News, Events and Updates
SOUPER Sunday took place last Sunday 8 January and after the elder led service there was a simple lunch served of soup and bread. The children contributed cakes they had prepared at their Sunday club and a good time of fellowship and chat was enjoyed by all.http://www.soupersunday.info/
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2012 is now upon us and we give thanks for the recent season of advent and Christmas. We rejoiced in all the festivities.
The combined Christmas party for all the children was a great success and took place on Saturday 17 December.
But the highlight for many was the Nativity Play which took place on Christmas Eve. There was a cast of 48 children and as someone remarked, they had never seen our church so full! We even had to open the glass partition into the cafe area.
Mulled wine and mince pies were served from 5.30 pm and the play started at 6.30. The children did so welland looked so good. We were all reminded about why Christmas is so special.
A huge thank you to all who were involved and helped in any way.
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Thanks to all who made the huge undertaking of wreath making 4/5 December so successful!
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Craft Fayre
The Craft Fayre took place on Saturday 19th November and was very successful. Over £2000 was raised for church funds. Grateful thanks to all you worked so hard to make this such a success; and grateful thanks to all who came and purchased or browsed!
See you next year!
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The CHURCH CHRISTMAS CARD COMPETITION is now closed and the winner has been chosen.
The drawing and design chosen will be made into the church Christmas card which will be distributed, as usual, to every house in the parish.
This is now with the printers' and will be delivered shortly!
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October 2011
The nomination committee have now produced a parish profile for both Auchtergaven & Moneydie Parish and Stanley & Redgorton Parish. This can be down-loaded from the Home Page.
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REPORT FROM THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE September 2011
A Nomination Committee was formed between Auchtergaven & Moneydie and Redgorton & Stanley Churches on the 26th. June 2011. Their task was to study the Guidelines issued by the Church of Scotland for Nomination Committees. (Nomination Committee is the name given to the group of people elected to guide a church through the process of nominating a new minister.)
At a further meeting on 30th. June, two small committees were formed; one for each parish to create a Parish profile for their own parish. These profiles would have to be agreed by each church prior to being collated into a joint Parish profile. A further small joint committee was formed to formulate an advert for a new minister. This advert to be agreed by the full committee prior to going to press.
These committees met separately, and with both Kirk Sessions agreeing the profiles, a further meeting was held on 13th September with the full committee agreeing to the joint profile and to the publication of the advert.
This advert will hopefully be published in the November issue of Life & Work (the magazine of the Church of Scotland) and will also appear in various other publications normally sent to ministers; and will also be published on several web sites.
It is hoped that there will be a good response.
Meanwhile, your continued prayers for a new minister are greatly appreciated.
ALEX MELVILLE (NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE CONVENOR)
Mission Rescue - this year's summer holiday club is now ended. It was great fun!
For more news see GROUPS page.
Romania Mission Trip
During the church service on 24th July a group of fourteen teenagers and six adults headed off to Edinburgh airport to fly out to Budapest and then travel on to the town of Oradea in north-west Romania.
We were to spend ten days working with The Smiles Foundation on a variety of mission projects which included children’s holiday Bible Club, farm labour, working in the newly erected glasshouse and preparing and serving at a luncheon for the elderly.
We also went out with one of the social workers to deliver food parcels to needy families and to chat to them and find out what they most needed. Some of the group had the opportunity to visit the homeless community, which proved to be a very emotional experience for many.
We visited the gypsy village at Tileagd where a fantastic amount of work has been done over the past ten years by Smiles, including the digging of a well where the villagers can now get fresh water. Near the village is a complex built by the Smiles Foundation which includes a school, dental and ophthalmic services and the church where we worshiped on the Sunday along with many of the gypsy families. The service was in Romanian and English, and it felt very special to be prayed for in words we did not understand, but the feeling being conveyed was very clear.
So many experiences and impressions in ten short days! Many of us would love to go back again, and we hope that some of you will join us.
Thanks to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts and helped in so many ways.
