District News
\Alyth
Church On the fourth Sunday in Advent, morning worship was conducted by Rev Mike Erskine. A Bereavement Service was held in the afternoon and Lessons and Carols in the evening. On Christmas Eve, the Nativity begins at 6pm and the Watchnight Service at 11pm. On Christmas Day, morning worship will begin at 11am. All welcome. During term time, the Sunday school welcomes children to the front pews of the church each Sunday morning. All 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. All events and open to everyone. Family History Project Alyth Family History Project is closed for the winter. It will reopen on Easter Sunday next year. The archive contains thousands of records for baptisms, weddings, burials plus maps, newspapers etc. Admission free. During the winter, enquiries are always welcome via fhp@alythparishchurch.org.uk or social media website Facebook.
\Bendochy
Church For intimations, see the Coupar Angus section.
\Burrelton
Church Sessions clerk Sheena McNaughton welcomed Rev Sydney Graham to lead morning worship on Sunday. The theme was ‘Joseph and Mary’ and Ian Riches read from Isaiah ch 7, v 10-14 and from the Gospel of Matthew ch 1 v 18-25.The Advent Candles were lit by Elizabeth McLean, Craig McLean and Lars Rattray. This was followed by the hymn The Candle Is Burning. Officebearers on duty were Margaret Alexander, John Baxter and Alec Orr. The organist was Lynne Mitchell. Christmas services: December 23 - Bereavement Service, 7pm, Cargill/Burrelton Church; December 24 Christingle Service, 6pm, Cargill/Burrelton Church; December 24 - Watchnight Service, 11.30pm, Cargill/Burrelton Church; December 25 - Morning worship, 10am, Collace Parish Church. Retiring collections will be taken at all services for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. All welcome.
\Clunie
Church The Watchnight Service will be held in Kinclaven Church from 11.30pm, preceded by carols from 11.15pm. There will be a Communion Service from 11.15am in Clunie Church from 11.15am on New Year’s Day.
\Coupar Angus
Church Sunday’s service, led by Rev Andrew Graham, carried on from the wonderful night of last Thursday’s ‘Nativity’ when the congregation was treated to 12 carols by the children and everyone joined in with the minister and sang the Twelve Days of Christmas. The four timeless readings were read by separate members of the Abbey reading team from Isaiah ch 6, v 1-3; Micah ch 5, v 2-4; Luke ch 2, v 1-14; Matthew ch 2, v 1-12. The hymns were all carols, with some solo verses and choruses sung by male or female voices in the congregation. The full choir sang ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ and ‘The Angel Gabriel’. Rev Andrew Graham welcomed the congregation with the hope that members would all find a sense of ‘Peace’ and ‘Joy’, and reminded them that the Christmas Day Service next Sunday would begin at 10.30am. The fourth Advent Candle of Love was lit and joined with the Candles of Hope, Peace and Joy. Sunday’s sermon gave an insight into the Magi who visited the baby Jesus – the Bible does not refer to them as Kings – and the cosmic significance that prompted their journey. Andrew said that many today get a glimpse of God, that the Glory of God is there for all to see every day and they don’t take that journey to learn more. Some set off for a while on the journey known as faith, a journey that may involve perseverance, sacrifice and courage, but turn their backs on God again. Those gathered were reminded that the ways of God are not theirs. God uses his own special means of communication when he wishes to speak. The congregation was asked to “listen to God”, to take time this week and look for the Glory of God in everything around them. At the end of the service, organist Austin Wilkie played more wonderful music on the organ – ‘Choral Prelude’ based on ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ and ‘All My Heart This Night Rejoices’ and a Postlude in A Major based on ‘Adeste Fideles’. The Watchnight Service in the Abbey Church is from 11.30am on December 24. All welcome. Thursday Friends The next party is on January 12 at the earlier time of 1.30pm. Haggis, neeps and tatties will be served. All welcome. The parties are held on the second Thursday of the month in Coupar Angus Town Hall. Heritage Association Coupar Angus and District Heritage Association’s Christmas party is in the Red House Hotel on Friday, January 13, at 7pm for 7.30pm. Anyone who wishes to attend and has not put their names down can call in to the heritage centre or phone Sheila on 01828 628886.
\Kinclaven
Church Sunday’s service of Nine Lessons and Carols was conducted by Rev Peggy Ewart-Roberts and the organist was Janet Coyle. The lighting of the Advent Candles was carried out by Irene Tait. There will be no service at Kinclaven on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
\Meigle
Cricket club Meigle Cricket Club is hosting a ‘Meiglemanay’ Hogmanay event open to all in the local community on December 31 in Kinloch Memorial Hall. The musical entertainment will be a mix of the traditional and contemporary and will ensure fun for all the family. Ticket price for this BYOB event includes stovies and can be bought online at www.eventbrite.co.uk. Adult tickets are £10 each. It’s £5 for U18s, with U12s free. Tickets can be bought online or from Iain Stewart or Peter J Drummond on 07764 236789.