Newsletters

A very warm welcome to all

Refrain for Psalm 118

“His mercy endures for ever.”

Easter Sunday

Readings: Isaiah 65: 17-25; Acts 10: 34-43
Gospel: Luke 24: 1-12

In our Gospel today

The accounts of the Resurrection differ from gospel to gospel. This is not sinister but shows how the resurrection must have impacted different people and been reported in different ways. Were they very similar, one would suspect co-ordination of testimony.

In verse 4 of our reading from Luke we meet angels, described as two men in dazzling clothes. In Matthew we have a great scary angel in white clothes. In Mark we have a young man in a white robe.

Angels – who are experienced today by many people – are unpredictable and come in different ways and different guises. What they have in common is being messengers. In v5 their message is ‘don’t look for the living amongst the dead. He is not here but has risen.’

The first witnesses are women. To us that may seem nothing to wonder at. But, in a culture where only the testimony of men had any validity, it was revolutionary. And helps to explain the unbelief of the apostles (vs10 and 11).

Where are we looking to find the risen Jesus? In what might he be revealed to us? Whose testimony are we believing as we look for explanation and encounter with God in our lives?

Holy Week and Easter

Bishop Anne will be leading worship on Good Friday (2pm An Hour at the Cross) and Easter Sunday (10am Sung Eucharist). For other times in the week please see the services at St John’s and St James’s that are advertised along with ours on the Easter publicity. It is hoped that members of all three churches will take this opportunity to worship together during the Easter festival. Rev Roger promises that ‘there will be a mystery Easter gift for all who make it to the three churches during Holy Week’.

Easter Breakfast

We hope to see as many people as possible at our annual Easter Breakfast. This will take place in the Choir Vestry between the 8am and 10am services, starting at 8:30am. If you would like to offer any help or bring along breakfast items, please contact Gillian Rose at gillian_rose@btinternet.com

The Way Forward

The Vestry recently met with +Anne to discuss the way forward for St Mary’s. Consequently, please find at church a questionnaire to help gather our thoughts about our Church. We also plan to update the Church Profile and make a short video. We will need your permission to use any photos you are in of church activities. Both documents will be handed out on Sunday and the following weeks. If you could kindly sign and hand the permission slip back today (please give to David or Julia) that would be very helpful. We hope to take some pictures as soon as Easter Breakfast! The deadline for the Questionnaire is May 4th and a post box will be provided.

The Bishop’s Lent Appeal for 2025 supports ‘Days for Girls, UK’ (Charity Reg No: 1189219):

This charity ensures girls don’t miss school and women don’t miss work due to menstruation. They provide sustainable pads, health education, social entrepreneurship, and policy advocacy. To date, they have reached over 3 million women and girls globally. To donate, visit their website and note Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney on your donation. Alternatively, send a cheque to Days for Girls UK, 24 Marney Rd, London SW11 5EP, with your address, post code, and a note that it’s part of the Bishop’s Lent Appeal (Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney).

Thursday@7

Our small group for Bible study and prayer, is taking an Easter break. We will meet again on May 8th when we start a seven-week series on the Psalms. How do we relate to God as we pray our doubt, fears, anger and praise? Venue Church Crypt as before.

SEC Net Zero Action Plan

We’re focusing on making our energy usage more sustainable and efficient to reduce energy bills, lessen environmental impact, and make St Mary’s more comfortable. Check the noticeboard at the back of the church for updates and share your thoughts and ideas on aligning with our Three C’s targets. We’ll be compiling all responses after Easter.

Sunflower Competition started last Sunday

There’s still time to join the sunflower growing competition. We provide the seeds, compost and pots for a suggested donation of £5. In the autumn we’ll see who has grown the tallest sunflowers and award some prizes. In the process we can keep the pollinators happy!

Easter Egg Collection

Thank you very much to everyone that donated to our Easter Egg Collection appeal. Sixty-one (61) Easter Eggs were delivered to Barnardo’s office on Carden Place on Wednesday and will be delivered to children across the city before the Easter weekend.

Diocesan newsletter

If you haven’t already noticed there is a great newsletter on the Diocesan website showing lots of happy Episcopalians meeting Bishop Anne Dyer in recent travels around the Diocese. Please read on here: https://aoepiscopal.scot/bishops-newsletter-14-april-2025/ Also remember to pick up our St Mary’s Easter Magazine or review it online.

