Lots and lots of candles! - St Mary’s-Greyfriars ...DG1 4XY. Tel: 263106. Christian Aid We are approaching the time when we shall be carrying out house-to-house collection in Christian

St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ Parish Church Minister: Rev David Logan

Tel 01387 270128 www.stmarysgreyfriars.org.uk

Scottish charity no SC009432

Lots and lots of candles!Our minister’s milestone … Page 6

Chrystal Chronicle April/May 2017 www.stmarysgreyfriars.org.uk

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Parish nursing

Catriona Logan, the first Parish Nurse in Dumfries and Galloway, was presented with her certificate by Lord Lieutenant Fiona Armstrong at her commissioning service in St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ Church. With them are Dr Helen Wordsworth, founder director of Parish Nursing UK (right), Oliver Mundell MSP (left) and Rev David Logan.

Our clinic will start on Tuesday April 11, from 2-4pm, running on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

Catriona will be available in the St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ Lesser Hall for a drop-in clinic –no appointment is necessary.

It is open to both church members and non-church members. Covering:n Weightsn Blood pressuren Advicen Listening earn Want someone to pray with?Tea and coffee will be available, at a cost of 50p.

Parish nursing clinic


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From the ManseI am sitting writing this having just returned from a week’s holiday on the beautiful island of Islay. Is-lay is famous for two things, whisky and geese!

It is also an island that has many historical churches such as the Round Church in Bowmore (round so the devil cannot hide in the corners!).

Some of these now are in ruins but, date back to Celtic times such as the church at Kildalton which has the magnificent wheel cross shown in the picture.

It seems to me that some-times, as church members, we get so immersed in the here and now of church life that we fail to remem-ber that over the centuries people have been shaped by their faith in exactly the same way as we are today. I find that rather comforting. The rhythms of religion and life continue with God at the centre of our lives.

As we approach Easter, the greatest festival in the Christian calendar, perhaps we should reflect on the meaning of Easter which, is as real now as it was on that first Easter Day when our Lord triumphed over the darkness of death for each and every one of us. It is so much more than the consumption of chocolate Easter eggs and decorating the house with cute Easter bunnies. To be in the correct frame of mind for Easter we have to prepare for it anew every Lent and then to celebrate it on Easter Sunday.

While I was on Islay I also celebrated my 60th birthday and you will find an open letter addressed to both congregations on page six of the magazine.

Thank you so much for being such a wonderfully loving congregation.Happy Easter.Your friend and Minister,


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Church register

What’s on …AprilMonday 3: Buzz, Looking Forward, Rev David LoganTuesday 4: Guild AGM and light supperWednesday 12: Garden Club, Baskets, Ian WarnerMonday 17: Buzz, Easter Monday holidayMonday 24: Communion and soup, 12.15pm in the hallWednesday 26: Garden Club, Flowers of the Holy Land, Bill HollandSunday 30: Communion in the church at 11.30am and 6.30pm

MayMonday 1: Buzz, It’s Nature, Anne TwinameSaturday 6: Coffee Morning, 10am to 12 noonWednesday 10: Garden Club, Double D, Doreen ScottMonday 15: Buzz, Get Fit For Summer (speaker to be confirmed)Saturday 27: Garden Club coffee morning/plant sale (please note the date)Monday 29: Service and soup, 12.15pm in the hallMonday 29: Buzz, New Hospital (speaker to be confirmed)

JuneThursday 1: Dumfries Presbyterial Council, Let’s Celebrate, Troqueer Church 7pm

Deaths – “I am the resurrection and the life”February 4: Mrs Helen McEwanFebruary 24: Miss Louise SmartFebruary 27: Mrs Peggy McShane

Please let me know of any changes of address: Marion Bennett, 2 Wolfgill Drive, Dumfries DG1 4XY. Tel: 263106.

Christian AidWe are approaching the time when we shall be carrying out house-to-house collection in Christian Aid Week from May 14-20, and look forward to having a good team again to dis-tribute, collect and count donations received.

Lent Lunches run by Dumfries and District Churches have been well supported, with St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ providing the soup on March 31. Hope you have managed along to one.


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About the magazine Useful contactsThe deadline for our June/July issue i s Sunday May 21 for i tems through t h e c h u r c h – a n d 3 p m t hat day f o r t h o s e s e n t d i r e c t . Ma ny t h a n k s a s always!

