news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
May 2008

From the Manse

Regrettably, as I write, industrial relations at the Grangemouth oil refinery have reached an all time low. The consequences have been far reaching and have effected us all, the more so in our rural communities. Perhaps the words from Matthew's Gospel have an even more pragmatic ring to them than before - "The wise took oil in jars along with their lamps"! (Matt 25; 4)

On a more serious note, it is sad that in this day and age, labour relations have had to revert to the old days of strike action and picketing rather than civilized negotiation. One can't help but feel that the apparent stalemate has not been helped by the media interviews given by the respective parties whose "Words were softer than oil, yet were drawn swords" (Psalm 55.21). Let us hope and pray that common sense will prevail and that a dignified resolution may be found.

Speaking of oil and the temporary closure of the Forties Field, reminds us all of the reliance that we place on the oil and gas industries off-shore and yet which we take so much for granted. It was a great day when the first oil came to our shores so many years ago yet within living memory. "The rock poured me out rivers of oil"( Job 29;6) was indeed another act of God's providence for which we should be truly thankful. The price of oil however is costly not only in its extraction and refining, but also in injuries and in lives lost. Many in our community will know or have known those who have been injured or lost. This July will mark the 20th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster when 167 out of the 229 people on board lost their lives. Many others still bear the physical and mental scars of that tragedy.

On Sunday 6 July 2008 at 2.00pm there will be a Service of Remembrance in the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting, Union Street, Aberdeen conducted by the Rev Andrew Jolly, Chaplain to the UK Oil and Gas Industry. Within the Kirk is St John's Chapel also known as the Oil Chapel. There rests the Book of Remembrance that records the names of all those who perished in the Piper Alpha disaster.

Parish Register

We extend our sincere condolences to family members :

1st April Mr A J Murray, 47 Granary Street, Burghead
11th April Mrs S M Millar, 25 St Aethans Road, Burghead

Communion Service

A joint Communion Service will be held in Alves Church on Sunday, 1st June.
Please note that there will NOT be a service at Burghead.

Sunday Services - Scripture Readings

A NEW list of Bible Readings for each of the services for the next three months is on the Notice Board at the church entrance. Anyone who would like to read a lesson during the service, please append your name to the sheet.

Guild News

Afternoon Tea at 10 Seaview Road -Change of Date
Ruth is really sorry to have to postpone the annual Afternoon tea which was scheduled for Tuesday, 13th May. The new date for your diary is Tuesday, 9th September, 3pm to 5pm.

Blythswood

The monthly collection will be on Tuesday, 20th May.

The Annals of Alves

The parish was originally ministered to conjointly with Lhanbryde, but in 1590 they were separated. From 1582 the minister was John Dundas who must have won the favour of the King for his support of the Scottish Bishops, for in 1612 he was promoted by James VI. to be Bishop of Down and Connor in Ireland. He was followed by Gavin Dunbar and when Gavin died In June, 1640, he was followed by George Hannay who was to have a hard time of it in the stormiest days of Civil War.

We learn that In 1644 the church was ruinous and the Presbytery called upon the heritors to "repair it with all diligence." In that same year Mr Hannay had an unpleasant experience. He complained to the presbytery of the "violence and Injury" done to him by Lord Ludovick Gordon. In the middle of the night the minister received a message in the name of Lady Grant, the elder, "pretending that the common enemy was approaching " - in other words that she was at death's door.

He accordingly rose and set forth on what he thought was a death-bed mission, but on the way to the supposed death-bed he was set upon by Lord Ludovick " and charged under pain of his life, or he would pistol him, yea, draw him in ane horse-tail if he went not with goodwill."

This alerted the good parson to the fact that something improper was afoot and he broke away from the high-handed nobleman. While he was trying to make good his escape, shots rang out and Mr Hannay, terrified for his life, halted, was recaptured and forced to marry Lord Ludovick to Lady Grant's daughter that same night. (to be continued)