Dear Friends, Over six years ago, I was inducted to Banchory Devenick & Maryculter/Cookney. It had an official 5-year reviewable tenure but I was told I might serve 1 year - so little confidence did some Presbytery leaders have in us! We fought it successfully, achieving unrestricted status. Then, we put our house in order, reviewing membership, organising our stewardship campaign and working equally for both ends of the parish. We survived to be fully self-supporting.
We now give over Ł5,000 a year to charities, pursue a range of activities that we would love to develop more (including house groups) and have, overall, a strong, Biblical Faith maturing in love, with building developments too.

In addition to the core of our office-bearers, who are the finest I ever worked with, several faithful new Elders have come into service - all of whom are regular church attenders, fully engaged in our church’s work. The Board has been strengthened by the steady stream of new folk: some of these came to faith within the past six years; others of them once lacked confidence but now feel called to serve. We’ve also appointed a church secretary, Mrs Ailsa Conkey who starts with us on April 21^st

So foundations have been strengthened – literally and spiritually. It is a privilege to sow the Word in the Parish Church and our schools. I am grateful to God for His many blessings. Thank you for your prayers, and your ongoing support of God’s work.

Yours aye, Bruce. MinisterofBDMC@aol.com

Our united congregation meets separately and that is good for the buildings, but less so for the fellowship. Following a good example in Durris and Drumoak, where immediate benefits were felt in having everyone worshipping together (without compromising their commitment to both buildings) we have decided to take time to try it out in our congregation. We appeal to all to support their congregation by worshipping in both churches alternately and also by taking advantage of the opportunity for greater unity.

26^th October Banchory Devenick

ELDER’S 50^th ANNIVERSARY.

    At the Stated Annual Meeting in Maryculter Hall, Bruce Gardner presented George Abernethy (an active Maryculter Elder
   ordained on 2^nd February, 1958), with an inscribed silver quaich. He also got a certificate, made by Martha-Elizabeth Ferguson
   (Mrs. Bryan Anderson), Artist-in-Residence, which features a painted view of Maryculter Church. Mr. Abernethy’s family were well
   represented, except for his daughter Elizabeth, recovering from illness, who received a floral bouquet with our best wishes.

50 YEARS’ FAITHFULNESS AS AN ELDER.

Dr. Gardner (left) makes presentations to Mr. George Abernethy.

Stated Annual Meeting: March 26^th.

     Speaker Bryan Anderson, showed videos of his work in South Africa with Habitat for Humanity, the charity where volunteers
    build solid homes for shanty-town dwellers. One treat was a video of Desmond Tutu, who encouraged volunteers. The other
    guests included young brass players, Alastair and Ruth Farquharson, on euphonium and trombone respectively, who gave
    excellent musical entertainment. Teas were ably provided by the Guild.
    The meeting was opened by Bruce, then chaired by John McCafferty who led praise with Wonderful Grace and Here in the
    grace of God I stand.
    Treasurer, Anne Massie, reported a surplus of ca. Ł6,000, a great blessing following a year of big, unexpected expenditures in
    fabric.

The Ardoe Hall is still to be sold but careful site preparation will maximise value on sale so John McCafferty has taken over the
responsibility for preparation and processing of this sale with help from 121 legal experts, well-placed to advise us.

    New Board Members were appointed: Violet Taylor, Martha Anderson and Carmen Hewitt were elected to serve for 3 years.
    As two Board Members, Helen Anderson and Joan Thorne, are now elders, they remain on the Board ex officio. Linda Hoyle &
    Alison Stewart were re-appointed. It is still open to members to be part of the Board and we hope others will come over and
    help us in a remarkable, growing story of confident faith! At the end of the evening, Joyce Mackintosh, Session Clerk, thanked
    everyone and made final mention of Rev. Bruce Gardner for his work in the parish, expressing a wish that Christine will be
    well soon.

