Editorial__________________________________________
Delighted or distraught?
Most of you will be aware that the Kirk Session has come to a decision
regarding the matter of sung praise in public worship. We have decided
to maintain our historic congregational practice of psalm singing
unaccompanied by instrumental music. For those who missed it the
approved motion was as follows;
The Kirk Session being appraised of the resolution of the Plenary
Assembly concerning sung praise, note the discretion granted to
consenting congregations to make use of musical instruments and
non-canonical verse in public worship. In the meantime they resolve
to continue the current practice of the congregation.
For the avoidance of doubt and for the purposes of this decision we are
considering ‘public worship’ as the two Sunday services and the
fortnightly midweek prayer meeting.
Some of you will be pleased by this decision, others will be disappointed,
while many, I imagine, will be rather underwhelmed as you do not hold
strong opinions one way or the other on this matter. I might say that not
holding a strong opinion on this issue is a perfectly respectable and
defensible position to hold. Of course I would say that as that is where I
find myself positioned! While others may disagree I would very much be
of the opinion that to sing or not sing doctrinally sound non-canonical
verse and to accompany or not said praise with musical instruments is
really not a big deal. Trust me, in the grand scheme of things, it really
isn‟t.
Other congregations have decided differently and I, personally,
welcome the fact that they have availed themselves of the opportunity
to change their practice and look forward – in due course and if invited
(!) – to join with them in praising God singing both psalms and hymns and
aided by instruments of one kind or another.
But back to ourselves and my suspicion that those who may enjoy
interpreting Kirk Session decisions will be pondering on the significance of
the term ‘In the meantime’ in the motion above. For some a ray of hope,
for others a cause for concern! In reality it is simply a recognition that a
decision of this kind must be, by its very nature, provisional. It would be
quite wrong for any Kirk Session to attempt to bind the congregation ‘ad
infinitum’ on this matter. In time we may consider that change is both
justified and opportune, equally we may not come to that conclusion.
That said it would be less than sensible to constantly re-visit decisions
taken and I would not anticipate any new discussion on this matter
‘any time soon’…now what does ‘any time soon’ mean? It is as suitably
vague as ‘in the meantime’!
Notwithstanding everything said thus far I would certainly encourage
folks to express their opinions to me. Any wise Kirk Session must, of
course, be sensitive to the views of the congregation and particularly
any groundswell of opinion in any particular direction.
One thing we must do ‘in the meantime’ and all the days of our lives –
and this is a very big deal – is offer to God the worship that he is due
and may we all, very especially as we gather together every Lord‟s
Day, praise Him with grateful hearts and loud and melodious voices.
Service times – The trial period of the new service times is due to end
at Easter time. As with any trial the important task will be to assess the
experience and decide what to do next. We could revert to the
original times, continue with the new times or opt for something inbetween. Thus far it has been helpful to receive some feedback from
the congregation and if you have not yet done so and would like to
please do send the minister an e-mail with your thoughts and/or
suggestions. Whatever is finally decided will not be everyone‟s first
choice, however the intention is certainly to try and take on board the
well argued views and suggestions of the congregation.
David
Liz & Andrew’s Wedding__________________________________
Liz Donald & Andrew Stewart would be delighted if you‟d like to join us
at our marriage service in the church at 11.30am on Saturday 9 April
2011.
Condolences____________________________________________
We are sorry to hear of the death of Gordon Macdonald's father at the
end of last week. Please remember Gordon, Catriona and the boys at
this sad time.
WFM_____________________________________________________
The total donations so far from our WFM fundraising lunch are £795. This
figure will increase once gift aid is applied. Thanks to all who donated.
For more information on the „Home and Away‟ project please see the
notice board downstairs in the hall or the Free Church website.
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Pirate Party________________________________________________
Pirates - some fierce, some friendly, but all ready for fun - gathered at the
YMCA on Saturday evening. It was a party, the second annual jointchurch Holiday Club Pirate Party! More than 50 kids showed up, and a lot
of helpers too. Swashbuckles, dreadlocks, scars, eye-patches, and
beards (the girls too!)... all bobbed up and down as pirate voices sang
out lyrics such as "our God is a great big God" and "we're gonna listen to
the story of God's love." Kids from Bon Accord, Gilcomston South, Hebron
Evangelical, and New Life International churches - as well as some kids
from no church background at all - learned that although we cannot
wash away from ourselves sins' ugly blotches and stains, Jesus can wash
us clean. Though pirates, they nonetheless memorized that "Nothing is as
wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil. 3:8).
Many kids left the party excitedly talking with their
parents about Jesus, and least one wee boy went
home and confessed Jesus as his Lord! Thank you so
much to all who helped. And get ready - we're gearing
up for this summer's week-long Holiday Club as you
read this!
