1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

Love is more than just romantic: it can be found in all manner of
compassion and caring for others.
Newsletter of
Pitlochry Church of Scotland
Sunday Worship 10.30 am
No. 156
February 2015
Church Register
Deaths
25 November
15 December
28 December
14 January
Miss Annie Anderson, Balhousie Care Home
Mrs Catherine Mudie, 23 Tom-na-Moan Road
Mr Robert How, 40 Knockard Place
Mrs Moira King, Balhousie Care Home
Funeral
26 January
Mrs Helen Williamson, 5 Darach Road
Christian Programmes on
Heartland FM 97.5
“Heart and Soul” on Sundays from 8.00 to 9.00am.
Christian music, local interviews and news.
Sounds Inspirational is a Christian music programme which
is on every Tuesday from 10.00 to 11.00pm and is repeated
the following Sunday at 10.00pm.
David Wilkie
CD recordings of the 10.30am service are made each Sunday. Anyone
who wishes to receive a CD should contact David Wilkie or their district
Elder.
BLYTHSWOOD TRUCK is scheduled to be at the Baptist Church at
10.30am on Tuesday 10th February. Any material for Blythswood may
be left in the caged area at the back of the church on the Monday or on the
Tuesday before 10.30am. A key to the caged area must be obtained from
the Atholl Centre.
Minister’s letter
The Lord be with you.
This week I have found myself praying with, and for, a large
number of folk, and for a wide variety of reasons. As this is my
vocation it might not seem that noteworthy, but it has certainly brought prayer
to the front of my mind.
It has reminded me that everyone should be
encouraged to practice the habit of daily reading and prayer; it is a vital, but
often neglected area of Christian life and service. I have also been reminded
again that we have a large untapped resource in those who are less able to
come along to church, and so I would invite them to see prayer as their main
form of Christian service - to pray for the needs of our world, our community
and our church.
What to pray is often a problem. If the issues are large and complicated then
we can feel overwhelmed and we aren’t sure where to begin.
So, like
everything in life it is probably better to start with something small and work
up as confidence in our ability to pray grows and matures.
I would encourage prayer for those around us;
family, friends and
neighbours. But even then we might ask - what do we pray for? I want to
share a poem with you, as a sort of guide...
I said a prayer for you today,
and know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart,
although He spoke no word.
I didn’t ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn’t mind.
I asked Him to send treasures,
of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He’d be near to you,
at the start of each new day.
To grant you health and
blessings,
and friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you,
in all things great and small,
but it was for His loving care,
I prayed the most of all.
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians instructs them, and in turn, us … “Devote
yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col 4:2) And I ask
you to see it not only as part of what we are called to do, but also as a
challenge.
Everything that happens in the life of the church should be
underpinned by prayer, perhaps we need to reclaim that for ourselves, and
see it as the role of the many and not just the few.
On Saturday, 7th February from 6am to 6pm the local churches are coming
together for a time of Creative Prayer, praying for various situations in our
world, community and churches. Our church is committed to two hours in the
day, between 7am and 8am in the morning, and between 1pm and 2pm in the
afternoon. The Baptist Church will host the day, and I ask you to commit the
event to prayer.
Until the next time: The Lord bless you and keep you.
Your minister ... Mary Haddow
Creative Prayer Day
As some of you will know, Churches Working Together in Atholl has been
around for some time. This year we are hoping to try something completely
different, and we need your help.
The churches in the area have signed up to be part of a Creative Prayer Day
on Saturday 7th February. Here's how it will work:
The Baptist church will be open from 6am until 6pm. The sanctuary will be
laid out so that there will be an opportunity to pray for all sorts of things - for
family and friends, for the town, for our country and for the wider world.
Posters of prayers, Bible verses, maps and pictures will be on the walls.
Bibles and prayer books will be available, scattered around. People may want
to pray alone and have a bit of space to be quiet. Or they may want to pray
with others. Some may want to listen to contemplative music, or read the
Bible, while others may want to write a prayer or a poem.
The churches are joining in this venture and members of different churches
will be there throughout the day. This is where we need help from our
congregation. Our church is committed to two hours in the day, between 7am
and 8am in the morning, and between 1pm and 2pm in the afternoon. We
need as many people as possible from the church to sign up for these slots to
make the day work. Please sign up to be part of this project by contacting our
minister Mary Haddow or Ginnie Wilkie the Secretary for Churches Working
Together in Atholl. (There will be members of the Baptist Church around all
day in case you need any help).
The day will end with half an hour of praise and worship between 6pm and
6.30pm in the Baptist Church to which ALL are invited.
