The Moderator-Designate for the 2012 General Assembly is Rev Albert Bogle, of Boness St Andrew’s. He has been involved with the Church Without Walls Initiative, the National Gathering and with the Vine Trust which supports the work of the Amazon Ferry in Peru.

At the last General Assembly, the minister was appointed to serve on the Nominations Committee which allocates those nominated through Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries to the various Assembly Councils and Committees. The work of the Nominations Committee takes place over a two day period in January of each year.

James and Linda Pender are now the proud parents of Sophia Mrittika who was born on 2nd August. Emails of good wishes have been sent to Bangladesh and James’ mother and father were due to fly to Bangladesh during November.

Since Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, please note that the service will be held at 10.30am – the time for Christmas Day Services on other days of the week. Those attending are encouraged to bring one of their Christmas Presents. The service will last about 40 minutes.

I’m Fine Thank You

There is nothing the matter with me, I’m as healthy as can be.

I have arthritis in both my knees, And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze,

My pulse is weak and my blood is thin, But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in

Arch supports I have for my feet, Or I wouldn’t be able to go on the street.

Sleep is denied me night after night, My memory is failing, my head’s in a spin

But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

The moral is this—as my tale I unfold, That for you and me who are growing old.

It’s better to say “I’m fine” with a grin, Than to let folks know the shape we’re in.

How do you know my youth is all spent? Well my ‘get up and go’ has got up and went.

But I don’t really mind when I think with a grin, Of all the grand places ‘my get up’ has been.

Old age is golden, I’ve heard it said, But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed,

With my ears in the drawer, my teeth in the cup, My eyes on the table until I wake up.

Ere sleep overtakes me, i think to myself Is there anything else I could lay on the shelf?

When I was young, my slippers were red; I could kick my heels right over my head.

When I got older, my slippers were blue; but still I could dance the whole night through.

But now I’m old, my slippers are black; I walk to the store and puff my way back.

I get up each day and dust off my wits, And pick up the paper and read the ‘obits’

If my name is still missing I know I’m not dead – So I have a good breakfast and go back to bed.

How are You?

A visit from ‘The Traditionals’ got the new session off to a lovely toe-tapping start. Members old and new were entertained with music and verse provided by a very talented group. Guest speaker at the next meeting was Stan Franklin who gave a talk on beekeeping, telling of the joys, hard work and pitfalls he has encountered over the years. Our next speaker Margaret Kydd explained all the advantages and healing properties of products made from the aloe vera plant She brought along samples and demonstrated how the different lotions worked. The programme continued on November with Helen Fleming speaking about Mary’s Meals. This was followed by Dundee author Sandy McGregor speaking about The Law Killers. At our meeting on 6th December we will be entertained by children from Carlogie Primary.

Meetings continue on January 17th then every second Tuesday at 2.00 pm in Panbride Hall and are followed by tea and biscuits. All welcome.

LA.

AS.

4 Condor Court Service 2.00pm

4 Service of Reflection 4.00pm

6 Friendship Circle 2.00pm

15 Kirk Session 7.30pm

18 FOG Squad Nativity 11.00am

18 Christingle Service 6.30pm

24 Watchnight Service 11.30pm Panbride

25 Christmas Day Service 10.30am

January

8 Condor Court Service 2.00pm

17 Friendship Circle 2.00pm

17 Finance Committee 7.30pm

19 Congregational Board 7.30pm

31 Friendship Circle 2.00pm

February

5 Condor Court Service 2.00pm

14 Friendship Circle 2.00pm

16 Kirk Session 7.30pm

26 Communion 11.00am and 3.00pm

28 Friendship Circle 2.00pm

Matthew, June and Lyn.

Mention was made in an earlier newsletter of the Cairn which was built during the General Assembly Sunday event in Princes Street Gardens. Our Elder Margaret Jamieson took a couple of stones to add to the cairn and one of them was taken back to Stewarton St Columba’s church in the Presbytery of Irvine and Kilmarnock and that congregation is remembering us in their prayers throughout the year.

I brought back with me an unnamed stone, and it has been on the Communion Table since the Assembly. Each week in the Prayers for Others, and using the words David Arnott used during the worship each day, we remember one congregation in one of the Presbyteries of the Church of Scotland.

We are almost half way through the Presbyteries and in each case the minister of the congregation remembered is someone whom I know, or someone whom the congregation known. I have purposely done this, as it does make it easier to visualise the situation. On the Tuesday after the service, I send an email to the minister saying that we remembered their congregation the previous Sunday. A number of appreciative responses have been received, with the promise to share the news with their congregation the following Sunday, and to remember Carnoustie Panbride in their prayers.

Some of the ministers studied with me, some are former members of the Presbytery of Angus – David Taverner, Robin Mackenzie and Colin Caskie; others are ministers in congregations where I used to worship when on placements during my agricultural studies (St Mary of Wedale in Stow), or congregations where I know there is some link with Carnoustie Panbride (Langholm).

Through this aspect of our worship, we are reminding ourselves that our ministry is not just something we do within the parish boundaries of Carnoustie Panbride. There is a very real ministry in remembering others in our prayers. Incidentally, after the service at the end of October when Imentioned in the sermon some of the ministers who had influenced me in my life, a lady in the congregation asked me if the John L Kent was the minister who had been in Cathcart South in Glasgow – indeed it was – and she told me that he had married her parents and baptised her! He also baptised me! I know it is a cliché, but it is a small world, the Church of Scotland!