Jonathan "Glue Beard" Worthington
Church Cleaning__________________________________________
Bon Accord is a large building and occasionally it needs a BIG clean. The
next BIG clean will take place on Monday 28th March starting from 7pm.
Everyone is welcome to help - we wash (pews and floors) sweep, hoover
and polish and it‟s a case of many hands make light work. Male and
female, young and not so young can all find a job. If you can only come
for a short time that would be useful too. We will hopefully be finished by
9pm.
Isobel Morison
EEFC Camp Team Update__________________________________
As you‟ll have heard Bon Accord hope to send a team to help run an
English teaching and Bible camp for teenagers in Hungary this summer.
Currently we have four team members signed up. At least another six
members would be good! The dates are 16th to 23rd July. Please speak
to us if you are interested or to get more information.
Rob & Anne Macdonald
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Sunday School Update____________________________________
Since the beginning of 2011 the Sunday School Children have been
collecting money each week to sponsor Diana Zalwango from Dwelling
Places in Uganda. Diana is a second generation street child, meaning
her parents were also street children. Diana is the eldest of 4 children.
We are providing the money each month to help her complete her
education. We hope to develop a relationship with Diana and her
family through letters and photographs. Some of the older children in
Sunday school have already written their first letter to Diana on behalf of
the Sunday School, so we eagerly await a reply in due course.
We hope you will join in us in remembering Diana and her family and
also the work of Dwelling Places, Uganda in prayer.
During the month of March we will be hearing what the Free Church
Youth Project will be for the year. So we will also be sending the offering
the children bring each week to this project. We hope we will raise
enough money to sponsor Diana and contribute a significant amount to
the Youth Project. Since January we have already raised 50% of what of
the sponsorship money for Diana that we need for the year. Great
work!!
Thank you all for your continued support of the Sunday School.
Judy Laing
Ladies Meal______________________________________________
Friday 11th March, 7 for 7.30
Ammu's kitchen, Garthdee.
All ladies invited.
For further information speak to Wilma Nicolson
Congregational Fellowships_______________________________
With the earlier starting time of the evening service there is the
opportunity for post-service activities that can finish at a reasonable
hour. Below there is the programme of Congregational Fellowships
planned through to the May communion – ordinarily the fellowships will
start at 7:00pm after a cup of tea and finish by 8:00pm.
13 March
Congregational Tea with speaker
27 March
Prayer & Praise – Led by YF with speaker
17 April
Panel – Scottish Parliamentary Elections
8 May
Congregational tea with Iain D Campbell
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EEFC Fundraising Concert_________________________________
Alex MacDonald (former minister of Bon Accord) will be performing
some of the songs from his album "Like the River", with some new
material, at a concert in Bon Accord on Saturday 19 March at 7.30pm.
The support band is JG Hymns, headed by Jon Green who hails from
America. Jon works the rich vein of classic hymns plus his own original
material, while Alex's music is Scottish folk-rock. The gig is a fundraiser for
an Eastern Europe for Christ camp in Hungary - a suggested donation of
£10 (£5 concession) on the door - all profits will go to EEFC. Both Jon's
and Alex's CDs will also be on sale on the night.
For
more
information
see
http://jghymns.bandcamp.com/
www.alexjmacdonald.co.uk
and
Thailand__________________________________________________
Frank Green is retiring from the NHS at the end of March and will be
leaving for Thailand on April 19 for about 3 months to further the work
among Burmese refugees, displaced people, migrant workers and those
not able to access the very limited medical services provided by the
Burmese junta. Most of the activity will take place at the Mae Tao clinic
(www.maetaoclinic.org) and the various refugee camps up and down
the Thai/ Burmese border. He will be going out under the missionary
organisation Interserve. In addition to providing eye care, Gospel tracts
are given out to patients after surgery. He asks that we pray that these
will be blessed to the patients and also that the team may give God
glory in what they do.
Communion in March_____________________________________
At the evening service on the 13th we will be partaking of the Lord‟s
Supper. This will be followed by a congregational tea kindly organised
by the River Dee Neighbourhood Fellowship and will provide an
opportunity for the minister to speak about and show some pictures of
his recent trip to India.
Senior Citizens____________________________________________
A good crowd of over twenty friends gathered on the 17 th of February
for our monthly lunch where in addition to enjoying the fare and
fellowship the minister gave a wee talk about the medical, educational
and church work in Central India. Our next fellowship lunch in on
Thursday the 24th of March at 12:30pm and all are welcome.
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YF______________________________________________________
In Youth Fellowship we will continue our theme of the armour of
God into March with the 'shoes' and the 'shield'. In between those two
meetings we have a Communion and the Youth Conference. We have
not planned a YF for the Youth Conference weekend, but we hope
that so many will want to go the conference that there won't be
anyone left to have a YF...
