Fundraising

Marriage blessing

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!

Sunday 22nd July

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.

 

Easter Sunday

We had a good sized congregation for our Easter Sunday service – it was lovely to see such a crowd. Roy had set up an Easter egg hunt for the children and I am sure there must have been some full tummies before lunch!

The church looked lovely as you will see from these photos.

More photos of the memorial plaque unveiling day

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

Christmas Day 2017

We had a wonderful celebration on Christmas morning.  Reverend Roy led our worship with a large congregation present.  The church looked very festive with the tree taking pride of place beside the high altar.

A new arrival

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.

Aberlour Orphanage Memorial Panel

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

2017 Financial Accounts

The annual accounts are attached herewith. Accounts posted on website

 

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Diocesan Coat of Arms

Memories from orphans as researched by pupils from Speyside High School:

'If you were very bad you were told to clean all the brass in the church'

'If you sang a wrong note, you were sent behind the organ to pump air into it'

'One real complaint of mine was the church and all of the prayers. You had them at breakfast, dinner, tea, supper and bedtime. You had to learn a verse of a psalm and if you could not say it off by heart, you got the belt'

'The services were often conducted by "Wolfie" (Canon Wolfe, the Warden of the Orphanage for over thirty years). He had two black labrador dogs, Spey and Lour. They attended every service and on arrival headed for the altar where they lay for the duration of the service'