ST. LEONARD’S-IN-THE-FIELDS CHURCH
PERTH
Minister—Rev. James K. Wallace M.A.,B.D.,S.T.M.
[Manse Tel: 621709]
Church Office:
Open Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 12.00 NOON—3 p.m.
[Office Tel: 632238]
[e-mail: office@stleonardsinthefields.co.uk]
Timings of church services
Please note, it was agreed at the last Kirk Session meeting held on 19th May that the time of worship is being changed from 11:00 a.m. to a new time of 11:15a.m.
This will commence on Sunday 5th July for a trial period of three months.
The Kirk Session will review this trial at their meeting on Tuesday 15th September.
The reasoning for the change is simply to allow Mr. Wallace more time to move between St John’s and St Leonard’s-in-the-Fields on a Sunday morning.
EDITORIAL
.
Summer is coming -isn't it? The recent "baby weather" (that's wet and windy!) could make you wonder if the seasons have taken a daft turn and we really don't know what to expect. Hopefully we WILL have a good summer - there's no doubt that we all feel (and look) much better when the sun shines and there's a bit of warmth around. Let's all enjoy the bright days - I wish all of you a happy and healthy summer
Please note magazine deadline for September issue is: Thursday 27th August
Dalene Radin, Editor
Letter from the Manse
Dear Friends,
If blessings can be measured in sandwiches and home baking then my ministry here has been given a great start! The induction social on 22 April reminded me of a certain Bible story. While there were not quite as many as five-thousand present on this occasion, there were an awful lot of people and they were all very well fed. Moreover, in the account of the miracle, there were still twelve baskets left over once the crowd had eaten - and many of us went home that night with delicious left-overs to provide our next day’s lunch. Earlier that evening St. Leonard’s-in-the-Fields had been filled with song as both congregations gathered and joined their voices in praise. We worshipped, we enjoyed good food, we laughed, we talked together and my family and I were touched by the warmth of your welcome. Thank you so much!
In the weeks since then I’ve been getting to know Perth and I’ve been getting to know some of you. Of course I’m only just scratching the surface at this stage. It takes a long time. I am very much aware that a great deal is new for you also. A new minister is change enough in any congregation’s life. But St. John’s and St. Leonard’s are newly linked too and are now part of a parish grouping of the city centre churches. I want you to know that I am strongly committed to making all this work well. I don’t know yet exactly what that will look like. But I do believe our situation is full of potential, that we can build on the fine work of the past, that there will be wonderful possibilities for the future. I ask you to partner with me to discover what God has in store for us.
As I write we are entering the season of Pentecost. It is a time when we remember the gift of the Holy Spirit: the Spirit which empowered the disciples in the early church of New Testament times. Yes, and the Spirit which has never left God’s people since. Please pray for me that I may lead and teach and care not out of my own strength but from that which God provides. But do not pray only for your minister. Pray for your elders and any who hold office in the church. Pray for every member and for yourselves. Pray for your partners in the linkage and for each of the churches in the grouping. We do not know what the future holds but we can be confident that the God whose hand has been upon all that has gone before will invite, encourage and strengthen us for a future which is yet to make.
Sincerely,
Jim Wallace
Friends of St Leonards in the Fields Social Committee
Readers may wish to note that a committee has been set up to encourage social activities for church members and friends.
Committee members are:
Willie Coupar Convenor
Linzee Lindsay
Alison Smith
Graeme Giles
David Wright
The committee aims to provide around four events per annum, two of which will be held in the Church or in Perth and two furth of the city.
Initial events planned include:
A visit to the refurbished Culloden Centre and battle site on Saturday 12 September. (Please refer to the rear of the magazine for more information on this event)
A coffee morning on Saturday 3rd October to welcome Mr. & Mrs Wallace.
A John Scrimger Concert on Sunday 8 November
A Burns theme evening on Tuesday 19 January 2010
Further details of each of these events will be publicised in the Church Magazine and we hope that you the members will give them your full support.
If anyone has any bright ideas as to what would constitute an interesting event, the committee would be very pleased to hear from you.
Willie Coupar
A Big Thank You
Helen and I are not only grateful for the beautiful flowers and very generous cheque we were given at the close of the service on the first Sunday of May, but for your friendship and support these past two years. As the old song says, “Thank you for the memories”
What a joy it was to conduct worship regularly in your lovely sanctuary, and to work so closely with Sidney Coleman and Peter Thomson. How fortunate you are to have two such quality ministers as members of your congregation.
My hope and prayer is that the linked charge of St Johns and St Leonards-in the Fields will continue to be
places where all are welcome,
places open to new forms of worship and service,
places where you do not have to leave your mind with your umbrella in the vestibule,
places where the ministry of lay people is not just a cliché
places characterised by the laughter and smiles of children, joyous music and a deep love for one another.
May God bless you and the Wallaces in the years ahead.
James Simpson
THANK YOU
You have been very generous in expressing appreciation to me as locum minister, both in your words and in your gift at the presentation and buffet lunch. Jean wishes to thank you for the lovely flower arrangement you gave her. We wish the congregation and our new minister, Jim Wallace, all the best for the future. With prayer for God's blessing,
Sidney Coleman
Summer Fun with the Fun Club
Christine, Graeme and Adam Brien have kindly offered to host the Fun Club's end of term 'Afternoon of Summer Fun' in their garden at Birch bank, Main Road, Guildtown (next to the Angler's Inn). This will be held on Sunday 28th June, from approximately 1-3.30pm, in any but the very worst of weather! We will have a barbeque, fun activities, and maybe even a few races.
Members of the church family are very welcome to join us. Feel free to bring a picnic, or your own items to 'throw on the barbie'! Or why not go for lunch then pop in for an ice-cream! Parking is available by the Community Hall in Hall Road.
This afternoon will allow us all to wish our children a happy safe and fun-filled holiday. We will, of course, look forward to meeting up again as a Sunday Fun Club on Sunday 23rd August when the school term restarts. Happy holidays to all!
Lorraine and Morag
CHURCH FAMILY
Deaths: 18.04.09 Thomas B Webster, 1 Beechgrove Drive,
19.05.09 John Angus, 17 Muirfield,
21.05.09 Elma Smith, 13 Beechgrove Terrace,
Marriage: 30.05.09 Kerry Stewart and Patrick Irving, 20 Bracken Brae
Baptism: 24.05.09 Chloe Lees Allan, infant daughter of Joanna and Crawford Allan, 16 Nethy Place, Abernethy
Christian Aid
The total amount of money raised at the North Church Coffee Morning was £1525. The door to door collection by members of our congregation was £2644 - £260 of this was given through gift aid. One hundred and twenty seven gift aid envelopes were recieved. A big thank you to everyone who helped.
Evelyn Robertson