Udny & Pitmedden Church Diary
6th May 2022
Welcome to the latest newsletter from
Udny & Pitmedden Parish Church.
We don’t need a reminder that the church is going through huge changes and it’s easy to feel like we are simply a pawn in someone else’s game. The global attitude to religion and faith, the ‘crisis’ in the Church in [of?] Scotland, the situation in Gordon Presbytery (the formation of a new ‘super-presbytery’ of the North East and the Northern Isles) and even the relationship between the worshipping communities of U&P, Tarves and Barthol Chapel, and Methlick, in the proposed new Formartine Parish – how much do we know, what influence can we have, is it all doom and gloom or are there new opportunities ahead for mission and ministry?
Many of us are content to leave these things to others – we are part of the local church, loving God and worshipping together, building relationships, serving our community, safe in the knowledge that we are God’s church, our future is in God’s hands, and whatever challenges come our way, God’s will will be done. We can exercise gifts of prayer, serving, faith, hospitality, pastoral care and many more, because we trust those who make decisions on our behalf.
For some, however, the ‘workings’ of the church, the why and the how and the who, are crucial. Get these things right – under God’s guidance – and worship, relationships and service will be facilitated and flow naturally. Of course, that is the province of Ministers and Elders, but not exclusively. Maybe you have felt stirred by all the recent proposals, whether that’s excitement about new possibilities, or dismay and concern about how changes will affect Udny & Pitmedden, and the wider church. Could God be calling you to get involved, to nurture and use gifts of leadership, administration, apostleship, spiritual discernment, wisdom…?
Information, knowledge is empowering. Did you know that Session meetings and meetings of Presbytery are open to anyone who wants to attend? You are not allowed to take part, speak or vote, but you can listen! And with access to the internet, often that can be done from your own living room…
This year’s General Assembly will again be available live on-line from Saturday 21st May to Thursday 26th and will be webcast at www.churchofscotland.org.uk where you’ll also find all the Assembly documents, full reports and speeches. Tuesday 24th is ‘Faith Action Plan Day’ and will include reports and discussions which will affect us all as we look ahead to the shape of the church over the next few years. Thursday 26th includes a session on the new Presbyteries. Every day includes reports from various churches and organisations that are encouraging and bear witness to the fact that good things are happening across the country. There will be daily reports at www.lifeandwork.org and a summary of key decisions will be available to download from 1st June. The next Session meeting is on 31st May. The next ‘special’ meeting of Presbytery is on 7th June and will look exclusively at the Presbytery Mission Plan, and then the normal meeting is on 28th June. If you’ve never been, maybe it’s time to take a look…
Please send in anything for the newsletter that you think deserves a wider audience – information, good news, a short article, offers of assistance, requests, prayer points. What do you want us to include?
email me at elainemoff@aol.comReadings for this week:
This week’s readings: Ezekiel 34:7-16 and John 10:1-16
Link to this week's Bible readings page
Sunday morning worship
It is good to be able to meet again in Pitmedden Church to worship together. We are going to continue with the café set up meantime and coffee will be served after the service. The service will also be Zoomed live and a recording posted on our Facebook page. If you would like any technical help, please get in touch.
click here to Link to Sunday's Zoom service
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87120275292?pwd=OEhJS0pPa0tvcE90VVBxMXIrMVF5UT09
Meeting ID: 871 2027 5292,
Passcode: Udny
Duty elder: Anne Grant
Formartine Churches Together
NEWS
Please continue to pray for Garth Entwistle, who is now in Woodend Hospital, and Fiona
and the family. If you wish to visit him, please contact Fiona first to arrange a suitable time.
Formartine Youth project have put together 'Study leave support kits' containing some little
treats and tips to manage exam anxiety. Do you know a young person with exams looming or feeling
worried? Bags are available to pick-up from Pitmedden Coop, Methlick Shop and Tarves Spar
(and kirks), please help yourself.
A request from our Children’s Ministry Team: Please save your kitchen roll inner cardboard tubes.
We are looking for some for children's crafts. Please hand into the church or contact
Alison alisonbruce10@gmail.com Thank you
Gordon Presbytery Mission and Discipleship Committee are hosting or organising several events
over the next few months.
• There will be a training event for all those interested in planning and leading worship services.
