from the Secretary
Clubs & Groups
"Brige" Walk
Janet's trip to Barra
Samaritans Purse
Young People
Getting to Church
News from Coaltown

On 13^th June 2008 at 7:30 pm we welcomed about 150 friends to the Induction of our minister Rev Kathryn Price. Rev John Humphreys conducted the service and preached the sermon. Kathryn sang Psalm 84 and members of her family and a friend read from John 4:4 – 30 & 39 - 42. Rev Linda Rice led the Induction Prayer. Members of Coaltown and Dunfermline took part in the prayers and Mrs Doris Caldwell Convener of the East link Pastoral Group led the reading of the Statement of the Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church.

The gifts of Word – the Dunfermline Bible - and of Sacrament - Coaltown Communion cup and Patten – were handed over to Kathryn by Janet Stirling and Grace Baxter, church secretaries. They also presented a green preaching stole as a gift from the joint pastorates.

Representatives of the churches and the community gave the right hand of fellowship to Kathryn and all the congregation were invited to shake hands with at least two people they had not met before. Our Choir excelled themselves singing an Introit, “Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might”, an anthem “The spacious firmament on high” and ended the service with a Choral Benediction that we were introduced to on Synod Day in Perth last year.

Both churches were required to give a narrative of the call before Kathryn was inducted. Here is my version.

Narrative of the call of the Reverend Kathryn Price

Once we had recovered from the loss of Jan we set about finding out about the process of calling a new minister. It was with delight that we heard that Rev Linda Rice of Dunning and Newburgh had agreed to be our Interim Moderator. A Vacancy Committee was chosen by the Church Meeting and joined with members from Coaltown to give as wide a cross section of our membership as possible.

Then the hard work started, an in depths look at ourselves which enabled us to produce a Pastoral Profile that was accurate and factual about our churches and area. Once this was approved by the Church Meeting and the Pastoral Committee and the Moderator, Rev John Humphreys, it went country wide via the URC Synods.

Waiting is always hard and during our “desert experience” we enjoyed the varied styles and personalities of the ministers and lay people who graced our pulpit. We made friends and got to know the Synod Team better. Our own membership rallied around too and asking for help led to willing responses. Many of our members acquired new skills and developed those they already had.

Then in December 2007 I was asked for an electronic version of our profile and knew that people were interested in finding out about our churches. Kathryn and her husband Hugh came to meet the Vacancy Committee and looked at both churches and their communities and agreed to forward matters by having an open afternoon for both congregations to meet Kathryn. This was very successful and she was invited to preach for the joint charge. Both churches agreed that she was the one for us and she was called to the joint charge. Her letter of acceptance was greeted with delight by both congregations. A new manse was purchased and here we are today ready to induct Kathryn to the joint charge.

So our journey together in faith and hope has reached a happy conclusion to part one. The sequel lies ahead as we grow together with our new Minister.

Message from Revd Frank Garvie former Minister of Canmore Congregational Church on the Induction of our new minister.

Colossians 2:5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is

I would like to express on behalf of all elders and members of Dunfermline URC our appreciation and congratulations to Janet for her tireless efforts during the long vacancy. She has held the ship on a steady course, been an inspiration to all on board and weathered whatever storms may have arisen.
(I think she will appreciate the nautical references given her recent holiday experiences.) Her articles every month in the Window under the heading “Together in Faith and Hope” were a regular source of inspiration - very well done Janet.

May I thank all those people who took part in the induction of our new minister, Revd Kathryn Price, to all those who said prayers, to all the readers, to Janet and Grace for their giving of gifts, to the Rev John Humphreys for his inspiring address. To Diane for her playing of the organ and choice of music. To the choir, a special thank you for their lovely singing and to Jenny who conducted them and accompanied them on the piano superbly. To all those who provided and donated food for our supper and to the ladies who served our meal.
A big thank you to you all.
God’s blessings be with you all.

Monday Club Womens Fellowship

The Monday Club and Womens Fellowship have completed its programme for 2007-8 and will recommence in the autumn.

You will be pleased to know that Jim Harkins, who drives the the truck to Bosnia has been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Honours List.
He drives the truck at his own expense and is often in great danger to himself and the other person in the truck with him as he delivers aid to people in that area and I feel that it is a well deserved honour.
He is going back to Bosnia in August, so if you have any clothing or blankets for the children, please let us have them soon.
Jim also says “Thank you” to everyone who is helping in our project.

He put a new song in my mouth

It so happens that out of the five hymns our new minister chose for the service on 22nd June, three of them were unknown to any of the choir members and probably not to the congregation either. Fortunately we were having a practice for that day- the last until September. This may well happen on future occasions; it will happen on future occasions I expect and help increase our hymn repertoire. Apart from one occasion we have met each Saturday this year and learned and sung an introit each Sunday. Although not many in number I have yet to know a more dedicated group of people; they are very loyal and I give them a big “thank you”.
Thanks too to members of the congregation who week after week give their comments -usually favourable- about how the choir has sung. Very gratifying to know our efforts are appreciated. The induction service was possibly the high point of the year so far. We were well practiced and it certainly paid dividends. Of the three items, the Choral Benediction was the most popular, not only in the choir, but also amongst members of the large congregation as I had many requests for copies of that piece.

