Dull and Weem Parish Church

  

It's good to be back! After nearly four months away following illness and recuperation I've been able to begin a 'graduated return to work' programme and should, Go willing, be back into the full swing of things by the middle of May.

My time away, especially during the latter weeks of my rehabilitation, have allowed me time to think about things - some of them run of the mill; some concerning my role; and some to do with where we are heading as a church, by which I mean the same as the Bible does whenever it speaks of such things: namely the people, or what the Bible calls the 'people of God'.

The Apostle Paul wrote a number of letters which make up what we call the New Testament, and he always referred to the group of believers in a given location using a Greek word which means 'an assembly. Thus the church, or body of believers, is to be God's representatives here on earth. Indeed one description calls them 'the body of Christ' - those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

However, the greater question is: just how is the church to be such a body?

Well I should maybe begin with the reminder that no one in the church is (or should see themselves as being) more perfect than anyone else. Too many times we have seen the damage done by a so-called 'holier-than-thou' attitude by some within the church towards others. That's not how it should be. The church is not perfect, and neither are its people. But it is the church of God, and is to witness to His love and grace within its own community and context - by loving action, loving deeds, and loving words. We are the church - not we will be, or we once were, but we are. So much time can be spent looking forward to what the church might become, or looking back to what it once was, that we are in danger of not seeing, or indeed being, what the church is today - imperfect and flawed, yes, but still the church of God.

As I write therefore I am reminded that as Christians we believe that God has a plan for His church, even in this day and age where it seems to be dying out. We are to be the light in the darkness of this age, not tomorrow, or yesterday, but today. For those of you who would count yourselves in this number, can I encourage you, especially in this period of Lent as we approach Holy Wee and Easter Sunday, to shine for God today, and exercise your faith in your own situation - today.

By your example you point the way that others may follow. And for those of you who would not count yourselves in this number, can I invite you to come along one Sunday, and find out what this faith Is about - you may be surprised! This Link has details of services being held throughout Lent and Leading up to Easter Sunday. The invitation is open to all. I look forward to seeing you all there.

With every blessing to you and your loved ones over this Easter period.

Mark

AFTER THE MORNING SERVICE in Weem, I have regularly received my cup of coffee neatly placed on a saucer since I have been taking the service and was therefore Minister for the day, and in Weem the Minister always gets a saucer while the 'body of the Kirk' makes do without! However, in terms of what I have gained most from the experience of taking most of Weem's services during Mark's absence, there's a bit more to it than just a saucer! For one thing I've been busier, occupied with working out the service themes, planning readings and choosing hymns.

And then there's the sermon. Actually I've never found it difficult to write, so the composition hasn't presented a problem. But the job of deciding what and how has required quite a lot of thought. Now I have just used two words which some may take exception to, and I can hear the objections. 'Taking the service shouldn't be referred to as a job, and it's not thought that's required but prayer.' Fair enough, but all my life I have tried to do two things - enjoy my 'job' and do it as professionally as I can. Now I've stopped being a teacher and have become a reader in the church I still attempt a similar approach. And as for 'thought versus prayer', surely the two are often indistinguishable, especially when you are trying to say something of meaning? After all we are commanded to love and serve the Lord with all our hearts and with all our minds and with all our souls - and composing and leading a service takes all those.

So what have I gained? Is that the point? Shouldn't be asking what you, the congregation, has gained.

 

Margaret Yearsley

 

As part of my return to work and fitness, I will be undertaking a programme of exercise to help get my muscles working again. Before I was ill I'd been doing some cycling and running to train for a triathlon event which will have to wait now until 2011. It has been some time since I last ran seriously (I was a member of the Manchester Athletics Club running cross-country) and I am looking forward to getting back into it again.

People run for any number of reasons don't they? People may run to work (perhaps for a bus); for an appointment (because they are late); out of fear; to chase something or someone; or simply for exercise. Whatever the reason, few run for sheer joy. I have also noticed that there are places or times where running simply isn't appropriate: remember being told at school to walk not run down the corridor? Running in a quiet place like a church is not acceptable either; and you certainly shouldn't run in a china shop!

