Message from Brian October 2024

Dear friends,

October is the month when we have traditionally held our Harvest Thanksgiving Services, when in our prayers, readings and hymns we thank God for the food we grow. One of the favourite hymns we sung was; “ We plough the fields and scatter”.

When we sang this again this year, despite knowing it so well after all these years, it made me think of something different as we sang these words; “ He only is the Maker of all things near and far, He paints the wayside flower”.

Of course, we should give thanks for all the different types of harvest we enjoy and this has also been a time when we support charities that try to feed the world’s hungry people; but it struck me that we should also be thankful for the beauty and wonder of the natural creation.

Just as it is fitting that our thankfulness for the food we have should inspire a desire to help those who would otherwise starve perhaps we should also reflect our thankfulness for all aspects of creation by doing what we can to care for it too. It is another challenge in today’s world but just like the care for the hungry it is another way to reflect our faith and our desire to respond to God’s love for us in a practical way.

As that lovely old hymn puts it: “We thank you then, O Father, for all things bright and good…”

Our duty surely means we should care for this world in which we live.

May God bless you and all those you love,
Brian

A prayer

Heavenly Father

May we always remember that Your Son Jesus brought us hope and care and showed us that in our lives we can show these qualities too.

We thank You for the gift of friendship. Help us to remember that we do not need great wisdom to be a good friend but only need to care, give time and be ready to listen.

We thank You too for the wonder of creation and this world in which we live. We pray that You would help us to see how we may care for it. We pray too all for those who are struggling because of the places where they dwell ; places torn by warfare and natural disaster. We humbly ask that they find strength and courage and that we may be shown ways that we can support them.

Bless our neighbours, friends and our loved ones and keep them safe we pray.

In Jesus’ name.
Amen

Aberlemno Parish Church

This small country parish church has a long history. A church here was dedicated by Bishop David de Bernham in 1242, but the site's history may be substantially longer.

There is documentary evidence to suggest that Aberlemno Kirk was originally called Egglespether, a Pictish church of around 710AD by King Nechtan, although this is not agreed by some scholars. On the register of churches belonging to Restenneth in 1161/2 Egglespether is mentioned but by 1230 it had become known as Aberlemno.

The building today largely dates to 1722 when the church was more or less completely rebuilt, although a ridge of possibly earlier stonework survives at the base of the church's walls. It has a T-shape plan, with a later porch and rear extension. The church is built in coursed sandstone rubble, with ashlar surrounds and has a slate roof. It is surrounded by a small graveyard and the manse stands to the east.

The church is surrounded by a graveyard with many 19th century stones. It is famous for its Pictish stone however, which stands near the west gable of the church. It dates to the 8th century and commemorates the battle of Nechtansmere.

In 1983 the Church was linked to the neighbouring parish of Guthrie and Rescobie.

Although it is a very historic Church, it still has a very active congregation with weekly services.

A few photos taken when putting up the Christmas decorations in the Church:

Aberlemno Church Coffee Morning
5th November 2022

Click here to download an annotated PDF copy of the above photos.

Did you know there is the Aberlemno book club based in Aberlemno Church? The idea is that you can go along to the ‘library” to pick up a book. You may also take one you have read and no longer need in to the library as a swap. If you simply take a book the charge is £2. However, if you take along a book to exchange the charge is only £1.

The books are in the Church at the back of the west pews so can be accessed at any time during the day whilst the church is open. Please do feel free to browse the selection or add to the books on offer.

Memorial Stone

During the first lockdown I was asked to find a gravestone at Aberlemno for a gentleman trying to trace his ancestors. Whilst researching this I discovered that there was an area at the West of the Kirkyard which had been set aside for the burial of infants and still-born babies. As there was nothing to mark this area, we decided we should put a Memorial stone on the wall where these little ones were laid to rest. I contacted David McGovern of Monikie Rock Art who, when he heard what the memorial was for, very kindly donated the stone which he created. Raymond and Kelly prepared the area beside the stone and we were able to dedicate it on Sunday 25th of April not only to remember those little ones and their heart-broken families but also those today who go through the same tragic loss.

B.R.