Editor: David BennettWrite: 2 Wolfgill Drive, Dumfries DG1 4XYCall: 01387 263106Email: [email protected]

Minister Rev David Logan ..... 270128/07793 542411

Session Clerk David Matheson .............................. 252042

Treasurer Stewart Williamson ......................... 261257

Gift Aid and freewill offering envelopes Billy Simpson ................................... 252278

Organ recitalAn organ recital is taking place in the church on the evening of on Saturday April 8. Come along and hear our church organ being played in all its finest glory by two organists ar-ranged by our own fine organist, Robert Lind.

The recital will commence at 7.30p.m. and will last approximately 1 hour. Refreshments will be served in the church at the end of the recital.

Tickets for the evening cost £5 per person and can be purchased via any member of the social and fundraising committee or on the door on the night.

Assistance is required by members of the congregation with the service and soup events, which take place on the last Monday of each month apart from July, August and December, to make a pot of soup or help to make up rolls to serve at these events. If you can assist please speak to any member of the social and fundraising committee.

Help is also required for the monthly coffee mornings either to help “man” a stall or serve tea/coffee. Please remember that these are your coffee mornings. If you have an interest in convening a coffee morning you will also be made most welcome. Volunteers are requested to contact any member of the committee.

We have requested that the men of the congregation run the coffee morning in July and are seeking volunteers to assist with this. We would like the men to organise the whole morning and any volunteers are requested to contact David Matheson on 01387 252042.

Service and soup/coffee mornings – can you help?

Thanks from the BrowniesTo the congregation: we thank you for helping us with our wish tokens. We have raised an amazing 8147 tokens. Lots of thanks. From the Brownies.


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Thanks from the MinisterDear friends,

I write to thank you so very much for your good wishes, cards and presents on the occa-sion of my 60th birthday. It was quite overwhelming!

In particular, I would like to thank the Kirk Session of St Mary’s Greyfriars’ for their unexpected gift of a bottle of specially chosen malt whisky to celebrate my birthday along with a lovely card.

The Kirk Session of Caerlaverock presented me with an engraved whisky tumbler and card as I entered the church to Happy Birthday! How well my Kirk Sessions know me!

To round it off, at the end of the service at SMG I was interrupted when I was unexpect-edly presented with a birthday cake, many balloons and, a rendition of Happy Birthday! We all then settled down to coffee and cake for the Annual Stated Meeting!

What a way to celebrate a birthday! Thank you all so much for your care and love ex-pressed in these presents and cards especially, the card from the Sunday Kids which I shall treasure.

Thank you!David

BaptismBaptism is one of two sacraments recognised by the Church of Scotland, the other being the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

In the case of infant baptism, the Church expects at least one parent or other close family member either to be a member of the Church or willing to become a member.

In the baptismal service those appropriate adults profess their own faith and promise to give the child a Christian upbringing.

In the case of adult baptism the person himself or herself makes the appropriate promises.

Baptism is normally administered at Sunday worship in front of the congrega-tion. This emphasises the nature of the sacrament as incorporation into the body of Christ and the life of the Church. There is a little more flexibility in the case of genuine emergencies.

The Church has provided excellent services for the thanksgiving for, and bless-ing of, a child. The blessing ceremony takes place at morning worship following the same pattern as that for Baptism, except the wording and promises are slightly differ-ent, and no water is used. Nothing is required of the parents in either commitment or belief.

Please speak to Rev David if you would like to discuss the baptism or blessing of your child or if you yourself would like to be baptised.


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From the GuildAt our meeting on February 7 Catriona Logan,our own recently commissioned Parish Nurse, gave us a glimpse of her early nursing career in mental health, and how that led her to make her present career choice.

As you will know, Catriona can be contacted at the Manse, and is usually available at the monthly coffee mornings in the church hall.

On February 21, an afternoon meeting was conducted by David Matheson, when he told us the origins of some of the words used around Pancake Day or Shrove Tues-day – when people were shriven or absolved of their sins before Lent. His pancakes were delicious, too! Isobel Evans included a short item on Joy, which is our current theme.

The Guild coffee morning on March 4 was a great success, with over £500 raised by our loyal supporters. We use all the money for church purposes, and there is often lively debate over who gets what.

It was our project night on March 7. This year’s theme is Care for the Family, and our speaker Robert McQuiston gave a presentation on the work that the Church does to try to keep young families together and keep dads involved with their children. Nearly one-third of families split up after the children come along, so anything that can be done to prevent this is worth our support. A collection was taken for this purpose.

March 8 was the date for the Presbyterial Council Meeting held in St George’s Church, when the annual reports are read out, and Guilds are made aware of the work done on their behalf. Dr Mitra gave an update on current research into cystic fibrosis, while Pam Mitchell gave a resume of the work going on at Dunscore to honour Jane Haining. A collection was taken for both of these causes.

