Upper Cowal Courier
ISSUE 034
Wed 7
Sun 18
Sun 25
Sun 25
Sun 25
Parish news-sheet
for the linked parishes of
Strachur and Strathlachlan
and
Lochgoilhead and
Kilmorich.
September 2016
September
Coffee & Chat, Lochgoilhead Village Hall 10.30am (all welcome)
Holy Communion Strachlachlan 10.00am & Strachur 11.45am
Holy Communion Lochgoilhead 9.45am
Elders (Harvest) Strachur & Strathlachlan Churches
Harvest Lunch, Strachur New Hall
October
Sun 2 Holy Communion Kilmorich (Harvest) 12 noon
Wed 5 Coffee & Chat, Lochgoilhead Village Hall 10.30 am (All welcome)

Notice
There is a flower calendar in Strachur & Strathlachlan Churches for 2016 and if
you would like to help by supplying flowers please add your name at the
appropriate date.
Letter from the Manse Dear Friends
For the third time we enter on the Church's new year, the beginning
of Advent, with a number of the Upper Cowal Courier. It is a tribute
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Lorraine Drew, 3 Donich Park, Lochgoilhead PA24 8AB
01301 703471; email: [email protected]
Upper Cowal Courier – Issue 034 September 2016 Page 1
Letterfrom
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Letter
Manse
Dear friends,
Back on the first Sunday in April, at the Annual meeting of the Strachur and
Strathlachlan congregation, we agreed to change that congregation's constitution to
the Unitary Constitution. Today I received in the post the official copy of that Deed
of Constitution (Unitary Form). The process is, therefore, now complete. This
means that Strachur and Strathlachlan no longer has a Congregational Board; the
Kirk Session carries responsibility for all matters. It does not mean that the
contribution of others than elders is no longer welcome. Quite the reverse. We are
grateful for what everyone contributes, and will continue to be glad of it. What it
does mean is that the contribution of other members of the congregation or friends is
made within a different and possibly more flexible structure.
The congregation of Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich continues to work under a
Model Constitution and so continues to have both a Kirk Session and a
Congregational Board. This has been working satisfactorily. Nevertheless, we
continue to look for people with appropriate skills to make a contribution to the work
that needs to be done.
At the beginning of the week I was visiting family in Aberdeen. The
countryside was looking glorious in the summer sunshine. Various fields were white
and being harvested. Some were being reseeded straight away. There have been
various travellers and visitors around here in Argyll, including to our churches. The
new leaflets, which have been available from the beginning of the holiday season,
have been being picked up from our churches. It is to be hoped that they have been
adding value and depth to what people have been doing during their holidays.
Perhaps some of you have also been able to use one or another of them to enrich your
understanding of the spiritual landscape around us, of Faith in Cowal.
Amongst the visitors, I met with a family of MacNaughtons from Ontario.
They were holidaying at Ardno, straight across the loch from the ancient seat of the
clan at Dunderave. Our conversation included mention of the motto the clan as it
appears above the door there: I Hoip in God. Hope in God was what about we
shared.
Faith and hope, two of the three things that Saint Paul says last for ever. The third
and the greatest, he strongly maintains, is love.
Yours sincerely,
Robin Mackenzie
Upper Cowal Courier – Issue 034 September 2016 Page 2
Editorial
Well summer was fairly dreich so here’s hoping for a September that
brings a bit more sunshine before the season of mists and mellow
fruitfulness truly begins! It’s lovely to celebrate Harvest and we look
forward every year to the colourful displays in Church. We also remember
countries overseas where people are not as fortunate as we are and
especially support international missions at this time of year.
In this issue we celebrate community and the church. Betty and I love to
hear your news, we’re always happy to receive your contributions from
your own life’s harvest.
News from the Parish of Kilmorich
On the 1st September 1956, the Reverend JH Kerr performed a very special
wedding ceremony at Kilmorich Church in Cairndow.
Congratulations to Nigel and Janet Callander as they celebrate 60 years of
marriage this September!
