CUPAR OLD PARISH CHURCH

“A church where everyone matters”

PARISH NEWS

Spring/Summer 2016

Cupar Old and St Michael of Tarvit Parish Church Kirkgate, Cupar, Fife KY15 5AN

www.cuparold.org.uk

Minister Rev Jeff Martin 76 Hogarth Drive, Cupar, KY15 5YU Tel: T.B.C. email: jmartin@churchofscotland.org.uk

Session Clerk Mrs Jean Martin 1 Garliebank Crescent, Cupar, KY15 5JL Tel: 01334 652100 email: alm2100@btinternet.com

Treasurer Mr David Stevenson 10 Holly Park, Cupar, KY15 5DB

Tel: 01334 654262 email: daveandlorna@davlor.plus.com

Secretary Mrs Liz Nelson Quarry Road, Cuparmuir, Cupar, KY15 5QP

Tel: 01334 652077 email: liznelson48@aol.com

OPC Host Mrs Jill Brown 26 Upper Dalgairn, Cupar, KY15 4JJ Tel: 01334 657712 email: george.brown01@yahoo.co.uk

Property Convener Mr Hamish Ferguson 6 Landale, Gardens, Cupar, KY15 4UE Tel: 01334 209325 email: hamishferguson33@gmail.com

Church Officer Mr Ray Riley 7 Beech Bank Cupar KY15 5BZ Tel: 07949395185

DEADLINE:

Articles for the Autumn/Winter 2016 edition of Parish News must be in the hands of the Editorial Team by Friday,

5 August 2016

Editorial Well, the last couple of years of the vacancy have just flown by, including the highlights of our 600th anniversary celebrations. Well done to everyone, including our Interim Moderator and the worship team, for leading us through these interesting times. And now we have a new Minister. I will leave it to Jeff to introduce himself and his family in the following pages, and I know that he looks forward to meeting you all soon. As always, I am grateful to the enthusiastic individuals who have allowed me to bring together such a diverse range of articles. I hope you gain as much pleasure from reading their contributions as I have done. Colin Maclean Editor, Parish News

Congregational Register Baptisms 16 August James David Robert Henderson 20 December Jonathan Estifanos Tessema New Member 6 December William McLaughlin Deaths 13 August Jean Mitchell 17 August Rev Harry Brown 20 September Isa Forbes 20 September Annie Galloway 24 September Alexander Strachan 9 November Ian Adamson 30 December Kathleen Henderson Hilary Webb Roll Keeper

Letter from our new Minister Dear Friends, We have been travelling our separate paths until now: a country church, a town church, and a wandering American minister and his family. And now our paths are to intersect for a time. The pattern, design, and function of this plait will only be revealed to us in the course of the coming years, but we do know one thing: through this plaiting, we will be changed. When Lynn and I first began to seriously contemplate leaving Boonville, Missouri, we realised that any change would be uncomfortable, not only for our sons, who had lived their entire lives in that one community, but also for us, who had grown very settled into our environs. But a fresh start in a new place was also exciting and full of opportunities for growth for all of us. Ultimately, this became one of the driving forces behind our relocation to far-flung Scotland: we felt it was good for all of us to become unsettled and uncomfortable, and to experience different perspectives and ways of thinking, doing, and living. We hadn’t been in Berwickshire very long before we began to notice changes in our speech patterns: new words, phrases, and inflections began to creep in; we were being changed. And here we are, fifteen months into our sojourn in Scotland, and I write to you using the previously unknown word “plait” and spelling the word “realise” without the letter Z. That letter, however, I still pronounce as “zee,” not “zed,” so the process of assimilation is far from complete! And now we begin a new phase in which two parishes and one minister seek to bind ourselves together in ways that manifest Christ’s presence and strengthen us for ministry in Fife. Change is certain; the simple passage of time guarantees that we will change. But when we make ourselves open to one another and to the work of God’s Spirit in and among us, then we allow the changes, even those that are unwelcome, to serve as instruments of growth and maturation, of awakening and appreciation, of reconciliation and healing.

