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Spring 2003 Newsletter of
Monikie and Newbigging Church

    This version of the Church Magazine was supplied to the webmaster in 'native' format, and remains substantially unchanged.

Monikie

SPRING 2003

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

As you have read elsewhere the Congregational Board propose to discontinue use of Newbigging Church at the end of March. Thereafter the building will be put on the market for sale. However Presbytery has to be involved in the decision to close a church. Whatever the outcome the plan is to reduce the number of church buildings within the area of the congregation’s ministry from two to one. Releasing energy and funds by this better stewardship of resources would help expand work with all age groups within the Parish. As I said in my last letter “ Hopefully, as at the end of the winter, there is a season of new growth ahead after a time of dieback and pruning”. To that end I am planning to hold classes for first communicants in the next few weeks. All are welcome to attend.

Yours sincerely,

Gordon Mackenzie

On Tuesday 14^th January, the Sub-Committee of the Superintendence Board held meetings with the Minister, the Congregational Board and the Kirk Session. The Sub-committee comprised Rev David Clark, Rev George Robson, Mr J McRae and Mr D Orrock.

On the following Sunday Rev George Robson conducted the Service at Newbigging Church.

The Report was presented to Presbytery on Wednesday 12^th February.

At this point my inclination would be to say copies of this report may be viewed but as Session and Presbytery business is secret, this report cannot be viewed.

I feel I can disclose that the members of the Quinquennial Committee who visited us were still under the impression that Monikie and Newbigging Churches are a linkage despite the fact that we have been a union for over fifteen years! This information is freely displayed on the Dundee Presbytery website. There are quite a number of pages of information and links to other church websites.

The website address is http://www.geocities.com/dundeepresbytery

The 2003 Service has been written by Christian women of Lebanon. The theme of the Service - "Holy Spirit, Fill Us".

”Ahlan wa sahlan• is the greeting coming from the Land of the Cedars, as Christian women of Lebanon give the invitation to share in the World Day of Prayer on Friday 7th March with the theme, ”Holy Spirit, fill us•.

These words of welcome speak about being part of the family and having an easy path ahead. In Lebanese culture family ties, even over thousands of miles‘ separation, hold strong and our sisters in Lebanon invite the world family to understand and share something of their experience in recent years. The lands of the whole Middle East region have followed a far from easy path for many periods in history: we are asked to reflect on recent experiences of Lebanese women in the continuing search for peace and stability in their own country and in neighbouring lands.

On the first Friday of March each year, people of a rich variety of cultures, languages and ages in over 180 countries world-wide join in acts of worship, prayer and commitment to prayerful action. Services throughout Scotland are held in churches, hospitals, eventide homes, hospices, schools and universities, prisons, or individual homes. A warm invitation is given to everyone to share with the women of Lebanon and people world-wide wherever you may be on Friday 7th March.

This is a conference day covering a huge number of issues and intended for young people, youth workers, elders, ministers and anyone who has an interest in the church and young people today.
It takes place on 1 March in the Salutation Hotel in Perth and an exciting array of expertise is on offer from members of our own staff to ecumenical partners to folks from particular and peculiar agencies and organisations!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY YOUTH NIGHT
Takes place in the Assembly Hall on 24 May from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm (approx). The Guest Speaker is David Mullins who is a well known preacher and writer in the United States of America. He is joined by the band, Coastal Dune and we are doing the most extreme thing we have ever done with a Moderator this year - worth coming just for that alone!

The theme for the event is '!' and we are looking at the surprising nature of Jesus. It is anticipated that the evening will be full of surprises!

NATIONAL YOUTH ASSEMBLY
This year we are moving the event back to Dundee and it's taking place in the newly built Apex Hotel at the City Quay. The event is being sponsored by the Scottish Bible Society and has also been part funded by the local city council.
We hope that 200 young people from all over the Church will come together from 29th August to 1st September. This year as well as the 'regular' debates, seminars, worship, small groups etc, we will be joined by Mike Yaconnelli who hails from the US where he leads a very interesting church(!). Mike has been on the speaker circuit for many years and is completely inspirational. We are hoping for a lot from him.
The theme of the event is 'Labyrinth' and we intend having the ancient labyrinth walk available throughout the Assembly for delegates

Anyone young person interested in these events please contact Sheila Mackenzie or Rae Gray.

PARISH REGISTER

BAPTISMS (ACTS 2: 39)

• 17 Joanna Amy, daughter of Michael Johnston and Susan Murray, Cunmont Farmhouse

• 15 Adrianna Susan, daughter of Jamie and Carroll Gibson, Brae of Downie, Newbigging

• 12 Margaret Irving, The Cottage, Monikie
• 26 Iris Johnson, formerly 45 Pitairlie Road, Newbigging

• 31 Margaret Allan, No 5 Cottage, Kirkton of Monikie

Margaret, like her mother, was good with her hands. She was a keen Memorial Hall Trustee and enjoyed helping Brownies and Guides with their projects. For a time Margaret kept the Post Office in her house.

Iris came from Dundee to take over Newbigging Shop and Post Office. She had a great love of visiting the Highlands and Islands. Mrs Johnson was a supporter of Save the Children and made regular contributions to the Church.

Meg got on well with people both young and old. She was a hard worker who loved being out of doors on the farm. Meg will be missed for her sociable nature and as a helper to family and friends.

Articles for the next edition of Two in One should be given to the editor.

D.B., Editor.

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