Upper Cowal Courier – Issue 034 September 2016 Page 3
News from the Parish of Lochgoilhead
Village Voices
There is an Open Meeting for everyone who has expressed an interest in
being part of a community singing group on Tuesday 30th August at 6.30pm in
Lochgoilhead Church. (Thank you to Rev. MacKenzie). The meeting will be
to establish how often everyone wants to meet, the evening that suits the
majority, ideas on music and songs. All singers and musicians are welcome,
let’s make a joyful noise!
World Missions Update
John McCulloch, soon to be on ministry placement under the guidance of
Dr. Mackenzie, recently travelled to São Paulo, Brazil in his capacity of
committee member for the Americas group of the World Mission Council.
There he joined representatives of the reformed churches across Latin America
to discuss issues of social justice and climate change. Around 150 delegates
from the region, stretching from El Salvador to Argentina, gathered for a series
of meetings, workshops and presentations. The conference laid bare the
challenges faced by churches in the region where ministers work in situations
of violence and extreme poverty every day. The Church of Scotland is
partnering with these local churches and charities to support them in their work
with the marginalised and deprived, where they daily demonstrate the love of
Christ and his compassion, meeting the physical as well as spiritual needs of
the people there – some of whom were not only born on the streets but who are
the 3rd or 4th generation of destitute, with no papers, no identity and no hope. If
you are interested in being involved more deeply in the issues faced by the
churches in Latin America, please speak with John. You can also sign up for
Update to receive weekly e-news stories you can share and use in your
intercessory prayers, and find out about events happening in Scotland at
http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/serve/world_mission/world_mission_news
Tea & Coffee Rota
September dates and helpers are:
11/9/16 Jean C and Debbie
25/9/16 Jean F and Anne
Upper Cowal Courier – Issue 034 September 2016 Page 4
Caring for Refugees
Dr Annette McCulloch and Dr Peter Von Kaehne from Lochgoilhead
have both visited Lesvos this year to work with Health Point Foundation in
meeting the medical needs of thousands of people fleeing the war in Syria.
There was a full feature on their visits in the August edition of The Wee
Goil which you can also read online. Lesvos is only one of the projects run
by the Foundation, established by Dr Hadia Aslam to dignify refugees with
access to healthcare. You can see more about their work, and donate
towards it, at http://healthpointfoundation.org/projects/health-point/
Bible Group
Meeting on Wednesdays at 7.30pm our new study is “Having a Mary
Heart in a Martha World”. Venues vary from week to week just check with
Annette or Lorraine.
Kids Church
The Sunday School continues to be after the main service 11am – 12pm.
News from Parish of Strachur & Strathlachlan
Harvest Lunch
Our Harvest Lunch will be held on September 25th following Harvest
Thanksgiving services in Strachur & Strathlachlan.
People from both
congregations and indeed both parishes, are welcome to share in it. The
price will be £5. For the sake of effective catering if you would like to
share in this please contact Anne Fiddes as soon as possible. In brief...
Strachur New Hall
Sunday 25th September, 1.00pm for 1.15pm
£5
Contact: Anne Fiddes 01369 860776
Upper Cowal Courier – Issue 034 September 2016 Page 5
Communion Retiring Collection, 18th September
At our services of Holy Communion at Strathlachlan and Strachur we
regularly take a retiring collection for some charitable purpose. On the third
Sunday in September it will be for Christian Aid, and specifically for their
current emergency work in Malawi. There was some information about this in
last month's Upper Cowal Courier. Latest news from Christian Aid at the time
of writing includes the information that 6.9 million are going hungry, and report
of such as Grace saying, “... there is no food to feed my family and we do not
know whether we will survive until the next harvest.” £20 feeds a family of six
for a month. The Scottish Government will match every pound raised, up to at
least £70,000, so we can expect the value of our collection to be doubled.
Celebration for eXp Evening
You are invited to the first ever annual celebration for eXp. Join us to hear
what has happened this year and discover our plans for 2016 / 2017.
Saturday September 3rd 2016, 7.00pm to 8.30pm in St John’s Church hall,
Victoria Road (parking in the car park opposite). Please confirm if you and any
guests are coming.