Our session has almost finished (see the diary on page four for details) so you still have time to come along for a taster!

Anne Mackie

Arts and crafts groupOur new arts and crafts group will start on Tuesday April 11.

The group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in the Lesser Hall and is open to church members and non-church members. Feel free to bring a friend!

We will meet from 2-4pm, with activities on offer including:n Knittingn Sewingn PaintingYou can bring along a project, use the materials supplied, or just come along to listen to

some music and have a chat. All are welcome.


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Notes of thanks

The flower list for 2017 is now displayed in the vestibule. There are some vacancies if any-one would like to donate. Recipients of flowers are very appreciative.

Many thanks to all who have donated, arranged or delivered flowers over the past year. It would be of great help if we had more volunteers to participate. Contact any of the flower team – Norna Francis (250199), Moira Cannon (720394) Betty Jardine (257691) or Marga-ret Thomson (253484) – if you are interested.

From the flower team

Flower rotaMany thanks for the beautiful flowers that Freda brought to my door on Sunday Feb-ruary 5. My aunt gave a great big smile as she woke up and saw the two vases filled with colour. It was very kind of you to think of us.

I would also like to say a big thank you to Rosemary, my Elder, who has visited on many occasions, brought flowers and even sent a chocolate through the post! Thank you also to Isobel, my previous Elder, for visiting with my card before Christmas.

Cherry Saad

I would like to thank all members of St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ for all their support and messages of condolence following the re-cent sad passing of Helen.

Special thanks to Rev David Logan for all his help and support and to the flower ladies for the beautiful flower arrangements in the church for Helen’s funeral service.

Ronald McEwan

I would like to thank Rev David Logan for his visit on my 90th birthday, also the lovely flowers and birthday card from himself and church friends.

Bunty Hogg

Goldie Bell would like to thank everyone at

April 9 ...................................N GlendinningApril 16 .............................................. VacantApril 23 ....................................... M LorimerApril 30 .......................................... L TannerMay 7 ............................................. F HunterMay 14 ...........................................A MackieMay 21 ...................................... M ThomsonMay 28 .........................................M BennettJune 4 ................................................. Vacant

the church for the lovely flowers Maureen delivered after the sad loss of John. Jean Bell also says thanks for the flowers she received after the loss of her father-in-law.

I would like to thank you all for the lovely flowers, cards and visits – they gave me great comfort on the death of my husband.

Ina McShane

Rena Ball would like to thank the Minister for his visit, also Anne, and all who sent cards, best wishes and flowers during her stay in hospital. Thanks also for support when her mum died.

I have also been asked to pass on thanks for flowers from Eric Affleck, Mary Bell, Mrs Clouston, Janet King and Janet Templeton.


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Jesus is there if you are in distressIf you are in distress,Hope gives you strength,Faith gets you there,Love opens the door.Beyond that is a special surprise,Jesus will be there. It is Paradise.

Pierluigi Angelini

It’s a Wevolution …An innovative Church of Scotland backed charity that has helped people in some of Scot-land’s poorest communities start their own businesses is set to expand with help from a £225,000 grant from the Scottish Government.

Glasgow-based WEvolution has pioneered the creation of self reliant groups in Scotland, already helping 250 people through a business model imported from in India.

The charity brings together small groups of people who all contribute a small amount of money each week to get a business idea off the ground. Once a business is underway the group can apply for a small loan to help their enterprise grow. A new line of WEvolution products may be on display in high streets before the end of the year.

The education and pastoral care committee are arranging a Kids’ Club to take place, over a few mornings, during the October school holiday. If you feel this is something you could help with please contact Isobel Evans tel. 01387 263630. Further details, dates and times, will be publicised nearer the time.

Kids’ Club plans

Food allergiesWe have been visited by the Local Environmental Health Department and got a “clean bill of health” but we wish to remind you of the 14 food allergens which we need to be aware of if we are providing any food.

These are: eggs; milk; peanuts; molluscs; mustard; nuts; sesame seeds; soya; cereals containing gluten; lupin; fish; celery; crustaceans; and sulphur dioxide.

Whilst we are not a food business, it would be best practice to label any items for sale if they contain any of the items listed above or to avoid serving them. If biscuits are provided from a packet, the packet will be retained so that we can answer any queries by referring to it. We do not wish to go down the route of asking everyone to provide their recipes.


