A very warm welcome to all
Pentecost 14
Readings: Exodus 32: 7-14; 1 Timothy 1: 12-17
Gospel: Luke 15: 1-10
Requiescat in pace
Gospel: Luke 15: 1-10
With the extremely sad news of the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday the 8th of September, this puts most of us in a situation we have never before experienced. We have changed the colour of vestments today and have given particular thought to our choice of hymns. Our Sung Eucharist will be a sombre service, but also one invoking great memories of a wonderful servant to our world and country. We are thankful for Her Majesty’s unselfish and dedicated service, may she rest in peace and may light eternal shine upon her. God save the King.
Today’s Gospel
In our Gospel reading today, we can clearly see that Jesus was a very real threat to the religious status quo — and the Jewish leaders knew it. The Pharisees and Scribes took issue with almost everything Jesus said and did. In their eyes he was a false teacher, a heretic, someone to be watched and kept on a short leash. In our text today, they were murmuring, as they often did, complaining about his practice of hanging around with low status people. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he sat at the same table and ate with them as well. The Pharisees did not like Jesus. They didn’t even like pronouncing his name. They would refer to him as “this fellow” with a sneer.
War in Ukraine
Please continue to offer prayers for our brothers and sisters caught up in the mayhem that is Ukraine. Please think about what you can do to help in any way for those who continue to reach out to the rest of Europe and beyond for our assistance. Whatever method or organisation you use to make donations, please do it rather than thinking about it.
Viola concert
As part of our regular musical offerings being arranged by our Director of Music, Matthew, today, at 4pm, there will be a Viola Recital by Ms Mairi McKellar. Mairi is a final year music student at Aberdeen University, and this event will showcase some of her finest repertoire. I am absolutely sure it will be a wonderful occasion, and as always, entrance is free, but all donations will be gratefully received.
Service Swap
Next Sunday (18th September), both of our morning services will be officiated by our other assistant Priest, Fr Jason Hobbs. Fr Jason hasn’t had the opportunity to preside and preach at St Mary’s for some time now due to his current commitment at St Clements at Mastrick. He and I have therefore organised this ‘swap’ for next week. I shall cover Fr Jason’s duties at St Clements for that day. I am sure those of you who know Fr Jason will welcome him back, and for those who have not yet made his acquaintance, I know that he will be only too happy to have a chat with you at the fellowship after the service.
Migrants: Blessing or Burden?
On Monday 3rd October at 7pm in the choir Vestry, we will be joined by Dr Robert Heimburger, Research Fellow in Theological Ethics, University of Aberdeen. This will be an opportunity to reflect on our own experiences in the light of migration stories from the Bible. Robert is a member at St Devenick’s, Bieldside. There will be a service of Compline at the end of the evening for any that wish to stay.
Five-Year-Plan
Speaking of where we might be in five years time, it is incumbent upon me and our Vestry to now consider a five-year-plan. This was discussed at General Synod and it will be a requirement for each charge and diocese to produce such a plan. With this in mind, I would like to form a strategic planning group, which I shall chair, to tentatively begin the process of evidence gathering and terms of reference. Should anyone, either in the Vestry Committee or St Mary’s congregation be interested in becoming part of this group, would you please let me know. It is important that we are able to harness the skills and vision required to produce this plan.