MARY MACDONALD
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NOMINATION COMMITTEE FORMED
On Sunday 26 June 2011, a committee of 13 people were elected to be the Nominations committee for the linked charge of Stanley & Redgorton and Auchtergaven & Moneydie (comprising the villages of Stanley, Luncarty and Bankfoot.) Their remit is to seek out the person whom God is calling to be our new minister.
We would ask any interested in the work of God in this place, and in Scotland, to pray for this committee that they will be guided aright.
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The church service time is now 11.15 a.m.
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The People’s Bible
To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publishing of the King James Version of the Bible, an exciting project to hand-write the Bible is currently touring the country.
The People’s Bible is visiting Perth on 25 and 26 July. Could you help?
Visit www.thepeoplesbible.org and make your mark in history by volunteering to help. Alternatively, you can phone the local co-ordinator, Philip Patterson on 01738 583 217 and leave details of name, address and contact e-mail or phone number.
Alternatively, speak to Alice Melville, our local Bible Scoiety Rep.
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Stuart Townend Concert
16 of us from Bankfoot (and about 500 people from other congregations) attended Stuart Townend's concert in the North Church, Perth on Monday 13 June. It was a wonderful evening - singing and worshipping; and listening to Stuart as he explained why he wrote the songs.
We thoroughly recommend getting a copy of his CD!
Click on the link for more information.
http://www.stuarttownend.co.uk/
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There is to be a formal
send off for the Romania team on Sunday 17 July during
the morning service (which starts at 11.15 a.m.)
Mary Macdonald
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During Christian
Aid Week this year 2011 (15th May
onwards) there was, as in previous years, a
house-to house collection in Bankfoot.
Many thanks to all who contributed to that.
The Christian Aid
lunch in the church foyer on Sunday 15 June
after the morning service was a happy
occasion.
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On Sunday 9 January we as a church, joined many others, in celebrating "Souper Sunday." We like other congregations all over the country and beyond enjoyed a Sunday morning service led church elders, in which we brought before God our concern for those who are infected or affected by the HIV virus. Afterwards, we enjoyed a simple lunch of soup and bread, making a donation to the work of the Church of Scotland's work in the field of HIV. Our Sunday Club produced some cakes to finish off the meal and these were much appreciated. We raised £200.46 for the project which was more than last year. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
You can read more about the Church of Scotland's HIV programme by clicking here: http://www.soupersunday.info/hiv-today.html
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The photos from our 2010 Christmas Nativity Play are available to see on the photo gallery...
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Alice Melville would like to thank all the collectors who gave of their precious time to knock on doors; and to all who gave so generously to this year’s Poppy Appeal.
We raised the fantastic total of £1467.07. This is another record for Bankfoot.
Thank you all!
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Shoe Box Appeal (Blythswood Care)
We are delighted with the response to our part in the Shoe Box Appeal 2010. We have filled 72 shoe boxes which have now gone into the central depot in Perth for dispatch.
Our grateful thanks to all who filled a box. We pray that the boxes will bring much joy to those who receive them.
Our thanks too to Alex and Alice Melville who organise the shoe box appeal each year for us.
Click here for more details.
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New Mission Partnership
We are delighted as a church to have new mission partners.
Rob and Ritu Jones with their three children are planning to leave Scotland in December to go to Malawi to work with the Church of Scotland at the Nkhomo Hospital.
Find out more by clicking on this link.
Nkhoma hospital
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WORLD CHALLENGE
In July, some of the youth from the Hub went on a life-changing trip to Morocco on their World Challenge expedition. After having the impossible task of raising almost £15,000 between the group, it soon paid off. Everyone had a fantastic time and it really was a once in a life-time opportunity. The group went over to help renovate a school; however the school was in a fairly reasonable condition so the group decided to paint a local Mosque instead where the people in the community gathered every day. It sounds like an easy job, but in an African heat wave, the group can assure us that it wasn't as easy as it sounds.