As we begin this plaiting together, I thank you for calling me to serve as your pastor; I commit myself to you as your co-worker in ministry; and I open myself to the exciting, challenging, and holy changes that the Holy Spirit effects in us as we are drawn together in the service and praise of Jesus Christ. Your partner in ministry, Jeff Martin

An Introduction to the Humphrey-Martin Family

Our new minister, Jeff Martin, grew up in the upper Midwest in the United States, in a small town in Iowa, not far from the Mississippi River. He earned a bachelor’s degree in primary school education, then continued his preparation for ministry at Wartburg Theological Seminary, earning his master’s degree in 1990. His theological education included two years of study in Germany, once when the nation was still divided, and once at the time of the reunification. Jeff was ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and served for six years as associate pastor in a congregation with 1,500 members in Lawrence, Kansas.

While in Lawrence, he met and married Lynn Humphrey. Lynn grew up in urban areas in the central United States: Kansas City, St. Louis, and Wichita, Kansas. She studied journalism and voice at Northwestern University in Chicago and the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Lynn became a licensed massage therapist after she and Jeff married in 1993, and she ran her own private practice, specialising in relaxation massage, until the family moved to Scotland in 2014. For nine years she also oversaw the home education of their sons, Asher and Declan. Lynn is an avid photographer, gardener, and hiker; she has enjoyed the beaches and footpaths of Berwickshire. Lynn and Jeff moved to Boonville, Missouri, in 1997. An ecumenical agreement between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Presbyterian Church (USA) provided the opportunity for Jeff to begin working at the First Presbyterian Church of Boonville, and he became the pastor of the small congregation in 2000. First-born Asher Humphrey-Martin will turn 18 at the end of March. He will remain in Duns until he has completed his exams. He is an avid drummer and he also enjoys playing football. He plans to take a gap year for work and travel. Declan Humphrey-Martin turns eleven on 2 March and is in the P6. He enjoys baking, gymnastics, and playing the piano. He aspires to be a roller coaster designer when he grows up. The Humphrey-Martin family moved to Scotland at the end of 2014, when Jeff began a familiarisation placement in the Duns and District Parishes in Berwickshire. In addition to the practicalities of day-to-day ministry in the Church of Scotland, Jeff also completed additional learning activities in Scottish church history, church law, and safeguarding. The family have enjoyed their introduction to life in Scotland, and they are excited about the adventures that await them in Fife.

Session Clerk’s Ramblings As I write this it’s raining again but how fortunate we are to live in North East Fife when we see the television news about the North East of England, Braemar and Ballater as well as many other places in the world which have been devastated recently. We are now into a New Year and a new journey for Cupar Old and Monimail. We give thanks that God has guided Jeff Martin to us as our new minister. We welcome Jeff and his wife, Lynn, sons Asher and Declan to the family of Cupar Old. Many of you will have been to Jeff’s induction service on 28th February and his first service as our minister on 6th March when we had a church family lunch and social after worship. Many more will meet him when he conducts his first service of Holy Communion with us on 13th March and of course in the weeks, months and years to come. Looking forward to Holy week from 20th to 27th March and to Easter. The Holy Week services will be held this year in St Columba’s at 7.00pm, with the exception of Maundy Thursday when it will be held in St John’s. As usual there will also be the ‘Walk with the Cross’ through the town on Good Friday visiting all the churches and finishing at the O.P.C. where the Sunday Club will be organising the Daffodil Tea fundraising afternoon. One initiative that you may not have heard much about is the St Andrews Presbytery Cluster Churches. Cupar Old is part of the Cupar Cluster with Monimail, St John’s and Dairsie and Ceres Kemback and Springfield. The idea of the clusters is that the local Church of Scotland Congregations should work closer together to spread God’s word to the community. Cupar Cluster’s first event was the very successful Ceilidh held in the O.P.C. on 5th February with the Billy Anderson and Kilrymont band. The next event will be a Spring Fayre to be held on 12th March in St John’s. Any contributions of craft items cakes & candy etc would be very welcome.

The profits from these two events will be used to subsidise a Fischy music concert in April. Fischy music is, as you will know, music aimed at our young people, they love to sing the songs in church as part of our regular family services and on other occasions. Therefore we expect that the concert in April will be a resounding success, more information later. It is only fitting at this time we thank our Worship Team of Brian Porteous, Rev Danny Connolly and Mrs Elspeth Smith for all they have done over the period of vacancy. They have together been instrumental in helping to keep our church family united. We cannot forget the Rev Dr Jim Connolly for all his work as Interim Moderator providing great support and guidance. With God’s blessings Jean

