1 Dundee The Magazine of St. Andrew’s Parish Church Issue 685 Dates for your Diary October—Looking Forward-Finding our Way Weekend Saturday 30 th October 1.30pm—4.30pm - MSP Church Hall Sunday 31 st October 11.00 Holy Communion at St Andrew’ s (Please see pages 6&7 for more details) November—Remembrance Sunday Sunday 14 th November 10.45—St Andrew’ s December Christmas Eve Carol Service 7pm –St Andrew’ s Christmas Sunday Service 11.00 -Meadowside St Paul’ s (26 th December)
Transcript
1
Dundee
The Magazine of St. Andrew’s Parish Church
Issue 685
Dates for your Diary
October—Looking Forward-Finding our Way
Weekend
Saturday 30th October 1.30pm—4.30pm - MSP
Church Hall
Sunday 31st October 11.00 Holy Communion at
St Andrew’s (Please see pages 6&7 for more details)
It is now almost a year since the new team took over the editing of the Wyvern. The bulk of the work has been carried out by Aimee. Every month she plans the layout of the pages and, when there is a dearth of articles, she has managed to find ‘fillers’ from a variety of sources. My main task is to proof-read the magazine before it goes to the printers.
To help us going forward, we would like to hear from you. We introduced a monthly ‘Favourite Hymn’ feature. Have you enjoyed reading about members’ favourite hymns and the reasons behind their choices? If you would like to share your favourite hymn, please let us know either by email to [email protected] or send it to The Wyvern Editors c/o the church.
As organisations slowly re-start, their news will give us a flavour of church life during the week and help fill some space!
What else would you like to see included in the Wyvern? We would welcome any suggestions because, after all, it is your magazine. We would also welcome constructive criticism.
Thanks also need to be extended to Alison for her duties as distribution coordinator, a task that is made somewhat easier by the commitment of each distributor and we send our thanks to you also. Our final thanks for this month go to everyone who has sent in their Wyvern donation envelopes throughout the year. These help us to be able to continue to produce and distribute the Wyvern which is such an important part of our church.
In the future, as deadline day looms for sending material to the printers, I hope Aimee keeps in mind the following quote from Edward Everett Hale,
‘I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do
Hopefully, you will have found Inside the Wyvern a brightly coloured envelope marked ‘National Giving Day’. This is a Church of Scotland’s Stewardship Committee initiative in which we have agreed to participate. It is hoped that this will provide people of all ages an opportunity to reflect on God's presence with us through these challenging times and to offer gifts of thanksgiving back to God.
Money received through this initiative will remain with us and we will choose how to use these gifts. Taking into account the challenging financial circumstances faced by us over the last year, including loss of hall let and car park income, there are many areas where any money donated can be put to good use.
The Kirk Session has agreed that October 31st, Communion Sunday, will be our designated Giving Day. Please bring your envelope with you that day and, if you are a taxpayer, please tick the box on the envelope to gift aid your donation.
This hymn was my choice for Alison and I’s wedding service on 29 September 2007. The reason I chose this particular hymn is because of the references to hill and vale, sun and stars in the words of the 2nd verse. This appealed to my love of the outdoors and fascination with space and I felt this was an ideal selection.
I also thought the 4th verse referencing brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth and friends above was particularly relevant for a wedding service where many friends and relatives were gathered together but also remembering those who we would have liked to have been there but had sadly passed.
For the Beauty of the Earth—Chosen
by Garry Collins
Folliot Sanford Pierpoint (1835-
1917) was 29 years old when he
returned to the city of his birth,
Bath, England. The beauty of the
countryside in the late spring
inspired him to write the words to
the hymn, “For the Beauty of the
Earth.” Pierpoint included thanks for
God’s creation, social blessings,
and also thanked God for his
spiritual blessings. This hymn was
originally written for the communion
service. Each stanza concluded
with the words, Christ our God, to
thee we raise this our sacrifice of
praise, alluding to Hebrews 13:15.
Hebrews 13:15-16 – “Through
Him then let us continually offer
up a sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of lips that
acknowledge His name.”
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild:
Christ our God, to you we raise this our sacrifice of praise
5
Mary Poppins was one of the first films I was taken to see at the “Pictures” and I was enthralled by the whole thing, from beginning to end.
The other day it came to mind as I came across a chap in the city centre who was throwing bread to the pigeons. As I gingerly stepped around them (but maybe they’d always be too quick and clever to be trampled underfoot) I wondered whether he counted the birds as his friends, rather like St Francis, whom our minister Anita mentioned in her letter in the last Wyvern.
Like many catchy songs from musicals (or the Church, for that matter), it is the chorus which sticks in our mind, and I realised I couldn’t remember any of the verses, so I looked it up. I was completely surprised to find the Christian reference it contains:
Perhaps God smiles too as he witnesses this act of care for his creation.
