Sharing Christ's love in Perth
With apologies for its late arrival, the latest issue of Quest can now be downloaded here in PDF form.
In this issue:
And much more!
Our annual general meeting will be held on Sunday 29 November after the 10:30 service.
The annual reports for 2014–2015 are now available and can be downloaded here (PDF).
Contents:
Please do have a look and see what we’ve been up to!
Revd Nerys Ann Brown at her ordination
We were joined in November by Revd Nerys Ann Brown, who will serve as our curate under our rector Graham. Nerys was ordained deacon in St Ninian’s Cathedral, Perth on Sunday 15th November; her ordination service was attended by many from St John’s.
Revd Graham Taylor and Alan McPherson presented Nerys for ordination
Nerys with the bishop and Revd Margaret Dineley
On her first Sunday with us Nerys was presented with a hand-made ‘Welcome’ card signed by members of the congregation. We hope she will have a very happy time with us.
Nerys is presented with a ‘Welcome’ card
Celebrating Graham’s first year as our rector – with cake of course
There was much to celebrate at All Saints’ tide this year. It marked the first anniversary of Graham’s arrival as our rector, and we also welcomed as a special visitor Nerys Brown, who will be ordained later this month and will serve as our curate.
Nerys Brown with Graham Taylor
Setting Up – chairs set out for the Sung Evensong service with Glenalmond
In the evening we held a service of Choral Evensong in which our choir was augmented by choral scholars from Glenalmond College; together we made a joyful and very splendid noise, supported by a large congregation.
The time in between the two services was busy with rehearsals, a meal for the singers and some last-minute printing of additional service sheets…
Over seventy people participated in the evening service; you may like to listen to the recording below.
Copyright information: This recording includes the Précis and Responses by Andrew Carter (‘O Lord, open Thou our lips’) published in The New Church Anthem Book (Oxford University Press, 1992).
The choir and congregation at Choral Evensong
The choir at Choral Evensong
This year was the Silver Jubilee of Doors Open Day in Perth and Kinross, and St John’s was featured as one of only four buildings open this year which was also open for the first Doors Open Day in 1991. On Saturday over a hundred visitors came into the church, which was beautifully decorated for Harvest Thanksgiving. There were live musical performances during the day, as well as refreshments, children’s activities and a display of church activities.
On Sunday morning at our Sung Eucharist we gave thanks for all God’s good gifts. Our joyful thanksgiving spilled over into practical action as we offered donations of food and toiletries needed by the Perth and Kinross Foodbank and prayed for the refugee crisis.
Following the eucharist we all joined in a bring and share lunch in the Threshold.
More pictures of the weekend can be seen on our Facebook page.
Today marked Fergus & Ruth Harris’s Golden Wedding anniversary.
Graham and Christine presented them with a gift from the congregation at the end of the service.
Afterwards in the Threshold, Bishop Bruce spoke of his time knowing Ruth & Fergus since his own very early married life in Edinburgh and proposed a toast.
There were balloons, cake and Prosecco 🙂
We returned to Comrie this year for our summer picnic, and again enjoyed the hospitality of St Serf’s Episcopal Church. On our arrival we were welcomed by the Rector, Rev Paddy Allen, and by Kate Sainsbury, their Lay Reader. After an informal shared lunch we walked the labyrinth laid out in the grass of St Serf’s glebe land. This is of particular interest, as we are planning a labyrinth event at St John’s later this year.
After a short circular walk through the beautiful scenery of Glen Lednock it was time for afternoon tea and our goodbyes.
The church building was full for the last of our three summer organ recitals, by local musician Stephen Clay. Stephen first started his organ studies at Glenalmond College and later read Music at Durham University, where he held Organ Scholarships successively at Hatfield and University Colleges. He has since played at many of the major English cathedrals as well as playing regularly in locations around Perthshire and Angus.
After a welcoming introduction by our rector, Rev Graham Taylor, Stephen started his recital with Baroque music, playing pieces by Buxtehude and J S Bach. Three preludes on British hymn tunes were followed by a Toccata by Mathias. He concluded with music by the French composers Boellmann and Vierne and, as a glorious finale, the Toccata by Widor.
Our Director of Music, Alison Grant, thanked Stephen for his work and expressed our best wishes for Stephen’s forthcoming move to Suffolk, where he will be Head of Music at Culford Preparatory School.
Sunshine at the Rectory Garden Party
A welcoming glass of prosecco greeted people as they arrived at the rectory garden party, followed by dainty sandwiches, scones and strawberries. Children played on the lawn and there were many lively conversations, as well as a produce stall, a treasure hunt and the chance to buy tickets for our summer raffle. Unfortunately our prayers for good weather only gave us two hours of sunshine, but we were all able to take cover during the short but heavy thundery shower. Once the clouds had passed the sun shone on us again. Many thanks to all who helped organise this great event.
Strawberries are traditional
More photos can be seen on our Facebook page.
Andrew Forbes at the organ
It was a great privilege to welcome Andrew Forbes to St John’s for the second in our series of summer organ recitals. Andrew is the Director of Music of Glasgow Cathedral and the winner of the 2014 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition. Some years back he played the previous pipe organ in our church, and more recently he has played that same organ after its installation in its new home, a church in Edinburgh.
For this recital he chose a programme which would demonstrate all the capabilities of our new organ, emphasising that a good digital organ is certainly not inferior to a pipe organ. The ‘Suite Gothique’ by Leon Boellemann provided a good introduction to its different moods. This was followed by Set 2 of the Psalm Preludes by Herbert Howells (De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine) and a Leipzig Prelude by J.S.Bach (An Wasserflussen Babylon). Finally he played three movements (Mars, Venus and Jupiter) from ‘The Planets’ by Gustav Holst, transcribed for the organ by Arthur Wills.
Our Director of Music and our Rector welcome Andrew Forbes
This was a really exciting recital and was enjoyed by all present. Revd. Graham Taylor, our rector, was joined by our Director of Music, Alison Grant, in welcoming Andrew and expressing the thanks of all present at the close of the recital.