Services and events over Easter and for the coming week

Good Friday 18th April 2pm Hour at the Cross: Bishop Anne Dyer
Saturday 19th April 8:30pm Easter Vigil and Service of Light: Bishop Anne Dyer (at St John’s)
Sunday 20th April 8am Easter Sunday Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 20th April 10am Easter Sunday Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Bishop Anne Dyer
Wednesday 23rd April Holy Communion: Reverend Kate Gibson
Friday 25th April Compline: Iain Stewart
Sunday 27th April No 8am Service
Sunday 27th April 10am Service of the Word: presiding Ms Louisa Donaldson and preaching Dr Nicola Mills

Next Sunday’s readings: Acts 5: 27-32; Psalm 150; Revelation 1: 4-8
Gospel: John 20: 19-31

“Jesus’s resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord’s Prayer is about.”
(N T Wright)

For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com

A very warm welcome to all

Refrain for Psalm 31

“Into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Sixth Sunday in Lent (Palm Sunday)

Readings: Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Philippians 2: 5-11
Gospel: Dramatised Passion Narrative from Luke

In our Gospel today

Today we enter Holy Week, a time which is both solemn and reflective on the one hand, and also full of hope and expectation on the other as we anticipate the Resurrection of our Lord. We reflect prayerfully on the enormity of the sacrifice of Jesus, but we also remember that the pain and suffering of the Crucifixion is followed by the release of Easter Sunday and the empty tomb.

But first we must travel with Jesus on his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and from there to the Via Dolorosa. This is a good pilgrimage for us, reminding us of the way in which we can all find ourselves beguiled by the roar of the crowd, both in praise and in condemnation; and we should engage in a little self-examination as to whether we, too, are ever caught up in such moments.

But in the end our destiny lies in the joy of Easter, and our anticipation of this joy will uphold and comfort us on the path through this week, which will begin and end with shouts of Hosanna.

May we all have a blessed Holy Week!

Holy Week and Easter

Bishop Anne will be leading worship on Good Friday (2pm An Hour at the Cross) and Easter Sunday (10am Sung Eucharist). During our vacancy it is not possible to offer the full range of Holy Week services at St Mary’s. For other times in the week please see the services at SS John’s and James that are advertised along with ours on the Easter publicity. It is hoped that members of all three churches will take this opportunity to worship together during the Easter festival. Rev Roger promises that ‘there will be a mystery Easter gift for all who make it to the three churches during Holy Week’.

Easter Breakfast

We hope to see as many people as possible at our annual Easter Breakfast. This will take place in the Choir Vestry between the 8am and 10am services, starting at 8:30am. If you would like to offer any help or bring along breakfast items, please contact Gillian Rose at gillian_rose@btinternet.com.

The Bishop’s Lent Appeal for 2025 supports ‘Days for Girls, UK’ (Charity Reg No: 1189219):

This charity ensures girls don’t miss school and women don’t miss work due to menstruation. They provide sustainable pads, health education, social entrepreneurship, and policy advocacy. To date, they have reached over 3 million women and girls globally. To donate, visit their website and note Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney on your donation. Alternatively, send a cheque to Days for Girls UK, 24 Marney Rd, London SW11 5EP, with your address, post code, and a note that it’s part of the Bishop’s Lent Appeal (Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney).

Thursday@7

Our small group for Bible study and prayer, is taking an Easter break. We will meet again on May 8th when we start a seven-week series on the Psalms. How do we relate to God as we pray our doubt, fears, anger and praise? Venue Church Crypt as before.

SEC Net Zero Action Plan

We’re focusing on making our energy usage more sustainable and efficient to reduce energy bills, lessen environmental impact, and make St Mary’s more comfortable. Check the noticeboard at the back of the church for updates and share your thoughts and ideas on aligning with our Three C’s targets. We’ll be compiling all responses after Easter.

Sunflower Competition started last Sunday

There’s still time to join the sunflower growing competition. We provide the seeds, compost and pots for a suggested donation of £5. In the autumn we’ll see who has grown the tallest sunflowers and award some prizes. In the process we can keep the pollinators happy!

Easter Egg Collection

Our Easter Egg Collection is well underway, and the eggs are really piling up. Thank you very much for all the donations so far!

Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week

Sunday 13th April 8am Palm Sunday Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Sunday 13th April 10am Palm Sunday Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Reverend Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Tuesday 15th April 7pm Stations of the Cross (at St John’s)
Wednesday 16th April 10am Holy Communion: Reverend Roger Dyer
Maundy Thursday 17th April 6:30pm Eucharist with Foot-Washing (at St James’s)
Good Friday 18th April 2pm Hour at the Cross: Bishop Anne Dyer
Saturday 19th April 8:30pm Easter Vigil and Service of Light: Bishop Anne Dyer (at St John’s)
Sunday 20th April 8am Easter Sunday Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 20th April 10am Easter Sunday Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Bishop Anne Dyer

Next Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 65: 17-end; Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24; Acts 10: 34-43
Gospel: Luke 24: 1-12

“Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life; by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.”
(Anselm of Canterbury)

For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com

A very warm welcome to all

Refrain for Psalm 126:

“The Lord has indeed done great things for us.”

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Readings: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Philippians 3: 4b-14
Gospel: John 12: 1-8

In our Gospel today

The 5th Sunday of Lent Year C invites us to focus on new beginnings and God’s mercy. In the first reading, the people are told that God will do something new for them. God offers a fresh start, no matter what mistakes we have made in the past. We are encouraged to forget past failures and look forward with hope.

In Philippians, Paul emphasizes the importance of making Christ the centre of our lives. He urges us to press on toward our spiritual goals, always striving to grow closer to Jesus. This teaches us to keep moving forward, even when the journey is difficult.

In our gospel reading Jesus comes to Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus (whom he had raised from the dead). Mary, the same Mary who had sat at the feet of Jesus as her sister Martha had been ‘distracted with much serving’, is once again centre stage. Once again Martha is serving, and again Mary is rapt with love and devotion, sitting at his feet.

Mary springs into action. In one spontaneous, reckless and wasteful gesture of extravagance, she anoints the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair. It’s a very intimate, and a very shocking scene. For a woman to let her hair down in public in this way and behave towards Jesus with such physical intimacy must have aroused considerable attention and scorn. But she is overcome by her love for Jesus and cannot but worship him with the best that she has.

Holy Week and Easter

Bishop Anne will be leading worship on Good Friday (2pm An Hour at the Cross) and Easter Sunday (10am Sung Eucharist). During our vacancy it is not possible to offer the full range of Holy Week services at St Mary’s. For other times in the week please see the services at SS John’s and James that are advertised along with ours on the Easter publicity. It is hoped that members of all three churches will take this opportunity to worship together during the Easter festival. Rev Roger promises that ‘there will be a mystery Easter gift for all who make it to the three churches during Holy Week’.

Holy Week Services

Please note the following services for your diaries:

• TUESDAY 15th 7:00pm Stations of the Cross – St John’s
• THURSDAY 17th 6:30pm Maundy Thursday Communion with Foot-Washing – St James
• GOOD FRIDAY 18th 11am Start of Aberdeen Churches Together ‘Walk of Witness’ – St John’s
• GOOD FRIDAY 18th 2:00pm Hour at the Cross – St Mary’s
• EASTER SATURDAY 19th 8:30pm Easter Vigil and Service of Light – St John’s
• EASTER SUNDAY 20th 9:30am & 11:00am – St John’s
• EASTER SUNDAY 20th 10:30am – St James
• EASTER SUNDAY 20th 8:00am & 10:00am – St Mary’s

Lent Course

For this year’s Lent Course, we are invited to take a deeper dive into the Bible readings from the previous Sunday. Meeting in the crypt at 7pm on Thursdays. Our Sunday preachers will have highlighted some things for us but what more could we mine together from these passages as we seek to keep a holy and fruitful Lent?

SEC Net Zero Action Plan

Following our use of the SEC Heat Hack Programme we are now focusing on taking some actions to make our energy usage more sustainable and efficient. We are hoping to reduce our energy bills, do less damage to the planet and make St Mary’s a more comfortable place to meet, worship and socialise. Please see the noticeboard at the back of church to see what we’ve already been doing. Please let us know what you think about the options for aligning with our Three C’s targets and feel free to add your own ideas.

Fundraising and Social Events Calendar

The Fundraising and Social Events Group met at the beginning of the month to plan fundraising, donation and social events for 2025. Please see the noticeboards for the calendar of activities. There are spare copies of the calendar in the Choir Vestry which you can take home to update your own calendars.

Sunflower Competition started last Sunday

Last year we had some fun with tomato and other plant seedling sales, even if we didn’t all harvest ripe tomatoes! This year we thought it would be fun to have a sunflower growing competition. We’ll provide the seeds, compost and pots for a suggested donation of £5. In the autumn we’ll see who has grown the tallest sunflowers and award some prizes. In the process we can keep the pollinators happy!