Jesus said, “Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow and reap and store in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” (Matthew 6:26)
‘“Feed the birds,” that’s what she cries
while overhead, her birds fill the skies
All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
look down as she sells her wares
Although you can’t see it, you know they are smiling
each time someone shows that he cares”’
Once again Faye & I wish to send our grateful thanks for your gift of fruit and flowers. The beautiful posy will be taken up to Balgay Cemetery tomorrow and will be placed on our daughter Wendy's headstone. It is 30 years this week since Wendy died so the flowers are so appropriate as we often tell of Wendy's days in the "Exploders" and then the Girls' Brigade. Many thanks once again for making it an even sunnier Sunday.
Faye and Frank Galloway
A reminder that we are delighted to be restarting
this month and are looking forward to seeing all
of our members. We are always ready to
welcome new faces so please do join us at 2pm
in the Glasite Hall.
Thursday 14th October Rev Anita Kerr- ‘Prayer
Shawl Ministry’
Thursday 28th October Dr Kenneth Baxter - ‘Dundee
Textile Barons and Philanthropy’
Thursday 11th November - Remembrance Day
Reflections
Thursday 25th November –Ms Elizabeth Dickson -
Jane Haining-Scotland's Holocaust”
Thursday 9th December -Christmas Carol Service
and Afternoon Tea
6
In the Reformed Church there are two Sacraments, Holy Communion and Baptism. These are times
in our Christian life where we witness to belonging, to being one with Christ, our risen Lord.
In the 1559 edition of Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin (1509-21564 ) explores the
relationship between a sacramental sign and the grace which it signifies. He writes. A sacrament is
never without a prior promise, it is joined to it with the purpose of confirming and sealing the
promise itself, making it clearer to us, ratifying, clarifying the conditions of the covenant.
The Sacrament of Baptism happens only once in a lifetime and at varying ages according to our
different traditions. The sacrament of Holy Communion, the bread of life is ongoing, continuing our
spiritual journey alongside our physical one.
The sacrament of Baptism seen as single isolated incident at once smothers and dispenses with the
need for spiritual growth. It is to put our spirituality away in the drawer with our Christening
clothes. Lovely but left behind!
The true nature of the Christian life is not static, but dynamic, expanding, exciting, exhilarating!
The sacrament of Holy Communion confers upon us God’s grace to grow in our Christianity, become
inspiring individual believers, building God’s people, Christ’s Church, His body on earth.
Breaking bread and sharing the cup supports us as we strive to comprehend and come close to our
Lord and Saviour. As Calvin explains ‘God’s truth is of itself firm and sure enough, it is our faith
which is slight and feeble, unless it is supported and sustained it trembles, wavers and finally falls
down. So, our merciful Lord, by his infinite kindness imparts to our soul's sustenance bestowed in the
sacraments.’
Humanity needs reassurance and reminding of the promises of God. Baptism and Holy Communion
provide such reassurance, not because of any shortcoming in God’s goodness but because of
human weakness and frailty.
Sacraments are thus intended to confirm to a doubting humanity the trustworthiness of the
promises of our gracious God.
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and
whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35
It is by God’s gracious invitation we come together to break bread
and share the cup. To ‘remember him’ and so strengthen our souls,
renew our spirit and restore our faith.
Blessings,
Anita
7
YOU ARE INVITED!
TO COME AND CELEBRATE THE
THE LORD’S SUPPER
ON SUNDAY
31st OCTOBER
11:00 “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from
heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” John 6:33
8
Since the last Wyvern, there has been increasing media coverage of COP26. As I’ve been listening to it, I’ve also been remembering something said by the Rev Dr Martin Johnstone (a member of the Board of Christian Aid and COP Ambassador for Glasgow Churches Together): that our political leaders need our prayers and our encouragement.
The YCCN Relay has reached York (as at 22nd September), one of their “Residency Hubs”: a place where they are stopping both to rest and to engage with congregations and the wider community. The next stop is Newcastle.
Meanwhile, back in Dundee, the young people at Meadowside St Paul’s have begun their work on how to decorate the boat that was “moored” in the gallery. What will make it special, besides the sails and bunting that are currently in the design process, are the prayers and pledges of as many people as possible from our congregations. And let’s not limit this to those on the Communion roll: if you have someone in your family, neighbourhood or club who cares about climate justice, invite them to make their own paper boat and write their pledge on it.
All paper boats should be brought to the joint service in St Andrew’s on 31st October. There will be an opportunity then to place them in the big boat, which will have been brought from Meadowside St Paul’s. Photos of our launch will be publicised online, through Christian Aid, YCCN and the Church of Scotland.
Continued….
“Life is like sailing—you can use any wind to go in any direction”
9
Making your boat A5 size paper is suggested, but A4 would also work.