After a few days of helping out in the village with the Mosque, all of the local people regarded the group as an inspiration and soon there was a clear bond between the group and the locals. After a tearful goodbye, the team then set out to do trekking through the Atlas Mountains for a couple of days and one night they even camped higher than the peak of Ben Nevis. The trek was so difficult one of the group members fainted and had to be carried to safety!
The last few days consisted of exploring Marrakech and relaxing from their hard-work helping out in the local village.
The group would like to once again take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped with fundraising; those who donated goods for the local children; and those who attended our information evening explaining about the trip.
SEAN PANTON
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“Building Vision” by Iain McFadzean
This is the story of Bankfoot since the destruction of the previous parish Church by fire on Ash Wednesday 2004 and is a fascinating one. Like so many successful projects however there is so much more than meets the eye, good and bad. “BUILDING VISION” is the story of the ups and downs of a church and community's fascinating journey from despair to hope. A story which some will envy, others will identify with, but hopefully will be an inspiration to all who read it.
Only
£5.99 from Bankfoot Church Centre or order through this
website.Click
here to email your order.
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Discipleship Explored is a journey into the book of Philippians and is for anyone who wants to make the most of their Christian lives. The men's and ladies Bible study groups are going to use this material for their studies starting September 2010.
Email for more information as to the local groups; or visit this web site.
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Organ Recital - 1 May 2010
Click here for more information on Allen organs, UK
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We have now finished the last course and those who came found
it helpful and thought provoking. We will post here the dates
of the next course, possibly in spring 2011.
For further information on Christianity Explored
check out this link ChristianityExplored.
"Village church is held up as an example to follow"
So says a headline on page 5 of the Dundee Courier today, 30 April 2010.
The article that follows is commenting on proposals to come to the General Assembly of the church this May about formulating its first strategic plan on how best to make use of its estate and as cited the new church in Bankfoot as an example to follow!
We agree!
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Iain's last Sunday - 7 April 2010 - Easter Sunday
Last Sunday was Iain McFadzean's last Sunday with us. We had a great day together celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour; and rejoicing in all that He has done for us here in Bankfoot in the 5 years since Iain has been minister.
At the presentation to Iain at the end of the service Alastair Macdonald, Session Clerk, made the following comments...
ALASTAIR’S TRIBUTE
It will be 5 years this month since Iain McFadzean was inducted as our minister. At Iain’s induction we were forewarned by Alastair Duncan, minister of Garelochhead Parish Church what to expect at our Christmas events. Live animals – sheep, donkeys, calves… He didn’t quite manage to get a camel but he did have some wise men, namely Alex Melville, Dave McFarlane, Andy Smith and Ian Robertson – well maybe they were wise…!
When Iain accepted the call to be our minister, what a challenge lay before him - the church on the hill having been destroyed by fire in February 2004, ironically Ash Wednesday. Iain had the foresight, energy and vision which resulted in a new church being built to cater for all the community, using as many sustainable and eco friendly features as possible. This led to us quickly becoming the proud recipients of an eco congregation award.
Before building commenced, there were many obstacles to overcome – planning permission, suitable builders etc. Iain, Joy and the family were subjected to personal abuse and harassment but through all this Iain’s faith sustained him. And he constantly encouraged us a congregation to know that God’s plans for us were good. We did have a future! As well as carrying out his parish responsibilities, he was heavily involved in the building of the church as he had the knowledge and experience to be able to research the best solutions to the many problems we faced. And if we are honest we’ll also remember him when we saw him approaching with his favourite phrases… “I was thinking… Do you think….?” Then we thought, “Oh no, here he goes again!”
God was definitely laughing when He sent Iain to rattle our cages and push the buttons! We won’t have any shortage of memories!
What a legacy Iain is leaving us! A fantastic building! This is not just a one day a week church but a seven day a week church, involving all ages from toddler to the more senior amongst us. Since our opening in October 2008 there have been 100 church visiting our centre and over 23,000 visitors!
Although today we are sad at Iain leaving us we are also very pleased for him in his new job as National Director of Workplace Chaplaincy (Scotland). We can be sure that Iain’s enthusiasm and drive will now touch and encourage many more people across Scotland and we wish him well.
As Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Iain we will miss you, one way or another. You’ve had quite an impact on this place and you’ll be leaving a big gap here. But most of all we’ll remember you for being a great person to have around. And I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of you!
Please accept this gift as a token of our appreciation – and may God’s blessing go with you and the family as you set out to fulfil the next vision.
See the photo gallery for photos of the event.
MINISTER’S LETTER written for Feburary 2010 Church Magazine
They say that one definition of getting old is when snow on the ground stops exciting you and starts to annoy or worry you. I am getting old! For all the problems that the snow causes, however there are always positives. One very positive effect of the universal white blanket is that for a short time, everywhere looks very tidy! Your immaculately groomed garden looks exactly like my chaotic, child ravaged jungle.
It is good to finally see green grass again and even better to see the snowdrops pushing through. While I am sure we have some more interesting weather to come we can all begin to see the hints of spring appearing. The downside of this of course is that everything which was buried by the snow has now reappeared and my garden looks even worse than it did before it was buried!
I have known a number of people in my life who seemed, on the surface, to have their lives running like well oiled sewing machines. Respected and admired they were looked up to by many who aspired to emulate their faith, success or popularity, while others were intimidated by the knowledge that they could never reach those heights. Yet underneath the blanket things were very different.
For some, the cloak of success, is no more than a façade which can suddenly collapse, dissolve, melt away to reveal a life embroiled in confusion, betrayal and hypocrisy.
Paul saw the effect of this when he wrote to the Hebrews to warn them:
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Spring is a great time for tidying up, sorting out all those things which have been playing on your mind for so long. It is also a good time ( as is any time), to open up your heart to God and to start to deal with some of those issues which you have been covering up, hiding away or simply ignoring for so long.
Those first snowdrops remind us of the promise of God that he will make “all things new”. That includes you and me. Is it going to be a good year? Is it going to be a year when you shed burdens, resolve issues and enjoy some rest? It certainly could be if we act on the promises God has given us.
“Come to me all who are tired and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
God bless,
Iain McFadzean
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Prayer…
As Christians and as the family of God in this place we believe that God answers prayer.
We pray together as part of our worship on Sundays as well as our personal praying at home or elsewhere.
Recently the WWE group produced a helpful leaflet (suggested by the Presbytery Prayer Promoters’ Group) called “How to spend 5 minutes with God.” We also produce a monthly prayer diary which is designed to be used on a daily basis at home. These are available at church or to download from the web site as a .pdf file.
And then we have our corporate prayer times on
Wednesday evenings at the church prayer meeting. These
are held on every second and fourth Wednesday of each
month. Please do consider joining us...
Green Energy Awards
Community Initiative Award organised by the Scottish Green Energy Awards 2009.
We are happy to have been short listed for this award although we did not win.
http://www.greenenergyawards.co.uk
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13 April 2009
We have had a wonderful weekend here at Bankfoot. The weather has been great and we have been able to enjoy God's creation and spring brusting forth all around us.
The Easter week services went well and our early Easter morning service at the Ford at Little Glenshee was great - a good number came - lots of children who rolled their eggs afterwards -and there was a real sense of the joy of the resurrection!
Christ is risen - He is risen indeed!
Then back to the church for breakfast and what a breakfast! Wonderful. For Margaret it was especially wonderful as she had come to the end of her fast over Lent of any food bought from a shop. She so enjoyed her cup of tea with milk - and her bacon roll!
Then we had the Easter morning service - the church was full and we rejoiced together.
Stone Picking
It had been intimated that if anyone wanted to help on Easter Saturday, they would be welcome to come and help pick stones! A local farmer has offered to seed the grounds of the church for us but stones needed to to be lifted first. So on a glorious day of weather a good number came to work hard. But it was good fun - especially when we had a break for tea and coffee and hot cross buns! (See the photos in the photo gallery.) The exercise was repeated on Easter Monday and so now the ground is ready!
Thank you to all!
