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On Sunday morning the congregation reflected on their call as a church to maintain and celebrate unity in diversity.

In her sermon Lay Reader Lis Burke reminded those gathered of Christ’s warnings about the risks and dangers inherent in conflict within families. From reading the Old Testament the tensions within Abraham’s family which are still apparent today between those who worship the God of Abraham in different ways can be recognised. The Eucharist was celebrated at 9.30am in St Catharine’s in Blairgowrie, 10.30am in St Michael’s in Ballintuim, and at 11am in St Anne’s, Coupar Angus and St Ninian’s, Alyth. On Sunday evening, members of the congregations gathered at St Ninian’s Cathedral in Perth for a diocesan celebration of the Eucharist, bidding farewell to Bishop David Chillingworth as he prepares to move into retirement. They were joined by Bishop Ashoke Biswas and Rev Paritosh Canning from their partner diocese of Kolkata in the Church of North India. Members of the churches are actively planning the next Messy Church which will take place at St Anne’s, Coupar Angus on Monday, July 10. St Anne’s is also hoping to restart their parent and toddler group in the church hall and are looking for a leader. It will probably run for two hours one morning a week. Anyone who might be interested should contact Charmian Paterson on telephone 01828 627229 or Averil Valentine on 01828 627484 in order to meet up and discuss the role. Next Sunday is the fourth Sunday after Pentecost. The Eucharist (Holy Communion) will be celebrated at the usual times. The Rector, the Very Rev Kenny Rathband, can be contacted via the Church office on 01250 874583. For more details see the website at www.abcsaints.org.uk or search for ABC Saints on Facebook.