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The monthly magazine of

Annan United Reformed Church

CONTACT

March 2020

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MARCH 2020 WORSHIP AT ANNAN URC

MORNING SERVICES AND SUNDAY SEEKERS 10:30 AM

Sunday 1st: Communion Service - Rev Sarah Moore Prayer Leader: N Maxwell

Bible Readings: H McNairn R Richardson

Sunday 8th: Morning Service - Rev Alan Poolton

Prayer Leader: J Murray

Bible Readings: H Higton D Maxwell

Sunday 15th: Morning Service - Rev Alan Poolton

Prayer Leader: H Higton

Bible Readings: J Murray

M Jones Sunday 22nd: Morning Service - Mrs Lesley Richmond Prayer Leader: D Maxwell Bible Readings M Kerr

J Pool Sunday 29th: Morning Service - tba

Prayer Leader: M Jones

Bible Readings H McNairn H Higton

Note to Prayer Leaders and Readers: visiting Service Leaders have the option to choose their own theme and readings, and may wish to lead prayers themselves. Such information will be given to you as soon as possible. We normally use the New Revised Standard Version for Bible readings in services.

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ALAN WRITES:

Greetings everyone.

This will be a first introduction for some, and for others recapping what you already know.

To introduce myself, my name is Rev Alan Poolton and I have been a URC stipendiary minister for over 20 years, ministering in Runcorn, Westhoughton (where my treasurer was a young man by the name of Alan McGougan), Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme and Chorlton, Manchester. I retired from full time ministry last summer but, as my wife and I have owned a home in Castle Douglas for more than a decade, I offered to serve at Annan URC as a quarter time minister. In practice, for most months this will mean 2 Sundays per month plus the week in between.

I came to meet folk and preach during last December, officially started here in Annan during February and will hopefully be formally inducted by our Moderator Rev Dr David Pickering on Saturday 14

th March.

Prior to the last 20 plus years, I previously worked as a senior Principal Officer with City of Salford in Manchester, so have a strong ethos of public service and finding Christ amongst those we serve.

I am sure Ruth will use the magazine to keep us all informed as we work together to develop ministry here.

Look forward to meeting you all.

Best wishes

Alan

INDUCTION

The induction of Rev Alan Poolton as Minister of Annan United Reformed Church

by the Moderator of the Scottish Synod, Rev Dr David Pickering,

will take place in the Church

on Saturday 14th March at 3:00 pm

after the service tea will be served in the church hall

Please come along to support Alan

and pray for our ministry together in this community

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DEATHS

We are sad to record the recent deaths of

Mrs Maretta Gail Maxwell of Drummond Road

and

Mrs Hannah Smith of Queensway.

We give thanks for their lives and offer condolences to their families.

URGENT APPEAL – DESPERATE NEED

A recent letter said “Christian Aid is facing a shortfall in income. It needs donations to help

continue life-saving projects around the world.”

The brutal reality is that right now many families are homeless, hungry, thirsty, cold and

frightened. Globally there are now almost 71 million children, women and men who have been

forced to flee their home to escape violence and are desperate for food, water and shelter.

This an appeal we should support generously, so please rise to the challenge and make regular

donations to “Commitment for Life”. Why not put a separate envelope in the offering on a

Sunday morning?

Haydn Higton

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REPEAT PRESCRIPTION

Those folk on regular medication will know that sometimes the type of packaging changes, but

the basic tablet remains the same. This year our shoebox appeal is the same, and covered

boxes are available for you to fill if you wish.

Please take some boxes now and fill them with small gifts (not sweets or toothpaste) over the

coming months. Shoeboxes help to bring a small part of Christmas goodwill to deprived children,

and it may be the only gift they receive.

Let’s repeat our efforts of previous years and give generously.

Haydn Higton

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MINDS AND HEARTS

If you enjoy walking in the countryside, it’s always advised to have a map and a compass as

well as a mobile phone as precautions against being lost. For any long journey in unknown

terrain, we need directions.

It’s much the same with the journey through life. In the Old Testament Moses received the ten

commandments from God written on stone tablets, but these did not last and had to be carved

again, when Moses went up the mountain again to meet God. For many of us, life is full of ups

and downs, and someone has humourously stated that if Moses were to bring two tablets down

the mountain today, they would be Paracetamol.

