Annan Old Parish
Church of Scotland
Newsletter
May 2021
Dear Member
After the last 14 months when there have been so many changes and uncertainties we are now looking to the future and how we will be able to worship safely within the guidelines advised by the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Government.
At the present time Annan Old is open on a Sunday from 1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. for private prayer only. During this time you can come and leave as you wish as there will be no worship service.
However we are hoping that from the 23rd May there will be a short worship service at 11.15 a.m. each Sunday. This will last for 20-25 mins and consist of readings, prayer, short address and music. We cannot sing, but music is a very large part of our worship and we can sit and listen. After the service the Church will stay open until 12.15 p.m. for private prayer. You are welcome to stay after the service or come for the private prayer time only.
The maximum number for Annan Old is 50 which includes the minister, the organist, the sound controller and stewards. Initially if you wish to attend worship at 11.15 a.m. please telephone 01461 203551 on a Thursday between 7.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. to reserve your place. No reservations are required for the private prayer time following the service
Under the guidelines issued it is not yet possible to celebrate Communion, baptisms, funerals or weddings but It is hoped that as regulations are relaxed we will be able to celebrate these again.
Kirk Session has followed the guidelines and the church has been cleaned before the opening. It will be cleaned every time it is opened. Pew cushions will be moved from the pews which are being used and a one way system has been put in place. All doors, including the outside doors have to be left open for ventilation. NB The hall will NOT be open as we cannot serve teas and coffees.
Face coverings MUST be worn except by those who are exempt.
As a one way system has been introduced you are asked to enter the church at the west door (beside the hall) where you will be welcomed, asked to sanitise your hands and give your name and telephone number for Track and Trace. Hymn books and bibles cannot be used.
You will then be shown to a seat. Following social distancing rules please stay in your allocated seat during your stay. After worship please leave by the east door where there will be hand sanitiser available. As our aisles are narrow please do not stop in them to talk to others. Please remember 2 metre social distancing when leaving the Church
Please be patient with others around you as everyone is new to this and learning as we go.
A box will be available at both doors for anyone who wishes to give a collection or leave their free will offering envelopes. However if you feel that you are not ready or are not able to return to church, but would like your envelopes or offerings collected please contact The Minister (01461 392048) or the Treasurer John Bicket (01461 203551).
If you would like to volunteer to help do door duty please contact Esther Bicket (01461 203551)
This invitation is extended to all in the community and especially our friends at Dornock and Eastriggs.
We look forward to welcoming you back to church.
Rev Dave Whiteman
Annan Old Parish Church Newsletter December 2020
Message from the Manse
Dear Friends,
One of the Main themes of Advent is Hope and Hope is something that our nation, indeed the world desperately needs at this time.
We have some hope on the horizon of the possibility of a vaccine against this terrible corona virus and we are all crossing our fingers that we will have a vaccine soon. We hope for the best.
Christian hope is of course a different kind of hope to the hope of this world. Christian hope is not about keeping your fingers crossed, hoping for the best, maybe aye, maybe no. Christian hope is about certainty, Christian hope is something we can be sure of.
Many people look for hope in the wrong place. We see this in the queue at the lottery counter at the local shop or the spending frenzy at this time of year. I saw on the TV a program about a 22 year old Girl who is £24,000 in debt and could see no way out of it. And then there are many folk who see no hope at all and decide to take their own life.
Peter tells us that “Christian hope rests not on things of this world, but on God who raised Jesus Christ and gave him glory , so that our faith and hope might be in him.”
In other words, our hope is not in the hands of fate or destiny, it does not depend on our mood swings but is based on the knowledge that Our Church and our lives are very much in the hands of God. I believe that through this pandemic God is working his purposes out and that gives me great hope for the future.
Church News.
JIM WALLACE – MODERATOR ELECT
We all offer our congratulations to Jim Wallace, on being chosen as next years Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, We are all very proud of Jim at Annan Old, and we send him all our best wishes and prayers for his year as Moderator.
PRIVATE PRAYER TIMES
We continue to open the Church on a Sunday for Private Prayer – the times are ….
Annan Old – 1.30 – 3.00 p.m. Eastriggs – 10.00 -11.00 a.m. on 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month
Dornock Church – remains closed at present.
Many people have said “I can pray at home – I don’t have to come to Church”, that is true but I have personally found that praying in Church has been a very moving experience. My prayers have felt much deeper and more meaningful. I would encourage everyone Just give it a try, come down to Church on a Sunday afternoon.
CHRISTMAS
Annan Churches Together Group are at the moment, preparing a ‘Virtual Christmas Holiday Club’ which will include the Christingle Service. This will be posted on line about 10.00 o’clock on Christmas Eve, and can be viewed at any time after that.
CHRISTMAS TREE AND MANGER – OUTSIDE THE CHURCH
The tree and manger are now in place and they looks beautiful. As in previous years, we invite people to ‘Sponsor a Light’ in memory of someone. The donations this year will go to Annan Old Parish Church, to help with finances. To donate, please contact Esther or John Bicket
ENVELOPES – Blue–freewill and Yellow-Gift Aid.
Our deficit is not great, we are a few thousand pounds short due to the Church being closed this means that some have not being able to bring along their weekly envelopes to church, and we understand that. If you, or maybe a relative you know of have envelopes and would like to get them to Church, just contact the Minister (01461 392048) or John Bicket, Treasurer (01461 203551) and they will come and collect them from you. It is not easy to talk about money and we are sorry to do so, but you will appreciate that even though the Church is closed, there are still bills to be paid. The money has to be in by the end of the year so that we can balance the books.
CLOCK
As you know, the clock in the steeple stopped working around March/April, and during lockdown it was difficult to get hold of anyone to repair it. The clock belongs to the Council, but they are not prepared to pay for the repair, they do not have the £100 a year to maintain it as they need the money for other things. Fortunately, we have found someone who knows what is wrong with it and has taken it away for repair. Hopefully we will have it back and working by the end of the year.
ALASDAIR
Alasdair retired in April this year, just before lockdown, and so it has been difficult to arrange anything for his retirement. This week I posted a nice bunch of flowers and a card to Alasdair and Maureen to welcome them to their new home in Fife. We also sent Alasdair a Cheque and a card from us all and in addition we sent Alasdair and Maureen a beautiful bowl hand crafted by Peter Foley.
