STOP PRESS: SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING _ HIGHFIELD WOODS.
The number of people who attended at short notice the Service of Thanksgiving in Highfield Woods was impressive. It was not a time for Scone to give way to shyness or reticence in attending such events. They turned up, shared their memories and offered thanksgiving.
Here are extracts from the service:
“We gather together today to give thanks for the Highfield Woods – for the pleasures they have brought many down through the years and the memories we treasure. Alas, no longer will we be able to stand on this spot in leafy spring, summer, and autumn and enjoy this woodland. Neither will we be able in winter to reflect on the seeming barrenness of existence at times, yet feel in this place the breath that ushers spring, renewal, resurrection and new life. For some here, Samuel Longfellow’s words might still tug the heart and memory as they think on the walks and picnics enjoyed, the friendship shared, the moods of the season, the wild flowers, the shelter offered, the company of birds and woodland creatures, the happiness and simple peace.
Longfellow wrote: For summer joy in field and wood we lift our song to Him.
As we think of the woods where we have enjoyed quietness and peace, enjoyment with friends, where we have known a green and tranquil space, a place during Covid where tranquillity and peace, and for many God’s presence, has offered solace and sustaining power, let us keep a time of silence and memory, thought and prayer.
LET US KEEP SILENCE
PRAYER:
All‐loving and inclusive God, you are present in cell and soul, and in the inter-relatedness of all being – and your presence is known among your trees, and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty, and fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. May we rescue the disregarded and disrespected of this earth, and the safe spaces and holy spots, so precious in your eyes, and may such healing be known in humanity that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that beauty may be sown not destruction and pollution. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and of the beauty of the earth. And as we give thanks for the wonder of these woods, and the memories we treasure, encourage us in the struggle for justice, love and peace for and in your creation. In Christ’s Name. Amen.
I invite you to share poems and prayers and memories . . .
A good many people came forward and shared their memories, concerns and prayers. They were so deep. They did so not in opposition to healthy progress but in concern that a slight change in the route would afford progress while not damaging or destructing a place of solace and beauty. (two short days were given for earth and archaeological study) During the service, among the trees were spotted red squirrels. There are also pine-martins. But, some of the memory defies printing here, in respect. During the pandemic, the physical, mental, and spiritual solace has been sought in Church, Faith Community, and in field and wood.
Towards the end of the service, momentarily and unprompted, the dogs barked.
PRAYERS:
You have blessed humankind with understanding, imagination and memory. Show us how to learn from past mistakes and plan for the future creatively and responsibly.
We rejoice that, as human beings, we have been created in your image and likeness. But we also recognise that humanity alone cannot adequately reflect you. The whole diversity of the earth is needed to give us even a glimpse of your wonder and greatness. Thank you for all the trees have conveyed to us in their strength, constancy, ability to weather life’s storms and to offer protection and comfort I all life’s seasons. Thank you for their stately ways, their breathing, singing and their acceptance of all creatures whose lives touch theirs. Help us and all to live in a sustainable way so that the marvellous diversity of creation is respected.
We have been generously blessed with an abundance of gifts in this, your world. Help us to share in that generosity by living in a way that ensures that your gifts will continue to be available for future generations. May we have true love for the whole of Creation Amen.
Bless now to us and to this ground and woodland the memories we treasure . . .
Deep Peace ….
And the Blessing ……
A GOOD NEW YEAR TO YOU! May this be a Healthy and Happy New Year for you, and may your Faith sustain you. News Flash! Service of Thanksgiving for Highfield Woods this Sunday at 3pm! The Lament will be played – “Flowers of The Forest.”
SCONE & ST MARTINS CHURCH IS OPEN! We are open for Worship and Spiritual and Pastoral care. For these your first point of contact is the Minister, telephone 01738 551942. A sensible spirit and not a sensationalist one is our motto. Wear your masks to Church. We follow Covid advice.
THIS SUNDAY is the third Sunday in the Season of Epiphany. It is also the Sunday of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Though in Scone and St Martins we regularly encourage Unity in Diversity and Identity in Difference, we will be following ideas from the Council of Churches in Britain and Ireland and especially from Christians in the Middle East. As you are aware, the Orthodox Christmas is later than ours. Indeed it was good that Scone kept the lights on the trees until January 7th. We have adapted an interesting service so that you may participate within the 30/35mins allocated during Covid when masks are worn. All hymns are good ones and to familiar tunes. Singing the Trisagion Chant is easy and you will catch on quickly. We also use the Nicaean Creed familiar to the Church in the East. It is good to have East and West participate together!
