District News
\Alyth
Parish Church Morning worship on Sunday, December 31, was conducted by Rev Mike Erskine. Next Sunday morning worship will take place at 11am followed by a Service of Holy Communion. During term time the Sunday school welcomes children to the front pews of the church. A creche for under-threes is available during 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 at 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 Alyth Family History Project is now closed until Easter. Genealogy enquiries are welcome by email on fhp@alythparishchurch.org. uk or through the project’s Facebook page. Pipe band Alyth and District Pipe Band practice on Wednesdays from 6pm in Alyth Town Hall. For more information contact Elaine Sturrock on 01828 640312 or email elaine@ alythpipeband.org. The band is on the lookout for a lead tip, drummers and pipers of all abilities with the intention of entering competitions for 2018 season. The lead tip will be expected to teach the learners. For more information contact Pipe Major Gordon Barton on 07971 485893 or gordonbarton@mac.com.
\Bendochy
Church Sunday’s service was conducted by the Rev Andy Graham. Rosemary Patterson gave the readings which were Psalm 98 and John ch 1 vv 14-18. For details of the service and further intimations see Coupar Angus Abbey Church. The Sunday service at Bendochy is from 10am to 10.45am, all welcome.
\Burrelton
Church The joint watch night service at Cargill/Burrelton on Christmas Eve was led by the Rev Stevie Thomson with Lynne Mitchell as organist. The joint Christmas witness service at Collace on Christmas morning was led by the Rev Stevie Thomson. Morning worship on Sunday, December 31, was led by the Rev Stevie Thomson with Lynne Mitchell as organist. Sandy Duthie read from Isaiah ch 61 v 10 to ch 62 v 3 (the year of the Lord’s favour) and from the Gospel of Luke ch 22 vv 22-40 (Jesus presented in the temple). Officebearers on duty were Mavis Anton, Jean MacDiarmid and Jim Mackay. Teas and coffees were served by Margaret Alexander. Guild The next meeting is an update on CHAS on Thursday, January 11, in the Church Halls, Woodside at 2pm. All welcome. Senior Club The annual Burrelton and Woodside Seinor Club Christmas party was held in the Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus on Thursday, December 21. The right left game, pass the parcel, the sit down game and the usual Christmas quizzes were all enjoyed by the members. Prizes were awarded to the winners. Tom Clark provided the music for the afternoon. The Christmas hampers raffle was drawn. This year there were 23 hampers of food and toiletries all donated by the Senior Club members. There was also a member’s free raffle. Two volunteers, both who have long service medals from RVS, have retired and Marie Milne thanked Nan McGregor and Mabbie Constable for their years of service to the senior club and hoped they would enjoy their well-deserved break and looked forward to them remaining members of the club. Gladys Laing and Doreen Robbie presented them with flowers and chocolates as a token of appreciation. Marie Milne proposed a vote of thanks to everyone who had made the Christmas party a success. The next meeting is on Thursday, January 18, when the Willie Syme knock-out domino contest will take place.
\Clunie
Knit and Natter The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 17. The group meets in Clunie Hall on the third Wednesday of every month from 2-4pm. Whist The next whist in Clunie Hall is on Friday, January 12 at 7.30pm. All welcome.
\Coupar Angus
Abbey Church Sunday’s service was conducted by the Rev Andy Graham. Irene Henderson gave the readings which were Psalm 98 and John ch 1 vv 14-18. Rev Graham spoke about St Nicholas who was born of wealthy Christian parents about 275 AD, was orphaned at age 13 and then turned to the Church and God for solace. He gave away all he owned to the Church and the poor and became Bishop of Myra in modern day Turkey at the age of 24. In this role he was much loved and respected by the people for his service to God and for his many acts of generosity and kindness. Within 100 years of his death his legendary generosity and piety had led to the emergence of the character we now recognise as Santa Claus. Today, the Christmas season has become highly commercialised and St Nicholas, no doubt, would be horrified at the demotion of the true message of Christmas that relates to the gift from God of a baby, born in a stable who was to become our Saviour through His sacrifice on a cross. The focus of our attention needs to return to this wonderful gift from God that is there for the whole year, not just for Christmas. We can transform our lives by kneeling before the Christ child and devoting ourselves to His service. After all, there are character traits of ‘Santa’ in all of us that we draw on when using our God-given gifts in helping others. We have a challenge to meet as we approach a new year with our own hopes and aspirations for the future. We should remember St Nicholas and follow his lead in serving God, in fulfilling the Gospel message through prayer and our actions in helping others by sharing the love of God in all we say and do. Then, the true message of Christmas will remain with us throughout the year. Austin Wilkie, organist, played Prelude in C by F V Mellon, Twilight Musings by John Guest and Short Voluntary in G by John Worgan. The Children’s Ministry will resume Thursday, January 11. Organisers would like to thank all who help set up for the groups on a Monday morning and for the Church on a Thursday night. If you are able to give a half hour on a Monday morning or a Thursday evening please speak to Donna Hindmarch for Mondays and Irene Henderson for Thursdays. The Prayer Group will meet again on Wednesday, January 24 at 2pm at the Abbey. All welcome to come along and join in prayer with others. The Bible Study Group will also meet on Wednesday, January 24, at 7.15 pm in the Abbey. All are invited to come along and join in the discussions, laughter and fellowship. The next ‘Friendly Friday’ will be on February 2, from 1.30pm to 3pm in the Abbey. The Sunday service at the Abbey is from 11.15am to 12.15pm, all welcome. Intimations for next Sunday to Ellen at emcgibbon@sky. com or telephone 07541 009398 by Thursday. Heritage Association The association meets on the first Friday of each month at 7.30pm in the St Anne’s Church hall on Forfar Road. Tickets for the Christmas meal on January 12 in the Red House Hotel at 7pm are available at the Heritage Centre or by telephoning Sheila Legge on 01828 628886. Thursday Friends The Thursday Friends resume their parties in January and meet on the second Thursday of each month at 2pm in the town hall. Everyone welcome.