Bible Studies
The Bible Study Group continues to meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
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Balformo Road, Scone
SEPTEMBER 22nd
SCONE AND ST MARTINS PARISH CHURCH WELCOMES YOU
We welcome you warmly to our Website.
**** THIS SUNDAY, 22nd September, there is a service at 9.30am in St Martins and 10.45am in Scone Old Kirk, Burnside. The readings from the Lectionary are not all among the more common place. The hymns are among many peoples’ favourites.
Each Sunday, invite old and new friends and bring them along to join us. The faithful, the doubters, the sceptics, those of world faiths and those of no faith, Come, join us. Scone and St Martins is a super congregation, warm and inclusive. We are, too, congregations that sing out our faith.
Whether you have been in our Parish for a while, are new here, visiting, at home for a Spring or Summer break, or passing through, you will find a welcome here. Do join us. We cover the following areas: Scone, St Martins, Stormontfield, Balbeggie, Guildtown and Wolfhill. For extra news click into the links on this site.
HARVEST SUNDAY 29th SEPTEMBER will be an Altogether Service in Scone Old Kirk, Burnside. Do bring contributions for the Food bank. These will be greatly appreciated.
GUIDE DOGS: We welcome Guide Dogs to all our Worship. Jorja, a lovely black Labrador sets the example.
NEW MEMBERS: We have some new friends about to become Communicant Members. If you would like to join then please let the minister know. Phone Maudeen on 551942. THANK YOU to Rickki and to Mark for their help in the Manse Garden. I am hugely grateful for their kindness and consideration. What a transformation! Since returning from a visit out of town, I have noticed that even more has been done. It is a JOY!
Thank you, also, to my grass cutting friends, and to Ross for the weed treatment. Never a day goes by but it looks to me like the good fairies have been visiting the manse garden, and I am appreciative.
HAPPENINGS: Each Wednesday the HUB continues from 10am – 12noon in the Balformo Road Halls.
LAST THURSDAY, the Lunch Club headed to Brechin for their outing. A fine time, mid fine weather was enjoyed; thank you to the organisers!
TIME FOR SPORT AND SPIRITUALITY TO GET TOGETHER?! The Paralympic Games are an inspiration to us all but did not the Scottish and English performances on the football field, at the Euros, point to for the need for Sport and Spirituality to get together? Pity the football and Sunday Clubs clash in timing. The story, e.g. of David and Goliath, the singing of my God is so big, so strong and so mighty, and knowledge of “with God all things are possible” could have improved the score lines!
CHURCH MAGAZINE: More information is to be found in the Church Magazine. The most recent edition and the new edition of Destiny are now available.
2024: OUR YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT! Throughout the coming weeks and months, we will work on actively witnessing, as we embrace fresh projects, what the Water and the Wine of Life mean to us. PLANNING AND PREPARATION is ONGOING.
Let us give thanks for the personal blessings we have known and for those we have known in family and congregational life. As we keep treasured memories, let us move forward in our development, mindful of the Example we follow.
NEW CLUB? As we left Church one of our Members was showing me her lovely new scooter. And it is lovely! I just thought that is how I would arrive today, she said. Wow!
Well, I said, I think there are a few in the Church with Scooters. We could get up a SCOOTER CLUB, she said. The idea could be that you meet at a given spot and then scoot in a line to the Kirk! What a young and upbeat attitude. Buzz the Manse, leave your name and phone-number if interested in joining that Club.
CARS, MOTOR BIKES, CYCLES, SHANKS PONY, ETC. are other methods of coming the way of the Kirk and Christian Fellowship that we welcome.
SCHOOLS: RDM and Guildtown have now renewed links since Covid I continue to try to catch Balbeggie.
CAN YOU HELP ESOLPERTH? Esolperth is the organisation that provides free English lessons to speakers of other languages in Perth and Kinross, in addition to other activities and a children’s club. If you think you could help, contact Linda on Second Floor, Drummond House, 6 Scott Street, Perth PH1 5EJ.
English language lessons may take place between 10 am – 7 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am to 12noon Saturday. Actual classes usually last an hour. The pattern for a volunteer tutor is 4 x 1 hour sessions per week but this can be shared (2 people each doing 2 x 1 hour sessions per week). They have large numbers of refugees at present and are looking for both male and female volunteers.
You do not have to be a teacher to volunteer. Many different skills are welcome.
The aim is to prepare for the IELTS qualification (International English Language Testing System) which can open the door to employment and, when appropriate, further education. They use the “English for Everyone” Course books which incorporate a complete self-study programme. New volunteer tutors are introduced fairly gently to the methodology. The “students” can vary widely in age. Teaching in Drummond House is mainly face to face, but some teaching on Zoom may also take place.
Volunteer tutors would be welcome for this very worthwhile and (for most people) enjoyable activity. Thanks for your interest.
ENCOURAGER TRAINING – Would you be interested? Date to be confirmed soon.
- What is it 1? A course asking what it might look like to be a disciple in 21st Century Scotland. It is the pilot for a resource being produced for the Church of Scotland Learning platform · Who’s it for? Ministers, elders, members… anyone! Anyone interested in either exploring the course for their own benefit or anyone who’d like to see a discipleship course running in their own congregation or community
- Who’s facilitating it? Martin Fair on behalf of the Church’s People & Training Team, along with Grant MacLaughlin and Andrew Gardner
- When does it run? For 6 consecutive Thursday evening sessions in Logie and St. John’s (Cross) Church, Shaftesbury Terrace, Dundee, DD2 1HJ
Why not come and be part of this trial that together we might help to shape what will become a national resource?
