What a lovely Christmas Day service we had! There was a good sized congregation who all sang the carols with great gusto. The church looked lovely with a splendid tree and the repaired crib figures. We were delighted to welcome so many in the church – regular members, their families and visitors made up the number. The service was led by Rev Roy Vincent and was very uplifting. As he said ‘Jesus is the reason for the season.’
On Sunday 23rd December we held a Christingle service in the church where we were joined by members of the Aberlour and Craigellachie parish churches. There was a good sized congregation and we were fortunate to have three clergymen present. Rev Roy Vincent opened the service, Christian Lontzek gave the address and Rev Morris Smith led the final prayers and blessing. The children all received Christingles and sang by candlelight on the chancel steps.
Preparing the Christingles.
Rev Roy Vincent welcoming the congregation.
Sarah reads the nativity story from St Luke’s gospel.
On Wednesday 5th December we welcomed the children and parents of the Aberlour Toddler Group to celebrate the feast of St Nicholas which falls on 6th December. We all listened to the story of St Nicholas and the Pirates and then the children hunted round the church to find their boots which had mysteriously filled with treats. Following refreshments the children sang songs before leaving with their booty. It was so nice to have all those children in the church and we look forward to welcoming them again.
On Sunday 18th November, Otto Findlay Lontzek was welcomed into the church. His parents, Christian and Kerstin, and his sister, Mathilde, have been with us since the beginning of September and have added greatly to our congregation. We wish the family all the best when they return to Germany at the end of December.
We had a good congregation for our annual Act of Remembrance. Christian Lontzec piped us all out to the war memorial where Sandra played the Last Post before the wreaths were laid. These were from the Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire, the Scouts, our own congregation, the Western Front Association and Aberlour Childcare Trust. We were pleased to have Oliver Russell, the 1st Aberlour Scouts and SallyAnn Kelly, Chief Executive of Aberlour Childcare, present for the occasion.
We had our Harvest Festival service on Sunday 7th October. Rev Roy Vincent led our worship and there was a good number of people in the congregation. Following the service the harvest produce was auctioned and there was lively bidding for the vegetables, fruit and preserves. The proceeds from this, together with coins collected by members, amounted to £296.56 and this money is on its way to Christian Aid.
We were delighted to accede to a request for the blessing of a marriage recently. Simon and Janet Gill came over to Scotland from Canada. They had been married in Canada but wanted the union blessed in the country of their ancestors. Rev Morris Smith, from Aberlour and Craigellachie Parish Church, kindly agreed to conduct the ceremony which was very small and intimate. Here is a photo of the couple who look very happy. We hope that they will come back and visit us again although we can’t promise the heatwave that they found here this year!
We had a wonderful service with Christian Lontzek and his confirmation class on Sunday 22nd July. Christian led the service with Rev Roy Vincent and it was the culmination of a week of activities for our young German friends. During the week they had visited many local places including Pluscarden Abbey, Inverness Cathedral, Corgarff Castle and the Tomintoul Games. A packed programme! We wished them a safe journey home after the service and look forward to welcoming Christian, Kerstin, Mathilde and Otto back at the beginning of September for an extended stay.
Irene Lukkarinen has kindly sent some photos of Orphanage old boys and girls who attended the service on 12th November 2017.
Left to right, Bobby Balgowan, Margaret Morrison nee Balgowan, Avril Herald nee Clark, Ina Mcguire nee Reside, Binky Lincoln, Catherine Marri Lovie nee Dingwall, George Knight and Mr Rainey
We were delighted to hear of the safe arrival of Otto Findlay, a new son for our German friends Christian and Kerstin Lontzek and a brother for Mathilde. We wish them all the very best and hope to meet Otto in person in 2018.
Diocesan Coat of Arms