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ANNUAL ECUMENICAL SERVICE:

           The annual service involving three local Churches of Scotland (us, Newtonhill and Portlethen), with the Catholic congregation
    of St Mary’s, Blairs and the Episcopal Church of St. Ternan’s, Muchalls, is to take place in St. Mary’s, on Sunday, May 18^th, in the
    afternoon. It is assumed to be 3pm as usual but fuller intimation will be made nearer the time.

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HOSPITAL NOTIFICATIONS:

     Recently, there have been one or two occasions on which the hospital notices to chaplains omitted the names of those who would
    otherwise have liked a visit. As the Minister visits hospitals on Thursdays it is a pity if he is not told if someone is ill. Please make
    sure you tell the nurses on admission and to make doubly sure, tell your Elder or phone Bill McGregor (01224 861090) or Joyce
    Mackintosh (01224 733495). Please don’t miss out by default!

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‘Remember the LORD your God is the only God and that He is faithful. He will keep His covenant and show His constant love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and obey His commands.’ [Deut. 7: 9]

WITH JESUS, WE CAN DO HIS WILL; WITHOUT HIM, WE CAN DO NOTHING.

BOWLED OVER.

    Bill McGregor took part in the Scottish National Indoor Bowling Championships and was part of the winning team who took
    home the honours by defeating Coatbridge, so becoming the only other double-championship winners (Cup and League) in
    Scotland, We extend our hearty congratulations to Bill, the ‘Skip’ of his team, on his notable win.

MARYCULTER HALLS AND GLEBE FIELD:

Resources For The Whole Community.

    The half-acre of Glebe Field at Maryculter is being well-used by uniformed organisations and the hall continues to be used by
    the Babies and Toddlers on Thursday mornings (9.30-11.30am) and by other, occasional users, most recently the AWPR Action
    Group. There is yet room! Do you have an activity, fair, fund-raiser, group or gathering needing a clean venue with friendly
    faces around to help? If so, call

AILSA (01224 735983) or ANNE (01224 732071).

IT WAS JUST A TAP ON THE SHOULDER

    The passenger in the taxi leaned over to ask the driver a question, tapping him on the shoulder.
    The driver screamed, lost control, drove over the kerb, and stopped inches from a shop window.
    For a moment everything was still. Then the driver said, 'You scared the living daylights out of me!'
    The passenger apologised. He didn't think a tap on the shoulder would frighten anyone quite so much.
    The driver replied, 'No, no, I'm sorry, it's my fault. You see, today is my first day driving a taxi.....

    …I've been driving a hearse for 25 years!'

Calling All You Helpful Church Folks!

    Do you have any spare time? Not just weekly, but any time? We need people who can occasionally welcome folks at the door
    or do readings in church or help with a (very well-behaved) Youth Café on Thursday evenings, or help or teach in our Sunday
    School or do any one of a number of things that do not need a degree in theology - just a willing heart.

For more information, call 01224 735983 or write a discreet email to thechurchoffice@tiscali.co.uk

“And a little child shall; lead them” (Isa. 11:6)

    Did you know the Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a child? Did you know the famous Altamira Cave Paintings were also a child’s
    discovery? Children are open to discovery because their hearts are open to faith. They teach you so much by questions and
    thoughts expressed in clear, child-like ways. If we seek God, even the most sophisticated or sceptical mind will fail. Desire to
    have the faith of a child:

    ‘Jesus called a child to come and stand in front of them, and said, "I tell you that unless you change and become like children,
    you’ll never enter the Kingdom of heaven. The greatest in the Kingdom of heaven is the one who humbles himself like this child.
    And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’ [Mat 18:2-5]

Watch out for the next enthralling news BDMC letter in the Autumn 2008!

So foundations have been strengthened – literally and spiritually. It is a privilege to sow the Word in the Parish Church and our schools. I am grateful to God for His many blessings. Thank you for your prayers, and your ongoing support of God’s work.

Yours aye, Bruce. MinisterofBDMC@aol.com

ELDER’S 50th ANNIVERSARY.

MARYCULTER HALLS AND GLEBE FIELD:

Resources For The Whole Community.

IT WAS JUST A TAP ON THE SHOULDER

ELDER’S 50^th ANNIVERSARY.