Cupar Old’s Congregational Roll in 2015

At the end of December 2015, there were 562 members on the Roll. During the year, we were pleased to welcome three new members by Certificate of Transference or ‘lines’. Three members left Cupar Old and, sadly, we recorded the deaths of 18 members of our Church family. There were two infant baptisms during the year. Four more people became associated with our Church as Adherents, making six in total, and were able to participate in the recent ballot for our new Minister. To keep the Roll up to date, it would be greatly appreciated if members would inform the Roll Keeper, Hilary Webb (tel 652431, email hilary.m.webb@gmail.com) or an Elder of any changes of address. Hillary Webb Roll-keeper

Treasurer’s Report By the time you read this report our Annual Accounts for Year ended 31st December 2015 should have been examined by our Independent Examiner and available for scrutiny by yourself before our forthcoming AGM. However I should like to inform you of the more significant figures from the results which I have prepared myself and, hopefully, are in line with those of our Examiner. Our total income for the year amounts to £176,000 (2014-£181,000), a decrease of £5,000, which would be expected in the absence of a permanent minister. However, you should be aware that the amount donated by ourselves was over £10,000 down from that of 2014. The overall reduction to £5,000 was mainly as a result of increases in income from hall rents and Anniversary functions. We cannot depend on the latter sources of income; indeed as a church we should not, and to achieve our mission we should only rely on our core income which is our own giving. With regard to expenditure, whilst my records show costs to be £171,000 (against £166,000 in 2014), an increase of £5,000. This figure is somewhat distorted, as when I look at some of the other costs, I am of the opinion that costs are inflated by the inclusion of all Anniversary costs. This will be better explained during our AGM. Costs for Heat and Light are nearly £10,000 and whilst this figure appears excessive it in fact represents an estimated saving of £1,500 on the previous year. A number of you have come to me pointing out that savings for locum and Pulpit Supply (which cost £10,0000 in 2015) will be made during 2016 when our minister is in place. This is very true but I am afraid that the reduction in these costs of £9,000 will be nullified as our Ministries and Mission contributions will increase by a similar amount from 1st March 2016. Furthermore we will have additional costs to meet for fittings and decoration and removal costs etc. prior to the minister moving into the manse.

Other Costs are in line with expectation and so we arrive at a surplus of £5,000 and it is my duty to inform you that if we continue to show such small sums in the future then we will almost certainly have insufficient funds to cope with an unexpected emergency. Finally, I would like to thank all of you who have given of your time and money. Without your efforts we would have found ourselves in a very vulnerable situation today but I must emphasise that we do need the help of everyone so that we can continue with the goals we have set ourselves. With your aid and the guidance of God I am sure that I will be able to present a better picture of our finances in a year’s time. David Stevenson

Property Report 2015 has been a rather busy period in respect to property matters. Numerous items marked essential in the 2012 Quinquennial Report, which must be addressed within 5 years from report, have been attended to; mainly by the Thursday work party, at considerable cost saving. This leaves a few outstanding items to be comfortably addressed by November 2017. We appear to have overcome the problem of our enclosed globe light bulb in the lights underneath the church balcony. Initially they were on four dimmer switches and through a process of elimination we felt the dimmers were the root of the problem. All four groups are now controlled with on/off switches and bulbs appear to be lasting longer. Unfortunately we are still experiencing blocked drains at the OPC resulting in another call out to Scottish Water in May to clear drains. Again they found wipes as main culprit.

We are currently busy preparing the manse for our new minister and his family who will take up residence towards the end of February. At time of writing the painter is nearly finished, with following trades ready to move in. Update on Health and Safety. The General Trustees of the Church of Scotland have set up an H&S work party to support Kirk Sessions (property/fabric conveners) in their efforts to make Church of Scotland buildings safe places not just in respect of the structures but also the activities taking place within them. They say they are aware of the changing ways in which many church properties are now being used and felt this was the right time to take a new look at this very important issue. The H&S Work Party Group is charged with producing Tool Box Aids and teaching seminars for those involved in property matters. However St. Andrews Presbytery has beaten them off the mat, by organising a meeting for all property/fabric conveners from all churches in this Presbytery to be held in the OPC on 1st March.