The last weekend in March is the beginning of Aberdeen Uni's Easter
holidays, but if anyone can stay around to hear Matthew Henderson
speak on the 'shield', that'd be super.
Memory verses are starting up again; this term we're memorising the
armour of God passage from Ephesians 6. Check your emails for the
verses each week.
6 March
13 March
20 March
27 March
Shoes
Communion
Youth Conference, no YF
Shield - Matthew Henderson (Gerrard Street)
YF Committee
FCYA___________________________________________________
Here‟s an outline of what should be happening over the next couple of
months before the summer…..
Sat 12 March
Sat 26 March
Sat 16 April
Sat 23 April
Sat 30 April
Sat 7 May
Sat 14 May
Fri 20 May
Fellowship Night
cinema
Kilau
Easter egg hunt
film/pizza night
May Tea party
Beach Day
ceilidh
FCYA Committee
Marmalade_____________________________________________
Homemade marmalade is still available for sale in the church kitchen.
The money raised will go to Bon Accord's International Missions Board
Project for 2011, which is SEL.
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CSW Launches Campaign at Egypt Day of Prayer_____________
Christian Solidarity Worldwide launched its campaign for religious
freedom for Egyptian Christians at a day of prayer held at St Mary‟s
Church in London on 29 January. The No Way Out campaign will run
throughout 2011.
The Egypt Day of Prayer took place as streets of towns and cities across
Egypt were rocked by protests against the government of President
Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for 29 years. In his opening
remarks, Bishop Angaelos, head of the Coptic Church in the UK,
reflected on the current political upheaval and urged prayer for every
Egyptian citizen, including the protesters, the security forces, the army
and the President.
Bishop Angaelos also spoke about the resilience of the Egyptian Church,
and prayed for Egyptian Christians to be able to practise their faith
without persecution or marginalisation.
Sectarian violence against Christians in Egypt has escalated in recent
years, with 53 reported incidents since 2008. This year opened with the
bombing of a Coptic church in Alexandria on New Year‟s Eve, in which
23 people were killed and 80 were injured. In addition, Egypt is one of
the few countries in the world which stipulates that a person‟s religion
must be indicated on their identity card, and no convert from Islam has
ever been able to change their religious designation on their card.
Christian converts face daily discrimination, including arbitrary arrest, loss
of employment and marriage restrictions.
The No Way Out campaign seeks to bring about proactive measures to
prevent sectarian violence against Egyptian Christians, the right for
Egyptians to change their religion on official records and protection for
those who pursue this right, and the upholding of article 40 of the
Egyptian constitution, ensuring that Christians enjoy “..equal public rights
and duties without discrimination due to race, ethnic origin, language,
religion or creed.”
CSW‟s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “The timing of the Egypt
Day of Prayer was significant, coming at what is clearly a crucial time in
the nation‟s history. It was indeed a privilege to be able to stand and
pray in solidarity with Egyptian Christians at this time. CSW is committed
to continue to offer support, prayer and solidarity until Egyptian
Christians receive and enjoy their full rights as citizens, and the nation‟s
religious minorities are able to practice their respective faiths without
fear of discrimination or harassment.”
For further information visit www.csw.org.uk
(Press Release from CSW 31/01/2011)
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Campaigners Vacancy___________________________________
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER - CAMPAIGNERS SCOTLAND
Campaigners Scotland is a uniformed, evangelical Christian youth
organisation. It began in 1922 and Scotland became part of the
organisation in 1944. It was re-launched as an independent charity in
Scotland in 2008. Our aim is, in partnership with local churches, to
provide a range of youth activities, which will foster the spiritual, moral,
personal, educational and social development of young people within
the ethos of the Christian faith. Local churches provide the premises,
goodwill and motivation of volunteer leaders to complement the
experience, skill and resources of the Scottish Council.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual who will raise
awareness of Campaigners in Scotland, and help develop and support
new centres and existing centres based in churches throughout
Scotland.
The post could be part-time or full-time. This will be open to negotiation.
The salary will be £17,000 per annum, pro rata. Funding will be available
for this post for an initial period of two years.
Informal enquiries should be made to:
Rev. Vince Jennings (Chair)
13 South Beach Road,
Ardrossan, KA22 8AT
Tel: 01294 465 150
Email: [email protected]
A job description, person specification and application form are
available on our website (http://www.campaignersscotland.co.uk) or
from:
Anne Muirden (Administrator), Campaigners Scotland Ltd,
3 Dornie Place,
Inverness, IV2 4BX
Tel: 01463 249 900
Email: [email protected]
Completed application forms should also be sent to Anne Muirden.
Applicants for the post must be willing to wholeheartedly promote our
Christian ethos, working principles and vision.
