are still being sponsored.
HOLIDAY SPANISH IN ONE HOUR
£5 per person per hour – contact Anne Wilson on 01358 720929
‘REFLECTIONS’
A little book of local photos and inspiring thoughts provided by church members. £1 each on sale at the Coffee Shop and the church at Ellon
RECIPE BOOK
A big thank you for the excellent response. The book is due to launch in September so watch this space!
Have you got an
original idea for
fundraising?
It’s amazing what can
be turned into cash.
Contact Jim Anderson if you would like to organise an event.
Webb Ivory-Christmas time is almost here again
I know you are all sitting thinking how can it nearly be Christmas again.You would be surprised how quick it comes around.It is never too early to start your Christmas Shopping and why not do it from the comfort of your armchair. Webb Ivory is a fantastic way to shop, you can get all your cards, wrapping paper, decorations, sweets, calendars, novelty gifts and much, much more all from one catalogue.You can have items personalized at no extra cost. There is no delivery charge and everything will be delivered direct to your door in plenty time for Christmas.
It was a great success last year and provided a good contribution to the refurbishment fund for the church.A percentage of all sales is given to our nominated charity
Books will be available for Donna Murray, Lara Anderson or Karen Yule-Walker from Sunday 5th September - Sunday 3rd October.
We look forward to seeing you at our next sales. Items may be handed into the Kirk Centre between 2.00pm and 4.00pm on the Friday prior to sale.
If you have ever wondered what happens to unsold goods, don’t worry nothing is discarded or wasted. We donate items to The New Hope Trust and everything is distributed from their depot.
MCCP Inaugural day-Muscat
The Webmaster's friends gathered together at The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP) to celebrate its inaugural day on Friday, August 13, 2010 as it stepped into its 19th year. Follow the link below to read the report and access three photo albums of the event.
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.
But.............
If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.
From The Emperor and the Seed - Author unknown
So be careful what you plant now, It will determine what you will reap tomorrow, The seeds you now scatter, will make life worse or better, your life or the ones who will come after. Yes, someday, you will enjoy the fruits, or you will pay for the choices you plant today.
HOLY E-MAIL
One day God was looking down at earth and saw all of the rascally behaviour that was going on. So He called one of His angels and sent the angel to earth for a time.
When he returned, he told God, 'Yes, it is bad on earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.
God thought for a moment and said, 'Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.'
So God called another angel and sent him to earth for a time. When the angel returned he went to God and said, 'Yes, it's true. The earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.'was not pleased. So He decided to e-mail the 5% who were good, because he wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help them keep going.
Do you know what the
e-mail said?
Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn't get one either.
A Morning Prayer Thank you, LORD,for another day.
Thank you for the green grass and the deep blue sky.
Thank you for the warm summer sun.
Thank you for corn flakes and crispies
and toast with honey.
Help me to remember
that all good things come from you,
And help me always to be thankful.
Dear Lord,
Help me to be good today.
I’m sorry for the times I did what I wanted to do,
instead of what you wanted me to do.
Today is a new day,
and I can start brand new
because you have forgiven me.
Help me to bring happiness to my family and my friends.
Dear Lord, your love is the best love,
it’s better than anything else in the world.
And you love me.
Help me always to remember that.
From the stories of Dr Ihor Basko, DVM....."A dog’s purpose" - from a 6 year old
The dog slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said, “people are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?”
The Six-year-old continued, “well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.”
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
“Animals come into our lives as gifts from God, for companionship, to teach us and to heal us. They deserve our very best.” - Ihor Basko
“To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace.”
Milan Kundera
Nectar
In the summer edition of the newsletter there were pictures of the guest speakers representing NECTAR at our May Communion service. The following is a summary of their address for those of you that were unable to attend.
Four of us went out to Ghana in May/June and had a very successful trip. Gloria, Anne and Melinda have been many times before but, for Jim, this was the first time.
A lot had been achieved in the rural village of Osonodompe over the years and our desire this time was to build in some super duper cupboards in the schoolroom and also paint ‘ABC’ and numbers 1-10 with appropriate pictures on the outside wall of the school. The school room had originally been kitted out with furniture and resources etc, which had been sent out in a container in 2007, from Strichen School, mostly when they were getting new equipment themselves. The cupboards were to house all the resources which had gone out in the container for the school and stop them all being spoiled. The container had subsequently been transformed into a Medical Clinic and handed over to the Methodist Church.
