District News

\Alyth

Church Morning worship on Sunday was conducted by Rev Mike Erskine. On Sunday this week, morning worship begins at the usual time of 11am but the service is in Airlie Street Hall while the church is undergoing maintenance. During term time, the Sunday School welcomes children to join others in the front pews of the church. 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. Family history project Alyth Family History Project re-opens on Easter Sunday. Enquiries are always welcome via fhp@alythparishchurch.org. uk or Facebook.

\Ballintuim

AGM Ballintuim Village Hall AGM will be held in the hall on Friday, February 17, at 7pm. Basket whist A basket whist will be held in Ballintuim Village Hall on Friday, February 24, at 7.30pm. All welcome. Proceeds to hall funds.

\Bendochy

Church Sunday’s service was led by Rev Andrew Graham. For a full report, see the Coupar Angus section. Bendochy Church Ladies Group hold its first meeting on Wednesday, February 15, at 2.15pm in the Coach House.

\Burrelton

AGM Burrelton and Woodside Village Hall AGM will take place on Thursday, February 23, at 8pm, in the hall. All welcome. For more information, contact the hall secretary via villagehall@burrelton.com or 07912 965632. Church Morning worship on Sunday was led by Rev Stevie Thomson, with praise accompanied by organist Lynne Mitchell. Readings were from Deuteronomy ch 30 v 15-20, the Gospel of Matthew ch 5, v 21-37 and from 1 Corinthians ch 3, v 1-9. Officebearers on duty were Ruth McLean and Alec Orr. Flowers were provided by Susan Christie and Sunday Club was led by Jean MacDiarmid. Teas and coffees were served by Margaret Alexander and Mavis Anton. Guild The next meeting is at 2pm on Thursday, February 16, in the Church Halls, Woodside. Andrew Paterson will give a presentation entitled: ‘When We Were Very Young’. All welcome. Senior Club The February 9 meeting was the members’ bring and buy sale. Marie Milne expressed thanks to the helpers and to those who had donated items for the stalls and raffle, and to everyone for their generosity on the day. The total amount raised was £479. The home baking for afternoon tea was donated by Susan Christie and Carole Beal. The next meeting is on Thursday, February 23, when Mike McEwen will entertain.

\Bridge of Cally

AGM The Bridge of Cally Village Hall AGM will take place from 7.30pm on March 14. All welcome.

\Clunie

Clunie Hall Clunie Hall Association is to hold a whist drive from 7.30pm on Friday, March 10. Contact Jean Trudgill for more info on 01250 884263.

\Coupar Angus

Church Sunday’s service was led by Rev Andrew Graham, and aided by the lovely singing of the choir. There were nine members present and more would be valued, especially men. From the first hymn, the congregation was reminded that ‘God is Love’ and the theme of the service was that people should try harder to emulate. The Bible readings were from Deuteronomy ch 38, v 11-20 and Matthew ch 5, v 21-37, read by Anne Easson. Mr Graham told those gathered that some people believe that confessing their wrong doings, actions or thoughts to God was sufficient to have them all absolved, and licensed to go and do it all again with a future guarantee of absolution. He said that this isn’t quite how it works. What people say from their mouths, or display by their actions, should also be believed in their hearts. Jesus set such a high standard of living that nobody could hope to attain, but people can try to do their best. Rules are set out in God’s Commandments, although people know them to be good and true, they often try to find ways around them. If people have ill feelings or thoughts about someone, whatever the reason, they should forgive and put them in the past. Many are held back by bad thoughts. People don’t have to do this on their own, Jesus can help people to give love and forgiveness. During prayers the death of a much-loved and respected member of the congregation was in everyone’s thoughts. Organist Austin Wilkie played from Largo by Handel, Corn Rigs by Paul Giovanni and Trumpet Voluntary by J Clarke. Prayer Meetings are held in the Abbey Church every Wednesday at 2pm. All welcome. A Bible study for Lent will be held on February 15 at 7.15pm in the Abbey Church. All welcome. A Snowdrop Fayre will be held in the Abbey Church on Saturday, February 25, from 10am to 2pm. Pride of Place Coupar Angus Pride of Place has once again been chosen to represent Scotland in the large village category of the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom UK finals. PoP chair Anne Easson said: “Pride of Place was selected for its commitment to environmental responsibility, outstanding gardening achievements and, most importantly, high levels of community participation. We have regular work parties every Thursday morning, meeting at the Town Hall at 9.30am, and on Tuesday evenings once the nights get lighter.” Judges from the prestigious Britain in Bloom panel will visit Coupar Angus on August 12. Contact Anne Easson on 01828 628001 or email a.easson@btinternet.com for more information.

\Kirkmichael

Session House Volunteers at the Session House are supporting the Mothers’ Union annual appeal for donations of new pants to be included in personal packets given to ladies taken into prison straight from court wearing just the clothes they stand up in. Donations can be handed in to the collection box in the Session House.

\Meigle

Retiral Former parish minister of Ardler, Kettins and Meigle, Rev Fraser Stewart, has retired from his final parish of Kilmuir and Logie Easter in East Ross-shire. Mr Stewart served the east Perthshire parish from the mid 1980s, taking over just after Ardler church was closed, and continued until the early 1990s. With many friends in the area, he is still a frequent visitor. All his sons have played for Meigle Cricket Club, with middle son, Iain, the current vicecaptain. Mr Stewart’s only foray onto the cricket pitch himself was in the annual Meigle six a-side tournament. Some Meigle parishioners made the journey up to Easter Ross for the final service. Mr Stewart will this week move to the Isle of Lewis to begin his well-deserved retirement after 38 years of service to the Church of Scotland.