The Property Committee wish to offer their thanks to Bobby Houston and his Thursday work party (currently on a winter sabbatical but will resume in April) for the too numerous to detail, maintenance they carry out with a substantial saving to the Church budget. Watch intimations in the spring for work party restarting. All will be welcomed. We also want to thank everyone who helped decorate the Christmas trees, and to everyone who has contributed in some way to help maintain our property to a high standard. Hamish S Ferguson

OPC Host Report The OPC continues to be busy with a variety of groups using all areas of the Centre. Monday lunches are ticking along as usual as are the Tuesday lunches for mums and tots. If anyone would like to volunteer on either of the rotas, please give me a ring. Both lunchtimes are enjoyable and new volunteers are very welcome. The Kinship carers’ group still meets every Tuesday and will have been on the go for 2 years come this April. We have access to some useful passes for things to do with the children, including passes for the Deer Centre, Muddy Boots, Deep Sea World, and the Science Centre in Dundee. We all enjoyed a free bus trip to the Natural History Museum in Edinburgh in October and a packed lunch was provided into the bargain. I also managed to access some money from Fife Council, who kindly gifted us £600 to enable the families to go to a pantomime. I purchased 31 tickets for the families and we all had a great time at Mother Goose at the Adam Smith Centre in Kirkcaldy. We still have some money in the pot and will do something with the kids in the better weather. We continue to have links with Karen Morrison up at Star at East Flisk. She generally deals with kids in care and we've enjoyed an amazing Halloween party and a Christmas party. I have tried to establish an OPC Craft group, which runs every other Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm. I was hoping we may get some of the congregation interested in coming along to do some crafts. We do have a handful of us and made the tinsel garlands that went round the pillars in the church at Christmas. We are now sewing some little pocket prayer crosses which we will sell at Easter and give any money made to the sound system fund. If anyone would like to join us please give me a call on 01334 657712. I'm now looking forward to the arrival of Jeff Martin and any fresh ideas he might bring with him. Jill Brown

KEEP PRAYING CUPAR OLD Over the past few months the Prayer Group and others have been meeting regularly to pray for our church during this transition period. God in his perfect timing has indeed answered our prayers – we therefore wish Jeff Martin and his family rich blessings as they begin a new chapter in their lives. We will continue to pray for Jeff and his family as they move and settle in Cupar.

It is also encouraging to know that the congregation is also upheld in prayer by the many intercessors and by the Sunday evening prayer group who are all very faithful in their prayers for others. As this new year begins, may we encourage you all to invest some of your time as part of a prayer triplet. Your triplet can meet as regularly as suits all of the members – and there will be GREAT rewards. Why not try it and see. Cupar Old Prayer Team

Used Stamps

Last year the Stamp Appeal supported the work of the Church of Scotland HIV Programme, which provides assistance to partners both in Scotland and overseas to help those infected and affected by HIV. HIV and AIDS does not often make the headlines these days. Many people think that the problems caused by the global epidemic are things of the past. Unfortunately, it is still an issue, particularly for our partner churches in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. For over 12 years, thanks to the generosity of church members and their fund-raising, the Church of Scotland HIV Programme has been able to offer support to partner churches overseas as they engage with the reality of HIV and AIDS in their communities; nearer to home, we also support local organisations in Scotland who are reaching out to families infected and affected by HIV.

Please assist this work of the Church by saving all your stamps and placing them in the little post box on the left of the vestibule as you enter church. Remember to leave a border round each stamp as only undamaged stamps are of value. Helen Hanson

Cupar Old Parish Church Church and Community Weekly Activities

MONDAY

• 10.00-11.30am TT Signs and Rhymes contact Jenni Horn 07967010727

v 10.00 – 1.30pm W Morning Coffee contact Jill Brown 657712

Ø 10.15-11.30am W Elderly Forum Exercise contact Iain Anderson 652537

v 11.45am – 1.15pm W Monday Lunches contact Jean Martin 652100

Ø 1.45-2.45pm W U3A Exercise Group contact Janet Knight 07478329864

• 2.00-4.00pm M Hard of Hearing Group contact Monica Mackay hardofhearinggroup@gmail.com

• 4.00-8.30pm W Judo contact John Buchanan 07718997442

TUESDAY

Ø 9.15-11.00am TT Kinship Care Group contact Jill Brown 657712

v 9.30am -2.30pm TT Tots on Tuesday contact Emma Farmer emmaf85@icloud.com

v 6.30-8.15pm W Badminton contact Liz Clark 01333 351785

Ø 7.15-9.30pm TT Cupar Youth Theatre contact Ruth Anderson 652469

WEDNESDAY

• 9.30-10.30am W Modern Pilates contact Janis Smith 07849023376

v 2.00 – 3.30pm 3rd Wed of Month Alzheimer’s Cafè contact Shena Porteous 653561 Lorna Stevenson 654262 • 3.45-6.15pm TT Yvonne Gray School of Dance contact Yvonne Gray 653253