Could God be calling you to serve the church in this way? It will be run over 5 consecutive Thursday
evenings (7-9pm) in June, and will cover liturgy, hymns and prayers, speaking in public, resources
and sermon writing, fresh expressions and family worship, amongst other topics, and attendees will
receive a certificate. See the poster and speak to Elaine if you want more information.
• We all recognise that our congregations are growing older. How do we help young adults to
discover God’s love and find their place in God’s church? A TIM talk (Theology, Imagination, Mission)
based on “Growing Young” research is being planned.
• Alpha has proved to be a very useful tool in introducing people to Christianity, enabling
Christians to go deeper in their faith, and equipping churches for mission. An event has been
organised for Saturday 27th August with Dez Johnstone, head of Alpha in Scotland, to introduce
Alpha to churches and explore how they might use it for mission and discipleship.
You may have seen various newspaper articles about the reduction in the numbers of ministers
and church buildings that was decided by the General Assembly last May. Gordon Presbytery has been
working hard to produce a draft plan. Please click below to
read the full report, and also see Rev Will Stalder’s commentary on Methlick church’s
website www.methlickparishchurch.co.uk
click here to Link to the Presbytery Mission Plan
click here to Link to Will's commentary
Service Pattern
o 1 May Alan Doak
o 8 May Patricia Findlay
o 15 May Alan Doak
The Good Companions Club meets at 2pm in Pitmedden Hall
o Wednesday 18th May - Fyvie Church Choir
o Dates for your diary:
o Annual Stated Meeting, date yet to be announced
Pioneers are people who see new possibilities and then are able to make them happen.
We sometimes call them ‘dreamers who do.’
The first, on 6th May, is the Pioneer Tour, which is particularly relevant for elders and leaders,
but is open to anyone, in view of the exciting changes that are happening in the presbytery. Details
below.
Secondly, there will be a training event for all those interested in planning and leading worship
services. Could God be calling you to serve the church in this way? It will be run over 5
consecutive Thursday evenings in June. See the poster and speak to Elaine if you want more
information.
We all recognise that our congregations are growing older. How do we help young adults to discover
God’s love and find their place in God’s church? A TIM talk (Theology, Imagination, Mission) based
on “Growing Young” research is being planned.
Alpha has proved to be a very useful tool in introducing people to Christianity, enabling Christians
to go deeper in their faith, and equipping churches for mission. An event has been organised for
Saturday 27th August with Dez Johnstone, head of Alpha in Scotland, to introduce Alpha to churches
and explore how they might use it for mission and discipleship.
The churches in our parish grouping, Methlick, Tarves and Udny & Pitmedden, have started a
joint prayer group, meeting on Zoom, currently at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings.
The format includes a Bible reading as intro and a time to chat. Please join us
Click here to link to our parish group prayer meeting
Please check out the Church of Scotland website (link below)
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Here you will find all sorts of interesting articles and resources. See what decisions made at the Assembly will mean
for us, read inspiring stories from churches around Scotland, and keep in touch with the latest
developments in our denomination’s life and witness
Being the church, a worshipping, caring community, is challenging when we are not able
to meet together or visit people in their homes. Zoom meetings, phone calls, letters and
emails can fill some gaps, but there is a danger that someone will be missed, or will have
needs that are not being met. If you can think of something more we could be doing, or know
of someone who needs help in any way, please contact elainemoff@aol.com, and we can
organise appropriate contact and assistance
The Udny COVID 19 Assistance fund is managed by the church and exists to give financial
support to anyone in the wider parish. If you, or anyone you know, needs help, please
contact one of these people, in strict confidence. Fiona Entwistle 01651 842412,
Debbie Smith 01651 842446, Paul Bailey 07803 501960, Alison Green 07771 996537
Parish Prayer Pointers
You may have seen various newspaper articles about the reduction in the numbers of ministers and
church buildings that was decided by the General Assembly last May. Gordon Presbytery has been
working hard to produce a draft plan. Please visit www.presbyteryofgordon.org.uk/planning.html
to read the full report, and also see Rev Will Stalder’s commentary on Methlick church’s
website www.methlickparishchurch.co.uk
As a group of churches, we are hoping to work together as we respond to the refugee crisis in
Ukraine. Please look at Methlick church’s website
Link to http://methlickparishchurch.co.uk for information from Will
Stalder.