The village now has a school, a church and health care, and the Chief will readily tell you “life is being brought back to my dying village!” 2 x £20 had been gifted by people in this church for lollies and biscuits for the children of Osonodompe, a rare treat for them and for which they were very grateful.
We also took out a wheelchair and adult nappies for Belinda, the adult disabled daughter of the Doctor who has faithfully gone up, with other nurses from St John Methodist Church in the city, again and again to hold medical clinics in the village, originally under the trees! The wheelchair will give Belinda a modicum of independence (she is usually lying flat on her tummy on her bed) and the Doctor was also very grateful for the nappies for Belinda, so expensive out there.
Lots of premature baby hats, bootees, gloves and shawls had been knitted and gifted and were duly handed over to the Neo Natal Unit of Ridge Hospital in Accra, a very poor city hospital. We were shown a baby who had been born .4 of a kilo (less than half a bag of sugar, about1lb) and was still soldiering on in one of the incubators. Their heartfelt cry was for CPAPs and Baby ventilators as well as incubators which worked! NECTAR will try and source some of these and send them out in a crate to them. They said at any moment this baby may just get tired and give up trying to breathe. More than 20 knitted teddies were also given to the Childrens Ward which had absolutely no toys in it at all and was full to overflowing with sick children. If anyone can help in any way with this project, we would be very grateful to hear from you.
One of our big projects at the moment is looking for funding to get an operating theatre and all its relevant units out to a hospital in western Ghana ~ Wenchi Hospital. They have the building ready and we know where the equipment can be sourced. We also know how to get it all sent out there in a container but we need big money ~ possibly Corporate funding ~ to accommodate this vital need. Again we would be very grateful for any help in this matter.
Melinda had volunteered to work in Ghana for three months. The rest of us were coming back after three weeks but Melinda was staying on and the Methodist Church wanted her to help with a Street Children Project. She comes back on the 23rd August and, in the meantime, she is compiling profiles on the 40 children on this particular project. The Methodist Church want this to be a project undertaken by many of their churches and feel that that is one of the duties of the church, to look after those in need, especially children. Melinda has found that a lot of the children just want to go home ~ most of them exist by sifting through rubbish on dumps and then bringing whatever they find into the market to sell and make a few pence. They sleep on the beach, in the bus station after the buses have stopped for the night or in phone booths etc etc.. It is better for the girls if they try to look like boys! Even whilst we were there, there were some heart-breaking stories. A good part of the year is monsoon season and, when the rains come at night, some children just get washed away! We even experienced a couple of times during our stay where the roads were awash and it was dangerous to even be driving in a vehicle, far less be finding somewhere to sleep outside.
We were very grateful on this trip for the hospitality we were shown ~ we had been provided with secure accommodation and also a pick-up and driver, all of which are very necessary for us to be able to fulfil our business. We always pay our own fares and food etc so to be safe and secure and have transport during our stay makes such a big difference. If anyone has a heart to come out with us next year, just let us know and we can have a chat about it. NECTAR also has a membership for people who want to keep on our mailing list and support us at fund-raising events. Again, please let us know if this interests you. ~ Membership Sec 01779 813202.
Anne Johnson
Secretary to NECTAR
North East Care Through Aid & Renewal
(Caring at home and abroad)
Belinda with her new chair
The school building
Sarah and Gavin Doak wrote to the children at Osonodompe and sent a photo of themselves. Below is a picture of the villagers with the Doak’s photograph!
Ellon Churches Together
Over eighty people attended the SWITCH event in Ellon Parish Church last Sunday evening.
This was hosted by Ellon Churches Together and attracted young people and the young at heart from Ellon churches along with folk from the Bridge of Don and Peterhead.
The congregation were indeed ‘switched on’ by the Praise Band from Aberdeen Christian Fellowship. The music was rousing from beginning to end and the testimonies were inspiring.
It seemed like hundreds of enthusiastic youngsters thronged to the refreshment being served at the end of worship. Due to its success, it is hoped that this type of evening may feature on the ECT future events calendar.
E.P.C.DRAMA GROUP
New Purpose Built Care and Dementia Home at Rubislaw Park in Aberdeen which opened in August 2009
Rubislaw is a state of the art £6 million 64-place facility. There is a specific remit to provide specialist dementia care to 40 older people as well as 24 residential places, with all the rooms having full en-suite facilities.
Not only do statistics tell us that dementia is an increasing demographic, but Aberdeen City Council have a need to increase this provision and are supportive of the CrossReach development. It is important that individuals with dementia are cared for in safe and appropriate surroundings – ones that meet the specific needs that this degenerative condition requires.