• 6.00-7.00pm W Yoga for Pregnancy contact Lynsey Scotland 07739021190

Ø 6.15-7.15pm W Badminton (Sept – March) contact Frances McBride 655445

Ø 6.30-9.30pm M Cupar Quilters (Sep – Jun) contact Margaret Sinclair 657442

v 7.30-9.30pm F Guild (Sep – Mar) contact Eileen Spurr 655010

Ø 7.30-9.30pm W C.A.M.S (Sept – Jan) contact Joan Wood 654187

THURSDAY

v 10.00 – 12noon W Coffee and Chat contact Jill Brown 657712

Ø 1.00-3.00pm TT Babies and Toddlers contact Morag Scott 657290

• 3.45-9.00pm TT Yvonne Gray School of Dance contact Yvonne Gray 653253

Ø 7.00-9.00pm M Cupar Quilters (Sep- May) contact Margaret Sinclair 657442

Ø 7.30-9.00pm W Eden Handbell Group contact Elspeth Smith 653269

FRIDAY

v 9.30-11.30am W Secretary’s Consultation contact Liz Nelson 652077

• 10.00-11.15am TT Signs and Rhymes contact Jenni Horn 07967010727

Ø 10.00-12noon W Patchwork Class (Sept- March) Contact Anne Hoggan 656992

• 10.00-12noon TT Circle Dancing contact Rose Cross 657896

Ø 2.00-4.00pm M Elderly Forum contact Iain Anderson 652537

SATURDAY

v 8.00-9.00am M Rambles (April-Sept) contact Peter Manson 655931

SUNDAY

v 10.45-12noon W Crèche contact Morag Scott 657290

v 11.00-12noon W Sunday Club/Activities contacts Jacqui Caldwell 653756 Susan Beaumont 01337 827401

Ø 2.00-5.00pm W Cando Dance Group contact Owen Harrison 01383 415142

v 6.30-7.30pm F Evening Worship contact Mr Brian Porteous 653561

v 7.30pm F Time of Prayer contact Margaret Gourley 653617

KEY

v Church activities W weekly Ø Community groups F fortnightly • Businesses M monthly

TT term time

If you would like further information on any of the groups included in this leaflet, please contact the person named for the activity listed VOLUNTEERS There are many opportunities for individuals to volunteer at the various activities throughout the week. If you would like further information on volunteering opportunities please contact Jean Martin 01334 652100

Sunday Club

God can do anything! This term we are using the Scripture Union Light material and are looking at 2nd Kings and how Elisha’s experiences give us confidence that God can do anything. Examples of activities include playing snakes and ladders and relating this to trusting God and the choices we make. We also played a game where a child was blindfolded and had to trust what they would feel in the three pots – one with mud, one with cold beans and another with chocolate buttons. This demonstrated visually the message of trusting God. Wisdom from the book of James The numbers of youth attending each week tends to fluctuate so we are doing a mix of Youth for Christ material and a housegroup study on the book of James. Highlights from the children When asked what they have enjoyed doing over the past few weeks at Sunday Club a few of the children in the Primary 1 to 3 group shared the following - Watching veggie tales dvd and dancing with Santa at the

Christmas ceilidh (Katie) - Doing activities like colouring in (Janelle) - Making a ladybird with clay for Mother’s day (Struan) - Making a present for my mum for Mother’s day (Maisie) - Watching veggie tales dvd (Jack)

Following in his footsteps Our latest wall frieze reminds us that we are all on a journey and are called to follow Jesus and remember how He expects us to live our lives. The children cut out their footsteps and wrote why they follow Jesus – He is helpful, He is good, I can trust Him, He helps me fix my problems, He cares for everyone even if they make a mistake, He loves us, the world would be nothing without Him.

Date for your diary Our end of term celebration and family BBQ will take place on Sunday 19 June and we will be returning to Craigtoun for the BBQ. Hope to see you there!! Jacqui Caldwell Sunday Club Co-ordinator

Reflections on the Nativity The Christmas period is always very busy for our Sunday Club with leaders stressing over the Nativity. This year we put on a performance of The Angry Hotel Man starring Ben Clark as the hotel man. It was a great success and fabulous performance from the children. It was certainly a Nativity to remember in years to come.