Closing date for applications: 31 March 2011
8
Finance Summary
January 2011
Jan
2011
Year to
January
2011
Year to
January
2010
Income
Direct payments to bank and freewill
offering
Church door collections
Income tax recovery
Other donations
11,679
956
505
11,679
956
505
12,754
1,372
329
Total Income
13,141
13,141
14,455
7,657
2,488
1,605
7,657
2,488
1,605
9,139
1,715
1,897
11,749
11,749
12,751
Increase/(Decrease) in bank balance
at 1 January
1,391
1,611
1,704
1,116
Closing Bank Balance
3,002
2,820
Expenditure
Remittances to Edinburgh
Property related expenditure
Other congregational expenditure
Total Expenditure
Renovations & Buildings Account
Balance at 1 January
Expenditure year to date
Donations received year to date
Renovations Bank Balance
National Savings for Fabric Fund
73,652
1,110
74,762
23,538
Total Buildings Fund
98,300
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Finance Summary
February 2011
Income
Direct payments to bank and freewill
offering
Church door collections
Income tax recovery
Other donations
Total Income
Expenditure
Remittances to Edinburgh
Property related expenditure
Other congregational expenditure
Total Expenditure
Feb
2011
Year to
February
2011
Year to
February
2010
12,499
829
24,179
1,785
22,321
2,644
1,470
1,975
0
1,731
14,798
27,939
26,695
8,072
2,733
1,513
15,729
5,383
2,955
15,977
4,230
3,929
12,318
24,067
24,136
Increase/(Decrease) in bank balance
at 1 January
3,871
1,611
2,560
1,116
Closing Bank Balance
5,482
3,675
Renovations & Buildings Account
Balance at 1 January
Expenditure year to date
Donations received year to date
Renovations Bank Balance
National Savings for Fabric Fund
73,652
2,220
75,872
23,538
Total Buildings Fund
99,410
10
Ladies' Book Club_____________________________________________
We will meet on Monday 7 March at 7:15 pm at Cathy Campbell‟s to discuss
chapters 8&9 of Living the Cross Centred Life by CJ Mahaney.
Girls' Bible Study______________________________________________
We are scheduled to meet on Thursday 10 and 24 March to continue our
study of James. We meet at Anne MacDonald's flat at 4:30 pm.
Ladies’ Bible Study____________________________________________
The Ladies‟ Bible study will meet on Wednesday 9 and 23 March at 10am in
the small hall. A crèche is available.
Neighbourhood Fellowships___________________________________
Group
Leaders
Day/Time
Location
City
Centre
Mike Bowman
Wed 7:30
Church
City East
Sandy Smith & Jonathan
Cook
Wed 7:45
Rob & Anne
Macdonald
City
North
Bill MacLelland & Rob
Grant
Wed 7:30
Bill & Rena
MacLelland
City West
Steven Inglis & Michael
Mackenzie
Thurs 7:45
Rotates
Deeside
George Coghill
Wed 8:00
George & Sarah
Coghill
Westhill
Donald Smith & Norman
Laing
Wed 7:45
Donald & Anne
Smith
Shire
North
Seoras Mackintosh &
Norman Buchanan
Thurs 8:00
Rotates
Shire
West
Torquil Crichton & Andy
McNair
Wed 7:45
Sauchen
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Door Duty__________________________________________________
06/03/11
John Gillies
Angus Maciver
Margaret Smith
13/03/11
Andrew Martin
Niall Lipp
Wilma Nicolson
20/03/11
George Coghill
Donald Smith
Anne Smith
27/03/11
Murdo Macleod
Norman Buchanan
Margaret Ferguson
03/04/11
Jonathan Millar
Kenny Maciver
Isobel Morison
The Door Rota and other rotas can be viewed online on the Bon Accord
website – www.bafreechurch.org.uk
Crèche Rota________________________________________________
6 Mar
Janice Stewart, Norman Laing, Hamish MacLean,
Marion Campbell, Helen H Copus
13 Mar
Sarah Coghill, Rachel Stewart, Marina Millar,
Katie Barrett, Catriona MacDonald
20 Mar
Jennifer Macleod, Michael Mackenzie, Isobel Morison,
Jennifer MacLean, Helen Leask
27 Mar
Andy McNair, Linda Stephen, Ruth MacDonald,
Donna MacLeod, Sarah Morrison
3 April
Shirley Gillies, Emma Lipp, Jonathan Worthington,
Jane Morrison, Fiona Mackenzie
March 2011 Cover Photo____________________________________
Our cover photo this month is of David and the staff of Lakhnadon
Christian School which he visited on his recent trip to India.
April Newsletter Printing_____________________________________
Dave Morrison and Iain Meredith (Newsletter out 1st Sunday in April –
should be available to print from previous Thursday or Friday.)
12