*******************
World Day of Prayer Service is on Friday 6th March 2015.
This has been written by the Christian Women of The Bahamas.
A Service will be held in The Tryst Hall at 2.30 pm followed
by refreshments. All very welcome. Although not under the
auspices of Churches Working Together in Atholl this will be
an ecumenical Service with invitations going to several
churches in Pitlochry.
Ginnie Wilkie
Prayer – Praying Towards Easter
At the time of printing the following times and dates for the Lent Studies
had been arranged:
Wednesday 25 February in St Bride’s Church at 2.30pm.
Theme: Stations of the Cross
Wednesday 4 March in Holy Trinity Church at 2.00pm
Theme: Prayer Labyrinth
Thursday 12 March in Pitlochry Church of Scotland at 7.00pm.
Theme: To be arranged
Wednesday 25 March in the Baptist Church at 2.00pm
Theme: To be arranged
Times and dates of the study in Tenandry Church has still to be finalised.
*****************
Church Flower Fund
May I take this opportunity to thank
everybody who donated to the flower fund
last year.
I should also appreciate your continued
support in the coming year to enable us to
buy fresh flowers especially during the
summer months when the church is open
to visitors.
Thank you
Anne Hartley
CHAPLAINS – A GROWING MINISTRY
You may wonder why, in a Britain that is
becoming more secular, so many organisations
are appointing chaplains.
We are used to
chaplains in schools and universities, hospitals,
prisons or the armed forces, or Parliament. But
so many other organisations are now appointing
chaplains to give pastoral and spiritual care to
their members. For example, there are chaplains at airports and in shopping
malls, often with places set apart for prayer or reflection. There are chaplains
in industry, in the world of entertainment, even in football clubs. They must
be meeting a perceived need.
In England, chaplains originate from medieval times when they were first
engaged by monarchs and noble families. Often chaplains served as clerks –
not all noblemen were literate (hence ‘clerk in holy orders’). Chaplains were
also paid to say masses for the souls of their patrons, in the hope of gaining
favour in heaven. Often chaplains would accompany their lord into battle, on
land or sea – the original armed forces chaplains.
So what is the appeal of chaplaincies today? Perhaps it is a natural
development in a secular society. In an age when fewer people attend
churches it makes particular sense for Christian ministers to join people
where they are, offering pastoral and spiritual care to specific groups of
people. Jesus himself was without any kind of institution; he had no
synagogue or church building. Jesus was on the road, in people’s homes, at
the lakeside, on the hillside, engaging people where they were – Pharisees,
tax collectors, beggars, prostitutes, the sick and dying, foreigners (Samaritans
and Roman Centurions). Chaplains are in the front line of Christian ministry
and outreach in the 21st Century, meeting people at opportune moments,
often in passing, as Jesus did.
It is appropriate in today’s Britain that chaplains, both ordained and lay, often
operate in multi-faith teams, each being true to their own traditions but seeing
each other as colleagues rather than competitors.
Many see modern Britain as a post-faith society, but the growth of the
ministry of chaplains suggests otherwise. Many people are searching for
meaning and something or someone to believe in. People find themselves
praying at important times in their lives, however vague their experience of
God may be. Chaplains have unique opportunities to be alongside.
(From the “Parish Pump” website)
Teeth Time
A golfer and his wife walked into a dentist’s surgery. The golfer
said to the dentist: “I’m in a hurry. I have two mates sitting out in
my car waiting for us to go and play golf, so forget about the
anaesthetic. I don’t have time for the gums to get numb. I just
want you to pull the tooth and be done with it.”
The dentist thought to himself: “My goodness, this is surely a brave
man asking to have his tooth out without using anything to kill the pain.”
So the dentist asked him: “Which tooth is it, sir?”
The man turned to his wife and said: “Open your mouth, dear, and show him.”
(The Pensioner magazine)
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Keep the brain working
See if you can figure out what these seven words have in common.
1. Banana, 2. Dresser, 3. Grammar, 4. Potato, 5. Revive, 6. Uneven,
7. Assess.
No, it is not that they all have at least two double letters.
Answer at the very end of the magazine.
(The Pensioner magazine)
This Month
The National Covenant was signed on 28th February, 1638. The
document was triggered in part by the King’s attempt to force
(Archbishop) ‘Laud’s Liturgy’ on the Scottish people and was intended to
appeal for wide support, an aim which was certainly met, although it was
some 50 years before its primary demand was met, namely freedom for the
Kirk from royal or state control. In spite of its sound legal foundation and
respectful address to the King, Charles I condemned its contents as:
“impertinent and damnable demands.” Initially signed in the kirkyard of
Greyfriars’ Church in Edinburgh, copies for signing travelled the length
and breadth of the country.