Also before Christmas was our annual ceilidh with live performance from ‘Clamjamfry’. The evening included the much anticipated unveiling of the Sunday Club stained glass window, which the children had toiled over for months. It looks magnificent and takes pride of place at the top of the main hall in the OPC. Santa’s visit was also a highlight! Sam Jeffrey

Sunday Club Ceilidh On a dark Saturday evening in December the Children of the Sunday Club donned their dancing shoes and headed for the Old Parish Centre. The reason, the long awaited Sunday Club Ceilidh. As usual music was provided by the ever-popular Clamjamfry.

The dancing was quickly started and the children enjoyed the games devised by the leaders of the Sunday Club leaders. Everyone enjoyed the buffet supper which was finished off with Ice cream and Jelly, everyone’s favourite. More dancing followed and it was soon time for Santa to make his appearance. Santa arrived at the hall on hearing the children singing his favourite song, Jingle Bells, he then had a present for all the children present. Everyone voted the evening a great success and the Sunday Club are already looking forward eagerly to this year’s ceilidh.

A Visitor from Allentown It was great to welcome a visitor from the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown to Cupar in October. Mary Freund was holidaying in Scotland, staying with friends near Dunoon, and was keen to visit Cupar Old. Her friends were delighted to drive her over and Brian & Gloria Ferguson and Jill Brown were able to give her a tour of the church and Old Parish Centre.

She was particularly interested in the facilities at the OPC and the opportunities this provides for outreach to the community. Mary was also thrilled by the “charms” of the church building, its history and beauty. As she said afterwards, “I must say that I climbed the tower with a pounding heart but really enjoyed seeing the clock mechanism

and of course those marvellous bells.”

The visit was a highlight of her trip to Scotland, and she left a generous donation towards the outreach work at the OPC.

Brian Ferguson

Pitstop House Group

We are a “family” of 12 very different people who continue to meet weekly on a Wednesday evening. It is good to regularly share things we are thankful for plus issues and people who we want to remember in our prayers. The evenings always start with refreshments. Anyone who is short of biscuits just needs to pop in as we have a cupboard full of them! Our most recent study has been “The Forgotten God” by Francis Chan. This has highlighted so many things for the group members and we will enjoy sharing some of our thoughts at the evening service in February. For me it was good to be reminded that we have the Holy Spirit living within us all day everyday and He will help us if we but ask Him. He will not force His way in though. God is 3 persons who are interlinked so a 2/3rds image of God (God the Father & God the Son – Jesus) is not what we are meant to rely on. During Lent we will use the challenge set by Christian Aid as this keeps us focused with daily ways of thinking of others and at the same time raising money for the vital work of this organisation. As the days lengthen and warm up we will start to go out for evening walks and picnics. When we sit and pray outdoors it is so special on a calm evening. I would like to encourage anyone who hasn’t as yet tried a House Group to give one of the many that our church offers, a visit. They are all very different with regard to choices of study material, to how they are run. It is such a blessing to know that everyone struggles at times but when a problem is shared, it can bring comfort knowing others will pray for you throughout the week. Jill (on behalf of Pitstop)

Thursday Coffee & Chat

The C&C group continues to meet on a Thursday morning any time from 10 – 11.30am in the OPC. We are really pleased that over the past year we have had new people joining us on Thursdays. It was very heartening when 2 different men commented about how, when they walked through the main door of the Centre, they were met by the sounds of chatter and laughter coming from the Lounge. A few years ago I had the thought that Thursday could be a time, mid week, when people come together to get to know each other and enjoy a coffee and home baking. This is definitely what is happening and if you have not been, and are free some Thursday morning, do pop in. Coming once does not mean you have to come every week. Maybe you played scrabble in the past. Why not come and exercise your brain or join in dominos – not taxing but great fun, or just have a coffee and a chat! We really enjoyed having our Christmas lunch at Fairways Elmwood in December. I had hoped we might encourage perhaps 20 – 30 people from the congregation to come along. What a strong church family we have when almost 2 years into a vacancy we can have 51 people enjoying time over a leisurely lunch. Pat, with the keyboard, kindly accompanied the carol singing to round off a special time together. We are continuing our monthly outings at various local places where we enjoy scones and coffee. The numbers are growing, as is the noise level! If you haven’t enjoyed these friendly excursions please do think about joining us. We are off to Fairways, Elmwood Golf Course on 17th March and the Dukes Course, Craigtoun on 14th April. Lifts are available any Thursday, so please don’t sit at home wondering how you can enjoy this time of fellowship. Just ring me and I can arrange someone to come to the house to take you along. Go on; give it a try in 2016. Jill Logan (655528)

Gift of Communion Tokens One of the highlights of our church’s 600th anniversary celebrations was the gift of Communion tokens to members of the congregation. Appropriately, these were distributed at December Communion, just as Cupar Old was reflecting on its history – and about to embark on a new chapter. Initially, the Kirk Session had intended to make this gift, but rising costs made this impossible. However, an extremely generous anonymous donor stepped in and made it possible for church members to receive this precious memento.