Services this week are 9.30am in St Martins and 10.45am in Scone New, Balformo Road.
On Sunday afternoon, at 3pm, I have been asked to conduct a Thanksgiving Service for the Highfield Woods. All welcome to attend.
Sadly, without all the permissions granted the Council is commencing the cutting down of the trees on Monday, I’m told. Many of you will have special memories for which to give thanks! Will the road and bridge project have the funding to go ahead, some are asking. Others are hoping that these woods will not be left in the state of those in Guildtown. It is not the road but the route, others comment. Some are asking about the consciousness of the decision makers given that Scotland has just hosted COP 26 while others are pointing to encouragement throughout the country to plant trees in 2022, and some more are enquiring about the state of ethics in the country and warning about Covid being made an excuse for high-handedness in local and national government. The Parish Church, while here to respect good and healthy progress, is here for everyone in the parish of Scone and St Martins and is appreciative of the green and safe spaces afforded us in God’s Creation, so as your Minister, I have accepted the invitation to conduct a Service of Thanksgiving at 3pm at the Woods. Notice has been short from the Council to the Community Council, I’m told, but whatever the circumstances Ministers and Congregations alive to the Community are led by God’s Spirit!
ADVANCE NOTICE: On the last Sunday of January at Morning Worship we are doing something new. We are having a Service called the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan. Now this is a service that ex- pats throughout the world hold as they think of their home in Scotland and of their Mother Kirk, the Church of Scotland. As we hold the service we will be remembering those on different continents whose roots are Scottish, and our Church of Scotland with its motto Nec Tamen Consumebatur, And it was not consumed. Ofcourse, we also will be ecumenically minded. There will be contributions to readings and prayers in Scots, Doric, Gaelic and English. Hymns will be of a Scottish Flavour. We are pleased that we will have Pipe Major Alistair Duthie, Jim Lindsay the well-known Accordionist, and a delightful Clarsach player from Strathallan School, and ofcourse Barbara Murray on the Organ. We hope too that the Boys Brigade will be parading their Colours. We will be in Spirit with all places called Scone and St Martins and will remember all those of Faith, and those yet to come to Faith, throughout the world.
All contributions will be short, including the Thought for the Day and Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan. All contributors are happy to participate to the Glory of God!
You are invited to wear something tartan on the 30th January, or checked or tweedy if you have no tartan. The service will be short in respect of your mask wearing.
Our sincere thanks, to all who decorated the sanctuaries for the Advent and Christmas Services and to all responsible for the Season of Epiphany. A large number have been involved in decorating, ordering, making preparation, and participating in worship, in various ways and a sincere thank you to them.
Our sincere thanks, also, to all who responded to the invitation to give to the work of the Church both locally and nationally; we realised that it was not easy for all our members to give during Covid and we thank all who responded graciously during the Advent and Christmas Seasons. The Tree of Prosperity flourished! And, there was a good response to other charitable giving including the Christian Aid Offerings on Christmas Eve when we had encouraging attendances at the Christingle Service in the New Kirk and the Midnight Service in the Old Kirk.
Vestry Hour: Wednesday evenings: Phone the Manse 01738 551942, leave your name and telephone number and book an appointment.
Short services are held in Scone and St Martins each Sunday, 30mins – 35 mins. Masks are worn. Piano and organ accompany the hymns. We are blessed with our organists. You are welcome to join us. Trace and Protect and Safety Measures we operate.
Good to see many of our friends returning! Do book up for the use of the Hall. New requests are coming in. When making a booking you must adhere to the Church’s regulations and when filling in Test and Protect record all who have attended.
Requests for BAPTISMS, MEMBERSHIP, and to conduct WEDDINGS – All LIVE!!! Please phone the Manse 01738 551942, if you are interested. If no reply, leave your name and telephone number.
OUT IN ALL PARTS OF THE PARISH: The visiting of homes and new homes in the coming weeks has commenced. Thank you to all who have visited the new housing and to those about to do so.
VOLUNTEERS! Please let me know if you would like to offer your help, whether you are associated with the congregation or not. Telephone 01738 551942. Currently, we could do with more volunteers for the HUB!
Now, do COME, CELEBRATE, RENEW or FIND FAITH in Scone and St Martins. Everyone is welcome and every age. Our aim is to continue to grow the congregation in the coming year. If you would like to know more about joining our fellowship, please phone 01738 551942, and leave your name and telephone number. If using a mobile, be sure to leave your name and number. The phone does not answer to numbers withheld.
Keep alert to news flashes
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
