District News

\Alyth

Church Morning worship on Sunday, August 14, was conducted by Rev John Russell. This Sunday morning, worship begins at the usual time of 11am. During term time Sunday school for children over age three meets in the front pews of the church each Sunday morning. All welcome. A crèche for underthrees is available during every Sunday morning service. The Prayer Group meets on Thursdays in Burnside Court lounge at 10.30am. Choir rehearsal meets every Friday at 6.45pm. New members welcome. The church website www.alythparishchurch.org. uk is updated weekly and contains details of the Family History Project, Kirk news, and lots of photos. All events and services are open to everyone. Family History Project The project is open in Alyth Parish Church from 2-4pm each Sunday until Remembrance. New photos always welcome, which are copied and returned. The archive contains thousands of records for baptisms, weddings, burial plus maps, newspapers etc. Admission free. Enquiries welcome via fhp@alythparishchurch. org.uk or Facebook. Pipe Band Alyth Pipe Band is on the lookout for new members, either beginners or those with previous piping or drumming experience. Practice sessions take place on Tuesdays from 6pm at Alyth Town Hall. Contact Elaine Sturrock on 01828 640312.

\Bendochy

Church The morning service was led by Rev Tom Tait, readings were by Graeme McNeill. For sermon details see under Coupar Angus. Walk and barbecue The Bendochy walk and barbecue is this Saturday from 2pm. The cost is £5 per person. Anyone interested is asked to contact Jean on 01250 872945 by August 18 so rolls, sausages, burgers etc can be organised.

\Burrelton

Church ‘Dreams’ was the theme of morning worship led by the Rev Stevie Thomson. Mavis Anton read from Jeremiah Chapter 23 verses 23-29 (Lying Prophets) and from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 12 verses 49-56 (Not Peace but Division/Interpreting the Times). Officebearers on duty were Andrew Boyd, Sandy Duthie and Alec Orr. Organist was Pauline Dolby and flowers provided by Mavis Anton. Senior Club The club will be running a charity shop in George Street, Coupar Angus, from September 25 for one week. Items for sale can be dropped off at the charity shop on September 25. Collection locally can be arranged. Contact Marie on 01828 670344 or Gladys on 01828 670692. The shop will also include a tombola and a raffle.

\Coupar Angus

Church The morning service was led by Rev Tom Tait and the organist was Austin Wilkie. Readings were by Peter McNab, from Mathew Ch 17: 14-20 and Hebrews 11:1-12. Mr Tait spoke about how big things can grow from little things, both in everyday life and in our Christian faith, as bible quotes pass into our language. We are all called to face the difficult mountains in our own lives, which challenges our faith - the mountains of despondency, disappointment and despair. From the gospel story of Jesus’s healing of the epileptic, we hear of His challenge to the disciples, who were seen as having insufficient faith to follow in His footsteps. If they were to do this, they would need more faith, and consequently nothing would be impossible and mountains could be moved. Without such faith and commitment they would not be enabled to do good works in the name of Jesus. From little things big things grow, even from a seed as small as a mustard seed. ‘Faith’ is not to be confused with ‘belief’ - belief may be simply what is believed by anyone and can be reduced to credal statements and a religiosity which is far removed from the life and ministry of Jesus. True faith for the Christian is far stronger and demands deep commitment and courage, clearly seen as lacking in the disciples by Jesus’ comments. If mountains are to be moved in our own lives then we should continually remember this need for faith and see ourselves as always ‘on the way’. Faith is about a way of life, not a set of beliefs, even if our beliefs involve good habits. Mathew’s words may seem odd to us compared with the other stories of healing in the New Testament, since they describe the relationship between Jesus and His disciples rather than the miraculous God-given healing of Jesus alone. The disciples doubted their own ability to move mountains after He was no longer with them because their faith was lacking and this may also apply to us. From these readings it is clear that faith is rooted in our commitment to community, where we are called and challenged to live out our faith rather than just believe. It is faith that offers potential growth, even from little beginnings. So we should start living the faith as opposed to believing it. This requires Christian nurture and nourishment if we are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, through prayer, as He himself did when he prayed to Abba, His Father in heaven. This however will often result in dilemmas for us as we face hierarchical judgements which demand our compassion and forgiveness. We are called to mend the brokenness in our lives by welcoming the unwelcome and embrace the unembraceable in His name. Jesus was a rule-breaker, compassionate to the defenceless and downtrodden. Faith is not a matter of perfection purity and religion - belief can be moribund and oppressive. We are all on the road and as we travel we must use our senses to feel hear and touch the lives of people we meet with hearts of Faith. Then Austin Wilkie played the interlude in F (A Herbert Brewer), a minuet ‘Bernice’ (G F Handel), ‘To a wild rose’ (E Macdonell) and a hornpipe from the ‘Water Music’ (G F Handel). Any intimations to Ellen McGibbon by Thursday. Pipe Band Coupar Angus Pipe Band practice on Mondays and Tuesdays in the primary school. Monday sessions run from 7-9pm and Tuesdays run from 7-8.30pm. Contact Pipe Major Kevin Douglas on 07518 801839.

\Kinclaven

Church Sunday’s service was conducted by the Rev Richard Campbell. Organist was Margaret Davidson. Bible readings by Norma Service were Psalms 138, v 1-8 and 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, v 1-10. Next week’s service is as the usual time of 9.45am and will be conducted by Rev Peggy Ewart-Roberts.

\Kirkmichael

Highland Gathering The annual Strathardle Highland Gathering takes place on August 27 on Bannerfield in Kirkmichael.