It is commonly believed that Communion tokens were first proposed by John Calvin in Geneva in 1560, the year Scotland officially adopted Protestantism. They were intended to make possible the practice of closed communion, in which only members of the reformed (or Protestant) church were allowed to participate. An extract from Calvin’s letter to Geneva City Council: “. . . to avoid the danger of those who profane the Lord’s Supper, it would be good to make tokens . . . and when the Lord’s Supper comes, each member would receive tokens for those in their households that have received instruction. Those who have no token should not be admitted.” The city council rejected the idea, but the following year, however, they were adopted in Nimes and Le Mans. But it is in Scotland that most were issued, with over 5,000 examples recorded; and where Scots emigrated, tokens were adopted too. It will come as no surprise that elders acted as “moral watchdogs”, distributing tokens to members they “deemed qualified by virtue of correct belief and proper conduct.” Those were the days! As well as indicating the communicants’ right to

The pewter token which marked the 600th anniversary of our church. Communion tokens were also distributed in 1985 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the present building.

take the Lord’s Supper, the tokens also served to safeguard Reformed Churches from spies at times when church meetings were illegal! The hey-day of Communion tokens was the 18th and 19th centuries, but gradually, simple Communion cards replaced them. Many tokens have verses on them, such as “This do in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians, 11:24). They were typically made of lead and came in a variety of shapes. Early examples had the minister’s initials, the name of the church or Christian symbols. Collecting communion tokens is a popular activity. It also sheds light on the history of the Protestant church and throws up some surprises - contrary to the belief that Calvin introduced the idea in 1560 (above), a French token from 1553 is in existence! Derek Scott

Wednesday Cafe

This cafe for people with dementia and their carers meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 2pm-3.30pm in the OPC lounge. It is a very sociable group and we provide a varied programme. We enjoyed a very happy Christmas celebration and then in January we had a Scottish Afternoon at which David Cleland and Brian Porteous entertained us with recitations and songs. Our group has operated very successfully for the past 5 years or so with lots of entertainment being provided by external groups. At the moment, for a variety of reasons, our numbers have dropped and we would like to see them build up again. There are many people in the community who suffer from dementia but just need that extra bit of encouragement to come along to a group such as the Wednesday Cafe. We would ask that you might encourage anyone you know to come along - or better still come with them for the first meeting. Any queries? - contact Shena Porteous (653561)

CUPAR OLD RAMBLERS

(open to any age!)

- 2016 -

Date Departure time

Details Miles (Kilometres)

Approximate duration (hours)

(excludes driving time)

Difficulty

Saturday 9th April

9.30am NEWBURGH – Easy low-level route in and around Newburgh.

3.5 (5.5)

2 ** Saturday 7th May

9.00am BRAAN WALK & THE HERMITAGE – A circular walk to see waterfalls & follies.

4 (6.5)

2 **

Saturday 11th June

9.30am DURA DEN – Fairly challenging route tracing obscure byways to wild side of scenic gorge.

2+ (3.5)

2.5 ****

Saturday 9th July

9.30am VANE FARM – KINROSS – marked trails through RSPB reserve with optional hill climb.

2- (3)

2 ***

Saturday 13th August

9.00am LUNDIE CRAIGS & LEDCRIEFF LOCH – A popular angling loch and an airy escarpment, North of Dundee.

4.5 (7)

3 ***

Saturday 10th September

9.30am NORMANS’ LAW – Brief walk in North-East Fife’s part of the Eastern Ochils to an extensive summit panorama.

