November – Newsletter
News from around the parishes of Ardgour & Kingairloch, Strontian and Morvern
From the Manse…
Dear friends
I often hear people say that they lose track of the days! I find it’s the months that confuse me! Here we are in November already and into the ninth month of Covid-19 restrictions. November is a time to remember – beginning with All Saints and ending with St Andrews’s Day, and there much remembering in between with Guy Fawkes Day, Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day – and the lesser known but vitality important ‘World Kindness Day’ on 13th November.
Restrictions, to keep us all safe, mean that gathering at the War Memorials won’t be able to happen as usual. Wreaths will be laid on behalf of the Churches and photos and video will feature in the worship video, and in the Worship online on Zoom – see details of that elsewhere in this newsletter. We hope that many will be able to feel a part of our shared remembering.
As we make changes to our routines, take time to remember those whose sacrifice was greatest.
We will remember them, albeit in different ways this year.
Scottish Poppy Appeal
There will be retrial offerings for the Poppy Appeal at all the worship services during November, however you may wish to make a donation to the Poppy Appeal online at: www.poppyscotland.org.uk
Details of other ways to give are at: https://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give including by post to:
Fundraising Department
Poppyscotland
New Haig House
Logie Green Road
Edinburgh
EH7 4HQ
Sunday Worship
In the Churches
We have been able to establish a pattern of monthly services around the four church buildings in the linked parishes. Booking is essential if you wish to attend any of these services. Face coverings must be worn and various measures will be in place to keep us all safe.
Online Worship every Sunday
by 10am each Sunday – there will be links to Worship which can be viewed and listened to anytime thereafter on our YouTube Channel – www.YouTube.AKSM.org.uk
Wednesday Evening Prayers will be available around 10pm each Wednesday and will be linked from the Church Facebook Page
Holy Communion on Zoom
On the Second Sunday of every month there will be an online celebration of Holy Communion. Have a piece of bread and some wine or juice with you are we share in the mystery of communion though we are apart. On Sunday 8th November this service will begin early ay 10.50am and will include an Act of Remembrance.
Audio Recordings
Podcast
You can listen to audio recordings at: aksm.org.uk/podcast or you can subscribe to “The Linked Parishes” podcast at: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-linked-parishes/id1407026733
Phone-In
For the benefit of those without internet access there is an option to phone 01173 252 399 (UK national call) and listen to the most recent worship reflection. Please share this information with friends and neighbours you are speaking to.
Radio & Television
If you are not able to access the internet you may be interested in the various options available on Television and Radio
New Every Sunday
Various Church services are broadcast on Radio. Of particular note is New Every Sunday on BBC Radio Scotland, Sundays at 7.30am. Various Church leaders from around Scotland lead a half hour time of worship.
BBC Scotland
On the BBC Scotland Channel, ‘The Service’ is broadcast each Sunday at 12noon bringing a time of worship from different faith communities around Scotland to your television screen.
Local Church Review
The Presbytery of Lochaber will be ‘visiting’ the congregations for the 5 yearly Local Church Review. There will be an online meeting on Zoom 11th December at 2pm (login details will be available nearer the time). All members and friends of the congregation are invited to attend that meeting. If that isn’t practical for you you are invited to respond to the questionnaire – or available from Rev Donald or any of the Session Clerks.
Bible Study
On Tuesdays at 2pm there is an opportunity to gather via Zoom for “Bible Study” and discussion www.aksm.org.uk/bible-bits for details. All welcome – if you don’t already have the Zoom login details please contact Donald – and will be happy to assist you in getting online!
Wednesday Coffee and Chat
Would you like to meet up for a virtual coffee and chat with others around Strontian, Ardgour and Morvern? Wednesday mornings fortnightly, 10.30am – ZOOM Coffee… contact Donald if you would like to be part of that and don’t already have the Zoom details. Getting online on Zoom really isn’t as difficult as some think!
Wednesday 11th November
11th November will be the next gathering for Coffee and Chat, and will include an Act of Remembrance beginning just before 11am. Usual login details on Zoom.
