Saint Mary's Organ Restoration
Posted: 29 August 2006, 23:21
At Saint Mary's, Broughty Ferry, we have a fine pipe organ which makes a significant contribution to our traditional form of worship. Originally built in the 1880s by Brindley and Foster, it was rebuilt in the 1930s and underwent further work to improve the tone and sound quality in the late 1970s. Now the mechanics are in need of a major overhaul.
A fund-raising appeal was launched in June with a 'Music Sunday' service celebrating the role of music in our worship. We need to raise in the order of £30,000 to £40,000 to restore and improve the organ and we hope that members of the diocese will support some of our events; quiz sheets, a quiz night, concerts, a Burns Supper, Christmas cards, an 'Antiques Roadshow' and a wine tasting evening to name but a few.
On Saturday, 21 October at 7.30 pm, the choir of Saint Mary's, with a little help from our friends, will give a concert of sacred music in the church. 'A Feast of Festivals' will be a varied progression through the liturgical year form Advent to Trinity along with music for baptism, marriage and funerals and other special events in the church year. Trumpet accompaniment and solos will be played by Euan Crabb with John Calderhead at the organ. This concert will be a real treat for loves of sacred choral music.
At 7.30 pm, on 18 November, the musical theme continues with a concert by CanTAYmus, a quartet of singers performing sacred and secular works from many different countries and eras. The wide repertoire will ensure that there is something for everyone.
Refreshments will be provided at both these concerts and admission will be free but there will be a retiring collection.
Looking further ahead, on 3 February, 2007 in St Mary's Hall we will be holding a Burns Supper and on 6 March, 2007 there will be a quiz night in the Fort Bar, Broughty Ferry.
Celebrations at Saint Margaret's Lochee
Posted: 29 August 2006, 23:10
The celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the first Episcopalian mission to the people of Lochee began with a barbecue for the local community in the grounds of saint Margaret's Church. The rain held off and at the end of the day the only person to get wet was the Rector who was placed in the stocks and pelted with wet sponges to raise much needed funds of the church.
The Festal Eucharist, held on the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, at which Bishop John presided, was well attended by parishioners, civic officials, and members of of other churches. The choir and organist of Saint Mary Magdalene's church provided the music, and after the service there was an opportunity for everyone to view a display of photographs over a glass of wine and a sandwich.
The celebrations ended with a dinner in the Church Hall, which included an inspiring speech by Bishop John and music by the Phenobarbitone Ceilidh band. All in all the celebrations were a wonderful opportunity for the congregation to celebrate their 150th anniversary but also to reach out into the community and forge new relationships.
Holy Trinity's Day of Celebration and Reflection
Posted: 29 August 2006, 22:23
On Sunday, 28 May, Holy Trinity Monifieth welcomed Bishop John and the Rev'd Anne Tomlinson, Provincial Officer for Local Collaborative Ministry, to a service of celebration and reflection
Bishop John preached and celebrated at the Eucharist. We renewed our baptismal vows, and then wrote our names and pledges of service on bookmarks that had been made for the occasion by the Young Church. Members of the congregation placed these offerings of our own ministries on the altar during the Offertory Hymn
After a joyful service we enjoyed fellowship and excellent food in the hall. We were able to share with Bishop John and Anne some of the ways that LCM has developed at Holy Trinity in the past few years. After lunch we returned to the church for our time of reflection. We discussed our successes and our difficulties with Ann and Bishop John and began to look at some areas for development.
The day finished with a quiet time of prayer with readings and reflection. The congregation then collected their bookmarks from the altar and left ready to continue our journey with renewed commitment and direction.