Disciples are followers of Jesus – those who have seen that that involves much more than being on a congregational roll or even regular Sunday attendance. Disciples are wholehearted followers in the whole of life and how we need legions of such discipleships right now. But how are we to flourish in this way without learning and training? This opportunity is for you and for those you might invest in.in the future.
*** GROUNDS OF SCONE OLD KIRK and the ENVIRONS of BURNSIDE. Big THANK YOU to our friendly Council Gardeners! The Graveyard in Scone Old is looking super!
If taking your dogs in, please do not let them loose to chase everything in sight. Also, please bring a poop bag!
*** APPEAL FOR HOST FAMILIES: “Host Families and Supported Lodgings Carers wanted! Could you make a difference for a young person living in Perth and Kinross? Our Throughcare and Aftercare Team in Education and Children’s Services are currently seeking prospective carers for: Unaccompanied children and young people seeking asylum, coming from difficult circumstances in countries around the globe; and Young people from Perth and Kinross who are care experienced and are moving towards adulthood and independent living.
If you have a spare room, enjoy the company of young people and would like to support them to gain the life skills they need, you could become part of our team of carers. There’s no one kind of person that could become a Host Family or Supported Lodgings carer. You can be single or married, from the LGBTQ+ community, own your own home or rent, be working or retired. As long as you have room for a young person in your home and time to support them, we’d like to hear from you.
The Council provides full training and ongoing support to carers. Weekly fees are paid to enable you to deliver the support and guidance the young person in your care needs. For
more information, please contact Jenni McRae or Gina Mramor by email to supportedlodgings@pkc.gov.uk
CHURCH GARDEN, BURNSIDE: It is lovely to see the Church Garden planted out with shrubs and flowers. My favourite is the standard rose. If you are into flowers and shrubs in the Bible, you will find some of these in our Church Garden. It is, also, a lovely tribute to Ron Cathro. Thank you to Helen and Mike Moir for this kindness.
Thank you, also, to Frances Moir for her attention to the garden between the hall and the housing, also to the Gardening Team at Scone New Kirk for the lovely floral presentation there, and the Gardening Team at St Martins. Much appreciated.
And, it is not simply a case of the lovely flower beds looking good during summer. They’ve
Been tended for autumn and winter too.
*** ECOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT: How blessed we are in Scone and St Martins with the wonders of nature all around. Thank you for the insect boxes and the colourful planting. Birds, bees, butterflies, and respect for all God’s creatures we continue to encourage. A fresh ecological project, keep at the fore-front of your minds! More to follow. Click here for ideas: https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/
STEWARDSHIP: Gifts of Time, Talents and Money are always welcome. The National Church is looking, also, at fresh approaches. This is worth clicking on to https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/stewardship
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING: It is vitally important that all requiring to take training, do so
now. The Session Clerk, Mike Moir (1738 551549); Safeguarding Team Member, Marian Forgan (01738 552064); and the Minister, Maudeen MacDougall (01738 551942) are available to offer further detail.
*** HUB Wednesdays Balformo Halls.
If you have gifts and talents to offer the Church, we offer many opportunities for your involvement and would be happy to hear from you. Often in today’s world folk feel isolated and depressed or at a loss as to how to make life better, you are welcome among us as we seek to move forwards in positive Spirit and Faith.
REQUESTS for BAPTISMS, MEMBERSHIP, and to conduct WEDDINGS – LIVE!!! Please phone the Manse 01738 551942, if you are interested. If no reply, leave your name and telephone number. Baptisms are now being booked.
REMEMBER UKRAINE: : PRESS HERE LINK
COME, Celebrate, Renew or Find Faith, Hope and Love, in Scone and St Martins. 10 new
People joined at Christmas, others at Easter, and more will be joining soon. Everyone and every age will find a Welcome! 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.
Congratulations to the New Hot Spot Team! This is the team that has added a new initiative to the middle of the week with our Film Club! It is proving quite a hit!
DOG WALKERS: We have a love of all God’s creatures and it is super to see so many dogs enjoying a walk at Burnside. If entering the graveyard with your dog at Scone Old Kirk, please keep it under control and carry a poop bag with you.
UKRAINE: Do please remember in your prayers our secretary Roxy, and her family in Lviv, and all who are Ukrainian and their families. Pray too that throughout the world there may be a greater understanding and practise of Peace.
UP THE GEARS! It is heartening to see a goodly number getting up the gears! And, to see a lovely variety of people embracing fresh initiative! It is good to see the Lunch Club growing in numbers and the Hub re-opening; the Knit and Chat underway again; fresh Youth dynamic in the planning, and if you would like involvement, do not hesitate to let us know. As your minister I am only a phone-call away.
Short services are held in Scone and St Martins each Sunday, Mask wearing is no longer necessary but optional. Piano and organ accompany the hymns. We are blessed with our organists.
You are welcome to join us. Good to see many of our friends returning to the Church Halls. Do book up for the use of the Hall. New requests to use our halls continue to come in.
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.
Please remember if a family member is ill at home or in hospital, direct contact with me is essential.