CrossReach has been working for some years on developing a new facility that will exceed legislative and social care standards, whilst continuing to meet the needs of older people in the area.
For the latest World Mission Newsletter click here
PAKISTAN FLOODS
Church of Scotland World Mission response
After hearing about the flooding, World Mission immediately contacted Bishop Humphrey Peters of Peshawar Diocese, Church of Pakistan, noting our concern and assurance of the prayers of the Church of Scotland. Bishop Humphrey responded:
"Many thanks for the email and all the concerns. I am personally visiting the affected areas, our Christians who are already deprived are in pathetic conditions, difficult to explain in words. They have lost almost everything in their houses; they could only save their lives. Soon after the emergency phase that might last for a couple of months, the most important will be the rehabilitation."
World Mission has now also arranged for an emergency grant to be sent the Diocese. The Church of Scotland World Mission Council will continue to work together with the Diocese in supporting the relief effort both in this immediate phase and in the months ahead.
2010 WORLD MISSION STAMP APPEAL
Save those holiday post card stamps...
The girls hostel at St. Columba’s in Sialkot, accommodates up to 400 girls while they study. The girls come from poor Christian communities in rural Punjab where there is limited opportunities for education.
You can help these girls by collecting all your used stamps and handing them in to either of the churches or the Kirk Centre Office.
Please leave a 1cm border round the stamps when cutting them off the envelopes
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE GUILD?
This year we are starting a new 3 year theme based on Micah 6:8
“What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This year we have been Called to Act Justly. How can you join in?
We have been asked to support 6 projects which will make a difference to Justice, Mercy and Humility in our hearts, in our church, in Scotland, and even in the world.
These projects are asking us for prayer, publicity and finally financial support.
CROSSREACH - ON THE OTHER SIDE - SCOTLAND
HIV/AIDS PROJECT - A NEW HUNGER - VARIOUS COUNTRIES
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION - TERRIFY NO MORE - CAMBODIA
MINISTRIES COUNCIL - A PLACE FOR HOPE - UK
MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP - MISSION RUN – MADAGASGAR
WORLD MISSION COUNCIL - INTERFAITH SUPPORT - ISRAEL/PALESTINE
More information on these projects is available on the Church of Scotland web site or contact me, Catriona McIntyre on 01651 842338, emailcatriona@millofallathan.co.uk. I would be delighted to let you know what is going on in neighbouring Guilds.
As you will have noticed in an earlier copy of the Newsletter we in EPC are looking to set up a Library within the Kirk Centre detailing as much information as possible on EPC and its surrounding area.
If you have anything to loan which may be of interest—photos, newspaper cuttings memorabilia etc. we would be most grateful. A BIG thank you to those who have gifted or loaned items for the project.
We are still on the look out for as much information or publications as possible and to that end this is just a gentle reminder to all members of the congregation and public who might still have documentation of any description that you feel would be of interest of the Church.
If you have any old materials or books etc that you would like to donate to this Library I would be grateful if you could hand them into the Office within the Kirk Centre.
Ann M Gammack
Session Clerk
Creche
A note for all parents wishing to use the crèche (or anyone who knows families that would use a crèche facility).
Please advise the Ellon Parish Church of Scotland office in the Kirk Centre of your name and telephone number and the amount of children you would like to use the crèche.
The following is an extract from a letter printed in previous newsletters referring to the Hospital Chaplaincy and the Data Protection Act. As some people remain uncertain of the procedure, it is worth a re-print.
If you land in hospital and wish your ministers to visit the responsibility for letting them know is yours and yours alone.
This will fall broadly into one of two categories. If your admission is pre-planned then you can inform the minister of the date you are going in, which ward you will be in and how long you expect to be there. On the other hand if you are admitted as an emergency then at the earliest opportunity inform your minister yourself or authorise someone else to do this for you. If you fail to do any of these and are not visited then do not blame the ministers for they quite simply will not know of your situation.
A problem can arise when where a well meaning friend, without permission, informs the ministers that someone is in hospital and would be “better of a visit.” This cannot be acted on for, depending on the circumstances, the minister at that time may be the last person the patient wants to see! The patient’s permission is essential.
It is hoped that sooner or later common sense will prevail and ministerial support for the ill will again become straightforward, but meantime we have a national problem that will require a national solution and that unfortunately will take time.
Dr Charles S Burgess
Calling All Knitters
Project Linus was named after the security blanket toting character in the Peanuts comic strip. His creator, the late Charles Schulz, was pleased to have Linus inspire blanket makers to help sick and traumatised children.
