Aberlemno Kirk

Guthrie Manse.

01241-828243

Dear friends,

As you will be aware the Scottish Government has now allowed the opening of Churches for worship under strict guidelines. Our two Kirk Sessions have agreed that we should try to open for worship. We have now received permission from Presbytery and the first service will be at Aberlemno at 10.00. A.M. on Sunday 9th of August. We will then follow the calendar as published at the beginning of the year. 

However, if we wish to hold services it is essential that we follow these guidelines in order to keep everyone safe.

1/ Face coverings must be worn whilst in the building.

2/ Hand sanitizers will be provided and must be used on entry and when leaving.

3/ A one-way system will be used in all three churches.

4/ Only those from the same household or “bubble” may sit in the same pew. 

5/ Certain pews will be taped off in order to make social distancing easier to maintain.

6/ Only those pews with a poster can be used. If you are not from the same household you must not use the area between posters. An Elder will be on duty to guide you if you are unsure where you can sit.

7. There will be no hymn singing during the service.

8. The toilets will not be open for use and there will be no access to the galleries at Aberlemno.

9. The collection will not be taken during the service but there will be a plate for your offering on your way out of the Church.

If you have any questions please contact me for further guidance. I am now allowed to do pre-arranged pastoral visits if you need to see me to talk about anything. We are pleased to be able to gather for worship once more but if you are unsure or anxious about coming to these services please be assured that I understand completely how you feel and will not be disappointed if you decide to wait for some time. I do not want anyone to feel pressurised in any way to return before they feel ready. 

God bless you all,

Brian

A message from the Minister 24.9.20

Dear friends, 

This has been a difficult week in the present crisis. I have spoken to some people with youngsters who have just started at university or who have returned after an elongated summer break. Their concerns are very understandable. Then there is the return of the restrictions on families meeting in each other’s homes which again causes upset and distress. 

We are on a journey at present. It is a longer journey than we had hoped or expected six months ago. Like many journeys, it has not been a straight line to the destination of “normal life”. Although we are all disappointed that more restrictions on life have had to be brought back perhaps we should not be surprised that they have.

My prayer with this message is one I put on our website at the beginning of this crisis. This is not because we have gone back to those terrible and frightening times but because the qualities we need at this part of our journey are just those we needed when we began it. Our faith is that God walks with us in the darkness as well as the sunny days. We need to hold on to that.

Back in March I spoke of how heartened I was by the care, concern and love shown by so many people. That has not diminished, even when things appeared to be getting easier. The commandment to love or neighbour lives on in our communities and will see us to the end of this journey

May God bless you all.

Brian

A PRAYER ; MARCH 2020

Heavenly Father, our light in times of darkness, we come to You in this troubled and confusing time. 

Help us to see clearly what we should do and how to help others.

Father, we remember in our prayers our doctors, nurses and other health care workers, teachers caring for essential workers children, the emergency services and all who must make difficult decisions for the good of all.

We pray that people will not yield to the temptation of being greedy or selfish but will think of the needs of others at this difficult time.

Bless and keep safe our loved ones, whether they are close beside us or far away.

These our prayers 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.

Below is a photo of the Sunday School and some friends from Rescobie sharing a Zoom lesson on Palm Sunday: 

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

Age Scotland  

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.