Pastoral
Please do not hesitate to contact the minister at any time. You can email, message or text too. Contact details below.
Funerals
Unfortunately, funeral services remain being restricted to immediate family with a maximum of 20 people attending whether in the church, crematorium or graveside. Various options to enable others to be included are available including online video tributes, audio recordings of services, and thanksgiving services planned for future times. In a time of bereavement please contact the minister to discuss funeral arrangements.
Family Resources
www.aksm.org.uk/family has some Sunday School at Home, and Messy Church ideas and resources. Our congregations and neighboring Acharacle and Ardnamurchan congregations will be arranging to deliver Messy Church Christmas bags to the Primary School and Pre-school children in the area – with some activities and a gift this Christmas.
Monthly Family Quiz
Each Month since April, Rev Donald has hosted an online Quiz on the third Friday at 7pm. November’s will be on Friday 20th, and on 18th December there will be a Christmas Special!
www.AKSM.org.uk/quiz for details.
Zoom
For login information for all our Zoom Online events see: www.AKSM.org.uk/zoom
Offerings
Thank you to all who have been able to continue regular offerings for the on-going church’s work. At least £500 each month is required by each of the three congregations to maintain our contributions to the Ministry & Mission Fund (our contribution to stipend fund, and national Forums and central work of the church), buildings insurance, fuel bills, resources and so on. There are some details about different ways to make an offering or donation at www.aksm.org.uk/offering. Thank you for your continuing support
Advent and Christmas 2020
Plans are being made as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, 2000 years ago and in our experience today. Watch out for forthcoming details of online events and limited gatherings – which will include a Watchnight Service at 11.30pm at Ardgour Church. Space is strictly limited and bookings should be made to Fiona Maclean of Ardgour, 01855 841 247. The service will also be webstreamed so that all can participate. Web stream details will be at www.AKSM.org.uk
The Moderator
The Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair will be leading video worship on Sunday 27th December, and hopes to make a real visit to the peninsulas on Sunday 24th January – when either in person, on Zoom or YouTube video he will lead us in worship. We wish him well as he continues in this very different Moderatorial year. Jim Wallace, Lord Wallace of Tankerness has been appointed at Moderator Designate for the year from May 2021 and we remember him too in our thoughts and prayers as he prepares for this time.
Lochaber Supports Refugees
Recently, Highlands Support Refugees sent a 40ft container to Greece, approximately 700 boxes of clothes and blankets, lots of tents, sleeping bags, and toiletries. Thank you for contributions from the peninsulas, and thanks to Claudia Nicholson who coordinates our donations.
Lochaber Foodbank
Around Harvest time we were able to support the Lochaber Foodbank in some small way, and many have been able to support the local food bank in different ways. Covid-19 sadly means that many have found themselves in need of support. Requests for support should be directed to Citizens’ Advice in the first instance. lochaberfoodbank.org
Presbytery
You may also be interested in what other Churches around Lochaber Presbytery are doing – links to them all are at: www.lochaber.presbytery.org.uk
Church of Scotland
The main Church of Scotland Website is at www.churchofscotland.org.uk where there is news and links to many great resources.
A prayer
Living God,
We come to your presence
And we are conscious that we do not come alone.
We come in the company of the saints of God
And the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
We come to your presence
And we remember those who have given life and nurture to us.
We remember those who are no longer with us
And we give thanks for their lives.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
We come to your presence
And we pray for those who have suffered loss at this time.
We ask that they will know the presence
Of the One who will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
We come to your presence
And hear again the promise of your enduring presence.
We ask for ourselves, and for others,
That we might know the promise of healing of God.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Living God,
We come to your presence
And we recall the hymns of faith that echo in our hearts.
We lift up our hearts and anticipate the praise of heaven;
Offered to Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Contact Details
Rev Donald McCorkindale – 01967 402234 dmccorkindale@churchofscotland.org.uk
The Manse, Strontian, PH36 4HZ
YouTube Channel – www.YouTube.AKSM.org.uk
Facebook – www.facebook.com/AKSMparishes
