Please
let me know if you have any comments, or would like to add
anything to the site. Material or comment, memories etc
would be most welcome.
(Pat
Slingsby:01307 818 787 email: idvies@mail.com
(Site
updated Tuesday April 29th 2008)
Please
scroll down for various current notices
SUNDAY
Feb 24th
It
was indeed a pleasure to attend a jam packed St.John's on
the 24th for the Girl Guides 'Thinking Day' Service The
Guides, Brownies and Rainbows in their uniforms placed their
flags on the alter sang some excellent hymns and recited
their promise to Queen and country. Out of the wonderful
collection which amounted to £294 the Guides very
generously donated £100 to St.John's. (A report by
Dorothy can be found in the current issue of the Eagle-Click
on the link above.
THE
BISHOP'S LENT APPEAL
The
2008 Diocesan Lent Appeal is to support the work of IMKERHOF
in Namibia. It is a kindergarten and pre-school establishment,
set up by the daughter of one of the retired clergy of our
diocese. (www.imkerhof.org)
OUR
NEW RECTOR
Our new rector The Rev Andrew McCafferty's ministry
at St.John's began on January 18th at an institution service
conducted by Bishop David assisted by The Dean. It was a
truly excellent ceremony, very much enjoyed by the congregation.
Our invited guests included the Lord Lieutennant of Angus,
Mrs Georgiana Osborne, the Deputy Provost of Angus, the
MSP Mr John Swinney, and representatives of the other Forfar
Churches. The evening was concluded with a very pleasant
gathering in the church halls. The tasty snacks donated
by members of St. John's were greatly enjoyed and appreciated.
We all wish Andy and Norma a long and happy stay in Forfar.
WELCOME
LUNCH, FEB 3rd
The
lunch, held in the halls, was a great success and expressed
the congregation's gladness to have Andrew & Norma with
us for what we hope will be several mutually- appreciated
years. Many thanks to those who provided the excellent food,
donated money, assisted with the setting up, washing up,
clearing up and all the other tasks involved. This was yet
another very pleasing example of the wonderful goodwill
and fellowship that exists within St. John's
*********************************************
PLEASE
SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE FOR VARIOUS ITEMS OF GENERAL INFORMATION
THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY THE MENU ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE.
Bishop Luscombes new book-
'George Don The Forfar Botanist' (See Rector Page).
Forthcoming events (See Socials)
(SOME
OF ST. JOHN'S HISTORY CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING ON 'ABOUT
ST. JOHN'S).
.
BOOKS
BY BISHOP EDWARD LUSCOMBE
For
information and reviews of the Bishop's several fascinating
and eminently readable books about the Scottish Episcopal
Church, Please click onto The Rector
button
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St John’s
is one of the oldest charges in the Scottish Episcopal Church,
the first Rector’s ministry dating from 1688, when the
post-Reformation Church in Scotland came to its- so far irrevocable
division into Presbyterian and Episcopalian denominations.
Among the clergy who have served in St
John’s since then have been:
George Skene, who served as a Chaplain in
the Jacobite army led by Charles Edward Stuart – ‘Bonnie
Prince Charlie’ – and whose portrait and walking
cane are kept in the sacristy.
John Skinner, Rector 1797-1841. His grandfather
was the famed John Skinner, writer of “Tullochgorum”,
the poet-priest of Linshart and friend of Robert Burns. His
father, too, was named John (1744-1816), and he became Bishop
of Aberdeen and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Bishop
John Skinner was one of the three Scottish Bishops who in
1784 consecrated Samuel Seabury as the first Bishop of the
Episcopal Church of the then new United States of America.
Of his sons, John was Rector of Forfar, and William succeeded
his father as Bishop of Aberdeen.
The Congregation of St John’s is drawn
from the people of Forfar itself, the nearby villages such
as Letham and Padanaram, and the countryside of Angus. (Some
of our families have been associated with St John’s
since the 18th Century.) In recent years, a number of new
members have joined – mostly people who have come to
live in this part of Scotland from other parts of the UK,
and whose different backgrounds and experiences have brought
a new enrichment to the Church family. All will bear witness
to a very friendly and welcoming congregation. Come and meet
us, come and share our worship and companionship. You, your
friends and family will be made most welcome.
Words of Invitation, words of Witness
. . .“Many of us think of church goers as people
who spend an hour every so often at a worship service on Sunday
morning. This is far from the truth. In many ways, Sunday
morning is just the tip of an iceberg – what isn’t
seen is the huge amount of caring and helping and serving
inspired in individual people by their sharing in worship.
That’s why we say that the spiritual life of the Church
is essential. Sadly, in an increasingly secular and selfish
age many of us can easily spend so much of our time and energy
trying to be rich in material things that we end up poor in
soul. The Church’s worship is essential to keep us aware
of the things of the soul, and remind us of the real riches
of our lives – loyalty, compassion, justice, kindness,
peace, goodwill to all” (A Member of St John’s)
“How selfish soever man may be supposed,
there are evidently some principles in his nature which interest
him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary
to him, though he derives nothing from it except the pleasure
of seeing it.” (Adam Smith, in ‘The Theory
of Moral Sentiments’)
“You shall love the Lord your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the great and first commandment. And the second is
like it – You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
(Jesus, in St Matthew 22: vv.37-39)
“Be merciful, even as your Father
(God) is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged;
do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and
you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you –
good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,
will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be
the measure you receive.” (Jesus, in St Luke 6:
vv.36-39)
|
| The Revd. Canon
Malcolm Richardson (Rector of St. John's from 1996-Retired
on April 30th 2007)
A FRIEND
IN AFRICA RECENTLY SENT THIS TO ONE OF ST.JOHN'S MEMBERS
THE GREATEST MAN THAT EVER LIVED
The Greatest Man in History
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honoured to serve such a Leader who loves us!
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