******************
Rikki Fulton will be remembered by many in the congregation as one of
Scotland’s most versatile recent actors. He was also a playwright and
played the piano to concert standard. Although taking serious roles on
stage and in film, it was as a comedy actor that many know him best, not
least as the spoof late caller, the Rev. I. M. Jolly, in which he allowed and
enabled the church and its ministry to laugh at its worst absurdities. (An
interesting contrast to the current outrage caused by religious satire in a
Paris paper. ed. ) Yet, as is so often the case, the comedian masks a
person of deep seriousness. Fulton might be commemorated not just for
his public achievements but as the ‘patron saint’ of the many who ask
questions of church and faith or even hurl their anger at God with the
vehemence of the Psalmist. It was not until the age of 67 that this
questioning man was baptised. He died in 2004.
******************
One who boasts of being a self-made person relieves the Lord
of a lot of responsibility.
Prayer Diary for February 2015
All Sundays in February
Give thanks for the efforts of all those responsible for
keeping our roads and pavements clear and safe – and our
railways running - during the winter months, enabling us to
undertake essential visits both within and outwith Pitlochry.
Remember those who work long hours in difficult conditions
to provide energy supplies, especially in more remote areas
of rural Scotland.
Pray for those such as the elderly and infirm for whom wintry weather
provides difficulties and problems. Help us all to be good neighbours to those
who find this time of year an ordeal.
All Mondays in February
Give thanks for the peace we have enjoyed in this country for many years,
where we are able to practise our faith without fear of reprisal, and to worship
regularly in safety.
Remember those in countries such as Syria and Iraq, Yemen, Israel and
Palestine, and other Middle East areas where there is persecution and no
freedom, where terrorism is rife and innocent people are murdered, or have to
flee their homeland.
Pray for those affected by the present situation in these areas, and for the
International Aid Agencies striving to cope with the numbers of refugees.
All Tuesdays in February
Give thanks for the leadership of Christian Ministers and Mission Partners in
this and other countries.
Remember the work of our Mission Partners – Malcolm and Cati in Nepal
and Rob and Rita Jones in Malawi.
Pray that God will guide them in their work, as they continue to provide
support for the people of these countries, and that they themselves will find
fulfilment in all that they are doing in God’s name.
All Wednesdays in February
Give thanks for the work of Churches Working Together in Atholl as the
churches in our area continue to plan and prepare events throughout the year
where the churches of different denominations can come together.
Remember that, irrespective of particular denominations, all churches seek
to advance Christ’s Kingdom here in Pitlochry.
Pray for the forthcoming Creative Prayer Day to be held in the Baptist
Church, providing an opportunity to drop in and pray for lots of things – or
simply sit in silence in the Church Sanctuary
All Thursdays in February
Give thanks for those who strive to help the homeless, and those who
endeavour to provide food and sustenance to those who require it.
Remember those who, for whatever reason, have left home and are
presently homeless – particularly at this time of year, and those who struggle
to provide a meal for their family.
Pray for organisations such as “Borderline”, supported by the Church of
Scotland, which seek to help homeless Scots in London, and also the Trussel
Trust which runs food banks throughout the country helping people through a
crisis.
All Fridays in February
Give thanks for those who are responsible for the education of our young
people – especially those who teach and work in our local schools and those
who voluntarily look after the children in all the churches in this area especially in our own Sunday Club.
Remember the work involved, not just in the classroom and Sunday Club but
in the preparations beforehand.
Pray for all teachers and Sunday Club leaders that they may find fulfilment in
the important work they are undertaking.
All Saturdays in February
Give thanks for all Ministers and Elders as they endeavour to spread the
Good News of the Gospel of Peace.
Remember those churches, especially in our own Presbytery area, where
there are currently several vacancies.
Pray for our own Minister, Mary, as she leads our own congregation, as well
as providing guidance to nearby congregations who presently have no
minister of their own.
As God the Father gave his Son
And Christ Himself that we might live;
So we, as partners in the scheme,
Should learn, likewise, ourselves to give.
ABBEY SUMMER SCHOOL
We’re delighted to announce a second year of The Abbey Summer School,
which brings three dynamic days of theology and spirituality to Edinburgh. In
2015 our school will take place on the 23-25 July, and shall include a guided
pilgrimage to Dryburgh Abbey. You can read more about the school at our
new website, where you’ll also be able to glimpse something of the spirit of
last summer's event.
