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Harvest Message from Brian 

One of the roles that I loved as a minister was that of being a School Chaplain. In the rural parishes I worked in over the years we often had a School Harvest Thanksgiving.

Part of those services was to have what we called a “Thank You Basket”. The idea was that the children would come forward with a drawing or a story about something they thought we should thank God for.

After the last picture or story went into the basket we would say a prayer of thanksgiving together. It was an amazing variety of things we thanked God for; everything from a combine harvester picture, all kinds of pets and one year a wonderful drawing of a plate of baked beans.

I wonder if we had a basket like that in our community today what kind of drawings and stories we would find in it. We live in a lovely part of the world with lots of special things but especially many valuable harvest gifts. It is part of our life here we have Harvest thanksgiving but being thankful for life’s blessings is such a precious part of our lives.

May God bless you and those you love,

Brian.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father, we give thanks to You for all life’s gifts. For the hope and care  Your Son Jesus brought us  and how He helped us to see how we may help others.

We thank You for the gift of friendship and help us to remember that even simple and small acts of care are very special.

We thank You too for the beauty of creation, this world in which we live and the wonder of our harvests throughout Your world which bless us and help us in so many ways.

Bless our neighbours, friends and our loved ones and keep them safe we pray.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

Aberlemno Parish Church

This small country parish church has a long history. A church here was dedicated by Bishop David de Bernham in 1242, but the site's history may be substantially longer.

There is documentary evidence to suggest that Aberlemno Kirk was originally called Egglespether, a Pictish church of around 710AD by King Nechtan, although this is not agreed by some scholars. On the register of churches belonging to Restenneth in 1161/2 Egglespether is mentioned but by 1230 it had become known as Aberlemno.

The building today largely dates to 1722 when the church was more or less completely rebuilt, although a ridge of possibly earlier stonework survives at the base of the church's walls. It has a T-shape plan, with a later porch and rear extension. The church is built in coursed sandstone rubble, with ashlar surrounds and has a slate roof. It is surrounded by a small graveyard and the manse stands to the east.

The church is surrounded by a graveyard with many 19th century stones. It is famous for its Pictish stone however, which stands near the west gable of the church. It dates to the 8th century and commemorates the battle of Nechtansmere.

In 1983 the Church was linked to the neighbouring parish of Guthrie and Rescobie.

Although it is a very historic Church, it still has a very active congregation with weekly services.

A few photos taken when putting up the Christmas decorations in the Church:

Aberlemno Church Coffee Morning
5th November 2022

Click here to download an annotated PDF copy of the above photos.

Did you know there is the Aberlemno book club based in Aberlemno Church? The idea is that you can go along to the ‘library” to pick up a book. You may also take one you have read and no longer need in to the library as a swap. If you simply take a book the charge is £2. However, if you take along a book to exchange the charge is only £1.

The books are in the Church at the back of the west pews so can be accessed at any time during the day whilst the church is open. Please do feel free to browse the selection or add to the books on offer.

Memorial Stone

During the first lockdown I was asked to find a gravestone at Aberlemno for a gentleman trying to trace his ancestors. Whilst researching this I discovered that there was an area at the West of the Kirkyard which had been set aside for the burial of infants and still-born babies. As there was nothing to mark this area, we decided we should put a Memorial stone on the wall where these little ones were laid to rest. I contacted David McGovern of Monikie Rock Art who, when he heard what the memorial was for, very kindly donated the stone which he created. Raymond and Kelly prepared the area beside the stone and we were able to dedicate it on Sunday 25th of April not only to remember those little ones and their heart-broken families but also those today who go through the same tragic loss.

B.R.