Welcome to our website. We are missing you but remembering you. All our age groups believe in Prayer, and the prayer of many is that our Churches will be Open for Easter, the High Point of the Christian Year, when Christians give thanks for the Resurrection and for the Hope that is in us, in and through Jesus Christ. Weeping may endure for a night but Joy cometh in the morning. We believe that in Christ we know Victory over suffering and death and in him we know New Life. May we join together in Thanksgiving this Easter Day and may the Open Doors of our Churches give witness that no tomb could hold Him. Christ is Alive and into all the world!!!
As I sit at my study desk, the sun is shining, even to the point of my having been out to the local shops without a jacket. The Manse door is open and the windows also. It is time to drink in the Spring air. The clumps of snow drops and crocuses are even healthier than usual, and the daffodils are making superb progress in their journeying towards Easter. More on the progress that we are making next week!
Meantime, this week’s worship is found above by clicking on the button, above, marked 28th February. Amazing to think that this marks the Sunday two years past when I arrived at Scone and St Martins. I recall how meaningful the Induction Service was, and the super congregation representing the live faith among them all, from a baby in mother’s arms, through the generations to a member at that time in his 100th year! Wow! And over these two years how I have appreciated getting to know you by direct contact and through the telephone and email, and in a few instances through zoom.
Most ministers take stock of the situation into which they have arrived in the course of their first year as they look forward to continuing to support the many good congregational efforts as well as encouraging and supporting fresh initiative. None of us imagined, the fresh initiatives into which we have entered during this time of pandemic. But fresh initiatives there have been, and there are more in the active planning stages! It is encouraging the number of people who have said, yes, count us in as volunteers to help in the new normal. I’m beginning to wonder too if in Scone and St Martins I might experience a similar joy to when I went to a parish some miles north in that when fresh initiatives started people appeared to lead them adding to the fellowship of the Church and allowing those already involved in established projects to continue with them without feeling any additional burden laid upon them. If you are reading this and thinking, yes, Maudeen, I want to know more and be involved too, please phone me on 01738 551942.
Now, in addition to all else, new features are appearing on this website so keep clicking on and encouraging your friends to do so too.
Have you heard of Intogether? Click here for an interesting video. https://youtu.be/bXNiYQh9b_M
Have you heard of Bertha Park? Click here for more detail. https://youtu.be/y0MLbQ9XOYk
Those interested in working with young people might be interested in this week’s links. Two of them you will find after the benediction following this week’s worship found through clicking the button on this page just before this update commences, The link below will take you into exploring Open the Book. Here is the link: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/get-involved/open-the-book/otb-volunteers/otb-four-years-of-storytelling/
Open the Book I’ve found explores, interests, involves young people, encourages questions, discussion, develops as distinct from imposes. It embraces story- telling, has young ones queuing up to be the actors and I’ve experienced it cater for a whole school environment and to the exclusion of no-one.
Now, have you engaged with the Try Praying Website? A goodly number of books were taken from all 3 of our worship sites. They have been refreshed and are on offer anew. Read about Try Praying here: Here is a link to the Try Praying site: https://www.trypraying.co.uk/
It will soon be time for Lenten Studies. If anyone would like to host a Zoom or Teams group, please let me know. A number of different people might like to host a group. Please phone me and share with me the study you have chosen. Here are a few ideas: https://ctbi.org.uk/lent-study-2021/
https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/livelent-2021-church-resources-gods-story-our-story Interest has been shown in the above link and the book that goes with it can be had by same day delivery!
Have you clicked into this link, a discussion on Faith and its Critics with David Fergusson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T0qb5Tj0e4
Have you clicked into this video on “What is a Good Life?” with Rowan Williams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkg9aCxOWfs
This Sunday is the 2nd Sunday in Lent. Monday 1st March is St David’s Day. Sunday 14th March is Mothering Sunday. March 17th is St Patrick’s Day. Sunday March 21st was traditionally known as Passion Sunday. Sunday 28th is Palm Sunday. Sunday 4th March is Easter Day!!!
An online events organised by the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, includes an online coffee morning on Saturday 27th February, which will also explore the connection between Fair Trade and the Climate Challenge, the theme of this year’s Fair Trade Fort-night. For more info visit https://www.scottishfairtradeforum.org.ukFairtrade
Destiny is now out and well worth a read!
Have you heard that the first run off of our Recipe Books was sold out prior to Christmas but we have had some more printed and a few of these are still available from Mike Moir, 01738 551549, at £7.50. To post out there is an additional charge.
One of the new features we are offering is a Recipe a Week, tasty and economical recipes for the cold days of winter. We have a button whereby you can click on for one of these. You’ll find the link at the foot of this letter. To the Star Wars casserole of last week we have added a new one. Mind you, the Lockdown Recipe Book is full of good recipes.
Remember I’m only a phone-call away: Tel 01738 551942. With best wishes, Maudeen
The Bible Study Group continues to meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm in CR1 at Balformo Road. All are welcome.
Balformo Road, Scone 
Every First Thursday at Burnside Hall
Every Third Thursday at Balformo Hall
