District News
\Alyth
Church Morning worship on Sunday begins at 11am. The Sunday school meets in the front pews of the church. New children welcome. A crèche for under threes is available during every Sunday morning service. The Prayer Group meets on Thursdays in Burnside Court Lounge at 10.30am. Choir rehearsal is every Friday at 6.45pm. New members welcome. The church website, www.alythparishchurch.org.uk, is updated weekly. by Catriona Henderson from Deuteronomy ch 26 and John ch 4. Appropriate harvest hymns included ‘Come ye thankful people come’ and ‘We plough the fields and scatter’. Mr Tait spoke of the ease with which we can take so many things for granted - food, water, electricity, phones etc - in sharp contrast to TV images of those war-ravaged areas of Middle East cities. In comparison to Syria, for example, people here are all relatively well-off in a peaceful country, so they should be grateful for Deuteronomy’s reminder to “be grateful for the good things the Lord your God has given us”. Prayers should likewise be directed at those in suffering communities both near and far, since belief in God stands alongside those who struggle and suffer. At harvest time, people thank God for material things yet, for many outside the church, God remains a distant and angry figure. A challenge remains as people thank God when they still see communities facing dangers and difficult uncertainty. Contributions to the foodbank will help those who struggle, but it may be difficult to imagine their plight and few people reflect anyway on how food even comes to tables. The plight of refugees fleeing from warzones and the associated problems of travel communications and accommodation can seem so distant. The story in John’s gospel reminds people of Jesus’ need to undertake a kind of spiritual retreat, in the desert away from distractions. He fasts. He prays. He struggles, trying to figure out what is required of him by God. Jesus is aware of his likely unpopularity, his threat to the Roman and Jewish authorities, his new and confrontational ideas. In this situation, hungry and alone, Jesus faces the devil, the demon, tempting him to turn stones into bread, to take the easier way. This still applies to us today, the temptation to take an easier option, to follow the secular and market-led crowd into self-centred life-styles. The challenge then is to try to be grateful to God this week for food among all the other things taken for granted, to try and remember a meal-time grace, and above all to be grateful for the gift of Jesus Christ who is with people forever. Organist Austin Wilkie played Chorale Prelude in F major (Healey Willan) and a waltz medley including ‘Somewhere my love’ and ‘Que sera’. All donations of food received from the harvest celebration are to be sent to the foodbank in Blairgowrie. Next Sunday will see the celebration of Helen Pithies’ 30 years as an elder at the Abbey Church. Following the recent unanimous vote in support of a call, the induction of a new minister is due to take place in late November. first time this season from 7.30pm on Friday, in the Strathmore Bowling Club function room. Members are invited to being along an object and discuss what it means to them, or just have a chat and enjoy light refreshments. All welcome. Quiz Strathmore Bowling Club’s annual quiz takes place in the Forfar Road clubhouse from 7.30pm on Friday, October 28. Entry £12 per team of four. All welcome. 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.
\Eassie
McGonogall Supper A McGonogall Supper will take place at Eassie Hall, on the Glamis to Newtyle road at Balkeerie, from 7pm on Saturday, October 15. Guest speakers include Dundee authors Eddie Small and Norman Watson, both of whom have a wide knowledge of infamous poet William McGonogall. In addition to poetry, other entertainment on the night includes a best dressed bunnet competition. Tickets are £15 and on sale at Newtyle Post Office and the Pot and Pantry in Meigle. For more information call Jane on 01307 840313 or Liz on 01828 640027.
\Kettins
Coffee morning Coffee morning on Saturday, November 12, in Kettins Church Hall with the usual stalls, cake and candy, tombola, raffle and produce, in aid of the Renal Unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. There will also be a private table featuring celebration cakes. Donations for the stalls can be arranged by contacting Margaret Johnstone or Eleanor Nicoll. Margaret can be contacted on 01828 628353.
\Kinclaven
Church Sunday’s service was conducted by Rev Peggy Ewart-Roberts and the organist was Janet Coyle. Bible readings, from Lamentations ch 1, v 1-6, and Luke ch 17, v 5-10, were by Sandra Service. The service on Sunday this week starts at the usual time of 9.45am and includes Harvest Thanksgiving and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. All welcome. Donations of dry food in aid of the CATH kitchen in Perth would be appreciated. Guild The first meeting of the new session takes place from 7pm on Thursday, October 20, in the church hall. Speaker Margaret Gimblett’s talk is entitled: ‘Three Wheels on My Wagon’.
\Kirkmichael