Easter Egg Collection

Our Easter Egg Collection is well underway, and the eggs are already piling up. Our charitable donation initiatives have been very well supported and successful and very much appreciated by the recipients. Thank you very much for all the donations so far!

Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week

Sunday 6th April 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 6th April 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Wednesday 9th April 10am Holy Communion: Reverend Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Friday 11th April 6pm Compline: Iain Stewart
Sunday 13th April 8am Palm Sunday Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Ferdinand von Prondzynski
Sunday 13th April 10am Palm Sunday Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Reverend Ferdinand von Prondzynski

Next Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 31: 9-16; Philippians 2: 5-11
Gospel: Dramatised Passion Narrative from Luke (separate booklet)

“God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking mercy.”
(Pope Francis)

For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com

A very warm welcome to all

Refrain for Psalm 34:

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall ever be in my mouth.”

Fourth Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday)

Readings: Exodus 2: 1-10; 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7
Gospel: Luke 2: 33-35

In our Gospel today

Today is the fourth Sunday of Lent but can also be known as Laetare Sunday from the Latin word to rejoice. As in the period of Advent where Gaudete Sunday is represented by the colour rose or pink the same is true for today. So too we are given a brief period of respite from the solemnities of the season and is why we celebrate Mothering Sunday today. It can also be said that we have reached the mid-way point in our Lenten Journey and Easter is in sight or maybe that chocolate we have given up!

Traditionally Mothering Sunday was a time when Christians would visit their mother church to celebrate. This would be the Church where they were baptised and a reminder of their Christian journey.

Whist lent has been a time of self-reflection for us today we might remember our part in the wider church community and family and what it is that binds us together beginning with our baptismal vows and entry into that family.

Our readings remind us that this is not always an easy path to take, and we might argue that perhaps it should not be as our journey often encounters many obstacles that we may well have been considering in our own Lenten reflections.

However, today as we celebrate Mothering Sunday, we remember that if we have faith and trust in God we will travel with Christ through Lent and Holy Week and suffering on the cross to the joy of that first Easter morning.

Organ Recital at St James the Less

All are invited to a Recital of Lenten Organ music by Kamil Mika, organist at St James’s on Tuesday 1st April at 5pm. No entry fee, retiring collection for Kamil.

Lent Course

For this year’s Lent Course, we are invited to take a deeper dive into the Bible readings from the previous Sunday. Meeting in the crypt at 7pm on Thursdays. Our Sunday preachers will have highlighted some things for us but what more could we mine together from these passages as we seek to keep a holy and fruitful Lent?

SEC Net Zero Action Plan

Following our use of the SEC Heat Hack Programme we are now focusing on taking some actions to make our energy usage more sustainable and efficient. We are hoping to reduce our energy bills, do less damage to the planet and make St Mary’s a more comfortable place to meet, worship and socialise. Please see the noticeboard at the back of church to see what we’ve already been doing. Please let us know what you think about the options for aligning with our Three C’s targets and feel free to add your own ideas.

Fundraising and Social Events Calendar

The Fundraising and Social Events Group met at the beginning of the month to plan fundraising, donation and social events for 2025. Please see the noticeboards for the calendar of activities. There are spare copies of the calendar in the Choir Vestry which you can take home to update your own calendars.

Sunflower Competition started last Sunday

Last year we had some fun with tomato and other plant seedling sales, even if we didn’t all harvest ripe tomatoes! This year we thought it would be fun to have a sunflower growing competition. We’ll provide the seeds, compost and pots for a suggested donation of £5. In the autumn we’ll see who has grown the tallest sunflowers and award some prizes. In the process we can keep the pollinators happy!

Easter Egg Collection

Our Easter Egg Collection began last Sunday through to Easter Sunday. Our charitable donation initiatives have been very well supported and successful and very much appreciated by the recipients. Thanking you in advance for your generous gifts!

Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week

Sunday 28th March 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 28th March 10am Service of the Word (Mothering Sunday): Presiding Dr Nicola Mills and preaching Louisa Donaldson
Wednesday 2nd April 10am Holy Communion: Reverend Roger Dyer
Friday 4th April 6pm Compline: Iain Stewart
Sunday 6th April 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 6th April 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer

Next Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 43: 16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3: 4b-14
Gospel: John 12: 1-8

“Faith, mighty faith the promise sees and looks to God alone; laughs at impossibilities and cries It Shall be Done.”
(Charles Wesley)

For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com

A very warm welcome to all

Refrain for Psalm 63:

“My soul is thirsting for my God.”

