District News

\Aberdalgie

Church Service this Sunday is at 9.30am led by Rev James W Aitchison.

\Abernethy

Auld Abernethy Association Due to unforeseen circumstances the meeting due to be held on December 7 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017.

\Aberuthven

Church Second Sunday in Advent the Service on Sunday in Aberuthven Church will be at 11am.

\Alyth

Church Morning worship on Sunday was conducted by Rev Mike Erskine. The service on Sunday this week begins at the usual time of 11am. 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 re-open 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. Surgery Councillor Ian Miller will be available for consultation on Tuesday, December6, at Alyth Town Hall (Old Town Chambers) at 7pm. No appointment necessary.

\Almondbank

St Serf’s Church The Service last Sunday was conducted by the Rev Philip Patterson. His theme was ‘A sending God – The Meaning of Advent’ The scripture readings were read by Jenny Norrie, the organist was Irene McLean, and the flowers were kindly gifted by Christina Bayne. The sum of £2,281.70 was raised from our Christmas Fayre and many thanks to all those who contributed to it, helped at the stalls and especially came on the day and purchased. The Tree Lighting Concert with the Highland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland will begin at 2pm on Sunday, December 11. The Service this Sunday will be at the usual time and everyone is welcome. Councillor surgery Councillor Henry Anderson, SNP Councillor for Almond and Earn, will be available for consultation appointments either at home or at Council Buildings, 2 High Street, Perth. To make arrangements please e-mail handerson@pkc. gov.uk or telephone 01738 475039 during office hours.

\Auchterarder

Bowling Club Lotto draw this week numbers are 2; 3; 8; 13; no winners prize money next week £1,700.

\Balbeggie

Christmas Fair Balbeggie Christmas Fair will take place on Saturday, December 3, in the hall from 10am1pm. Soup, teas and coffees available. Raffle and tombola. Wide selection of stalls. If anyone would like to contribute to the tombola or raffle, please hand items in to 7 Green End, Balbeggie. Poppy collection A huge thank you

on behalf of Poppyscotland for the generous donation of £538.91 from the door to door collections in Guildtown and Wolfhill also the grocers shops in Burrelton and Balbeggie. The collection has been especially generous this year ,thanks to every one who took part.

\Bankfoot

Church The Church Service this Sunday is at the usual time of 11.15am and will be conducted by the minister, all welcome. Family Advent Event on Sunday, December 4 in the Church Centre from 3-5pm, get the whole family involved in Preparations for Christmas with crafts, stories and food. Afternoon teas Afternoon teas are being held on Tuesday, December 13 in the Church Centre from 2 to 4pm starting with entertainment and drinks then a full afternoon tea for £6.50 come and celebrate Christmas with your friends, to book a table contact Evelyne on 01738 710534 Village Carol Service The Annual Carol Service for Christian Aid will be held in the Church Centre on December 11 at 7pm, a blend of readings, music and Carols makes this a popular start each year to the Christmas Season. Village Carol Singing Thursday, December 22, meet at 6pm at the church go singing then back for mince pies and finishing about 8pm. Poppy Collection Bankfoot raised the total of £1283.63 many thanks to all who helped raise this sum. Shoebox appeal Thank you to everyone who filled 53 shoe boxes for this year’s appeal. We had a most Successful Craft Fayre and raised £2800 many thanks to all who helped raise this sum.