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12 March 2009
As days get longer, we look forward to enjoying our new church centre in the Spring and Summer. After all, there is a patio through the french windows off the Auchtergaven Room, so coffees out there after church (and through the week), with the beautiful view of the Perthsire hills is a pleasing prospect!
We are so grateful to God for the way we are seeing the centre used by many different groups as well as people just coming to see it and enjoy it. Sadly we have hosted two funerals here in recent weeks, but also there are those who have booked their weddings here too.
Sundays are busy and we are particularly pleased that the number of children attending (with their parents) is on the rise. They enjoy watching the "Friends and Heroes" series of DVDs which tell Bible stories - and then of course they enjoy the soft play centre afterwards - while parents and the congregation enjoy relaxed fellowship after the service is over. Another series of "Friends and Heroes" is also enjoyed by the children attending Compass on Tuesday evenings.
There is a steady group of over 35 young people who attend "The Hub" on Tuesdays.
Some of the older teenagers from "The Hub" are going to help with our annual Holiday Club. This is planned for the last week of the school summer holidays as usual - Monday 10 August until Friday 14 August. The programme we are going to use is called
"Show Stoppers", this year's
new SU programme for Holiday Clubs. We have some new team
members for this year including our own Michael Ellacott, and we
look forward to using the wonderful new facilities with plenty
of room! 
Each first Sunday of the month we will have Traidcraft stall
after the church service. There will thus be the opportunity
to browse and buy items such as tea, coffee, biscuits, cereals
and preserves. Purchasing fairly traded produce will help
fight against poverty in the developing world.
Unfortunately Sunday's (2
February) offer of free chocolate was a one off!! But it was
delicious and enjoyed!
CHURCH CAFE
Visit the church cafe which is now open each day for coffee, scones, home baking, home made soup - and to meet friends!
IN THE NEWS...
Our church featured on 23 December 2008 on Reporting Scotland. Click on this link to see the broadcast. "Church rises from the ashes."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7798234.stm
There is also an article written by Elizabeth Quigley which you can read on the BBC web site. Click on the following link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7796195.stm
22 December 2008
17 December 2008
The third Sunday of advent is past and anticipation is
growing as Christmas approaches.
Fractically rehearsals are happening, parties being organised
and celebrated, the school concert is past but end of term
service ahead, preparations for our special village
celebration on Friday evening (19th.) going ahead well. There
are rumours that live animals will be there! Don't miss it if
you can help it!
But what is it all about? Click on the following link and "Meet the Cast" on this SGM production. Christmas is about the gift of the Lord Jesus from God to us.
http://www.sgmlifewords.com/christmas/downloads/documents/mtc-automaticpp.ppt
24 November 2008
Well how are things at the new church centre? Very good thank you! We are so glad of many and various groups using our lovely facilities and it is good to go to the church at different times during the week as well as the weekend and find it a hive of activity. That is what we wanted!The Craft Fayre on Saturday was a great success and seemed to be greatly enjoyed by many. Various groups are using the centre and the cafe is serving teas and coffees and light lunches each day. Thank you to all those who have volunteered for that and are doing such a grand job! The children and young people are enjoying the facilities and as of last week the sports hall is now lined for sport: - two badminton courts, one five a side football pitch and basketball court. More information soon about the badminton club!
The church office is gradually being furnished, and the move to that will be completed in the first week of December when BT give us a telephone line.
Being a church we are now looking forward to and planning advent and the preparation for the great event of Christmas! We want to celebrate with as many as possible the fact that God sent His only Son to this earth because He wanted to show His great love and concern for us and all mankind.
10 November 2008
Another week has gone past in our new church centre.
Numbers at Compass and The Hub on Tuesdays continue to
increase and Boys’ Brigade met for the first time in the new
church centre on Friday. The Bankfoot Toddlers Group now meet
in the centre. (See Centre Facilities page for more details.)
Saturday’s bonfire was cancelled because of the bad weather but the Bouncy Castle was put up in the sports hall and a BBQ held in the BBQ area at the back of the Auchtergaven Hall.