Yet if you follow the events of Easter, and especially Easter Sunday morning, the Bible story is full of people running. We read that a group of women went early in the morning to anoint the body of Jesus, but the events of the morning caused them to run and find the disciples. The disciples, led by Peter and John, ran back to the tomb to find out for themselves what had happened.

So why were so many people running? Well, the news that had reached the ears of the disciples, and the events witnessed by this group of women, caused them to run - to run for joy. The news that Jesus was alive was sheer joy to them, and music to their ears. For man's greatest terror - death - had been overcome. Mankind was no longer to be a slave to it, but through faith in Jesus Christ would be set free even from death itself.

Have you known moments that lift the spirit and cause your heart to sing for joy, moments when you may feel like skipping or leaping or doing a little jig of delight? Such was the effect of the news from the garden - Jesus is alive! What news! What joy! That news caused them to run, and if you read the subsequent accounts, you will find that they continued to 'run with joy' for the rest of their lives, spreading this great news wherever they were.

The spirit of Easter is running with the joy of freedom. May that Spirit of the risen Christ cause you to run with joy this Easter and for the rest of your lives with the news that Christ is risen!

Every Blessing

Mark

'Not another book about what we already know, but one about what we overlook'. Now I'm a great fan of John Bell, both his musical and written work, mostly because he so often takes a 'sideways' look at the Gospels. He doesn't just go along with the surface story, but looks at other characters involved, seeing events from a different perspective. And he is never afraid of addressing and sometimes disagreeing with our conventional ideas about Jesus and the Gospels, which is what he does in this book, exploring various aspects of Jesus' personal life and relationships in the time of his ministry. For example, the probable reality of the nativity story is considered, as opposed to the various sentimental additions which it has collected over the years. Bell discusses Jesus' attitude towards women, his enjoyment of food and drink and his emotions like anger and laughter.

If this all sounds a bit heretical, it's not. All Bell's arguments are firmly based in the gospels; there's no heresy here, just a fascinating and thought-provoking book which doesn't challenge our ideas about Jesus as much as enlarges on them. I thoroughly recommend it.

Margaret Yearsley

When it comes to hymns, everyone has their personal favourite, and for very different reasons. Read on..

At the February meeting of the Dull and Weem Guild four guests were invited to choose three of their favourite hymns and to tell the Guild members why. Judy began with The Lord of the Dance which is associated for her with being 14 years old and living in Australia. She remembers that a group of 'older' people (aged between 18 and 22!) visited the church and afterwards at a barbecue the group sang this song. It seemed such a cool thing to do - to enjoy playing tennis, eating a barbecue and singing a song like this. Her second choice was In Christ Alone which was sung at the conclusion of the first Church without Walls Conference which she attended in Aviemore. Judy's last choice was Father God I wonder. This - and in particular the lines 'Now I am adopted in your family' is for her a summing up of the church in Weem - a family where all are welcome.

Stan introduced his first choice, Guide me O thou great Jehovah, which he played on the cornet in the Salvation Army Band and with later groups. He found both the words and the music inspirational, especially when it was sung 'properly' - in other words with men providing the tenor and bass lines. His second choice was s great Wesleyan hymn, loved for its words and music, and always popular at weddings - Love divine all loves excelling - and his third choice was chosen as it always conjures up memories of his younger days - O love that will not let me go.

Sandy chose two fairly modern hymns - Seek ye first (which he loved to hear sung with the women singing the Alleluias while the men repeated the verse) and Be still for the presence of the Lord which for him was filled with reverence and the knowledge of the nearness of God. His third choice was shared with Iona, was O Lord my God. Both Sandy and Iona spoke of how the words of this hymn reflect the glory of the world in which we are privileged to live and of God's love which surrounds us. Sandy recounted an experience of singing this hymn with a Mormon choir on a visit to the Grand Canyon in the United States - a very emotional experience.

Iona's other choice was Amazing Grace and she described what this hymn meant to her, and told of the definition she had found of the word 'grace' - 'the full, unearned favour of God'. She also chose Be thou my vision because it asks for God's wisdom, protection and inspiration in all aspects of our lives. She felt that is asked that we see the world as God sees it with all its beauty and potential.

