There are some new puzzles, available for download, to keep those little grey cells active during the festive season. In addition the December 2008-January 2009 Newsletter can be downloaded 2008_12 Newsletter.
F.A.O. ALL ENGLISH SCHOLARS – AN APOLOGY
It has come to our attention that the cover of the December/January Newsletter has a spelling error. Councillor has been printed instead of Counsellor. The original spelling was correct, however there were many, many reorganisations of the cover before it would print out and the spelling auto correction must have jumped in without us noticing. Computers are too clever for their own good – I’m about to throw something at mine!!
Lynn Paterson Public Relations Officer,
Ellon Parish Church of Scotland
Two organisations continue to have vacanies for various positions. Interested? Both organisations would be delighted to hear from you.
The Ythan Singers ready to perform their Christmas Concert "The Approach To Christmas" in St. Mary on the Rock Church on Sunday 7 December 2008. Photo by kind permission of Edward Bartlett
to Rev Stephen Emery on his recent appointment to the role of Chaplain to the Royal British Legion Ellon.
Steve has also been granted Honourary Membership of R.B.L. Ellon
OH, YES THEY DID!!
The Drama Group are delighted to announce that a fantastic £3328 was raised at this year’s Pantomime.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported them in any way.
Boys Brigade Coffee Morning
Boys brigade would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who supported them in their Coffee Morning which raised £483, and their Christmas Card collection which raised a fantastic £4,124.
Ellon Parish Church Diary
Sunday, January 11th
10am – Ellon Parish Church
(No service at Slains Kirk)
Youngstars and Chatroom resume
Tuesday, January 13th
12:00 Deadline for February 2009 Newsletter
Tuesday, January 20th
Kirk Session – 7.30pm in Kirk Centre
Poems & Prayers
A prayer adapted from Caritas for World Aids Day 1st December
We remember the millions of people throughout our world who are living with HIV:
People in the developed world who have access to life-saving treatments, but who often struggle to manage the drug regimes and who face stigma;
People in the developing world with little or no access to treatment;
Families who have lost an entire generation;
Orphaned children who struggle to bring up their siblings.
We pray for all those who are committed to changing this situation.
God of love and compassion, comfort your sons and your daughters who live with HIV;
God of life, help us to build a world in which no one dies alone,
and everyone lives accepted.
Amen.
Christmas Bells
Five little bells, hanging in a row.
The first one said, ring me slow.
The second one said, ring me fast.
The third one said, ring me last.
The fourth one said, I'm like a chime.
The fifth one said, ring us all at one time!
Windows
I open my Windows and what do I See?
More Windows waiting for me.
I open and close with the click of my mouse
And watch the whole world from inside my house
Explore Windows and ME Diana J. Bishop
In order to unite with one another, we must love one another;
in order to love one another, we must know one another;
in order to know one another, we must go and meet one another.
That all may be one
Lord Jesus, who prayed that we may all be one, we pray to you for the unity of Christians, according to Your will, according to Your means may Your Spirit enable us to experience the suffering caused by division, to see our sin, and to hope above all hope.
Amen
Be the Christmas Star
Open your heart to the Light of Christ; we see his presence within.
Know that he’s ever beside you, where he has always been.
Celebrate his love, as he gently leads the way;
Walk hand in hand with him, as he guides you day by day.
Be the Christ to others, shine forth unto the world;
As you live and breath his message, his mantle is unfurled.
Shine your light, as the Christmas Star, for everyone to see;
Teach each and all to look within, and be who they can be.
Carry you all within your hearts, the message of his peace;
Live in his consciousness, as the beacon each soul seeks.
Know that within each one of you, Jesus truly lives;
Through you, my precious children, his love to all, he gives.
Never underestimate the power of who you are;
The message of the life you live, reverberates afar.
go forth as Masters; celebrate his word;
Live and speak the love he taught, ’til every soul has heard.
To each of you we send our blessings from above;
Peace and Joy be yours, as you carry forth our Love.
Mother Mary Martha Switzer 2005
World Mission Update
Below are three articles extracted from the latest World Mission Update. To read the complete update click here Worl Mission Update 2008_12.
Climate Change
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland welcomes Scottish Climate Change Bill Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, the leading coalition of environment, faith and development organisations, welcomed the Climate Change Bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament recently and called on all MSPs to ensure it becomes a genuinely world leading piece of legislation. Mike Robinson, Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said, “The Scottish Government had more than 21,000 people respond to its consultation process, and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland welcomes this strong Scottish Climate Change Bill with enthusiasm. We call upon MSPs from all parties to back strong measures already in the bill, and to work constructively to improve it further so it becomes genuinely world leading legislation. Poor people around the world are already feeling the real impacts of climate change - changing weather patterns undermine their ways of life while increased disasters threaten their lives. Scotland has had huge benefit from fossil-fuel based energy; we can and should be leading efforts to shift to a more efficient and sustainable low-carbon economy.”