Third Sunday in Lent

Readings: Isaiah 55: 1-9; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13
Gospel: Luke 13: 1-9

In our Gospel today

We are now some time into the season of Lent, and today’s readings remind us of how we might fashion our individual Lenten discipline. Many people see Lent as a time of fasting and abstinence, and that can be a way of nourishing our faith as we look forward to Easter. But perhaps more important than fasting is self-examination – looking at our lives and reflecting on what is good and what, perhaps, we might want to change. We might look closely at where, in our lives, we might see the burning bush in which God is revealed to us and from which we are sent to do His will.

Since none of us is perfect, we will see some parts of our lives that we might have handled better. As Jesus reminds his listeners in today’s reading from Luke’s Gospel, our way back from that is repentance. Repentance is, in its essence, a degree of self-awareness and a desire to move beyond our imperfections. We will not always succeed, as we are human, but the holy season of Lent gives us the opportunity to be reconciled with God.

None of this needs to be framed in sadness and grief. Orthodox Christians refer to Lent as the season of “bright sadness”, in which the faithful prepare for what will be the joy of the Resurrection. Let us therefore go through this season with honesty, self-examination, and confidence in God’s mercy.

Lent Lunch

You’re invited to Lent Lunch with Bishop Anne Dyer in support of the Bishop’s Lent appeal for Days for Girls. The lunch will take place on Monday 24th March at St James, Holburn Street, Aberdeen. Lunch is free and donations to the charity are very welcome. The Bishop’s Lent Appeal for 2025 is supporting the charity Days for Girls, UK, which is affiliated with Days for Girls International. This charity works to eliminate the stigma and limitations associated with menstruation, aiming to improve health, education, and livelihoods for women and girls

Lent Course

For this year’s Lent Course, we are invited to take a deeper dive into the Bible readings from the previous Sunday. Meeting in the crypt at 7pm on Thursdays. Our Sunday preachers will have highlighted some things for us but what more could we mine together from these passages as we seek to keep a holy and fruitful Lent?

SEC Net Zero Action Plan

Following our use of the SEC Heat Hack Programme we are now focusing on taking some actions to make our energy usage more sustainable and efficient. We are hoping to reduce our energy bills, do less damage to the planet and make St Mary’s a more comfortable place to meet, worship and socialise. Please see the noticeboard at the back of church to see what we’ve already been doing. Please let us know what you think about the options for aligning with our Three C’s targets and feel free to add your own ideas.

Fundraising and Social Events Calendar

The Fundraising and Social Events Group met at the beginning of the month to plan fundraising, donation and social events for 2025. Please see the noticeboards for the calendar of activities. There are spare copies of the calendar in the Choir Vestry which you can take home to update your own calendars.

Sunflower Competition started last Sunday

Last year we had some fun with tomato and other plant seedling sales, even if we didn’t all harvest ripe tomatoes! This year we thought it would be fun to have a sunflower growing competition. We’ll provide the seeds, compost and pots for a suggested donation of £5. In the autumn we’ll see who has grown the tallest sunflowers and award some prizes. In the process we can keep the pollinators happy!

Easter Egg Collection

Our Easter Egg Collection begins this Sunday through to Easter Sunday. Our charitable donation initiatives have been very well supported and successful and very much appreciated by the recipients. Thanking you in advance for your generous gifts!

Beach Clean

Fancy some fresh air and a chance to help tidy up our lovely city beach. If so, please join the beach clean this Sunday at 2pm at the north end of the city beach. Please also see posters for future dates and places.

Services and events commencing this Sunday and for the coming week

Sunday 23rd March 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 23rd March 10am Sung Eucharist (1982 Liturgy): Reverend Kate Gibson
Wednesday 19th March 10am Holy Communion: Reverend Roger Dyer
Friday 26th March 6pm Compline: Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 28th March 8am Holy Communion (1970 Liturgy): Reverend Roger Dyer
Sunday 28th March 10am Service of the Word (Mothering Sunday): Presiding Dr Nicola Mills and preaching Louisa Donaldson

Next Sunday’s readings: Joshua 5: 9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21
Gospel: Luke 15: 1-3. 11b-32

“Repentance is not something God demands of you before He will take you back and which He could let you off if He chose; it is simply a description of what going back is like.”
(C.S. Lewis.)

For any pastoral matters please contact our Assistant Priest Revd Roger Dyer on 07719 458571 or revrogdyer@btinternet.com