Would those interested in attending please contact
Robin Mackenzie on 0131-860-246
Janice MacFadyen
20 th March 1933 – 26th July 2016
Janice was born in Crinan at her mother's parental home. Her parents moved
from Kilmartin to Dunoon when she was very young, and so it was in Dunoon
that she received her schooling. As a skilled secretary, much of her working life
was spent in the office of the Procurator Fiscal. She married Archie in 1956 and
they set up home in Forest View. As a couple, they were renowned for their
ability as ballroom dancers. Often people would prefer to sit out and just watch
them rather than participate in the dance. She and Archie, whom she survived by
over eight years, were faithful attenders at Strachur Church until failing health
prevented them. Her funeral service was held there on third August, conducted
by the Rev Dr Robin K Mackenzie. She will be warmly remembered among us
for her bright spirit. Our sympathies go to her brother Bill and all her family.
Upper Cowal Courier – Issue 034 September 2016 Page 6
CHARGE of UPPER COWAL
Minister
Rev. Dr. R. K. Mackenzie
The Manse, Strachur PA27 8DG Tel:01369860246
Parish of Strachur and Strathlachlan
Session Clerk - Shirley McHugh
Treasurer
- Douglas McHugh
Active Elders - Betty Acklam, Bob Acklam, Anne Fiddes, Elizabeth Fraser
Cathie Montgomery, Donald Maclauchlan, Margaret Maclauchlan,
Douglas McHugh, Shirley McHugh, Roy Sutherland, Lindsay Walker.
Parish of Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich
Session Clerk - Jean Campbell
Treasurer
- James Sim0
Elders
- Lorna Alexander, Alex Burgess, Nigel Callander, Jean Campbell,
Sadie Mackenzie, Alistair McCallum, Roddy MacDiarmid,
Margaret Paterson, James Sim.
Board
- Margaret Adams.
Sunday Worship
Please see back page for details of service times at all four churches.
Communion
Lochgoilhead: The 3rd Sunday in March, the last Sunday of June and September
and the 2nd Sunday in December.
Kilmorich:
The third Sunday in March and first Sunday in October.
Strachur & Strathlachlan: The second Sunday in January, the first Sunday in
March, Easter Day, the first Sunday in June, the third Sunday in
September and the first Sunday in November.
Coffee and Chat
On the first Wednesday, every month 10.30-12.00 you are invited to an informal social
occasion in Lochgoilhead Village Hall Library. Simply enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and
fellowship. Everyone is most welcome and there is no charge. Visitors are especially
welcome so watch out for the dates.
Contact Jean Campbell for more information tel. 01301 703320
Guild
Strachur & Strathlachlan Guild meet on the 2nd Monday of each month October March at 2.00pm in Strachur New Hall. All welcome.
Conversation Group
The Conversation Group meets on the last Tuesday of each month October - June at
7.30pm.
Upper Cowal Courier – Issue 034 September 2016 Page 7
Upper Cowal
Services for September
Lochgoilhead Strathlachlan Strachur
Sun 4th
9.45am
10.00am`
11.45am
Anne Fiddes
Douglas McHugh
Douglas McHugh
Door
Bell
L Alexander
J Sim
Flowers
Mrs A Sim
Sun11th
9.45am
10.00am
11.45am
Door
J Campbell
Anne Fiddes
Bell
A Burgess
Betty & Bob
Acklam
Bob Acklam
10.00am
Holy Communion
11.45am
Holy Communion
Anne Fiddes
Douglas McHugh
Flowers
Sun
18th
Mrs L Alexander
9.45am
L Alexander
Bell
G Gordon
Douglas McHugh
Mrs E Young
Betty Acklam
Sun
25th
Door
Bell
Flowers
9.45am
Holy Comunion
10.00am
11.45am
J Campbell
Anne Fiddes
Douglas McHugh
I Graham
12noon
Myra McLennan
Door
Flowers
Kilmorich
Douglas McHugh
Mrs Mackenzie
Upper Cowal Courier – Issue 034 September 2016 Page 8
12 noon