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.
On Sunday 12th November, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, Mrs Clare Russell, unveiled a panel in the church depicting the life in the former Aberlour Orphanage. This was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Orphanage in 1967. It also conceded with Remembrance Day.
Mrs Russell unveils the panels
Mrs Russell chats with former Orphanage residents and their families
Visitors look up entries in the church records
The Last Post is played
The war memorial with wreaths laid by the Lord Lieutenant, local Scouts and the congregation
We were delighted when Christian and Kerstin Lontzek came from their home in Halberstadt, Germany to spend three months in Aberlour. Christian had found us two years ago when he and a friend camped in their car outside St Margaret’s and came to our service. He returned last year with his wife Kerstin and then in July this year he and Sebastian Schmook, the other half in their duo of Pipe meets Organ, gave a wonderful concert in St Margaret’s.
In September Christian and Kerstin brought their daughter Mathilde and have been part of our congregation, bringing joy and music to our services. On Sunday, the Rev Roy Vincent conducted a service of blessing in St Margaret’s for their daughter Mathilde.
Diocesan Coat of Arms