Local

Another night of music and generosity

sheumais Local, News, Notices

On Monday evening our friends from the Ukraine, the Kyiv Classic Accordion Duo made their fifteenth visit to St Finnbarr’s to enthral the capacity audience who heard their skill and virtuosity and raised money for both the children of Chernobyl and the victims of the war in Ukraine.

They played a varied concert of classical and folk music by Ukrainian composers: Lysenko, Bortnyansky, Skoryk, Vlasov and Runchak, in the first half, and by more familiar names: Jenkins, Sakamoto, Piazzolla, Webber, Elgar and someone called Prof. Teddy Bor, in the second. And the very appreciative audience collected the staggering sum of over £1000 for the boys to take back with them to help just a little back home in Ukraine.

Igor and Oleksiy studied at the National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kiev and began to perform professionally in 2002. Oleksiy plays in the Orchestra of the National Radio of Ukraine; Igor works in the National Philharmonic of Ukraine. They have been back on tour now every year since 2009 (except the COVID years) and now of course there is the war in Ukraine and the victims of that tragedy, the beneficiaries of this year’s tour.

Using two contemporary button accordions this pair can make the sound of a small squeezebox, a big church organ, a string quartet and even an orchestra playing such a variety of musical styles that at time it took our breath away.  Thanks very much to Igor and Olesky, to the ‘St Finnbarr’s elves for organising and providing refreshments and to the audience for their generosity, raising well over a thousand pounds..

Prayer for all in Ukraine

We pray for Igor and Oleskiy, their families and friends, those supported by their charity work and all the people of Ukraine in this time of  danger, fear and conflict.

Lord of all the earth,
be present with the people of Ukraine
at this time of danger, fear, and conflict.
Grant that wise and peaceable counsels may yet prevail,
and give to all suffering nations
the freedom they desire and deserve.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Holy God,
We hold before you all who live close to war and conflict;
and all who live close to the threat of war and violence.
We remember especially at this time, people in Ukraine and Russia.
We pray for nonviolence and peaceful resolutions of conflict.
Give us hearts of hospitality and sanctuary,
forgive us all our hostility and hatred.
Bring all people to the humanity you give us,
and to the reconciliation and healing for which you gave your life.
Strengthen us all to work with you to build justice and peace,
reconciliation and healing,
in our hearts and homes, in our streets,
in all communities, neighbourhoods and nations.
Bless all who live lives for the peace and wellbeing of others,
and make their service fruitful.
In the name of Christ.
Amen.

From Kirkwall to Durham

sheumais Local, News

Yesterday we had the pleasure of welcoming to St Columba’s two pilgrims travelling from St Magnus Kirkwall to Durham Cathedral – both building initiated by St Cuthbert.

Anna and Jay joined us for our healing service and we shared refreshments and fellowship after the service.

During their journey, Anna and Jay are spending the night in a wide range of churches, camping or staying with folk who have offered them accommodation. Last night they stayed in St Columba’s and on Tuesday night they will stay in St Andrew’s hall. Please pray for them as they journey towards Durham, they are due to arrive in a little over a month’s time.

You can follow Anna and Jay’s progress in their blog here.

Normality Restored

sheumais Local, News

For the first time in nearly 20 months, we now have no scaffolding at the back of St Andrew’s church. There is now so much space. We’d all probably forgotten exactly how much space we’d lost by having it there. So there’s plenty of room for everyone who would like to join us this Sunday:-)

‘Big O’ Birthday Boys

sheumais Local, News

On Sunday we marked two ‘Big O’ birthdays with cake and fizz. Campbell and Jamie are pictured below – one is celebrating his 70th birthday and the other his 90th. I leave you to work out which is which:-)

Blessing of St Andrew’s Tower and Bell

sheumais Local, News, Services

This afternoon we held a service of re-dedication, blessing and thanksgiving from high up on the scaffolding surrounding the nearly completed St Andrew’s tower reconstruction. There were three of us up the tower and a further five on the ground, all taking part in the service.

O Lord our God,
We give you thanks for this restoration project.
You give vision to your people;
you grant skill to craftsmen;
you inspire us to praise.

Bless all who ring this bell,
and grant that the message of the bell
may lift the hearts of all who hears it,
comfort the lonely and sorrowful,
bring joy for new and married lives,
strengthen the faithful
and draw all people closer to you.

We pray that we may pass each day in your service
and in love for each other.
We remember with gratitude,
all who have worshipped here over the years.
We give thanks for the fellowship of those who have met here,
those who hear our bell, and all those whose prayers are prompted
through the presence of this church in our community.

We offer these prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THIS EVENING – D-Day 80th Anniversary Tributes in Dornoch

Simon Scott Events, Local, News

This evening we will join our friends from the community across East Sutherland to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Come and join us for some of the events below!!

d-day-80-poster-of-eventsDownload

The Bird Flies Again

sheumais Local, News

In the last couple of weeks, the tower works at St Andrew’s have come on by leaps and bounds and this coming week, the roofers will be back to add the slates to the spire …

… and then the scaffolding can be removed from inside the church, in time for Flora and Angus’s wedding in July.

Resurrection (of the tower)

sheumais Local, News

Alleluia Christ is Risen!!

Alongside our Easter joy, it is so good to see that the tower at St Andrew’s is now taking shape and fascinating to admire the skill of the joiners and roofers as they carefully craft timber, lead and slate and also the input of painters and metal workers as they all contribute. We all look forward to them completing their task, so that we can celebrate all that they have achieved.

Alleluia Christ is Risen!!

Walk of Witness on Good Friday (29th March)

sheumais Events, Local, Services

The walk will consist of Eight stops, with a variable amount of walking between them. There is room for at least a few cars at each stops and so it will be possible for those who cannot or do not wish to walk the whole route to participate by adjusting the amount of walking required to suit their needs.

The walk will start in the car park adjacent to Kincardine Church in Ardgay and will end at Creich Church in Bonar Bridge, where there will be Hot Cross buns and tea/coffee available. The walk itself will commence at 10:15am and we should arrive at Creich Church by about 11:50am.

At each stop, there will be a Reading from Scripture, a short Reflection and a Prayer As we leave heading towards the next stop, we’ll sing a hymn. We will carry a large rough wooden cross throughout the walk.

The stops are as follows (time are rather approximate):

  • Kincardine Church car park (@10:15)
  • Ardgay Hall car park (@10:35)
  • Drover’s stone near Ardgay Station (@10:45)
  • ‘Stonehenge’ just the Ardgay side of the Bridge(@11:10)
  • Garden adjacent to the Caley Cafe(@11:20)
  • Car Park behind the Bonar Health Centre(@11:30)
  • Grassy area just beyond the Bradbury Centre(@11:40)
  • Creich Church car park(@11:50)