The project originated in America, December 1995 when Karen Loucks saw a newspaper article showing how much a comfort blanket had helped a child cancer victim and decided to organise blankets for the Denver Rocky Mountain Children's’ Cancer Centre and started spreading the word. Since that time over 2,300,000 blankets and quilts have been delivered worldwide.
Project Linus arrived in Scotland in October 2001. .In N.E. Scotland most blankets are distributed through hospitals but occasionally, we have requests for individual children who may be seriously ill, disabled, traumatised or otherwise in need and are being cared for at home. We also do not exclude children in the family of a sick sibling or parent - terminal illness is traumatic for the healthy children as well, so, where we can, we will ensure they get the ’comfort’ they need.
How You Can Help:
Make a quilt or blanket and donate it to Project Linus UK (via Ellon Parish Church of Scotland Mission Group)
Donate supplies such as fabric, wool, office supplies and postage stamps.
Spread the word! Encourage your friends to get involved too.
TO GET YOU STARTED HERE ARE TWO KNITTED BLANKET PATTERNS
for more patterns and informationvisit Project Linus website.
Unwanted Items
Do you have any old mobile phones, jewellery, foreign coins or stamps etc.?
These items can all be turned into cash and the proceeds given to the National Bible Society.
There will be boxes available at the back of both churches for you to put your items into, or hand them into the Kirk Centre Office.
2010 – A Year of Mission In Gordon Presbytery
The E.P.C. Mission Group has drawn up a calendar for the next year. Throughout 2009 we learned about the Fruit of the Spirit. Now it’s time for action - now is the time To Do and To Be .
At the beginning of the year all the church groups and organisations will have the opportunity to showcase what they do at an Open House. They will set out their stalls showing what they have done, what they are doing and what they have planned for the future. This is our chance to be the church in the market place, so the groups will sell their news. This will be a springboard to launch a year full of activity. This will walk hand in hand comfortably with our refurbishment, for what better way to promote ourselves, to show the community what is on offer. We are a busy, bustling vibrant church and we are there for the entire community of Ellon and way beyond - out into a parish covering 82 square miles.
Journey with us as we travel through 2010 - A Year of Mission. Each month different groups will focus on a Fruit of the Spirit. We look forward to the adventure and welcome you aboard.
2010 YEAR OF MISSION CALENDAR
AUGUST - PRAYER
Rest, Relaxation & Meditation
SEPTEMBER - PEACE
World Day of Peace: 21st September - Mission Group
OCTOBER - GOODNESS
Let’s Celebrate: 1st October - Ministry/B.B. and G.B.
Harvest/Flower Festival/Fairtrade/Music - Mission Group/ Schools/Flower Committee/Fairtrade Group/Director of Music
NOVEMBER - HOPE
Remembrance - Ministry/British Legion
St. Andrew’s Songs of Praise: 28th -Director of Music/Choir/Band
OTHER “THINGS”
~ Nearly New ~ Fit Faith ~ Remember and Reflect ~ Crèche ~
~ Prayer Group ~ Newsletter ~ Social Club ~
~ Scottish Country Dancing ~ B.B Christmas Card Deliver ~
~ Coffee Shop ~
This Calendar will appear every month in the newsletter, the intimations, the press and it will be posted in side and outside the Kirk Centre. Please note what is planned and come ...
be part of it!
A Bit of Knowledge ...
If you have been in church recently you will have heard the Session Clerk, Clerk to the Board and Mission Group convenor give a brief outline of their roles and the remit of their committee or group. Still to come is information from representatives of the Worship Group; Education & Communication and Pastoral Groups; church music and finally we shall hear about the office. Hopefully you find this informative and useful - please let us know. And if you are called to join any of the groups you will be made very welcome.A list of contacts can be found on the Contact Us page.
Internet Enabled?
You can receive your newsletter electronically ...
Several more names have been added to the email list - is yours one of them? If not, just send your details to: The Kirk Office
The newsletter will be sent in PDF format which requires Adobe Reader, an application available free of charge from Adobe.
Ellon Parish Church Newsletter is emailed to many overseas countries. Do you know someone who would appreciate a copy?
Alternatively, the 2009 Newsletters can be downloaded here..
A HUGE THANK YOU TO SARAH DOAK WHO DONATED £500 TO THE REFURBISHMENT FUND FROM THE £1000 GIFTED AT HER 21st BIRTHDAY PARTY. SARAH REQUESTED DONATIONS TO CHARITY IN LIEU OF GIFTS. 