God promised not material guidance but to put his law in minds and on hearts for any person

willing to live in His Way. So, as we try to continue our walking with Jesus, we need to continue

learning, listening and leaning on the guidance we can find in the Bible.

As Easter approaches when we are reminded of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,

let’s renew our determination to share the Gospel at every opportunity. Our efforts may be

weak, but we need to keep going – take courage and keep on working to make the love of God

known. We can all be involved in reaching out to others with the Good News of Jesus Christ if

our hearts and minds are following God’s way.

Haydn Higton

Happy are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the Lord.

Happy are those who keep his decrees,

who seek him with their whole heart,

who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways.

Psalm 119:1-3 NRSV

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MOTHERING SUNDAY 22

ND MARCH

Give thanks once more on Mothers’ Day

For mothers everywhere,

For all their help and comfort

And all their loving care;

For Mothers who are out of sight -

We think of them today,

The memories will bring them close -

They’re never far away.

Give thanks today for Mother Earth

And all each day can bring;

The plants and flowers, fields and trees

The wonder of the Spring.

Give thanks once more for Mother Church

And all the hope we find,

For love and healing, friendship too

And quiet peace of mind.

And all rejoice, lift up your hearts,

Go bravely on life’s way,

Remember love, remember joy:

Give thanks on Mothers’ Day!

Church Gardener

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A BOOK AND A JOURNEY

Being a book lover, at Christmas I received a few as presents. One of them was To the Islands of Tides, A Journey to Lindisfarne by Alistair Moffat the well-known broadcaster, author and the founder of the Borders Book Festival. As regular readers will know Lindisfarne is a very special place to me; its uniqueness and sense of tranquillity are indeed very special.

In the book, the author traces the history of the Island from it’s very early beginnings. The Romans called Lindisfarne Insula Medicata. We learn lots about St Cuthbert and St Aidan and the early history of the people who lived there and the writing of the famous Lindisfarne Gospels.

Alistair Moffat walked from his home in the Scottish Borders to the Island, and completed his own personal pilgrimage as he walked there and stayed on the island and used it as a time of deep reflection.

He found peace on his journey on this unique island, as do the many thousands of visitors who go there every year. It was interesting to be able to visualise the places he was referring to.

Beginning a new book is like going on an adventure; hopefully the pages of more books will take me on many more this year.

Fiona Glass

ANNAN CHURCHES TOGETHER

ACT are holding their annual Spring Fayre in the URC Church Hall on Station Road

on Saturday 14th March 2020 from 10:00 -12:00

Admission £2.00

In aid of homelessness charity Shelter

Gifts of Scones, Cakes and Produce, also items for the tombola,

would be much appreciated

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WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

ANNAN CHURCHES TOGETHER

are holding the annual World Day of Prayer Service

on Friday 6th March at 2:00 pm

at Annan Old Parish Church of Scotland

ANGELS HEAD TO “KENDAL CALLING”

One of the North of England's largest music festivals is looking for Angels to offer support and assistance to some of the thirty thousand festival-goers.

Kendal Calling happens annually at Lowther Deer Park just outside Penrith and this year runs from 29th July until 2nd August. For the third year teams of Christian based Festival Angels will be running Safe Hub caravans.

With acts including Stereophonics and Supergrass the Festival Angels will be on hand to offer a safe place where people can come to chat, grab a cuppa and seek help and advice.

Paul Blakey MBE, the founder of Street Angels and Christian Nightlife Initiatives Network, says, "It is great once again to be heading to the fields with Festival Angels to offer a safe place at Kendal Calling. Last year our teams were able to offer assistance and help to hundreds of young people and we are looking to build the team for 2020 to offer two 24-hour safe hubs over the festival week."