The choices at this meeting reflected a wide range of old and modern, praise and devotional hymns. I wonder what your choices would have been?

Margaret Yearsley

Martha Thom

Who are your family?

Martha Thom (nee Heggie) was one of a family of five brothers and two sisters, born and brought up near Errol. Martha is the last remaining member of the family. She married Charlie Thom in 1955 and they had three sons - Charlie, Gordon and Brian. Charlie is the only married son and he and his wife Alison have two children, Mairi, 17 and Finlay, 15. Charlie Senior, who was a very much-loved member of Weem church, died in November 2003.

How long have you been attending Weem Church?

Martha has been a regular member of Weem Church since her marriage, which took place over 50 years ago.

What sort of roles have you played in the church?

Martha has been in the choir for over 50 years and has always been supportive and interested in the Sunday School.

Do you have any special memories of Weem Church?

Martha is proud that both of the Charlie's - her husband and son - were and are elders of Weem Church. All the sons and both grandchildren have been christened in Weem. She is also grateful that the lovely Rowan tree was planted near the front door of the church in Charlie Senior's memory. It was placed there at Hamie MacDonald's suggestion, since that was where Charlie used to welcome visitors to Weem.

The Sunday School again put on a successful nativity, with some unexpected help.

 

Some photos below

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remembrance Service

After the Remembrance service in Weem Church a short service was held at the War Memorial with Margaret Yearsley again officiating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wreaths were laid by Mr John Ferguson and Councillor Ian Campbell with Mr Duncan McDiarmid piping the "Flowers of Forest"" after the minutes silence. The service closed with prayer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The service was then repeated at the Dull War Memorial. Here Mr Ted Piner laid the wreath.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Arthur Timperley played the "Flowers of the Forest" with Mrs Yearsley again finishing with a prayer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below are some photos of the setting up for the Flower Festival in 2009

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weem harvest flower festival

Weem Church, early in the third week of September – what seemed like chaos!  There were ladies balanced on pews, ladies perched halfway up the windows; there were ladies carrying step ladders and ladies up step ladders; there were flowers, foliage and assorted farm implements scattered along the pews and straw everywhere – on the floor, on the pews and, I am sure, in the hair of various ladies as well.

But come the evening of Thursday 24^th September and on all the subsequent days of that weekend, all was order and beauty.

The church in Weem was open as part of the Perth and Kinross Open Doors Weekend and this was combined with the Harvest Flower Festival.

The theme of the festival was the local bounty of our area and the entire church was decorated in a way which demonstrated this. The garlands on the church gate, the decorated milk churns and the two scarecrows welcomed the visitors to our church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once inside there was a feast of floral beauty with each window reflecting its chosen theme and with flowers which echoed its colours. There were windows dedicated to the corn harvest, to the production of whisky, to the local newly created ‘Aberfeldy Tartan’, and to the making of honey, complete with tiny stained-glass bees.  The produce of vegetable gardens and flower gardens, the natural world of trees – complete with an owl and a fox – all added colour and interest to the church.

 

 

 

 

In the sanctuary the pulpit, the lectern and the communion table were all most beautifully enhanced with flowers, with bread at the foot of the lectern, vegetables and fruits beside the table and even a dish of fish to represent the salmon of our rivers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the table itself was the lovely silver of which the church should be rightly proud, two chalices which date from 1748 and which originally belonged to the church in Dull, as well as a salver and a silver jug dating from 1901.  All this was backed by flowers of every shade of autumnal colours.

 

 

 

 

There was so much loving work put into this Harvest Flower Festival, from the skill of the flower arrangers, the dedication of those who served tea and coffee to  visitors or sold gifts or books, as well as those who acted as stewards, welcoming and talking to visitors. 

 

 

 

 

 

The whole congregation of Weem church should be rightfully proud of the weekend’s display, in that it showed us as a church which is alive and flourishing and as one visitor remarked “A really lively witness to the work of the church in the area”.

