Two dozen hardy souls braved the elements, “thou the snow lay round about deep and crisp and even” to Kai and Mike’s traditional readings and carols at the Crask on Thursday (even if a couple of days late for the Feast of Stephen).
We sat around a furnace of a stove, sang, listened and of course shared in Kai and Mike’s legendary hospitality – scones, mince pies, tea, coffee and all the rest. Thanks to everyone, it was truly wonderful.
The December Crask service attracted a sizeable congregation including several people who had not been before. We reflected on the journey towards Christmas which starts at the Annunciation (March 25th) and culminates in the Word becoming Flesh in a manger in Bethlehem.
Don’t forget the traditional Carols at the Crask service and fellowship next Thursday (December 28th) starting at 2pm.
Have a blessed Christmas.
Just a small selection …
Yesterday saw a very successful Special Collection for the Food Bank which St Finnbarr’s held in the Dornoch Social Club. There was a steady stream of contributors, most of whom stopped for coffee/tea and a chat.
A huge thank you to those who contributed and to Marian and the other members of the congregation who worked so hard throughout the morning. Margaret and Alan’s car will be much relieved when it’s all over and it’s suspension can return to normal:-)
Recently at the invitation of St Finnbarr’s, Dornoch, a small group of women gathered in the Dornoch Social Club to learn about the work of Caithness and Sutherland Women’s Aid (CASWA) which St Finnbarrs Charity Shop has supported with donations for several years. Those present were from the congregation of St Finnbarrs, volunteers from the Charity Shop, members of the Dornoch and District Community Association (DADCA) coffee group and some members of the Dornoch Cathedral Guild.
In an informal and interactive talk, the two speakers Carol an adult support worker and Jackie a child support worker, gave the group an idea of the different forms of abuse which women suffer, how children in a family can be affected and how CASWA supports them.
The physical nature of abuse is probably fairly well known but the speakers emphasised the insidious mental abuse to which many of the women who come to them are subjected. The coercive, dominating and controlling behaviour exerted by partners undermines women and leads to loss of confidence and self-esteem. The increasing role of social media in this kind of abuse was highlighted. Just one example of several we were given was that some women are tracked by their partners mobile phones when they are out of the house. Social media abuse is also a growing problem among young women still at school.
The work of CASWA is confidential and support workers are non-judgemental. Their role is to offer emotional and practical to help to abuse sufferers, to help them decide what to do, not tell them what to do. They then support them and any children involved in following through with their decisions. Although CASWA can no longer fund a safe house for abused women and children they have access to a national data base of organisations and authorities that can provide safe accommodation. If women and any children they may have are at immediate risk of harm they are therefore able to make referrals if necessary.
CASWA is responding to increasing numbers of requests for help. This reflects national trends. In 2016 -2017 there were 58,810 domestic abuse incidents reported to police in Scotland and there are certainly many more which were not reported.
CASWA can be contacted on:
Tel 0345 408 0151 (24 hour answer service)
National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 027 1234 (24 hours)
Office hours 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday
or by Email at: info@caswa.org.uk
The Scottish Episcopal Institute, which is responsible for training priests, deacons and lay readers in our Church, now produces a monthly newsletter. If you are interested in what the Institute and its students (including our own Don Grant) are doing, you can read about it here SEI November 2017 News-sheet.
Lairg Christians Together held a Light Party on Friday in Lairg Community Centre, at which between 40 and 50 children (difficult to count them all in the dark:-), plus helpers and parents, enjoyed a splendid time. It really was fun for everyone!!
Light Parties have been held by churches with the help of Scripture Union teaching materials. They’re focused on offering an alternative message around the time of what many people associate as Halloween. The idea is that as a church we give out a more positive message at this time with teaching about ‘Jesus the Light of the World‘.
Our Light Party had a ‘Glow in the Dark ‘ theme with bible teaching, games, crafts and, like any good party, lots of party food. A wonderful celebration of Jesus being the light in the darkness and about us being called to follow him. A really encouraging message in place of all the ghouls and monster type stuff that’s on offer in the shops at the moment.
Saturday saw the annual St Finnbarr’s Tea an event which is put on in appreciation of the work put in by all involved in running and helping in the Church Charities Shop, which this year distributed nearly £14,000 to 30 local groups.
Volunteers, friends, family and members of the congregation enjoyed a splendid spread prepared by Greens of Tain.
Afterwards the assembled company were entertained by Golspie magician Clive Grewcock who performed a number of card tricks. We are very grateful to Dornoch Free Church for the use of their premises this year.
All in all, a huge thank you to everyone connected with both the Charities Shop and this celebration of its work.
The Harvest collection in Dornoch raised £100 for the Halo Trust. A huge thank you to everyone who donated produce and contributed to the collection.
It was Harvest Festival in Dornoch today. Collection and funds raised from the sale of produce donated will go to the Halo Trust, who “create safe and secure environments in war torn communities by clearing landmines, managing stockpiles of weapons and destroying unexploded ordnance.”
St Finnbarr’s looked lovely in the sunlight, decorated with produce and flowers. The good congregation were in fine voice, as they expressed their gratitude for all the good things that the Lord provides.
Sunday saw St Andrew’s Church full of people, as we hosted the Easter Ross Inter Church Group in a Songs of Praise for Harvest. The congregation drawn for a whole host of churches (even some from the other side of the Dornoch Firth), was in splendid voice accompanied by organ and fiddle. Readings were from Psalm 98, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and Luke 12:16-30 as well as John Betjeman’s wonderful poem “The Diary of a Church Mouse” (so apt for celebrating harvest in a church with seven “Mousey Thompson” mice carved into the furnishings).
There were as you might expect excellent refreshments in the hall afterwards and a big thanks to everyone who contributed both sweet and savoury treats, served drinks and helped to clear everything away. A big thanks also to Caroline and Anna for the music, to those who read so well and those who decorated the church. The collection raised £80 for the food bank.
Sadly I failed to take any photo to show the crowded church and hall or the excellent food, so you will have to make do with the “musician’s window” in the sanctuary with Miriam (sister of Moses and Aaron who “took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.’” – Exodus 15:20-22 – after The Lord had led them across the Red Sea in safety), King David (you all know who he was:-) and St. Cecilia the Patron Saint of Musicians (It is written that as the musicians played at her wedding she “sang in her heart to the Lord“).
Scottish Episcopal Church - Dornoch, Lairg, Brora, Tain & Tongue 