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Saturday, 04 February 2012 16:35 |
 Bible Society Newswatch. Find out what the press are saying about the Church - stories from all walks of life with a religious slant. 'O the gift that God could gie us, to see ourselves as others see us!' |
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Monday, 19 December 2011 17:07 |
 Monday 19th December witnessed a scene never seen before in Ellon. The pupils of the primary schools, and many members of the public gathered in the Riverside car park, on a bitterly cold morning, for an open air Nativity. Organised by Morag McGowan, headteacher of Aucherellon School, the Nativity Tableax was performed by members of Ellon Academy and music provided by the Academy Band. Jim Clarke of the Baptist Church lead the talk and Peter Mander, Rector of Saint Mary-on-the-Rock prayed a blessing at the end
Almighty and ever loving God, we have once again celebrated in words, action and spectacle the story of the birth of Jesus. Grant that we may see more deeply into the mystery which these events portray and may we ourselves enter into the continuing and healing story which began with Christ's birth.
So may God bless us, our families, friends and neighbours this Christmas and may the peace which the Christ child came to bring be in the world, our community and in our hearts. Amen.
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Tuesday, 08 November 2011 16:24 |
  The Resurrection Choir of Saint Petersburg came toSaint Mary's on Sunday 6th November.
Performing a mixture of Sacred Music and Russian Folk songs, the choir filled the packed churchwith sound and left us all almost speechless at the virtuosity and beauty of the singing - evoking, as it did, an image of Mother Russia, with all its joy and all its sadness. All who came commented on how brilliant they were. We have provisionally booked them again for Sunday November 4th next year. Put the date in your diary now!
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Saturday, 22 October 2011 18:56 |
 'BEING THERE'
I am writing this just a few days after returning from our Parish pilgrimage to Iona, where we were warmly welcomed to Bishop's House. Those who went (22 in all) found it a time of encouragement, fellowship and spiritual refreshment. For some of us it was the first time. Others had been before. One or two were wondering if it would be their last visit. But for all of us the atmosphere of that 'thin place' played its part in making it an unforgettable experience.
To read about a place, to see pictures of it, to listen to the stories of others is not the same as actually experiencing for yourself. You can even go on the internet and get a virtual tour. But only by physically being there can its full meaning be appreciated.
On the Sunday we attended the Service of Holy Communion at the Abbey. It was packed with people of all ages including many members of the Iona community. The words of the liturgy were different to those we are used to, but that was no bad thing; it made us think. The sermon was about trusting God alone, and the speaker, himself a member of the Iona community, explained the ‘Rule of Life’ which the members follow. I looked it up later. Each member commits to:
1. Daily Prayer and Bible-reading
2. Sharing and accounting for the use of their money
3. Planning and accounting for the use of their time
4. Action for Justice and Peace in society
5. Meeting with and accounting to one another.
The Iona Community is an example of 'New Monasticism' or 'Dispersed Monasticism'. Iona has, of course, been the home of monastic communities for well over a thousand years.
When Saint Columba arrived on the island of Iona in 563 AD he set about building a monastery from where he began the evangelization of the Picts in what is now Scotland. This was not like we imagine a monastery to be, rather it consisted of a collection of beehive huts. Much later a Benedictine monastery was built - this would have looked much more like the popular image of a monastery - indeed not that different to the present abbey. The Benedictine monks followed their ‘Rule’ of Stability, Conversion of Life and Obedience. Unlike Columba's monks, and the members of the current Iona community, the Benedictines remained almost exculsively behind the walls; they were an enclosed community. The modern Iona Community is a ‘Monastery without Walls’, living, working, witnessing and ministering in many parts of the world and in various walks of life.
So what lessons can we learn from our pilgrimage? Each will have their own thoughts but my own reflections lead me to ponder on the importance of 'being there'. I mean this in two senses.
Firstly, just as being actually on the island is hugely different to just reading about it, so the Christian life itself must be wholeheartedly entered into for it to reveal its full beauty. We have to ‘be there’. And Christianity is never meant to be a spectator sport. Few of us are called to participate at the level of the members of the Iona community, with their Rule of Life but most of us are called to take our everyday Christian pilgrimage more conscientiously than we do. We could even think about a simple rule of life of our own. How about pausing to pray at 5.00 pm every day, even if it's no more than an arrow prayer as we get tea ready?