However, I want to finish this letter by acknowledging a ministry which does take place within the parish. The ministry of flowers. Each Sunday after the service, the flowers which are gifted to the church are delivered to people within our congregation and parish who have been bereaved, or are ill at home or in hospital, or whom we wish to remember for some reason. I know how much this is appreciated and I also know that when flowers are delivered it is often much more than a knock at the door and handing over of the flowers. Very often those delivering flowers are invited in and sometimes are able to help the person by listening and just “being there” – and this can be demanding.

There are many instances of members of our congregation exercising a ministry like this – and they do so quietly and without fuss, by just being there. Thank you – you may not be aware the impact of your ministry – but it is profound.

Yours sincerely,

Matthew

The Church Millennium garden is now into its second decade – and what a wonderful display there is throughout the year. There is always something of interest to see as the seasons change. Thanks go to Roseanne Porter and Dorothy Fyffe who are regularly to be found tending the shrubs and plants and replacing the displays in the tubs. It is good to see people coming to the hall to collect their children from Playgroup having a seat on the benches and also spotted have been cyclists enjoying a rest before proceeding on their journey.

A letter was received from Starter Packs Angus thanking us for the donation when there were cash flow problems in July. The letter states “since we began in 2003, we have helped 2495 households”. It also states “In these challenging times we need help like this more than ever”. To find out the kinds of goods they look for and then distribute, have a look at their website – www.starterpacksangus.org.uk

At the start of a new church year, thanks to everyone who helps in any way with the “mechanics” of the church – from those who donate and deliver flowers (these are always appreciated by the recipients), those who clean the premises, those who are involved with the organisations, those who serve on committees, the office bearers, and countless others who help in ways great and small.

The Reverend Stewart Lamont was induced to the charge of Arbilot l/w Carmyllie in early July, our neighbouring parishes. Stewart used to be a regular writer for The Herald (Glasgow, not Arbroath!) and most recently was minister in Gibraltar.

Thanks to those who have indicated that they are willing to help with the arrangements for tea and coffee after the services. The more volunteers we have the easier it is to have a rota of people so if you are able to help, please have a word with Frances Bicket (854478, evenings only)

This will be served in the Newton Hall and will give us the opportunity to continue our fellowship after the service. The tea/coffee/biscuits will be Fairly Traded (that is what we have committed ourselves to as a Fairtrade congregation) and the first Sunday in September will be the start of this venture.

Harvest Sunday 25th September.

After the wonderful day last year when the service was held on West Scryne Farm, a common comment was – how can we beat that?! Well, we are not going to attempt it – but are going to continue some elements of what we did that Sunday in 2010. For example, we are going to have a Soup and Sweet Lunch in the Panbride Hall after the service (suggested donation £3) something we also plan to hold on the last Sunday of most months.

Also on Harvest Sunday, we will be using Christian Aid material relating to Bangladesh and everyone will have the opportunity to make a crab. Another first for Carnoustie Panbride! Want to know more? – then come along to the service in Newton Church on 25th September! The Homecoming Banner which hangs in the Link to the Panbride Hall, will also be a feature of the service. Intrigued? Come along to the service in Newton Church on 25th September! There will also be a retiring offering for our Mission Partners in Bangladesh, James and Linda Pender.

Donations of tins and non perishable foodstuffs will be received in church and taken to the Arbroath Food Project the following day.

BIG DAY OUT

The Presbytery is organising a Big Day Out which will be held in Arbroath on Saturday 17th September from 10am to 5pm. The event will be hosted in Arbroath;Old and Abbey Church and Arbroath: St Andrews which are within walking distance of one another. The cost for the day is £5 and is free for children. There will be something for everyone – from workshops about Eco congregations, the Wild Goose Resource Group of the Iona Community, Story Telling in worship, work with young people and the Bangladesh Link with the Presbytery as examples. There will be trade exhibition material on sale, ranging from Holy Socks to Church of Scotland Councils materials. There will also be a programme running throughout the day for children. Each congregation in the Presbytery has been asked to bring along a display to highlight some of their work. So why not come along and join us for the BIG DAY OUT.

M.S.B.

Services return to Newton

Tea/coffee after services in Newton Hall

4 Fog Squad resumes

4 Condor Court Service 2.00pm

4 Youth Group resumes 7.00pm

14 Finance Committee (Note change of date)

15 Congregational Board 7.00pm (Note change of time) Kirk Session 8.00pm

18 Christian Aid Quiz in Panbride Hall, 7.30pm

25 Harvest Service and Soup and Sweet Lunch

27 Friendship Circle 2.15pm

October

2 Condor Court Service 2.00pm

11 Friendship Circle 2.15pm

20 Kirk Session

25 Friendship Circle 2.15pm

28 Christmas Gift Fayre

30 Soup and Sweet Lunch

November

6 Condor Court Service 2.00pm

8 Friendship Circle 2.15pm

15 Finance Committee

17 Congregational Board

20 Communion 11am and 3pm Newton Church

22 Friendship Circle 2.15pm

27 Soup and Sweet Lunch

By the time you read this, 16 of us will have spent a weekend at Teen Ranch enjoying activities such as Mountain Biking, Horse Riding, archery, rifle shooting and canoeing. The Group starts on the first Sunday in September at 7.00pm and we look forward to welcoming some new members. As we did last year, we are planning to take part in the National QuizAid project and this year the Quiz will be held on Sunday 18th September at 7.30pm in the Panbride Hall. The cost is £8 for a team of four or £2 each. Hopefully this year the hall will be full so that we can raise funds for Christian Aid which the Youth group have been supporting by sending a donation from their funds every month for the last 15 and more years. Come along and have a fun evening, and help support a worthwhile cause at the same time. There will be fairly traded refreshments available.

M.S.B.