Saturday also saw the musical evening with Michael Ellacott that was planned to allow us hear our new Allen organ and to have an evening of music. Michael was joined by Teresa Coull (vocalist) and Liza McFadzean (flute) and all there thoroughly enjoyed the evening – and the shortbread! Our grateful thanks to Michael and to all who helped.
Sunday was our service of Remembrance. We met at the war memorial in the Main Street, and aided by a trumpeter and a piper, Iain McFadzean led us in a short service and in the 2 minutes silence. Afterwards we repaired to the church for our worship. It was good to be reminded, with photos of the wars that are past and on-going, of what men and women went through to secure our freedom. It was lovely yet again to see our church full! The usual cup of tea or coffee followed along with the remnants of the night before’s shortbread!
Our part in the Blythswood shoebox appeal is over as boxes
were collected and taken to the depot in Perth by the
Melvilles. We filled around 60 boxes to add to the thousands
that will be sent out. Again thanks to all who participated!
For more information visit the web site. www.blythswood.org/shoebox
The church café is open each day for tea/ coffee and soup and rolls. Its worth a visit!
3 November, 2008
One week has gone by already in the life of our new church.
We had hoped that the church would be a place of activity and interest and welcome and it has proved to be! With the café open each morning from 9.30 till 1.00 people came from far and near and enjoyed their coffee and home made scone – and also looked round with various folks on hand to be “tour guides”. Occasionally too the organ was played! Hundreds of cups of tea and coffee were served during the week! There was a conference held there in the Auchtergaven Room on Tuesday morning; and then there was the ceilidh on Friday evening which was a great success.
The children’s club – Compass – made a great start on Tuesday evening with 41 children there; and that was followed by The Hub for the teenagers and there were about 25 of them. Church attendance yesterday was very good, the service being conducted by Rev. Bob Sloan who has joined us a pastoral associate. Bob was with us during Iain’s recent spell of RAF Chaplaincy.
So we are off to a good start! This week the café is to be open again each day with various people volunteering to take a turn and others offering to make soup! This is only possible because of volunteers and perhaps you would like to help! If so, could you give Iain McFadzean a ring?
We look forward to the evening with Michael Ellacott and friends on Saturday 8 November at 8.00 p.m. All our welcome – entrance is free but donations received gladly! There is also the village bonfire taking place on Saturday at 6.15.
Sunday 26 October 2008
At the first morning worship service in the Bankfoot Church
on Sunday 26 October 2008, the congregation sang the following
hymn set to the tune “Highland Cathedral” and written by Iain
MacFadzean, the minister. It was written to sum up our recent
Our Story – following the fire on Ash Wednesday 25 February,
2004 which completely destroyed the former church building.
God of our Fathers you have brought us here
Guided your people throughout endless years
Shown us the plans that have been laid by thee
Hope and a future, setting people free
God is here in the midst of
us
His gracious promise He will
fulfill
O’er the darkness He
prevails.
Our God will overcome
Ye though the fire destroys and all is lost
You call your people not to count the cost
Pride and possession are but shifting sand
Lead now your people to the promised land
Trials of the past are far behind us now
Christ is our Saviour and will show us how
Our lives can shine into the darkest place
Light that brings all before the Fathers face
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This was our Harvest Thanksgiving and also our last service in our temporary accommodation of the church hall. How grateful we have been that to have had this hall separate from the main church building which meant it was undamaged by the fire of 2004! It has been home since then…
Earlier it had been agreed by the Kirk Session that to celebrate the Harvest Thanksgiving we should have a retiring offering in aid of TEAR Fund’s “Step up the Plate” campaign. At the service on Sunday a film was shown on the work of TEAR Fund in Africa and in particular Burkina Faso. This film was very moving and showed that, although villagers suffer from malnutrition and need aid, they want to be independent and feed themselves. With our help from the retiring offering, we will be able to provide them with materials and resources to work the soil.
The retiring offering amounted to £504.30 (and many filled in gift aid recovery slips). Many will also send money direct to TEAR Fund.
Alastair Macdonald