Jacket Potato
I would like to start an appeal from today. This will be called ‘Jacket Potato‘. It is an appeal to everyone to have a look through your unused coats and jackets, gloves and scarves, and consider donating them to us here at St Mary’s. Once we have what is considered a sufficient amount, we will, after some advertising, invite anyone, who, through no fault of their own, have fallen on hard times, to come along on a date to be confirmed, to find a garment that fits and to take it free of charge. There will be a limit of one garment per person, and the thinking behind this venture is to ensure that as the winter months fast approach, we here at St Mary’s can ‘do our bit’ to help those who might otherwise go cold. I would like to be able to do this sometime in November if possible, and on the day we can have jacket potatoes and beans available for anyone who wants to have a hot meal. If you do decide to donate a coat or jacket, please ensure that it is serviceable to wear, e.g, all buttons etc, are in place. Also, if you have a coat rail of some kind we can borrow to hang the items donated that would be great. ‘And he answered and he said to them’, “Whoever has two coats, let him give to him who has not, and whoever has food should do likewise.” (Luke 3: 11)
Five Year Plan
I mentioned last week that it is incumbent upon me and our Vestry to now consider a five-year-plan. This was discussed at General Synod and it will be a requirement for each charge and diocese to produce such a plan. With this in mind, I would like to form a strategic planning group, which I shall chair, to tentatively begin the process of evidence gathering and terms of reference. Should anyone, either in the Vestry Committee or St Mary’s congregation be interested in becoming part of this group, would you please let me know. It is important that we are able to harness the skills and vision required to produce this plan.
Ordination
On Saturday the 24th of September, commencing at 12 midday, the ordination of Mr Andrew Elliott to the order of Deacons, will take place at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, this event will also take in the (re) licensing of Lay Readers from the Islands. This is a significant event and a very big day for those concerned. Please try to show your support by allowing time to attend this special day in our Church. There will be refreshments provided on the day.
Diary Date
A date for your diaries. This year’s Harvest festival will take place on Sunday the 2nd of October at our 10 am Sung Eucharist.
Jewellery
As mentioned in previous weeks, I am asking you to look through your jewellery boxes to see if you are prepared to part with something that you really haven’t used for years or maybe you just feel like donating something you have no further use of. Of course, it doesn’t have to be gold, it could be any type of jewellery that we might be able to sell on to a jewellers. In any case, I am now appealing to you to consider this and I intend to keep this running for the next 3 months, at which point we can assess where we are.
Vestry Vacancies
We have two vacancies on St Mary’s Vestry for Ordinary Members, and I would strongly urge those who feel that they could offer something to assist in the management of our Church to speak to me. Vestry membership is a rewarding role and provides an insight in to how we reach the decisions we do in our work here at Carden Place.
Holiday Club
It is now too late to consider further volunteers for the All Saints Holiday Club 17-20 Oct for those aged 4-11(inc P7) at St James, Holburn St, a joint project between St James, St John’s and St Mary’s. We are, however, continuing our focus to get children to attend and to encourage prayer support.
Photography Competition 2022
Photography Competition 2022 : After the successful competition of last year 1st July marks the start of this year’s contest. We have until the 14th of October to submit entries to Mr David Rose via the St Mary’s email address stmaryscardenplace@gmail.com There is no limit to the number of photos that you may enter but they have to be taken by you or a family member with their permission. The entry fee for each shot is £2 with those judged to be the best three receiving a prize. Photographs of people are not encouraged to avoid the requirement to obtain express written permission. For full details of Competition Rules (inc. how to pay, display, publishing and royalty rights) please see church website stmaryscardenplace.org.uk under ‘What’s On’.
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 11th September 2022
Sunday 11th September at 8 am – Said Eucharist (1970 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 11th September at 10 am – Pentecost 13 – Sung Eucharist (1982 – Cn Terry)
Sunday 11th September at 4 pm – Viola recital by Ms Mairi McKellar
Monday 12th September – Cn Terry – Day off
Tuesday 13th September at 10am – Morning Prayer (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 14th September at 10am – Holy Communion – Holy Cross Day (1970 – Cn Terry)
Friday 16th September at 6pm – Compline (Cn Terry)
Sunday 18th September at 8 am- Pentecost 14 – Holy Communion (1970 Fr Jason)
Sunday 18th September at 10 am- Pentecost 14 – Sung Eucharist (1982 – Fr Jason)
Readings: Amos 8: 4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2: 1-7
Gospel: Luke 16: 1-13
“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”
(Queen Elizabeth II)
Cn Terry Taggart:
01224588776/07768219984