3.5 (6)

2 ***

NOTES:-

1. Strong footwear should be worn 2. Waterproof clothing should be taken 3. Packed lunch or snack and water should be taken 4. In case of fine weather, remember your sun block and midge repellent 5. Cars will leave the OPC car park promptly at the times noted above 6. Confirmation to Peter Manson – 01334 655931 – on the Friday evening prior to

each ramble - of your attendance would be helpful 7. The star ratings for difficulty are - 1 star = easy to 3 stars = hard

“Sit down for breakfast. Stand up for farmers” “Sit down for breakfast. Stand up for farmers.” was the slogan for FairTrade Fortnight back in March: more of that below while I just fill in some events during the winter. We have had a good number of stalls at local churches and at the Corn Exchange on Christmas lights switch-on day. The picture from then shows Jackie Arreaza (née Keltie for those of you who remember her in her Youth Fellowship days) with her son Andrew, and Sally Mottram our stalls supremo plus Santa in the distance. In the New Year we had an excellent meeting with our three ever- supportive local councillors Brian Poole, Margaret Kennedy, and Karen Marjoram while our chair Margaret Duffy has been making contact with organizations such as the Community Council and Sustainable Cupar. To return however to the slogan about farmers, the Fairtrade Foundation explained it by saying “Farming is the backbone of the world. It’s simply wrong that whilst farmers work hard to produce what we eat so many of them should go hungry themselves. Whether it’s having the money to spend on food or being able to expand their farms to grow more food to eat, Fairtrade means many farmers and workers are able to do what we take for granted – put enough food on the table for the people they care about, all year round.”

That was why many groups in Cupar, including some of Cupar Old’s housegroups, organized FairTrade breakfasts and fairly traded breakfast ingredients appeared in the most unexpected shop windows in town. As a FairTrade church in a farming community we needed to play our part to show we cared and should continue caring about those who produce the food we consume every day. Please join us to try our best to do this more effectively! Many thanks.

Rena Cleland Cupar FairTrade Group

( 652261; 8 david.cleland1@btinternet.com

Cupar Justice and Peace Group It has been a busy autumn and winter for the Justice and Peace Group, with continuing concerns about various trade agreements, especially TTIP, which I have described previously, and CETA (the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, between Canada and the EU). We have continued to keep in touch with our various representatives at Holyrood, Westminster and Brussels about these and other issues related to justice and peace in the world. As a group we have also focussed on environmental matters over the years; and in the run up to the UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris last December, we spent some time on this topic. In October our One World Week Lunch took it as its theme, and we were pleased to welcome members and many visitors to this event, where Andy Collins of the Scottish Green Party spoke. Then in November, eight of us (and a dog) joined in Scotland’s Climate Change March in Edinburgh, despite the rather wild weather typical of this winter – perhaps rather appropriate. You will have read that there were positive outcomes from the Paris Conference, although it will be important to monitor the implementation of the agreements. Our thanks to those of you who joined us in writing to Prisoners of Conscience and relevant governments, as part of the annual Amnesty International Write for Rights campaign. We spent some time remembering the people we had written to at our December meeting. In January we held our annual party, enjoying food and fellowship, including pitting our wits in a light-hearted quiz. We also remembered those less fortunate than ourselves reflecting on the plight of refugees both in our meditation and in a collection which was split between the Scottish Refugee Council, the Red Cross, Doctors of the World, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and other groups. On 16 February our annual Ecumenical Lent Group began at the Lighthouse and will meet weekly at 7.30pm until 15 March. We are always pleased to welcome those who are not able to attend

our regular monthly meetings, whether for the whole series or just one or two meetings. This year’s topic is Psalms: prayers for today’s church, so even if you have missed the first few meetings, do come and join us. We also hold our AGM in February and then our next ordinary monthly meeting is on 10 March at 7.30pm at St Columba’s Hall. We welcome new members – so why not some along and find out more about what we do in seeking to follow our Lord’s command to care for our neighbour. Celia A Armitage 01334 656611

Goodnight Prayer Dear God, Thank You for my busy day Now it’s time for me to pray Bless my friends and family Bless the love they give to me If I wasn’t always good Let me be the boy/girl I should If I caused another sorrow Let me make amends tomorrow As I close my eyes to sleep Close to You I want to keep Help me follow Jesus’ way In my work and in my play Amen Carrie Ruxton

DAFFODIL TEA

The children and young people from the Sunday Club invite you to a fundraising

daffodil tea on

Friday 25th March in the OPC from 2.00pm to 4.00pm

(after the Walk with the Cross round

Cupar)

Afternoon tea £3 for adult and £1 for children.

Tea, coffee, home baking.

Puppet show, face painting and various stalls will be available

D