Notices for week beginning 15th May 2017
Headlines
A number in the congregation have recently become grandparents, some for the first time. Our good wishes to all concerned.
Barbara Carruthers RIP
We mourn the death of Barbara who, judging by the numbers attending her funeral at Balfron Kirk, was known and loved by many. We are privileged that Barbara chose to make her spiritual home with us in her closing years. In her quiet way, she did much to promote the Linkage especially through her editorship of St Mary’s weekly pew-sheet for some years. Through the generosity of Michael and Susan, Lord and Lady Forsyth, her perceptive thoughts were gathered together into a small book entitled ‘Firework-Sparkler Spaceships’. Copies of the book are available in both churches
May her dear soul rest in peace and rise in glory
Pilgrimage
The 21st century has seen a huge rise of interest in pilgrimage. The Camino de Santiago which 40 years ago saw a few thousand pilgrims every year, is now travelled by over 250,000 pilgrims annually. In Scotland, pilgrim routes are being followed by walkers, cyclists and other pilgrims, young and old.
The Christian faith has its origins in pilgrimage, sacred journeys that awaken people to the presence of God. Almost at the very beginning, Abraham, left his homeland at Haran to follow God’s call.
Jesus spent his entire ministry on the move, going from place to place encountering new situations and sometimes travelling to remote places to sharpen his own sense of vocation, pray and prepare himself for what he had to face. He said of himself that he had no place to rest his head, no home of his own and dependent on the hospitality of others. In the story of the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24), two of Jesus’s disciples travelled from Jerusalem following the events of Jesus’s arrest, trial and crucifixion. They were puzzled by stories that Christ had risen from the dead, and along the way they encountered a stranger who journeyed with them as they went. As they came to the end of the day, they offered hospitality to the stranger and realised that they had encountered the risen Christ. Their hearts “burned within them” as they conversed along the way. Pilgrims have come to understand that Christ often comes in the stranger’s guise. The early Christians became known as the people of the Way.
This may explain the growth of pilgrimage in Scotland today. The Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum (SPRF) was established in 2012 and is a collaborative network of over 60 organisations and individuals committed to developing walking routes for off-road pilgrimage travel across Scotland. Nick Cooke of St Mary’s has done much to establish the forum which has supported the development of a number of new routes including the Fife Pilgrim Way from Culross and North Queensferry to Dunfermline and St. Andrews, and a long-distance Coast to Coast Pilgrim Way from St. Andrews to Iona. Details of all SPRF activities can be found on its website (http://www.sprf.org.uk).
15.00 Sunday 21st May
St Mary’s Third Sunday@ Three Concert Series
Soprano, Baritone and Organ Recital
An hour-long concert of music spanning four centuries including baroque arias and duets.
Ursuala Bambuch Soprano
Simon Oberst Baritone
Kevin Duggan Organist and Director of Music at Dunblane Cathedral
Tickets £10.00 at the door
For your prayers
Those awaiting and those recovering from operations Ros Ford and Alan Clarke and thanks that Roger Bradley is making good recovery.
Those who have been bereaved
For members of the Preparatory Committee for the Diocesan Episcopal Election
St Andrews Rota
Flowers: Fiona
Readers and sides persons:
Christine
Joan
St Marys Rota
Flowers: Kate Joynson
Readers and sides persons:
George Willis
Jamie Parker
This week
Tuesday 16th May
Dunblane Area Council Meeting
St Saviours Bridge of Allan
19.30 at St Saviours Bridge of Alan
James Gardner ‘Young people’s involvement in the Church’
Wednesday 17th May
10.00 Callander
John 15.1-8
Sunday 19th May
Easter 5 Rogation Sunday
Rogation Sunday is the day when the Church has traditionally offered prayer for God’s blessing on the fruits of the earth and the labours of those who produce our food. The word “rogation” is from the Latin rogare, “to ask.” Historically, the Rogation Days (the three days before Ascension Day) were a period of fasting and abstinence, beseeching God’s blessing on the crops for a bountiful harvest. It is right that those who are to produce our own harvest are remembered in prayer.
Collect
Almighty God whose will it is that the earth and the sea should bear fruit in due season: bless the labours of those who work on land and sea,
grant us a good harvest and the grace always to rejoice in your fatherly care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Services & Readings
08.00 Balfron
John 14.15-21
10.00 Callander
Acts 17.22-31
1.Peter 3.13-22
John 14.15-21
11.15 Aberfoyle
Acts 17.22-31
1.Peter 3.13-22
John 14.15-21
Wednesday 24th May 2017
10.00 Callander
Mark 16.12-15
19.30 Thursday 25th May at St Mary’s Dunblane
Dunblane Area Council Ascension Day Festal and Choral Communion Service.
Saturday 27th May
Casting the Net Gathering
Bishop David’s last visit to the Linkage
This will take place on Sunday 28th May. To mark the occasion, there will be a joint service at St Mary’s starting at 11.15. There will be no service at St Andrew’s that day. Transport from Callander will be provided: please see Richard if you require a lift
St Mary’s Summer Fair 17th June
Sunday 25th June
14.00 – 17.00
Carol and Mark Seymour’s Garden at Thorntree Arnprior FK8 3EY will be open. The solar panel greenhouse watering system and solar pond aerator will be of special interest.
18.00 Farewell Service for Bishop David at Perth Cathedral
7th – 11th August
10.00 – 12 noon
Guardians of Ancora Holiday Club
For all Primary aged children
Games, Crafts, Stories, Songs
Online booking now open
Pre-Booking@callanderholidayclub.eventbrite.com
Or contact Richard for further details.
Linkage Harvest Supper Friday 29th September at Callander
St Andrews Christmas Fair Saturday 11th November
Our campaign to assist Start Up Stirling is ongoing to allow contributions of the following items to be delivered to the tray in church on any Sunday. Thank you to all who contribute.
Tinned meat/fish/veg/beans, soup/fruit
Dried foods
Ready meals
Cooking sauces
Breakfast cereals
UHT milk
Tea/coffee/sugar
Snacks
Toiletries
Cleaning products
Household goods – good quality crockery, cutlery, towels, pots and pans.
No fresh fruit nor vegetables please.