This year our programme is every bit as exciting as it was last year, if not
more so. Our speakers will include Jeremy Begbie, who specialises in the
interface between theology and the arts and teaches at both Duke University
and Cambridge, alongside James Houston, founding principal of Regent
College, Vancouver. Both men have deep roots in Scotland as well as an
interdisciplinary approach to theology and they shall bring this to the theme
for this year, the Trinity. Our aim is to make these three days as integrated
as possible. With this in mind, in addition to lectures, there will be
opportunities to partake of panel discussions, structured prayer sessions,
good conversation, and fine food, as well as the pilgrimage itself.
We’re excited about it already and hope you can join us in 2015.
Sharon & George Jebb Smith, David Robinson, Iain Provan, Julie & Matt
Canlis
Organising Team, The Abbey Summer School
www.abbeysummerschool.com
This month we celebrate the Sacrament of Communion
commemorating the Last Supper Jesus had with his
disciples. Here is a Last Supper wordsearch. The
words to find are:
Jesus sharing
disciples bread
wine broken supper
kingdom forgiveness
offer
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Note on the 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Festival
Pitlochry Church of Scotland raised £1,900 from the weekend event with half
going to Scottish Air Ambulance and half to a project in a Malawi hospital
sponsored by the Church of Scotland. 405 visitors came to the church and
The Tryst.
*********************
Balhousie Care Home Services
Volunteers are needed to take on this important work of ministry to those who
are very elderly, many suffering from dementia. The names of volunteers
should be given to Ginnie Wilkie.
Saint Valentine’s Day
Saint Valentine’s Day, many believe, was named after one or more Christian
martyrs and was established by Pope Gelasius 1 in 496 AD. Valentine of
Rome was martyred about 269, and this day usually ‘belongs’ to him.
The first recorded association of Valentine Day with romantic love (1382) is
from Geoffrey Chaucer. He wrote, ‘For this was Saint Valentine’s Day, when
every bird cometh there to choose his mate.’ This poem was in honour of the
first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of
Bohemia. Valentine Day is referred to by Ophelia in Hamlet (1600-1601):
To-morrow is St Valentine’s day
All in the morning betime
And I a maid at your window
To be your Valentine.
The modern mention of Valentine’s Day can be
found in a collection of English nursery rhymes
(1784): The rose is red, the violet’s blue; The
honey’s sweet, and so are you. Thou art my love and
I am thine; I drew thee to my Valentine.
*******************
Painless Extraction
The grand total for the December (shortest day) collection
of pennies, twopences and fivepences was £88.78. Ray
Wilson was in charge of this effort and the next collection
will be on or around the longest day, Sunday 21st June.
For further information contact Ray.
******************
When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car
or a new wife.
Prince Philip
FEBRUARY EDITION
The Challenge of our Age: Dementia and the Church
The number of people with dementia in Scotland is set
to rise by 75% in the next 25 years. Jackie Macadam
discovers some of the Church of Scotland projects trying
to help.
Reforming the Kirk
The Rev Dr Doug Gay considers the challenges of
church growth and says lessons can be learned from
the Church of England.
‘He Went About, Doing Good’
W Ross Napier describes the short life of Donald Mitchell, the first Church of
Scotland missionary in India.
Faith Rewarded
Jackie Macadam meets the author of a new book about St Andrew’s Scots
Memorial Church in Jerusalem.
A Rainbow of Hope
The Moderator calls for the Church to create transformative change.
The Spirit of Generosity
The Rev Alan W Gibson emphasises the importance of the offering during
worship and explains how the money given is spent.
Atheism and the Church
The Rev Russel Moffat considers the impact of a decade of ‘new atheism’.
Closing the Digital Divide
Alan Rodden describes how a partnership project involving the Church of
Scotland is opening the online world to all.
Our One Foundation
The Rev Professor David Fergusson emphasises that we can only know God
through the Jesus of the gospels.
Plus all the regular columnists, news, reviews, letters, registers and
crosswords – all for just £2.20
Online visit us at www.lifeandwork.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Pitlochry Church of Scotland/Baptist Church Drivers
February
1
8
15
22
Harden Carter
Ian Rodney
Betty Stark
Graham Holmes
March
1
Ian Rodney
************
Note: The bus starts its journey at 9.45 am to take passengers to the
10.30 am service and also to the Baptist Church. Each passenger pays £1
which will be collected by the driver. If you wish the bus to collect you,
please contact the driver before 6pm on the Saturday evening or leave a
message on the driver’s phone. If you are unable to contact the driver,
please contact Ian Rodney.