Secondly, the modern Iona community is a Christian Community without walls. Does this have anything to say to us?
Iona is a beautiful place, a place of spiritual refreshment but also a place of challenge. Like Christianity! |
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Tuesday, 06 September 2011 12:46 |
 The weekend of 3rd & 4th September was blessed with fine and sunny weather that showed the flowers in the church to their best effect and attracted many, both members of the congrgation and vistors. Not only did they have a marvellous display of creations to look at in honour of our Saints, but also were able to enjoy the delicious refreshements served in hall throughout Saturday.
Sunday (our Patronal Festival) saw at return visit by Reverend Moira Paterson who was preacher and celebrant at our 11.00 am Eucharist. Moira was welcomed by many of her friends from when she as a member of our congrgation serving as member of the choir, elder and youth leader.
Around £1,000 was raised through donations and will be sent to Macmillian Cancer Support.
A few of the displays are included in the gallery below - more are to follow shortly.
Gallery
Saint George - Patron Saint of England
Saint Luke - Patron Saint of Physicians
Saint Nicholas - Patron Saint of Choristers
Saint Francis - Patron Saint of Animals
Saint Peter - Patron Saint of Fishermen
Saint Cecilia - Patron Saint of Musicians
Saint Mary - Mother of Jesus
Saint Valentine - Patron Saint of Lovers
Saint Andrew - Patron Saint of Scotland
Saint Maximilian Kolbe - Patron Saint of Families
Saint James the Great - Patron Saint of Spain
Saint Paul
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Saint Martha - Patron Saint of Cooks
Saint Patrick - Patron Saint of Ireland
Saint Vitus - Patron Saint of Dancers
Saint Catherine de Vigri - Patron Saint of Artists
The Choir entertained us
and not forgetting .......
The delicious food that was served in the church hall throughout the day!
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Saturday, 23 July 2011 09:24 |
 Last month our Mission Partner from Ukraine - MissionPower - sent several young people to the village of Nyarushanje in Uganda. To find out more go our Mission Partners page and click on the link to their latest newsletter.
PICTURE GALLERY
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Saturday, 02 July 2011 19:23 |
 For the second year running bad weather meant we were unable to have our picnic in Esslemont House Gardens. However, many stayed on and had their picnic lunch in the hall and joined in the games, organised by Hayden Barrett, which were great fun but tiring for some of the more mature members. The photo shows members of WhizzKids enjoying a 'game' with a toilet roll! |
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Tuesday, 14 June 2011 09:32 |
 Congratulations to the eight members of Saint Mary's who were confirmed on Sunday 12th June by the Bishop of Aberdeen, Rt Revd Dr. Bob Gillies. In his sermon the Bishop reminded us that God calls all sorts of people to serve him and none of us must think we are unworthy. God's ways are not our ways, and for that we are thankful! Sunday was also the Day of Pentecost when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit and we prayed that the same Spirit would be with those confirmed. From left to right in the photograph are: Simon Goodyear, Donna Crawford, Bishop Bob, Mary Morrison, William Christie, Richard Cooper, Ceri Kindley, Tony Elliot and Gordon Forbes. |
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Sunday, 29 May 2011 19:35 |
 Revd Moira Paterson, former Saint Mary's 'Elder' was ordained priest by the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, the Rt Revd Dr. Bob Gillies at a service in Saint Andrews Cathedral, Aberdeen, on Saturday 28th May. Moira will serve at the Cathedral but is coming to preach and celebrate the Eucharist at Saint Mary's Patronal Festival on 4th September. |
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Saturday, 07 May 2011 16:06 |
 Several of Saint Mary's young people (and their parents!) took part in a car wash on Saturday 7th May to raise money for a trip to Mexico next year year. They all worked hard, some got a bit wet, but managed to raise just over £180 for two hours work. Michael and Mairi Davidson, Chloe Milne and Matthew Goodyear hope to travel to Mexico in April 2012 to take part in a project which sees youngsters from First World countries volunteer to build homes for some of Latin America’s poorest people. Click here for more information. Ellon Times.
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