Words cannot properly describe the wonderful displays of floral art which were in the church over that weekend. 

 

Bòchdan or  Crawbogles  in Weem

 

At the door of the Weem Church two figures stood ready to greet visitors during the days of the Harvest Flower festival – figures created by the children of the Sunday School, under the supervision of Muriel Robertson.

Later she wrote:-

“Why did I have sleepless nights?  Well, I had never made scarecrows before and there was I offering to make them with the Sunday School.  I needn’t have worried, I provided the props, the children did the rest.  What Fun.”

She also added:-   “I hope some tell of what happened when we lifted the finished articles from the work tables!!  We should have taken nails from Mark’s children’s address!”

Some of the ‘workers’ reports were:-

We got a brush and then we put clothes on the brush.  Muriel showed us what to do. We used another stick to go across for the arms.  The paper maché head went on.  Then we popped the hat on.  The hair was straw.  We put a smiley face on.  Then we put it outside.  It fell apart.  We tried to hammer it together with a nail, but it still fell apart.  Muriel took our scarecrow to her car. But she came back.  I had a lot of fun.

Angus Hulbert

 

I helped make a scarecrow for the flower festival.  I enjoyed making the scarecrow because it was really fun and we used teamwork and we got to choose what we wanted to put on the scarecrow and they looked so nice on the day of the flower festival.  

Deborah Reilly.

 

It was great, we had lots of fun. Muriel came to work with us. We made the Scarecrows for the Harvest Thanksgiving flower festival. All the kids helped. I helped put the clothes on. We all helped each other. When we put the hat on... it fell off. The scarecrow was taken outside...and the hat blew away. The hat was secured on... but the clothes fell off.  All that was left was the brush and the hat. The whole room was covered in straw. The McDonald room got covered in straw. Everyone at church was drinking their coffee, ankle deep in straw. But the scarecrows stood proud welcoming people to the flower festival.

Mharit  Hulbert

To my many dear friends for your wonderful support on the 24^th September.  Close to £600 was raised for this excellent Charity

 

Thank you all for supporting Rotary’s ‘Musical Evening’ on behalf of Erskine Hospital.  The evening was well attended, with a mixture of local people together with a good number of visitors to our area. It is, as always, a welcome to see our local participation, although disappointing to note, so very few from our linked-charge with Aberfeldy.

 

Great thanks must go to the Aberfeldy & District Gaelic Choir for their wonderful performance during the evening, singing some eight delightful pieces, which enhanced and enthralled the evening with their virtuoso ‘pipe-music’ - superbly done, and I can only say that I hope that this may be the beginning of a rejuvenated Gaelic Choir coming back once again to endear us, as always, with their award-winning singing.

 

Now, what can I say about the ‘Fiddlesticks’ from Breadalbane Academy.  Peter Butter has done, once again, a magnificent job to get together with these young school children, not only to ‘gel’ with one another, but to perform as a group as fiddlers.  As a musician, I find it extremely heartening that someone –  like Peter Butter – is carrying out the good work to promote music in our current ‘disharmonised’ society.  Peter, to you, and  the ‘Fiddlers’, I wish you, and your young protégés, all my best wishes for the future.

 

As you will appreciate, as organist and organiser of the evening, it would be somewhat inappropriate for me to comment about myself.  However, I will leave you with this thought - as an elder and organist of  the Parish Church of Dull and Weem, it has always been my pleasure to give to our local community, an evening of musical entertainment with a recital, on what can only be described, as one of the few original ‘tracker’ organs of the late 19^th century, which still exist in Scotland today, and is played on a regular basis every Sunday of the year.

 

In concluding my thanks, I would also like to thank all of you who attended and gave most generously towards the Harvest Flower Festival at the close of the evening, for what I can only describe as ‘out of this world’ – the sum of £112 was contributed.  It never astounds or amazes me, at the incredible generosity of our local friends.

 

With many thanks and God’s blessings,

 

Ian Caskie

 

'The King of Love my Shepherd is'
An expression of true faith to the end.

These hymns have not been chosen in any preferential order - they all evoke different feelings and emotions.