To find out more or to sign up to volunteer visit festivalangels.org.uk/kendalcalling

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MARCH 2020 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sun 1st Communion Service and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

Tue 3rd Tuesday Tots (SHAP) - 10:00 am in hall, and every Tuesday in term time

Tue 3rd Knit & Natter - 10:00 am in church, and every Tuesday

Tue 3rd Games Afternoon - 2:00 pm in hall, and every Tuesday

Tue 3rd Rainbow Tribe and Spectrum - 6:00 pm, and every Tuesday in term time

Wed 4th Disability Sport - 10:00 am in hall, and every Wednesday

Thu 5th Girls’ Brigade - 6:00 pm in hall, and every Thursday in term time

Fri 6th World Day of Prayer service - 2:00 pm at Annan Old Parish Church

Fri 6th Friday in Faith - 7:00 pm at The HUB, Ednam Street

Sun 8th Morning Service and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

Wed 11th Arts and Crafts Group (SHAP) - 2:00 to 4:00 pm

Thu 12th Soup, Sweet and Jacket Potato Lunches - 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in hall

Sat 14th Annan Churches Together Spring Fayre - 10:00 am to 12:00 noon in hall

Sat 14th Induction of Rev Alan Poolton - 3:00 pm in church

followed by tea in hall

Sun 15th Morning Service and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

Sun 22nd Morning Service and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

Sun 22nd Deadline for April Magazine items to reach Ruth Mitchell, please,

including your group meeting diary dates

Fri 27th Friday Fellowship - 2:00 pm in church - Daffodil Tea

Sun 29th Morning Worship and Sunday Seekers - 10:30 am

CONTACT INFORMATION

Minister (part-time) Rev Alan Poolton

contact via church email

Church Email annanurc@gmail.com

Church Website www.annanurc.btck.co.uk

Church Facebook Annan Urc

Church Administrator Doug Maxwell 01387 249300

Church Room Bookings Haydn Higton 01461 201907

Magazine Editor Email ruthmitchell821@btinternet.com

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NEWS JUST IN:

PLEASE NOTE THESE FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT EVENTS

BEGIN THE LAST WEEK IN FEBRUARY

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT (24 FEB - 8 MARCH) - DUMFRIES FAIRTRADE GROUP

The 2020 campaign continues from 2019, focussing on cocoa, the special role women farmers play in the journey to living incomes, and sharing new stories to get more people choosing Fairtrade chocolate. Stories in Shops: Throughout Fairtrade Fortnight look out for story packs hidden in shops and cafes around Dumfries and find out more about the lives of Fairtrade Producers. We are delighted that the following independent shops and cafes selling Fairtrade products have agreed to join us in this: Oxfam, 121 Queensberry Street; Carol Craig, 18 Queensberry Street; Dumfries Larder, 170 High Street; Parry's Farm Produce, 43 Friars Vennel; Mrs. Greens, 16 Queensberry Streetfg; The Usual Place, Academy Street. Visit them all!! Pancakes and Storytelling: Tuesday 25 February (Pancake Day), Second Nature (The Former Baptist Church, Newall Terrace). Drop in between 4pm and 7pm, for pancakes and stories - all ages welcome. Also, during Fairtrade Fortnight, Second Nature will be open to the public Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm, with lots of information about Fairtrade, and with chocolate tasting - a different flavour each day - as well as their wonderful range of products. . Moat Brae Dumfries Fairtrade Group will be taking part in these events at Moat Brae, George Street: Tuesday 25 February 10 am – Fairtrade themed storytelling as part of Little Story Pirates. Saturday 29 February – Storytelling throughout the day with a Fairtrade theme, with Divine Chocolate available for tastings. The film of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be shown during the day, and Fairtrade story packs will also be hidden around Moat Brae. Libraries: There will be displays in the Ewart Library, Georgetown Library and Lochthorn Library, and the story packs will also be hidden in all the libraries in the region. Other events: Oxfam: Oxfam is offering 20% off coffee and chocolate for the fortnight, and on Saturday 7 March 1pm - 3pm, free samples to taste and a free takeaway drink if you bring a reusable cup. Dumfries Larder: Throughout Fairtrade Fortnight Dumfries Larder are having offers on Tony's Chocolony chocolate - with new flavours - and offers on Eswatini products.

A REMINDER TO GROUPS:

We are a Fairtrade Church.

We have committed to:

Use Fairtrade tea and coffee for all meetings for which we have responsibility

Move forward on using other Fairtrade products (such as sugar, biscuits, fruit)

Promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight – and through other activities whenever possible.