**********
Publication of The Torch
The next issue of The Torch is due out on Sunday 1st
March 2015. Contributions should be given to the editor
before Wednesday 18th February.
************
DIARY
Tue
3
Wed 4
February 2015
7.30-9.00pm Country Dancing in the hall
10.00am
10.30am
10.30am
6.30pm
7.30pm
Tryst for Prayer
Coffee and Chat
Talents Group meets in the lounge
Choir meets in the hall
Choral meets in the hall
Thu
5
2.15-4.00pm Table Tennis in the hall
7.30-10,00pm Probus meets in the lounge
7.00-9.00pm Pipe Band meets in the hall
Fri
6
4.00-6.00pm Messy Church in the hall
Sun
8
Mon 9
10.30am Communion Service in the church
7.00pm Tryst Management Committee, lounge
Tue 10
7.30-9.00pm Country Dancing in the hall
Wed 11
10.00am
10.30am
1.30-4.00pm
6.30pm
7.30pm
Thu 12
7.30pm Kirk Session meets in the lounge
7.00-9.00pm Pipe Band meets in the hall
Mon 16
7.30-9.00pm Scottish Wildlife Trust in the lounge
Emma O’Shea: Perthshire in Trust
7.30-9.00pm Country Dancing in the hall
Tue 17
Tryst for Prayer
Coffee and Chat
Guild meets in the lounge
Choir meets in the hall
Choral meets in the hall
Wed 18
10.00am
10.30am
10.30am
6.30pm
7.30pm
Tryst for Prayer
Coffee and Chat
Talents Group meets in the lounge
Choir meets in the hall
Choral meets in the hall
Thu 19
7.30-9.30pm Amnesty International in the lounge
7.00-9.00pm Pipe Band meets in the hall
Sat 21
10.00-12noon Coffee Morning for Community Bus
Sun 22
10.30am Morning Worship led by Rev. Ian Ramsden
Mon 23
7.30-9.00pm History Circle meets in the hall
Bruce Smith: The Drove Roads of Scotland
Tue 24
7.30-9.00pm Country Dancing in the hall
Wed 25
10.00am
10.30am
10.30am
6.30pm
7.30pm
7.00-9.00pm
Tryst for Prayer
Coffee and Chat
Talents Group meets in the lounge
Choir meets in the hall
Choral meets in the hall
Pipe Band meets in the hall
March
Sun 1
10.30am Morning Worship led by Rev. Ian Ramsden
“Don’t worry about avoiding temptation.
As you grow older, it will avoid you.”
Winston Churchill
IBRA
International Bible Reading Association – Scheme for
2015
READINGS FROM 2 SAMUEL
2 The tragedy of David
Sun 1 Feb 2 Samuel 11:1-13
Mon 2 Feb 2 Samuel 11:14-27
Tue 3 Feb 2 Samuel 12:1-14
Wed 4 Feb 2 Samuel 12:15-25
Thu 5 Feb 2 Samuel 13:1-19
Fri 6 Feb 2 Samuel 13:20-39
Sat 7 Feb 2 Samuel 14:1-14 21-24
3 The enemies of David
Sun 8 Feb 2 Samuel 15:1-14
Mon 9 Feb 2 Samuel 15:23-37
Tue 10 Feb 2 Samuel 16:1-14
Wed 11 Feb 2 Samuel 16:15-23
Thu 12 Feb 2 Samuel 17:1-14
Fri 13 Feb 2 Samuel 17:15-29
Sat 14 Feb 2 Samuel 18:1-15
4 David finally returns to Jerusalem
Sun 15 Feb 2 Samuel 18:31 – 19:8
Mon 16 Feb 2 Samuel 19:16-30
Tue 17 Feb 2 Samuel 19:31-40
MILLENIUM GOALS
1 Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
Wed 18 Feb Matthew 25:31-45
Thu 19 Feb Lamentations 4:4-10
Fri 20 Feb Genesis 41:46-49, 53-57
Sat 21 Feb Joel 2:21-26a
2 Achieving universal primary education
Sun 22 Feb 1 Samuel 1:20-28; 2.18-20
Mon
23 Feb Luke 2:41-52
Tue 24 Feb Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Wed 25 Feb Proverbs 31:10-end
Thu 26 Feb Acts 18:24-28
Fri 27 Feb Matthew 11:25-30
Sat 28 Feb Matthew 19:13-15
******************************
Answer to puzzle If you move the first letter of
each word to the end of the
word, the word reads the same
backwards as forwards.