Session Reports
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Session Reports 5.9.11 Outreach Committee - We held the Church open days during the month of July- 11am. to 3pm. Monday to Saturday. At the beginning of the month things were a bit slow but as time went on it improved quite a bit and all in all there were a fair number of visitors - mostly from out of town and abroad. Jim Nicol made quite a few different Fridge magnets and keyrings - proceeds of which went to church funds along with any cup of tea etc. donations. We also received some very acceptable individual donations for church funds. The committee have met since and decided next year to organise the same but from Mid July to end of August. We are now organising and making up invitations for each Elder to distribute to members in their district for a Wine and Nibbles evening up at the Manse, one Friday per month - One or two districts at a time, the first one to be held on Friday 30th Sep at 7.30pm. Thanks to everyone who helped during the open days. Aileen McKenzie
The Education Committee meeting on 22nd August was cancelled and will now meet on Thursday 6th October, 7.30 p.m. at the Manse. We are pleased to report that Linda Spence and the Rev. Barbara Ann will represent us at the Church and Society Annual Conference entitled “Education Matters” in Larbert on Saturday 17th September. World Mission are presenting workshops and presentations on “Reaping the Benefits” (Connections globally through Church Twinning). The event is on Saturday 1st October in Auchterarder Church Community Centre and if you are interested in attending, please let Margaret Robertson know as soon as possible as registration forms are to be returned before 16th September. Registration and coffee is from 9.30 a.m. and the event finishes at 3.30 p.m. Liaison Group -We as a committee have met and discussed future visits and welcomed new members. A new rota is available tonight for members. Esther Kidd 1. I joined the Good News Crew on the 5th June after time in the church. The children were preparing for taking part in the service on the 12th which would be their Prizegiving service. They fully discussed the story of the ‘Good Samaritan’ As the children were to be taking part of the service this was to be part of their contribution. The various characters were allocated and the older children proceeded to practise. The younger ones wrote and coloured their own names as a follow up to the children’s address in church. All were totally engrossed in their activities. I passed on good wishes from session and thanked them for allowing me to spend time with them. Isabel Farquharson 2. There was a good turn out of Choir members on the morning of 19th June and the practice went very smoothly under the good humoured and most efficient direction of our Organist and Choir Master, Bruce Simpson. Towards the end of the practice, Barbara Ann joined Organist and Choir, thanking them in advance and leading them in prayer. M. Scrimgeour. 3. On Friday 26th August I visited Angus Choral Society, on their Open Evening. The choir members were in great voice, practising a work called ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ and three Christmas carols, with a view to their next concert. I was made most welcome and enjoyed the singing as well as the ‘cuppie’ with home baking. I had said that my visit was a two way process and was told that they needed the use of a big kettle or two and that the piano needed tuning. All in all, however, they were delighted to have the use of such a pleasant Church Hall and kitchen. M. Scrimgeour. Guild News- The national Guild’s annual meeting was held on Saturday 27th August in the Caird Hall, Dundee, and more than 2,000 Guild members attended. The Moderator, the Rt Rev. David Arnott spoke on creation and environmental issues. The national convener, Alison Angus, was quoted as saying: “It’s good to come here and know that this is a day which we can enjoy together as we share fellowship, listen to our speakers and lift our hearts and minds in worship.” It was intimated that the total fund-raising for the six chosen charities has topped £500,000 in just two years and the Guild’s 28,000 members donated almost £1 million to the work of the Church last year. Locally, we look forward to seeing you all at our afternoon tea on Thursday, 22nd September, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available tonight (Monday) and at the door of the church each Sunday. Please think about joining us at our opening social on Wednesday 12th October at 7.15 p.m. The guests are the Arbroath Male Voice Choir. A syllabus is on the wall in the Session Room and at the door of the church. We hope there is something to interest everyone.
The Green Committee- met for the first time on 30th August, 2011 and during the course of this meeting, Ian Stewart agreed to be Chairman. The Fair trade stall has been running for some time now with various foods, drinks, chocolate and sweets selling reasonably well. When pews are removed from division 3, the stall will be repositioned and goods may be able to be left unattended. We are in the process of registering with Eco-Congregation Scotland, subject to session approval. At least one member of the Committee will attend Angus Presbytery’s ‘Big Day Out’ as it is to have an ‘Eco-Congregation’ slot. A number of decisions were made with a view to E & O becoming ‘greener’: recycled paper should be used for all printing, as well as for paper towels and toilet paper; soap, washing-up liquid and cleaning materials should be eco-friendly; lighting should be energy efficient; there should be more recycling possibilities with appropriate containers for the recycled items. In addition, when renovations are being done inside the church all kitchen and toilet fittings should be appropriate, for example, dual flush toilets, taps with sensors, automatic lighting. Since the church roof needs a major repair, this could provide an opportunity for solar panels to be fitted. Committee members will be researching this subject. While mindful of the relatively recently done Energy Efficiency Summary, members feel that the whole business of heating the inside of the church needs to be reconsidered. A more modern boiler and radiators would be welcome improvements. Isolating banks of lighting may be another possibility. Smaller scale changes might include finding space for churchgoers to bring in magazines and books, including children’s reading materials, for exchange or resale, at very modest prices. We also need a ‘Green’ notice board on which could be displayed information and advice aimed at the congregation. The outside of the church could be made more attractive with some floral displays in the form of planters, judiciously positioned. We might also cooperate with Chimes Playgroup in order to have a strip of the graveyard left uncut and planted with wildflowers and a few other plants to attract bees and butterflies.
FACT Meeting 18.8.11 Welcome to Miss Madeline Kingston who is a third lay representative of St John’s Church. FACT banner was bought and used at the presentation of cheques for £500 each to Christian Aid & CAFOD in May (profit from Lent Lunches). There were no volunteers for the position of Vice Chairperson and it was decided to hold this position vacant for the time being. Mrs Margaret Cousins withdrew her resignation as Secretary and will continue for a further year. An official from the Stirling office of Leprosy Mission will address members on 10th November at 6.30 p.m. Leprosy Mission Coffee Morning will be held on Saturday, 8th October at St Margaret’s Church Hall. Remembrance Day Service at the Cross this year will be on 13th November and each clergy member will participate. To raise FACT’s profile in Forfar congregations will be asked to attend the Lighting Up of the Christmas Lights arranged by Rotary and to sing carols. The Bellshill Salvation Army Band will visit Forfar in December. Some members of St John’s Church congregation would be interested in the setting up of a befriending service for sufferers with Dementia. Next Meeting 10th November 2011. 2012 dates; 19th January, 10th May (AGM) and 13th September. |
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