St Mary’s Third Sunday at Three Concert series
A worthy honour John Dymond of St Mary’s was honoured earlier this month by an invitation to attend a service in Westminster Abbey. This service was the annual celebration and thanksgiving for the National Scout and Guide movement. This year, the service was noteworthy as the centenary of the founding of the Scout Movement along with the Senior Section of the Girl Guides. John received this invitation in recognition of his lifelong involvement with the Scout movement which started during Oxford undergraduate days. The interest continued through his post-graduate years in America. Soon after coming to Balfron in 1979, John founded a Cub pack. Its popularity soon led to Scout and Beaver Groups also being established. An Adventure Unit founded by John is soon to be reopened. This is one of many signs of the revival of interest and appreciation of the good work of Scouting in general. John’s own sons took a keen interest in Scouting for many years. Today John remains a Group Scout Leader in Balfron as well as a member of the Selection Committee for prospective leaders in Stirling. In recognition of his dedication to the movement John was awarded the Silver Acorn two years ago, one of the highest awards within the Scout Movement. Those acquainted with John will know him to be too self-effacing to reveal this very worthy honour. We congratulate him and rejoice in his service to our community. For sale A Yahama CLP240 piano in polished ebony. The instrument is reputedly as good as new and will include all manuals and instructions. The list price of a new updated version of the instrument, the CLP 545, is now £1700. The asking price is £700 ono Kathleen Morison 07761 213 062. |
For your prayers
Jenny, the sister of John Champness diagnosed with serious illness and John as he visits her this week.
Ann Andrews, the daughter-in-law of Christine Ffinch undergoing and thankfully responding to treatment
Nancy Fielding in respite care at Blanefield House.
Those recovering from operations.
St Andrew’s Rotas
Flowers: Advent – no flowers
Readers and sides persons: Christine and Joan
This week
Wednesday 23rd November 2016
10.00 Callander
Luke 21:12-19
Sunday 27th November
Advent Sunday
Almighty God,
give us grace to cast away the works of darkness
and to put on the armour of light,
now in the time of this mortal life,
in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;
that on the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty
to judge the living and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
10.00 Callander
Isa. 2.1-5
Romans 13.11-end
Matt. 24. 36-44
Followed by Callander Annual Parish Meeting
St Andrew’s Annual Rector’s Report to St Andrew’s
For ease of communication St Andrew’s Annual Rector’s Report to St Andrew’s is published as follows:
‘Through all the changing scenes of life
In sorrow and in joy
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ
Thus wrote Nahum Tate in his hymn of 1696, a paraphrase of Psalm 34
Changing scenes are often discomforting and sight today of the grounds of St Andrew’s where our famed cedar once stood, is just an example of the changes of the past year. However, the tree’s demolition, which was prophesised in last year’s Annual Report proved relatively uneventful. The salvaged timber is now in store at Cambusmore whilst drying. The Vestry is extremely grateful for donations received to defray the not inconsiderable cost of removal as well as the skill of the contractors involved.
Within the congregation, Isobel Ritchie has left Callander to live at Wardside Muthill. Mary and Alastair Barclay have gone to Tayside. Their loss to the congregation was especially poignant for as well as their regular attendance and genial presence we lost a vestry member, administrator of the chalice, reader and organist. Such do not grow on trees! We are pleased though that all have found happy endings to their changed circumstances.
We commiserate with Daphne Gompertz and her family as they come to terms with Colin’s death earlier in the year. We also extend condolence to Walter Hall whose Mother Brenda died during the summer.
Over the summer Vestry agreed that an off-shoot of Stirling Baptist Church might use our Hall for worship of a Sunday evening. This decision was taken in close consultation with the Session Clerk at Callander Kirk. It is hoped that this might mark the beginning of a period of renewed co-operation between the churches of the town.
The Vestry records it gratitude to Hilary Gunkel for her efficient and vigorous promotion of the Hall which is used for a variety of activity. The Vestry is aware that supply of rental accommodation in the town outstrips demand and the rental levels have been managed accordingly.
Two linkage events were planned in the course of the year. A delightful day at Dunkeld Cathedral attracted more numbers than ever before. By contrast the Harvest Supper needed to be cancelled. It is hoped that this was due only to an unsuitable date as this was a disappointment.
John Champness continues to assist at Sunday services. This has been greatly valued as, in the absence of a musician, some of the Rector’s attention has for many services needed to be diverted elsewhere. Recorded music is alas no substitute for an organist and the hope is that in future we can again enjoy the services of a musician if not every Sunday.
The Christmas Fair under the management of Ros Grant earlier this month raised a pleasing sum of money.
St Andrew’s is blessed throughout the year by visitors from far and wide. We have been able to establish lasting relationships with some. Callander Primary School, The Guides and Scouts visited in the course of the year as have guests for a number of weddings.
We cherish our friendship with the other town churches but especially The Kirk. In conjunction with Ian Milligan, its director of music, a charity concert was held in June. At the Christmas Carol Service where the Callander Chorale and Brass were present there was literally not a spare seat to be found.
The life of the church would not function without the commitment of those who read lessons and welcome, prepare refreshments, clean and maintain the fabric and grounds of the building and much besides. Please accept The Rector’s heartfelt thanks
Thus we place St Andrew’s and those within it to the Lord’s keeping in the year to come.
To Father Son and Holy Ghost,
The God whom we adore
Be glory as it was is now
And shall be evermore’
11.15 Aberfoyle
Preacher and celebrant The Revd. Graham Willey
Isa. 2.1-5
Romans 13.11-end
Matt. 24. 36-44
This evening
18.30 Diocesan Advent Carol Service at St Ninian’s Cathedral Perth. Refreshments in the Chapter House afterwards.
Wednesday 30th November 2016
10.00 Callander
Matt. 4. 18-22
Future notices
Sunday 4th December
Aberfoyle Annual Parish Meeting following Morning service starting at 11.15 Items to be added to the Agenda must be notified to the Rector in writing no less than seven days before commencement of the meeting
The Rector’s report to St Mary’s will appear in the next issue of The Linkage
Also on
Sunday 4th December
Aberfoyle Kirk Christmas Fayre
Aberfoyle Memorial Hall
13.00 – 16.00
Entrance £1.00 child 50 pence
To book a table (£8.00)01877 382701 Trish or 01877 382230 Nicola
Sunday 18th December
Carol Service Sunday
Please remember that Service times and venues will vary:
8.00 Holy Communion at Balfron
10.00 Holy Communion at St Andrew’s
11.15 No Morning Service at St Mary’s
16.00 St Mary’s Carol Service (Joint with Aberfoyle Kirk) at St Mary’s
18.30 St Andrew’s Carol Service (Joint with Callander Council of Churches)
Christmas Eve
St Mary’s Midnight Service Joint with Aberfoyle Kirk at the Kirk
Christmas Day
8.00 Balfron
10.00 Callander
11.15 Aberfoyle
Sunday 15 January 2017
St Mary’s Third at three series
Commencing 15.00
Pistons and Pipes Tom Poulson Trumpet Calum Robertson Organ/Clarinet This exciting and entertaining young duo have promised a wide ranging programme with a strong sense of spectacle.
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. As Christmas approaches, demand will increase. Could you spare for example a Christmas Pudding?
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.
