Bible Studies
The Bible Study Group continues to meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
SCONE AND ST MARTINS PARISH CHURCH WELCOMES YOU
A Good 2024 to you. May you be aware of many blessings and may we all live, work, and witness towards the world being a happier and healthier place to live in. Come, join us,
Scone and St Martins is a super congregation, warm and inclusive. Whether you have been in our Parish for a while, are new here, visiting, at home for Christmas and New Year, 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.
THIS SUNDAY 17th March we look forward to the Rev Philip Majcher, formerly London Crown Court Church being with us at an All-together Service in Scone New Kirk at 10.45am. There will be no service that week in the St Martins part of the parish.
MARCH 24th is Palm Sunday when we also have the Admission of New Communicants.
*** MARCH 31st EASTER DAY! In St Martins and Scone New Kirk.
THANK YOU to all responsible for the catering at the Kirk Session’s GET TOGETHER for new members last Tuesday evening. A good night was had by all!
LOOKING FORWARD: We are looking forward to a number of Baptisms in the coming weeks and months..
WEDDINGS also are on the horizon.
LIVING IN HOPE! We are living in hope that the milder weather will continue. To see the sun shining is a delight! The days are stretching, also! Sunsets and sunrises are magnificent. 10th March is Mothering Sunday; 24th March is Palm Sunday and 31st March is Easter Day!
Do you make New Year Resolutions? Whether this is a regular habit or not, you might like to consider a read of MATTHEW 25, and a reflection on these words “In as much as you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to me.” The question to be asked is: Is it time, beyond high time, that a stand was taken for Christian Ethics and Faith Ethics that the sick and suffering, the poor and dying, may know proper respect and ministry in our land?
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.
THANK YOU: Thank you to all involved in Advent, Christmas and Close of Year Worship, and to all engaged this Sunday, the Second of the New Year and of Epiphany. Over this period, we have seen hundreds of different people at worship. Indeed, e.g. the Midnight Service saw more visitors than members present and there was a goodly number of visitors at the Christingle Service. It is lovely to have those visiting Scone for Christmas joining us! And, that said, the numbers of our regular congregations at the morning services on Christmas Eve took us way over the hundred mark.
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.
MORE BABIES HAVE ARRIVED to join Brodie and Fergus. Once details and permission to put on the Web have arrived, we will share the news! Meantime, our congratulations to the parents.
GREAT TO SEE the WEDNESDAY HUB and the THURSDAY LUNCHES off to a splendid New Year start!
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. The Advent and Christmas worship in the schools has been special. I continue to try to catch Balbeggie.
CHURCH MAGAZINE: This is now out, with lots of fresh news!
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 12 noon 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.
GUIDE DOGS: We welcome Guide Dogs to all our Worship. Jorja, a lovely black Labrador sets the example.
*** 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.
The Bible Study Group continues to meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Every First Thursday at Burnside Hall
Every Third Thursday at Balformo Hall (not yet resumed)