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From the TreasurerGivings 2017 2016Open Plate £ 1364 £ 1247Weekly Freewill Offerings £ 4176 £ 4500Banker’s Orders/Cheques £ 2494 £ 2475Collection Boxes £ 59 £ 67Total (9 Sundays) £ 8093 £ 8289Decrease £ 196 (2.36%)

Stewart WilliamsonTreasurer

From the BuzzAt our meeting on January 23, we had a talk from a police officer talking about safety in the home, being vigilant and watching what is going on around us.Handbags should be across the body and have a bell attached to deter. Security lights are good. Being wary of door salesmen as they may be Bogus callers. Do not give information on the phone to do with PPI; on line buying can be bad as you pay upfront and may not get the goods. It was a good afternoon and everyone enjoyed themselves.

On February 6, Avril Kerr and Betty Haining entertained us with poems and songs about Robert Burns. Betty talked about her younger days brought up near Ellisland Farm – Avril did a few of his poems, I Think I Will Marry Him being one. Robert as a small boy wrote his first poem, Rat a Rat. Robert attended St John’s Church in Lockerbie then St Michael’s in Dumfries. Avril recited To the Lassies about Ann Rankin and Wil-lamena Alexander, The Bonnie Lass o’ Ballochmile, and many more. It was a very good afternoon.

Two weeks later, on February 20, we had Liz and Isobel talking about different kinds of love, ie aspects of love, God’s Love, falling in love, a child’s love and many more. We heard lots of appropriate music, including songs from Cliff Richard, Abba, Ae Fond Kiss, and we finished off a wonderful afternoon with My Love is Like a Red Red Rose.

March 6 was a members’ day – we all took pictures of ourselves as babies and had to try to identify each – not easy! Dick had some good old photos of postmen – his grand-father was a postman and was in the picture. He also had pictures of streets in Dumfries and it was good fun trying to guess where they were. Les told us about getting a letter from the King and going into the Army against his wishes – he also told us of some of the antics he and his pals got up to, as he moved about quite a lot. It was another good afternoon.

Freda Hunter


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In the gardenOn January 18 Bob Shepherd made a pres-entation using his and Bill Holland’s photo-graphs from the summer outing at Keir Mill. He presented them with a complimentary musical background which was greatly ap-preciated by the members.

He followed it up with a presentation of his own taken in Dumfries and the Borders – again with musical accompaniment. Bob was warmly thanked for his enjoyable and excellent presentations. We took the chance to congratulate Barbara Barallon and Helen Holland on their birthdays on December 27.

On February 1 our speaker was Dorothy Edwards. She spoke about the Conservatoire Nationale of Begonias at Rochefort. She spoke about the area and its history. The Conservatoire was built in 1900 as a national conservatory for begonias. Begonia history in France went back to Charles Plumier, a monk/botanist who was helped on his expedition in the Antilles by Michel Begon, Intendant de la marine at the port of Rochefort. Plumier named his new plant discovery after Begon as Begonia.

Dorothy then spoke about the area, showing pictures from the town and surrounding area which include donkeys, and cranes nesting in electricity pylons. In particular she spoke of the crossing of the river Charente via the transporter bridge between the towns of Rochefort and Échillais without impeding navigation. It was built by the engineer Fer-dinand Arnodin in 1900, and is the last one in France. There are two pylons on each side of the river which support a high-level tramway on which a bogey with 24 pairs of rollers runs. Suspended from this by cables is the transporter platform on which the customers travel across the river. Dorothy was warmly thanked for a colourful and interesting presentation.

On February 15 we had entertainment from members. Tommy, Betty, Eunice and Norna regaled us with their contributions – telling stories, sharing insights, experiences and garden lore. Eunice made a “FUNKY” presentation centred on her experience with Tropaeollum.

The convener made special mention of Bill and Nora Wilson who had celebrated their Diamond Wedding on Valentine’s Day. He offered them congratulations and best wishes and gave them a card signed by all members. At tea time they were asked to cut a specially deco-rated cake in the shape of a heart (pictured). They were also given a floral decoration. Bill made suitable reply and thanked members for their kindness, the card and the special cake.

On March 1 Marie took us through a gardening quiz which had been compiled by Ann and herself. This was enjoyable but mind-stretching for us all. Then Isobel took us on a tour of various places far and wide on the screen – posing the question “Where am I?” We were helped to an answer because her final photograph usually contained the name of the place.


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We had a great turnout for our Fairtrade breakfast on Sunday March 12. Our main picture shows Liz, Margaret and Gillian showing their support for the event.

Fairtrade breakfast

Documents

Lots and lots of candles! - St Mary’s-Greyfriars ...DG1 4XY. Tel: 263106. Christian Aid We are approaching the time when we shall be carrying out house-to-house collection in Christian