District News
\Alyth \Burrelton
Church Sunday’s morning worship was conducted by Rev Mike Erskine. This Sunday, morning worship commences at the usual time of 11am and will be conducted by Rev John Russell. During term time, the Sunday School for children over age three meets in the front pews of the church each Sunday morning. All welcome. A creche for under threes is available during every Sunday morning service. The Prayer Group meets on Thursdays in Burnside Court Lounge at 10.30am. The church website, www.alythparishchurch. org.uk, is updated weekly. All events and services are open to everyone. Family History Project The project is open in Alyth Parish Church from 2-4pm each Sunday until Remembrance. New photos always welcome, which are copied and returned. The archive contains thousands of records for baptisms, weddings, burial plus maps, newspapers etc. Admission free. Enquiries welcome via fhp@alythparishchurch.org.uk or Facebook. Pipe Band Alyth Pipe Band is on the lookout for new members, either beginners or those with previous piping or drumming experience. Practice sessions take place on Tuesdays from 6pm at Alyth Town Hall. Contact Elaine Sturrock on 01828 640312.
\Balbeggie
250 Club St Martin’s Public Hall 250 Club August winners were: £10 - George Beedie, Joyce Clark, George and Averil Smith; £5 - Balbeggie Playing Fields Association. The family of George Beedie has donated his win back to the hall. Thanks were expressed to all who have bought tickets for the 2016/17 season and for their continued support.
\Bendochy
Church Sunday’s service was conducted by Rev Tom Tait. Readings were by Sarah Tulloch. For sermon details, see the Coupar Angus section. Walk and barbecue The Bendochy walk and barbecue is on August 20 from 2pm. The cost is £5 per person. Anyone interested is asked to contact Jean on 01250 872945 by August 18 so rolls, sausages, burgers etc can be organised. Church Morning worship was led by Rev Stevie Thomson, assisted by Lynne Mitchell. She read from Genesis ch 15, v 1-6 and from the Gospel of Luke ch 12, v 32-40. Office-bearers on duty were John Alexander, Mavis Anton and Ishbel Chambers. The organist was Lynne Mitchell and flowers were provided by Susan Christie. There will be a meeting of the congregational board in the church halls, Woodside, at 7pm on Tuesday, August 16. This will be followed by a meeting of the kirk session. Market on the Green The market will be held from 2-5pm on August 13. Would-be stallholders can contact organisers by email at villagehall@burrelton.com or call 01828 670292. It is £15 for a pitch. A limited number of covered pitches and tables are available at extra cost but must be reserved. The event includes craft stalls, hot food, pony rides, local produce, games and face-painting. Senior Club The club will be running a charity shop in George Street, Coupar Angus, from September 25 for one week. Items for sale can be dropped off at the charity shop on September 25. Collection locally can be arranged. Contact Marie on 01828 670344 or Gladys on 01828 670692. The shop will also include a tombola and a raffle.
\Coupar Angus
Church Sunday’s service was conducted by Rev Tom Tait. Readings by Irene Henderson were from Isaiah ch 65, v 1-14 and Matthew ch 7, v 17-25. Mr Tait asked the question: “Why be good?” Answers may include because people want to; because they believe in being good; they believe that others should be treated as they would wish to be and, finally, because being good is at the centre of the teachings of Jesus. Mr Taut said Jesus was good because that was his nature. Christian teachings promote the belief that being good promotes survival in this life and ensures a place in heaven. However, in his book ‘On the Origin of Species’ published in 1859, Charles Darwin proposed that existence does not arise from a passion for goodness but a passion for survival, and not in heaven, but here and now. Life is a struggle and it is not necessarily the good that survive, but the strong and powerful. Jesus was both good and powerful, though he used his power, not to control people, but to set them free from their afflictions through his teaching about the kingdom of God. The next question was: “How can we be good?” The answer is by trying to live in the spirit of the Lord and by accepting that the only true use of power is to set another free, even though people know full well that this is not the way the world works. But, this is the way the world must work to contain the evil that men do when they are determined to survive. People seek to control and are, in turn, controlled by others. Controlling others is a habit whether they be a partner, a child, a resident in an institution or any other person we are acquainted with. Some people, as a controller, may claim they are good because what they do is for the good of others though in absolute terms of the goodness of Jesus they are not necessarily ‘good’ but simply ‘survivors’. Nobody will achieve the goodness of Jesus but, in the struggle to use individual power to set another free, people will come close to it. To set another free is the highest expression of love. This has been done for everyone through the life of Jesus and it is this task which is asked of people if they wish to follow Him. Austin Wilkie, organist, played On Wings of Song (Mendelssohn), Morning from Peer Gynt (Grieg) and a Tower Ballroom-style cha-cha medley. Intimations for next week should be submitted to Ellen McGibbon by August 11 via emcgibbon@sky. com or 07541009398. 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.
\Kinclaven
Church Sunday’s service was conducted by Rev Richard Campbell and the organist was Pauline Dolby. Readings from Isaiah ch 30, v18-21 and Matthew ch 5, v 1-12 were by Muriel Rae. Mr Campbell will conduct the service on Sunday this week, which starts at the usual time of 9.45am. Visitors welcome.
\Kirkmichael
Highland Gathering The annual Strathardle Highland Gathering takes place on August 27 on Bannerfield in Kirkmichael.