• Fold your paper in half length-ways then open it up again. • Fold it in half width-ways. Leave folded. • Rotate so the long folded side is at the top. • Take each of the top corners and fold them downwards, lining
each edge up with the centre fold. You should now have a triangle shape with a rectangle underneath.
• Take 1 layer of the bottom flap and fold it upwards. • Flip the folded paper over. There should be 2 little flaps showing behind the
triangle shape. Fold these little flaps over diagonally. • Take the remaining bottom flap and fold it upwards. It should now look a bit like
a hat. • Place your thumbs into the opening at the bottom and slowly open it up. Keep
pulling until the paper is flat again. It should be a square shape. Run your fingers along all of the folds, pressing to make sure it is flat.
• Rotate the paper so it looks like a diamond, with the opening at the bottom. Starting at the bottom point, take 1 layer of the folded paper and fold it up to meet the top point, making sure all the edges line up. Press along the edge to make a fold.
• Flip the paper over and do the same again. • Place your thumbs into the opening at the bottom and slowly open it up. Keep
pulling until the paper is flat again. It should be a square shape. Run your fingers along all of the folds, pressing to make sure it is flat.
• Pick up your folded paper. At the top point, pull the 2 sides of folded paper outwards. As you pull it apart, it should open up into a boat shape.
• Adjust the paper if needed to make sure it’s boat-shaped, then pinch along the bottom edges to make a fold on each side.
• You’ve done it! • Write your prayer or pledge on the hull. Feel free to give your boat a name and/
or decorate it.
You can also visit the Christian Aid
webpage, where there are pictures and
a video. J244337 YCCN activity
pack AW.pdf (christianaid.org.uk)
“Create a visual display or installation of boats in your church or window at home. This will help raise awareness about climate justice in your community, and keep the Relay in your hearts, minds and prayers as we journey to
2011 – The Wyvern and Secret Garden have benefitted from some very kind and generous donations which meant the serious work could begin in the Spring of 2012. Vicki Ferguson from Trellis advised on finding a suitable garden designer to help plan the garden.
2001 – Alex Gibson, fabric convenor, and Harry Robertson, Session Clerk, invited those with the necessary skills to help maintain our 18th century church and 1970’s halls thus reducing maintenance costs except where professional companies must be engaged.
1991 – Ian Petrie wrote of Sunday 15th September when Grampian Television came to broadcast our morning service throughout the length and breadth of Britain. Alan Franchi, the producer, wrote a lovely letter which included the phrase, “Now that it’s all over, I would like to thank you for all the help and co-operation given. The transmission went smoothly and many favourable comments were received. – Congratulation to the congregation”.
1981 – The Sunday School commenced on 13th September with 50 children and a staff of 8 teachers present. The collection of used stamps was sent to the Leprosy Mission. More stamp donations were requested to continue this good work.
1971 – On 3rd October, Rev T R S Campbell attended the bi-centenary of his old charge. Gilcomston Church in Aberdeen. He conveyed the greetings of the Session of St Andrew’s to those of Gilcomston and noted that when the church first opened its doors in 1771 the decision in Dundee was reached to build St Andrews’ Church as a fourth City Church was deemed necessary.
1961 – Three assistant ministers associated with St Andrew’s were all mentioned in the ministers’ letter. Mr John Sherrard had been unanimously elected to the parish of Newtyle. Mr George Chalmers has successfully gained his BD degree and the Rev David Beedie gained his MA and was pursuing his divinity degree.
1951 – The Youth Executive held a meeting chaired by Rev T R S Campbell and permits had been received from the Education Dept for the use of Dens Road School for Badminton and St Martin’s School Hall for Country Dancing. The Executive were also arranging a welcome for young communicants after the Communion service.
1941 – The Girls’ Guildry resumed their session on Thursday 2nd October in the Cowgate School and the Speedwells began on Saturday 4th October in the Church Hall. An invitation was made to all parents to bring their girls to join the Guildry.
1931 – The Boys’ Brigade’s 42nd session commenced with over 100 boys enrolled on Monday and Friday evenings. The session classes provided included physical drill, gymnastics, Indian Clubs, ambulance, signalling, pipe, drum and bugle band, swimming and choir. The Bible class commenced on 4th October with the syllabus based on “Abraham to Samuel”. All for a subscription of one shilling (5 new pence)
11
Deaths Our prayers are with the family and
loved ones of those whom we have
lost. We entrust them to the love and
care of our Lord Jesus Christ.
September
Helen McRae
Reading in Church
We are always looking for volunteers to read the
lessons at Sunday services. Anyone who would be
willing to undertake this service to the church is
asked to contact the Reader Co-ordinator,
Merelyn Baxter
A huge thank you to everyone from Meadowside St Paul's and St Andrew’s
who put so much effort into making our church look splendid for our
Harvest Thanksgiving. Also, many thanks to all of the members who spent
the afternoon delivering fruit and flower gifts to members of our church