The Sanctuary Foundation supports Ukrainian Refugees/New arrivals in the UK
https://www.sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk
Please pray, not only for our elders and congregation, but for the churches
in our Parish Grouping – Tarves, Barthol Chapel and Methlick. Pray that our ministers and
elders would find positive ways of working together and that our relationships with our
neighbours would develop and deepen
Between us, we will know a lot of people, both in the parish and wider afield, who
are finding life tough – the bereaved, those who are ill, those struggling financially,
those caring for young children… Pray for them by name, regularly, and give thanks as you
see your prayers being answered, even when it’s not in ways you might expect
Pray for politicians and leaders, as they continue to tackle the huge issues we face
as a country and a planet.
The whole world is working to overcome coronavirus. Give thanks for the development of
vaccines, and pray for scientists, medics and healthcare staff, as well as many other key
workers, who daily put themselves at risk for the good of others
We are so fortunate in many ways. As you count your blessings, remember those in countries
where war, ‘natural’ disasters, widespread poverty and corrupt government make life
precarious
Do you have something you would like to add to this prayer list?
or would you like our prayer team to pray confidentially for an individual or a
specific situation?
please email Elaine at elainemoff@aol.com
Quote for the week
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you. (John 15:13-14)
NEWS
Please continue to pray for Garth Entwistle, who is now in Woodend Hospital, and Fiona and the family. If you wish to visit him, please contact Fiona first to arrange a suitable time.
Formartine Youth project have put together 'Study leave support kits' containing some little treats and tips to manage exam anxiety. Do you know a young person with exams looming or feeling worried? Bags are available to pick-up from Pitmedden Coop, Methlick Shop and Tarves Spar (and kirks), please help yourself.
A request from our Children’s Ministry Team: Please save your kitchen roll inner cardboard tubes. We are looking for some for children's crafts. Please hand into the church or contact Alison alisonbruce10@gmail.com Thank you
Gordon Presbytery Mission and Discipleship Committee are hosting or organising several events over the next few months.
• There will be a training event for all those interested in planning and leading worship services.
Could God be calling you to serve the church in this way? It will be run over 5 consecutive Thursday
evenings (7-9pm) in June, and will cover liturgy, hymns and prayers, speaking in public, resources
and sermon writing, fresh expressions and family worship, amongst other topics, and attendees will
receive a certificate. See the poster and speak to Elaine if you want more information.
• We all recognise that our congregations are growing older. How do we help young adults to
discover God’s love and find their place in God’s church? A TIM talk (Theology, Imagination, Mission)
based on “Growing Young” research is being planned.
• Alpha has proved to be a very useful tool in introducing people to Christianity, enabling
Christians to go deeper in their faith, and equipping churches for mission. An event has been
organised for Saturday 27th August with Dez Johnstone, head of Alpha in Scotland, to introduce
Alpha to churches and explore how they might use it for mission and discipleship.
You may have seen various newspaper articles about the reduction in the numbers of ministers and church buildings that was decided by the General Assembly last May. Gordon Presbytery has been working hard to produce a draft plan. Please click below to read the full report, and also see Rev Will Stalder’s commentary on Methlick church’s website www.methlickparishchurch.co.uk
click here to Link to the Presbytery Mission Plan
click here to Link to Will's commentary
Service Pattern
o 1 May Alan Doak
o 8 May Patricia Findlay
o 15 May Alan Doak
The Good Companions Club meets at 2pm in Pitmedden Hall
o Wednesday 18th May - Fyvie Church Choir
o Dates for your diary:
o Annual Stated Meeting, date yet to be announced
We sometimes call them ‘dreamers who do.’
Secondly, there will be a training event for all those interested in planning and leading worship services. Could God be calling you to serve the church in this way? It will be run over 5 consecutive Thursday evenings in June. See the poster and speak to Elaine if you want more information.
We all recognise that our congregations are growing older. How do we help young adults to discover God’s love and find their place in God’s church? A TIM talk (Theology, Imagination, Mission) based on “Growing Young” research is being planned.
Alpha has proved to be a very useful tool in introducing people to Christianity, enabling Christians to go deeper in their faith, and equipping churches for mission. An event has been organised for Saturday 27th August with Dez Johnstone, head of Alpha in Scotland, to introduce Alpha to churches and explore how they might use it for mission and discipleship.
Here you will find all sorts of interesting articles and resources. See what decisions made at the Assembly will mean for us, read inspiring stories from churches around Scotland, and keep in touch with the latest developments in our denomination’s life and witness
or would you like our prayer team to pray confidentially for an individual or a specific situation?
please email Elaine at elainemoff@aol.com