O come and let us worship him - Psalm 40

A strong southerly wind (force 4-5 gusting 6) was blowing as we gathered at the West Highland Sailing base at Laggan locks, John from Rutherglen, David and Sandra from Aviemore and myself from Fort Augustus (chalet park). The charter yacht Rosie, a YCA29 5/6 berth, very solid and heavy, well used, and getting on in years, was berthed at a pontoon with other charter yachts and cruisers nearby. A staff member came along to hand over the yacht and assist us into the first lock, as sailing on Loch Lochy was not advised in the strong winds. At that point he left us and we continued up the tree lined Laggan Avenue and through the opening bridge, temporarily holding up the traffic, into Loch Oich and on to the shelter of the pontoon at the Well of the Seven Heads, where in 1633 seven clansmen were murdered. Local clansmen took revenge by beheading the murderers and washing their heads in the stream of water! The wind pushed us on up the loch, under sail, to our lunch stop at Invergarry Castle, burned down after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, now being renovated in part. In the afternoon we continued through the road bridge and locks to Fort Augustus, very busy with cruisers and yachts, and found a small space at a pontoon. Anne and Stan had already arrived and were with Helen at the chalet. We had a cup of tea together before John set off on his long journey home and David and Sandra back to Aviemore.

Anne and Stan occupied the yacht overnight and I joined them in the morning for the return cruise. The wind had dropped somewhat and the sun was breaking through at times. We were accompanied in the locks by a large catamaran, which later followed us in to the castle pontoon for a break. They had come from Finland and were continuing down the west coast to Belfast or Dublin, then on to Spain. We recommended Ardminish Bay, Gigha as a possible anchorage on the way. In the afternoon, the wind having moderated, we were able to sail on Loch Lochy and returned to the base about 4.30pm.

We are indebted to the charter company, West Highland Sailing, for providing us with a very sea worthy yacht and to the Lock Keepers whose patience, at times, must be tested to the limit. After charter fee and expenses were paid a balance of £28.33 remained which has been forwarded to the Vine Trust (Amazon Hope).
Rosie by the way is up for sale. She has been hard worked by the Charter Company but, no doubt, will now be heading for semi-retirpipent with a private owner.

The original date for the Sponsored Walk for Christian Aid was unsuitable because of essential repairs to the bridge. The re-arranged date is to be 20th September, however as several of our walkers will be unavailable that week-end, the Elders meeting decided that we should have our own sponsored walk on Sunday 22nd June.
To avoid any problems on the Forth Bridge walkways, it was proposed for this year we should walk round Townhill Loch three times to duplicate the distance of a return crossing of the bridge.
Following the torrential rain the previous night and the early morning on the day 13 walkers and 3 dogs enjoyed a warm rainfree afternoon’s walk, followed by refreshments chez Janet.
Many thanks to our sponsors through whom £220 has been raised for Christian Aid.

On 14 June I set off at 9:15 am on a tour to the Isle of Barra. This was a journey of faith as I was not completely recovered from my latest chest infection. We picked up 44 people on the road to Oban and then boarded the MV Clansman for Barra. Five hours at sea is a daunting prospect for those of us who are not natural sailors. However a pill and a few verses of “Eternal Father strong to save…..” got me there in a flat calm. I even felt like dinner even although it was 9 pm.
Sunshine a good nights sleep and I was ready for anything (except another 5 hour sail). The beaches of Barra are white and the sea is every shade of turquoise that you can imagine. A short bus ride took us to Castlebay and there in the middle of the bay was the castle, Kishmul Castle, seat of the Chief of Clan MacNeill. Guess what, I had to get in a wee boat for the short trip out to the ancient seat. The present chief has spent a lot of money bringing parts of the castle into the 21st century. He even has an ensuite facility beside his bedroom which we were privileged to make use of!
Back to dry land and a short bus ride to the other end of Barra and the airport at Cockleshell Bay. The bay stretches away into the distance, white solid sand with three possible runways for landing. It was amazing and if I ever go to Barra again I just might land here. On return to Castlebay we had soup and sandwiches at the Castlebay Hotel before a trip south to the Island of Vatersay. Fortunately for the islanders and I there is a causeway. Our large bus had to stay on Barra and we went on the small local bus to the glorious beaches that HMS Britainia used to take the Royal family to for private picnics. Vatersay is increasing its population due to mains water and electricity which come across the causeway. New houses are being built for local people and the men fish for langoustines and lobsters that are exported to Spain.
The Western Isles are very barren and most commodities have to come by ferry from the mainland e.g. a new house costs 2 – 3 thousand pounds more due to freight charges, fresh fruit and vegetables cost more and in the winter storms the ferries and planes can’t move. It is not easy for incomers to adjust to life on the Islands in the winter months but those that do, love them.
Day 2 rain, wind,gales and a bus tour to Benbecula - Lots of buildings here as the military had a firing range for rockets etc. We had coffee and fresh scones and pancakes here, a welcome stop. Then back over the causeways to South Uist where we enjoyed excellent soup sandwiches and delicious homemade cake. A short ferry trip from Eriskay took us back to Barra and our hotel.
An early start after a stormy night and we were off to face the 5 hours on the ferry back to Oban. Some said it was a glorious swell but I was singing with the Duke of Plassatorro (The Gondoliers) “I’ll never, never, never go to sea again!”

During the school holidays our normal rota will be suspended. Children will continue to be welcomed and provided for with material on the table at the front of or in the family area on the west side of the church.

If you would like come to Church but find transport a problem we have a pool of drivers who can offer transport. If you receive a newsletter the names and telephone numbers of the drivers are provided. If you are visiting us for the first time please send an email by clicking the Contact us button. In either case please give as much notice as possible.

Golden Wedding Anniversary
Congratulations to William and Barbara who were married on 6^th June, 1958 at St. David's Church, Lower Largo, by Revd. George Watt. They have enjoyed 50 happy years together.

Success
At the West Of Fife Show on Saturday 7^th June the goat section was won by Chancfield Penny, an Anglo Nubian goat bred by Mrs. S.MacMillan and Bill Grieve. They have won many firsts with their goats in the past but this is their first champion.