Skip to main content
Category

News

Latest Update 3rd February

By News

With the latest announcement from the Scottish Government stating that the current lockdown will extend until at least the end of this month we are still unable to give any details as to when we might be able to reopen our churches. I know that we all look forward to that day when we will be able to gather for worship again and pray that it will be not too far off, but we remember also those who have lost their lives to this virus and those who are currently ill from it and we pray for them and their loved ones, asking that God’s hand would be upon them and that they might know His healing, comfort and peace. We remember also our doctors, nurses and everyone in the NHS and Care Sector who are caring for those most in need and ask for His blessing upon them too, as well as those who are helping to administer vaccinations to everyone and of course we pray for those in our own communities and families.

Although we are unable to reopen for worship our online reflections continue and are available here on our website – written reflections daily and an audio YouTube reflection each Sunday. I’m also starting a zoom Bible study for Lent and if anyone would like to join in on that, please drop me an email Andrew.Graham@churchofscotland.org.uk

Church Offerings

By News

With the latest lockdown meaning that our churches have to remain closed for the time being one or two have been asking about how they may donate their offerings to their respective churches. There are one or two ways that this might be done – by cheque, electronic payment or setting up a standing order. If anyone would like more information on any of these please contact our Treasurers. At Bendochy Church, David Donaldson on 01828 640017 and at the Abbey Church, Peter Godfrey on 01828 627028. Although our churches are closed we do still have to make our Mission and Ministry payments to the Church every month, as well as other payments (insurance, fuel etc.), and understandably our income has gone down over the last nine months, so thank you to all who are actively considering this.

God Bless,

Andy

Church Closure

By News

You will have heard the latest announcement from the Scottish Government at the beginning of the week in which it said all Churches are to remain closed for public worship until the end of January – although there is the possibility that this new period of restrictions may yet extend beyond that date. Like myself I know that you will be so sad that we find ourselves in this position again and that we will all once again miss being able to gather for worship for a number of weeks yet. However, we remember also how this pandemic is making so many people so seriously ill and sadly and tragically claiming so many lives, and our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to all facing such awful circumstances.

Whilst we may not be able to meet physically at the moment our Daily Prayers and Sunday Reflections will continue on line, accessed through the blue banner and YouTube links on our home page. I am also looking to start an on line Bible Study via Zoom if there are enough people interested in that and who are able to access it through Zoom. If you are interested in that please give me a call or drop me an email – and you can find all my contact details on the Contact Page here on the website.

As soon as we have any more information regarding when we might be able to re-open we will of course publish it here on our website.

All Services Cancelled

By News

Following the Scottish Governments announcement on Saturday saying we will all move into Tier 4 from Boxing Day both Kirk Sessions have decided to suspend all services during that period. Therefore the Churches will remain closed for the time being and all services are now cancelled until further notice.

Christmas Week Services

By News
Following recent meetings of both Kirk Sessions, due to restrictions placed upon us in terms of worship, and in particular the cleaning routine that would need to be in place – the fact that Christmas Day falls on a Friday this year would mean that if we had any services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day our churches would have to be cleaned again on Boxing Day before our Sunday services – the Kirk Sessions have reluctantly decided not to have any services in either church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day but instead to have worship in both churches on Sunday the 27th of December at the usual times of 10.00am in Bendochy Church and 11.15am in the Abbey Church.
These were not easy decisions to arrive at and were taken with sad and heavy hearts, however, given the unusual circumstances we are faced with, we hope everyone will understand why we have come to these decisions. There will be a short Christmas message available on Christmas Day through the usual YouTube link on the homepage of our website and there will be a Christmas Day service at 12 Noon on the BBC Scotland channel which will be led by the Moderator.

Sunday 13th December

By News

Just a reminder that there will be no service in Bendochy Church this coming Sunday, the 13th, but there will be a service in the Abbey Church at 11.15am.

Remembrance Sunday

By News

This coming Sunday, the 8th of November, is Remembrance Sunday and sadly, because of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, things will be different this year.

At Bendochy Church there will be an Act of Remembrance in the Church grounds, around the War Memorial at the gate, at 10.00am. We will still have to remain in household groups and maintain a social distance, and we will still have to give contact details for Test and Protect.

At the Abbey Church there will be a short Service of Remembrance beginning at 10.50am. Again the current restrictions in place for Sunday worship will apply, including wearing a face covering, and unfortunately, because of restrictions in numbers, only a limited number will be able to attend.

None of these situations are ideal, but we will still be able to commemorate the day and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice during both world wars, and indeed in every conflict since. At both services there will be an opportunity to make a donation towards Poppy Scotland.

Sunday 1st November

By News

Just a reminder that there will be no service at Bendochy this Sunday, the 1st of November, but there will be a service in the Abbey Church at 11.15am.