\Blair Atholl

Blair Atholl Village Hall The first general meeting of the new Blair Atholl Village Hall company is on Thursday, December 8 at 7.30pm in the hall. All invited to the meeting Brig in Bloom 200 Club The winners of the November draw are £50- B Fisken, £30- J Welsh, £10- D Robertson and A Davidson. The winning numbers are 97-14-120-65. The winners of the Special Christmas Draw are £100- J Henderson, £50- Brenda Latta. The winning numbers are 75 and 205. Christmas Tree Lights Switch on at 6.30pm on Friday, December 2. Please note due to Concert in the Institute no refreshments available after the lights switch on. Christmas Belles in Concert There will be a concert in the Institute tonight Friday at 7.30pm (after the Christmas Lights switch on). Tickets costing £7 are available from Kintillo Shop and Tanya’s Hairdresser. Carpet Bowls Carpet Bowlers meet again tomorrow night Saturday at 6.30pm in the Church Hall. All welcome to come along and enjoy a fun night’s bowling. Further information can be had from Anne (01738 850257). Church Holy Communion The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at both churches this Sunday at the usual times - 9.30am in Dunbarney and 11am at Forgandenny. Monday Club The next meeting is on December 5 in the Church Hall at 2pm. Author Robin Pilcher is the speaker. All ladies and gents welcome to come along to listen to the talk and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee. Soup Lunch The next monthly Soup

Lunch is on Wednesday, December 7 from noon –1.30pm in the Church Hall. Come along and enjoy the fellowship and chat over a bowl of soup followed by tea/coffee and homebaking. Open to all and everyone will be made welcome. Women’s Group The next meeting of the Women’s Group is on Wednesday, December 7 at 7.30pm when they will decorate the church for Christmas. All ladies welcome to come along and help. Hot’n’Hearty Lunch Thanks to everyone who came along to the Hot’n’Hearty Lunch. £300 was raised for the Bethany Christian Trust. Friends of Guiding Christmas Card Collection Christmas cards for delivery to Bridge of Earn, Kintillo and Oudenarde can be posted in boxes at the Kintillo shop, Doctors’ Surgery and the Session House of the Church from December 2 – 10. The cost is 20p per card. Please make sure cards are correctly addressed and please leave money with cards. They will be delivered over the weekend of December 10-12 by the Guides and Friends of Guiding. Girlguiding Christmas Coffee Morning The Coffee Morning will be held in the Church Hall on Saturday, December 10, from 10–11am. Various stalls. Adults - £2.50, non-guiding children £1.

\Burrelton

Church Advent was the theme of morning worship led by Rev Stevie Thomson on Sunday, assisted by Lynne Mitchell. The candle of hope was lit by James McLean. Lynne Michell read from Jeremiah ch 26, v 1-6 and from the gospel of Matthew ch 24, v 31-44. Ian Riches read from Romans ch 13, v 11-14. Office-bearers on duty were John Alexander, Mavis Anton and Anne Baxter. The organist was Lynne Mitchell and flowers were provided by Marie Milne. The Christmas Box will be in the church on Sunday this week, as well as December 11 and 18. Bring gifts wrapped and labelled with the appropriate gender and age, these will be delivered to the

\Coupar Angus

Church Sunday’s service, the first Sunday in Advent, was conducted by Rev Tom Tait. The readings were by John Easson, from Psalms ch 40, v 1-8, and Ephesians ch 5, v 25-33. The choir sang the introit ‘Jesus is the name we honour’. In his sermon, Mr Tait spoke about how Christ loves the church despite its many imperfections as people live in it today. People are his church, but they each have failings. In loving them, flawed as they are, he sees every congregation across the world as part of one whole entity. Though he died for everyone he knows that, ultimately, the church will become like him – holy, without blemish – which is the potential that everyone can attain as they, too, learn to love his church. Organist Austin Wilkie played Widor Toccata in F Major and led the choir in singing ‘O come, O come Emmanuel’ during the collection. On Friday this week, from 9.30-11.30am and 2-4pm, the Flower Club are planning to decorate the Abbey Church for Christmas. Anyone able to help can contact Sheila or Helen on 01828 627365. The Abbey Kirk Session is to meet at 7.30pm on Wednesday this week. All items for the agenda should be submitted to Ellen at emcgibbon@ sky.com or 07541 009398. Sunday’s service is from 11.15am-12.15pm. All welcome. Intimations for next week to Ellen via emcgibbon@sky.com or 07541009398. Pride of Place PoP will again be offering a Christmas card postal service from December 4-18. Collection boxes will be in the Abbey Church Continued on page 27