Living, Loving, Serving God. SC006433 Easter 2020

Happy Easter from St. Ninian’s Friends,I ask you to think of what sources of light can you see around you. The days are gradually getting longer, and the nights are getting shorter. However, in our present world situation, as the darkness of isolation, fear and anxiety surrounds us we should heed Paul’s words to the people of Thessalonica“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  Since we belong to the day, let us be alert and self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.  For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.   Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 5-11)Our confidence as Christians comes because we belong to the day. Our default position, our identity and our behaviour, is now based on faith, love and hope. This light-giving and life-bringing position is inseparable from the gospel message. As we walk the way of the Cross and prepare to celebrate Easter, in whatever way we can, let us remember that Jesus didn’t die and rise again at a detached moment in history, but he died for us. It is intensely personal because Jesus had us in mind when he died. Paul told the Thessalonians to build each other up and just as that goes for the Thessalonians, we are also called to encourage one another and to build one another up with this hope. Jesus came that we might have life in all its fulness. Jesus died for us for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus conquered death and rose again so that we may live with him now and forever. So, we live fully in the light all the timeAlthough the church building is closed, we, the people, are the church. We are Easter people and so the cross of Christ gives us encouragement and something with which to build others up too. I urge you to encourage and build each other up by praying for one other and keeping in contact by whatever means you prefer. Not forgetting our family and friends and those in the community around us who, even more so at this time need to hear the good news of how they too no longer need to live in darkness but can live in the light of Christ.May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always. Amen.

NEWS FROM ST. NINIAN’S

Living, Loving, Serving God. SC006433 Easter 2020

Worshipping Online:As we cannot worship publicly, online worship is being offered each Sunday by the Province at 11am, and we are all encouraged to take part in this. . This can be accessed on the Provincial Facebook page “Scottish Episcopal Church” or on the Provincial YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/scottishepiscopal

Rev. Kenneth Gibson is offering Compline each evening at 9pm. This can be accessed on the Holy Trinity Monifieth Facebook page.

Although our Lent Group only managed two sessions in person they have continued to meet online for a time of prayer each Thursday evening. We hope to pick up the three remaining study sessions in the future.

A number of online reflections will be available in place of the Holy Week Services on the newly created St. Ninian’s Youtube channel, and our Facebook Page:

Maundy Thursday: 7:30pmGood Friday 7:30pm

Holy Saturday 11:00pmEaster Sunday 6:30am

Update on Church Groups:All our groups have continued to thrive and members are keeping in touch with each other over this time of social distancing.Stay and Play have enjoyed a variety of activities with a growing number of families sharing  themed days on Rabbie Burns and Chinese New Year and creating bird feeders for the church garden. Sunday School - It is exciting to have a team leading and teaching our 13+ children of varying ages each week.Youth Group meets every two weeks and have had fun sharing together on various topics. Our last meeting was online and we hope to continue this..Girl's Brigade have had lots of fun, from Christmas leading a dramatic reflection on the the Cross and the Crib, through a programme learning about emergencies, the science of illusions, debating on such topics as Euthanasia and lots of physical movement and many other things to participating in our Ash Wednesday Service. We are very sad that our weekend at Glenesk has been cancelled but good news is we are booked in for 7th -9th May 2021.

Pastoral Care

Though our Church building is closed our community of faith and support is very much alive. We are keeping in touch with members of the congregation over the phone. A member of the clergy will be in contact with you if they have not already been in contact. If you require any pastoral care, additional prayer or just want a chat please do not hesitate to contact Fay or Roxanne Rev Fay: 07931222092 Rev Roxanne: 07764212092 Various agencies in the city are working together to ensure adequate Food Provision for those who may be self-isolating or those who have lost their income due to the epidemic. This is changing on a week-by- week basis. If you need help in this way please contact Fay or Roxanne who will be able to point you in the right direction.

Quiz Night

Thank you so much to all who took part in our Annual Quiz night, and especial thanks to all who helped to make and serve stovies and set up and clear up the church and of course to our Quiz Masters, Lorraine and Ali. We raised a fantastic £470.00 and a brilliant night was enjoyed by all!

Congratulations to the winning quiz team, pictured below!

Living, Loving, Serving God. SC006433 Easter 2020

Chaplaincy Update Fay and Rev. Roxanne continue to be involved as Chaplains at Rowantree Primary School and Craigie High School.

This work involves leading Christmas assemblies to leading classes on "God's World" and "Times and Seasons - Christmas, Lent and Easter" as well as lending an ear to staff and pupils. 

Rev. Roxanne has been supporting the ‘Feel Good Friday’ Parent Group at Rowantree. She recently led them in an introductory mindfulness session which was well received.

The monthly service at Midlin has continued and Rev. Roxanne has also started volunteering one morning a week to get to know everyone there a little better.

Finding SupportWith the spring days upon us it can be even more difficult to be ‘socially isolated’, especially if you need to stay at home for a prolonged period of time, or aren’t able to take some daily exercise. We can miss the physical contact and presence with those we love, our routines and our sense of purpose. Special events that would bring us together are on hold and our entire routines have been disrupted. Some of us might be financially impacted by loss of employment at this time. To add to all of this can be a lot of misinformation circulating on social media and this can feel overwhelming.

For up to date and accurate guidance on the latest situation and where to find help, including help for coping with money worries or mental health conditions the NHS website offers a number of resources: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19

Lent Appeal

Our Lent Appeal this year is supporting a Bee Keeping Project in our companion diocese of Swaziland. Please continue to fill up your Smarties tubes with loose change for this cause and they will be collected after Easter. We are very grateful to the D&T Department of Craigie High School who made us a wonderful ‘bee-hive’ collection box for the appeal (pictured).

We hope to raise around £100 through the sale of the knitted ‘Swarm of Bees’. many thanks to all of our talented knitters and all those who have already adopted one of the swarm. There are still some available so if you would like to buy one (picture below) please contact Fay. They are £1 each and each of the swarm is carrying a wee Cream Egg back to their hive!

Living, Loving, Serving God. SC006433 Easter 2020

Easter Activities for All Ages.

Faces!

Though our Church Family can’t meet in person on Easter Sunday, we are still all in each others hearts and prayers. If you’d like you can colour in the people in the picture to look like our Church Family. You might like to say a prayer for all in our church family who are upset or scared.

Daily Lockdown Routine! • Make your bed - try saying a prayer whilst you do - thanking

God for a safe bed to sleep in and a good nights sleep• Eat breakfast - it is important to eat a healthy diet.• Do some exercise - even a walk around the garden or some star

jumps! See if you can get an adult to join in! • See if your mum/dad/carer needs any help.• Do any schoolwork you have been set.• Do something to relax - read a book or comic or watch your

favourite programme or play with your pet.• Go to bed at your normal time - your body and brain need to rest!