Many find Christmas a stressful and busy time of year and wish for something different, but don‟t know where to start. ALTERnativity aims to help you explore how to take control of your celebrations and make advent a time of peace and joy. More information and resources are on their website here:http://www.alternativity.org.uk
Prayer Focus
As ever, please use our news items as a basis for your prayers. Please pray:
For Zimbabwe: for the illness, hunger and grieving; for families on the move, hospitals closed and businesses no longer functioning.
For David and Sarah Hall, Mission Partners in Bangladesh, as they deal with bereavement and the continuation of their work
For comfort and courage for those persecuted for their faith.
Healing for wounded bodies and crushed spirits caused by conflict and strife.
ART @ THE COFFEE SHOP
The new Art Exhibition in the Kirk Centre Coffee Shop features an exciting and very varied range of pictures - from landscapes in oils and watercolours, to painting on china, seascape photography, to birds and animals in pastels. Come in and see for yourself and feast your eyes as well as your appetite.
The Coffee Shop is open Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ellon Churches Together
After the immense success of “PRAISE IN THE PARK” in a marquee at the Deer Park last June, the five Ellon churches involved were extremely keen to continue working together and representatives from the churches have been meeting to discuss plans for the future. At its last meeting the group decided to be known as “ELLON CHURCHES TOGETHER” (E.C.T.).
The group are already planning “Praise in the Park – 2009” and are working with Grampian Police, they are in the early stages of organising a ‘Debt Ministry’ and they will be carol singing at Sheltered Housing Complexes and Care Homes in the town prior to Christmas.
E.C.T. jointly lead worship at this year’s Service of Remembrance in Ellon Parish Church on Sunday 9th November.
Watch this space for the new logo which is at the design stage and for updates of events.
Church of Scotland
“Clann” is the new Church of Scotland site for ministry to and with children. “Clann” is Gaelic for “children” . It’s pronounced a bit like clown, so I’m told - apologies to Gaelic speakers!
Go to the web site.
Moderator's Blog
Rt. Reverend David Lunan, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has started his own personal blog to share his views on what his role as the Kirk's public face entails. Click here to visit the blog.
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.
Vacancies
Ellon Kirk Centre Coffee Shop Ltd
VOLUNTEER STAFF REQUIRED
For dish washing and waiting duties
Short shifts available
STAFF VACANCIES
at Balmedie House
Residential Service for Older People
Part Time Positions
Variable Hours Care Workers: Housekeeping Assistants: Assistant Cook
For information tel. 01358 742244
CrossReach employees should be in sympathy and supportive of our Christian ethos
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.
Ellon Parish Church Newsletter is emailed to many overseas countries. Do you know someone who would appreciate a copy?
Alternatively, the December 2008-January 2009 Newsletter can be downloaded from the web site 2008_12 Newsletter.
Public Relations Officer
If you require publicity for any event via the Press, or wish space in the Newsletter (all contributions welcome) please contact Lynn Paterson on 01358 761455 or e-mail ianlynnpat@aol.com
Written correspondence to the Kirk Centre.
Web Site Content Contributions
Born many decades ago, I spent 45 years in project management on major projects around the world, the last 30 with Royal Dutch Shell plc on oil and gas developments in a number of very pleasant locations (and some not so pleasant!!). Now retired, I do some part time consultancy and in between spend time out on the hills, cycling and caravanning to give The Rev a “break” from me being at home for more than a flying visit (which was been the norm for 20 years before retiring).
The web site came as a consequence of Eleanor Macalister’s frustration at not getting a site up and running after a number of unsuccessful attempts. “Fools rush in........” as they say and I volunteered to have a wee go at it in 2005. It’s now in the second generation after a revamp this year and we have had over 7,600+ web site visitors. The Webmaster is devoid of clairvoyancy skills so the web site’s continued content freshness and therefore it’s success is entirely dependent on our congregation and community sending in contributions to Lynn Paterson (Public Relations Officer) or send it directly to me and we’ll make sure it gets onto the site.
As ever, contributions are welcome from all. They are preferred electronically in the following media:-
Text in email or as Word attachments
Original size photographs (I'll take care of compresion and cropping for the website)
These are only preferences-whatever you have (Works, Publisher, pdf, etc), just send it in and we'll take care of it.
If you only have hard copy then no worries. Drop it off at the Kirk Centre office with your name and address, marked "Attention Webmaster" and we'll convert your conribution to electronic format and let you have the originals back promptly.
Born many decades ago, I spent 45 years in project management on major projects around the world, the last 30 with Royal Dutch Shell plc on oil and gas developments in a number of very pleasant locations (and some not so pleasant!!). Now retired, I do some part time consultancy and in between spend time out on the hills, cycling and caravanning to give The Rev a “break” from me being at home for more than a flying visit (which was been the norm for 20 years before retiring).