Help in the present crisis
Dear friends,
At this present time many people are beginning to struggle in different ways. Advice on how to access help and advice can be see below. However, I am aware that some people are reluctant to come forward with their needs, even at times like this. If you are uncomfortable asking for help please feel free to contact me. Anything you say will be kept in the strictest confidence and I will do all I can to help. Even if you simply want someone to talk to in these worrying times please do not hesitate to phone or e-mail me.
With kindest regards,
Brian
01241-828243 BRamsay@churchofscotland.org.uk
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Scottish Rural Network - COVID-19 Rural Information Hub
Charities Aid Foundation – Coronovirus Emergency Fund
Angus Council - services, welfare, advice
Angus Foodbank is open as normal, with normal procedures for collections. A delivery can be arranged and will be delivered by a member of voluntary Angus where someone is showing symptoms of Covid-19. If anyone would like to make a donation then this can be done via Tescos, Lidls etc, dropped off at the food bank during opening hours, or if out with opening hours can be left behind the wheelie bins as this is checked every morning.
A message from the Minister 31.3.20
Dear friends,
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, one of my favourite celebrations in the Christian Year, where we remember Jesus entry into Jerusalem on a donkey surrounded by pilgrims waving palm branches and cheering.
Normally on Palm Sunday we hand out Palm Crosses and sing favourite hymns like “Hosanna, loud hosanna,” and “Children of Jerusalem.”; it is one of the special services in our Church Calendar.
St Mark tells us in his Gospel that as Jesus and His Disciples made their way to Jerusalem they passed through Jericho and as they made their way out of the town there was a blind beggar named Bartimaeus sitting by the roadside. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by he cried out, asking Jesus to help him. The crowds scolded him and told him to be quiet but he was determined and kept shouting. Then Jesus called him over and asked what he wanted. He replied that he wanted to see again. Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has made you well.” At once Bartimaeus could see again.
Bartimaeus showed two great qualities, even after years of poverty and blindness; determination and hope. He never gave up. He believed that if he kept trying then things would be better one day.
In this difficult time if we can all keep these two qualities alive in our hearts, then we too, like Bartimaeus will one day see the light again.
May God bless you all.
Brian
A prayer
Heavenly Father,
We give thanks for our families, our friends and our neighbours. May we never take for granted all the good things that they bring into our lives.
We thank You that Your Son came as a Prince of Peace- a King riding on a donkey, a symbol of peace. May His message of Peace find a home in the hearts of people and of nations.
May the strength we have found in this difficult time by sharing and caring be a lesson we do not forget when the present crisis is over.
Bless those we love and keep them safe we pray.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
These messages will be put on the aberlemno.org website each week under the “Kirk” heading. If you know anyone who would like a printed version please let the minister know.
We are asking that all gatherings for worship should cease until further notice, with effect from today (Wednesday 18th March 2020). This includes all Easter services. Some Presbyteries have already instructed this action. This will include, but not be restricted to, housegroups, meetings for youth work, and church cafes. It will still be possible for an individual to offer a livestreaming of a sermon and prayers. Sunday broadcasts of a weekly service take place on Radio 4, and also on Radio Scotland; other radio stations are available.
Click here to download a full copy of the March 2020 Parish newsletter for Aberlemno, Guthrie & Rescobie.
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, we are still a very active congregation with weekly services, a Sunday School and a Youth Group.
Guthrie
Manse, Guthrie, Forfar, DD8 2TP
revdbrianr@hotmail.com
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