A very warm welcome to all
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany
Readings:
Exodus 24: 12-18; 2 Peter 1: 16-21
Gospel: Matthew 17: 1-9
In our Gospel
In our Gospel today.
In our Gospel today, we hear it, ‘Listen to him’. ‘Be raised up’. ‘Do not be afraid’. What if those words are holy wisdom for times of change? What if they are the means by which we step into our own transfiguration? Maybe it wasn’t Jesus who changed on the mountaintop. Maybe it was Peter, James, and John. Maybe their eyes were opened and their seeing changed so that everywhere they looked they saw “Jesus himself alone.” Maybe they saw Jesus for the first time as he had always been. If that’s true, and I believe it is, then it means that every change – whether good or bad, wanted or unwanted, joyful or sorrowful – is illumined with divine light and filled with God’s presence.
Earthquake Tragedy
We must endeavour to pray for those who have been affected by the terrible earthquake that occurred in Turkey and Syria and pray also for the many charities and relief organisations who are assisting in the effort to recover survivors and those who may have perished.
War in Ukraine
Please continue to offer prayers for our brothers and sisters caught up in Ukraine’s mayhem. 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 think about it.
Lent
Lent will soon be upon us, in fact, Ash Wednesday will be on the 22nd of February, and as you will see at the foot of the newsletter, I am providing two services for the imposition of ashes. I want you to now be thinking about how you will personally approach and participate in this important season in our calendar.
Easter Egg Appeal
Our annual appeal for donations of Easter Eggs is well up and running, with several donations already made. If you are out shopping, and only if you are able, please consider picking up an Easter Egg (or two), to put towards our appeal.
Aberdeen Organists Association
On Saturday the 25th of February, commencing at 2 pm, the Aberdeen Organists Association will perform a number of short recitals here at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. If you are free, please come along. The event will last about an hour followed by tea and coffee in the Choir Vestry, where you will be able to speak with the musicians if you wish. The event is free, however, all donations will be gratefully received.
Curry Night
On the evening of Friday the 3rd of March, there will be a ‘Curry Night’, as part of our ongoing fundraising campaign. All of the food will be prepared and provided by myself and our People’s Warden, Mr Iain Stewart. We ask only that you consider making a reasonable donation and that you ‘bring a bottle’ on the day.
Fundraising/Social Events
At a recent meeting with the fundraising/social events group recently, a number of events have now been planned for almost every month of the year. This will be available on the website with hard copies posted in the Choir Vestry soon
Diocesan Synod
On Saturday the 4th of March, the Diocesan Synod service will take place at Kings College Chapel at Aberdeen University, commencing at 9.30 am. All are welcome to attend this service. The Synod meeting will then follow and will take place at the Elphinstone Hall, directly across from Kings College Chapel.
Bottles
We continue to ask everyone to consider donating any unusual bottles for our ‘Bottle Appeal’. This is an ongoing fundraising initiative and I ask you to keep your eyes open.
Holy Week
Holy Week will commence on Sunday, April 2nd, and I have recently received an email from Bishop Dorsey McConnell (our Assisting Bishop), to confirm that he will be with us here at St Mary’s for the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday). We are blessed that +Dorsey will provide his ministry to us during this most intense part of our Christian Calendar and I will confirm next week what form that will take in relation to our worship.
Smartie Tubes appeal
We will shortly be supplying everyone with ‘Smartie Tubes’ as part of our collection which terminates on Easter Sunday. When available, please take one and, if you are able, fill it with 20p pieces, or consider some other means of donating (cheques/notes etc)
More volunteers needed
I am appealing for more people to volunteer to assist with providing coffee and tea after our Sunday worship. Please use the St Mary’s Calendar on the notice board in the Choir vestry to indicate when you would be free to help. Many hands etc…
Keep warm
During this current cold weather, please know that we have a good supply of woollen blankets at the rear of the church that you may wish to avail yourselves of in order to stave off the chill.
Poem Competition 2023
Just to remind everyone that our Short Poetry Competition was launched on the 4th of December. If you recall how successful our previous competition was it was a ‘no-brainer’ that we should do it again. So, get your artistic thinking caps on once more and let’s see if we can have some wonderful poems as we did the last time. You have until the end of March 2023 to submit your entries via email to stmaryscardenplace@gmail.com or if you do not have a computer, on a hard copy to either myself or Mr David Rose our webmaster. The rules can be found via the website on the following link to this year’s competition at https://stmaryscardenplace.org.uk/uncategorized/poem-competition-2023/ Further information will be updated and will soon be made available.
Services/Events Commencing Sunday the 19th of February 2023
Sunday 19th February – at 8 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry)
Sunday 19th February at 10 am – Sung Eucharist followed by AGM (Cn Terry)
Monday 20th February – Cn Terry – Day Off
Tuesday 21st February at 10 am – Morning Prayer (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 22nd February at 10 am – Ash Wednesday – Imposition of Ashes (Cn Terry)
Wednesday 22nd February at 6 pm – Ash Wednesday – Imposition of Ashes (Cn Terry
Friday 24th February – at 6 pm – Compline (Cn Terry)
Saturday 25th February at 2 pm ‘Aberdeen Organists Association Recitals
Sunday 26th February – at 8 am – Holy Communion (Cn Terry)
Sunday 26th February at 10 am – Sung Eucharist – 1st Sunday of Lent (Cn Terry)
Sunday the 26th Feb readings: Genesis 2: 15-17, & 3: 1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5: 12-19
Gospel: Matthew 4: 1-11
“The divine process of change manifests itself to our human understanding . . . as punishment, torment, death, and transfiguration”
(Carl Jung)
Cn Terry Taggart:
01224588776/07768219984