2

Christmas Fair

20th October 2018

St Leonard’s Church Hall

A big thank you to all who

helped

Photographs by Michael

3

From the Rectory

Greetings!

Colours of autumn have been well on dis-

play and are already giving way for the grey

frames of trees. Leaves on the trees and

those flying around on roads and in our gar-

dens remain visible manifestations of the

season we are in. Besides those colours of

nature, shades of orange and black are

around decorating the windows of some

places marking Halloween. Also, the red col-

our of poppy flowers is now beginning to

appear on coats. Different objects marking

the significance of different occasions and

sentiments, but all contributing to our visual

senses and complementing the colours of

autumn.

In the worship life of the church, we will

soon be ending this liturgical year with the celebration of Christ the King and will

enter into Advent – a time of reflection on waiting and preparation. Amidst the vi-

brancy of colours and preparations for Christmas, the less vibrant colour of purple

and the meaning of the season it signifies in the liturgical calendar around this time

of the year can easily be overlooked. Just as there was much waiting and preparation

for the coming of Christ child, we are reminded during the season of Advent the

need for patient waiting on the revelations of God and preparations that are reflect-

ed in our everyday living for the coming of the Kingdom of God. I invite you to use

the opportunities provided in our church to reflect upon these themes together as a

church community.

The month of November also brings into focus two occasions of remembering those

who have gone before us. On All Souls Day, we reflect on and give thanks for the

lives of loved ones. The Eucharist to be held in our church on the evening on 2nd No-

vember will provide opportunities for remembering and celebrating our loved ones

who are no longer with us in the context of celebrating the life-giving gifts of God’s

grace, hope and peace.

Marking the centenary of the end of the First World War, this year’s Remembrance

Day observances echo much thought and reflections not only on the sacrifices of

individuals who served in various battles but also on various aspects of life that

4

shaped the course of major wars such as the WW1. Considerable light has been shed

on the theological positions held and curated by the church during the First World

War period and how such views shaped both the rationale of the war and the sense

of nationalism in the minds of people. This draws our attention to the ways in which

we seek to understand and interpret Christian theology in the present context. Les-

sons from history and the constant and still, small voice of God encourage us to hold

inclusive visions of global peace and justice.

Looking back at the last two months, we’ve had a few significant events. On 21st Oc-

tober we had our Annual Congregational Meeting. It was good to pause and to take

stock of where we are and to consider our direction of travel. The multifaceted

growth of the activities of the church is very encouraging. As we continue to grow in

already established areas, there are also potential new avenues, which we will

prayerfully consider and act upon as we continue to engage with God’s plan for min-

istry in and through St John’s. As I mentioned as part of my report at the meeting,

we are all together called to be engaged in a process of continuing discernment. I

thank all who have contributed to the life of St John’s in various ways and look for-

ward to your continued participation, leadership and contributions.

In September Meghan Philp, a member of our Youth Fellowship, was among the

representatives of the Provincial Youth Committee (PYC), who took part in a

‘Celebrating Young People’ event at the Scottish Parliament. The PYC representatives

took their seats in the Chamber and got an opportunity to speak with Deputy First

Minister John Swinney. Well done, Meghan! It is indeed great to see our youngsters

participate in and contribute to wider engagements of the Scottish Episcopal Church

and significant ones such as this.

We had a good celebration of Harvest Festival. The Flower Festival over the weekend

was a great initiative, which was well received. Please see inside this issue for reflec-

tions on the festival. We also had a good concert by the Kinloss Military Wives Choir,

which was greatly appreciated by those who attended. The weekend concluded with

Choral Evensong on Sunday evening.

As many of you are aware, I had a trip to Tallin, Estonia in October. I was represent-

ing the Scottish Episcopal Church at this year’s Porvoo Consultation. This consulta-

tion is part of the activities of the Porvoo Communion, which is an international ecu-

menical union of northern European Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran churches.

The theme of the consultation was ‘Minorities and Majorities: A Challenge to Church

and Society’. Several topics were discussed as part of the consultation, including, the

minority-majority dynamics in the context of the recent immigration into Europe and

integration of the newcomers into communities in their host countries and the role

of churches in such contexts and the relevance of the church in public space, given

5

that the church is a minority entity in all the countries represented at the consulta-

tion.

As I continue to reflect on the topic of the consultation, it appears that the minority-

majority dynamics play a vital part in shaping the life of the church and its outlook at

all levels. At the local level, it would be important to be aware of these dynamics and

the implications of power, which either group could hold. We are called to take every

effort to remain the salt of the earth and the light of the world in the spirit of fellow-

ship and discipleship wherever we find ourselves in the fluid minority-majority con-

tinuum.

We will in no time find ourselves amidst Christmas! Much preparation is underway

for the various services of the season. But before we get there, let us pay attention to

the waiting and preparation of the season of Advent, awaiting the coming of Em-

manuel, God with us!

In Christ,

Hamilton.

It has been suggested (and subject to discussion in Vestry) that people might

like to have a loved one or special event remembered by providing flowers for a

particular week; a suggested donation might be £20. A signup list could be

made available in the back of church for the scheme; if you are a UK Tax payer,

you could Gift Aid your donation in a yellow gift aid envelope (marked flower

donation). You can remain anonymous with your donation if you so wish and

you will also be able to write a short note about your dedication for the maga-

zine, this is an example:-

Flower Dedication

12th October ~ Trinity 17 Robert and Margaret Menzies

Our Wedding Anniversary

Schemes like this are used by a number of churches,

and helps to increase the churches income with only

a small administrative overhead. Hopefully with ves-

try approval this scheme could be up and running

for the Christmas flowers. Comments to the Editor

please, of course this scheme would not operate in

Advent or Lent.

Flower Sponsorship

6

At St John’s Annual Congregational Meeting, Derek Bedford

stood down as Property Convenor. He has handed over this

responsibility to Pat Ellison and Peter Airey. Thank you Derek

for all your hard work on the Church, Rectory, Hall and

Grounds. The following is his final report to the ACM.

As usual my Report covers all three buildings, the Church,

Rectory and Hall, and it relates to the year since the last

ACM on 24th September 2017.

The work on the Rectory and Church was completed well

before the arrival of our new Priest in Charge, the Rev Dr Hamilton Inbadas and his family

in late December 2017. Again our grateful thanks to Grant and Jennie Swain for all the

work they undertook in the Rectory.

The last works last Autumn included the external painting of the Church and Rectory, by

George Smith, the cost of which was covered by a Grant of some £20,000 obtained by Pat

Ellison. These were the last outstanding items included in the 2014 Quinquennial Report.

There have been no further major works, but several minor ones I would classify as mainte-

nance. These included:-

Wall Cleaning by Shearpride, costing £892.

Radiator Shelving to help keep the walls clean and improve heat circulation, by Ian

Mackenzie costing £1,376.

Changing Spotlight bulbs to LED for longer life and to save power, for £362. by

Attie Mackay

Slates and roof repairs S&J Roofing Services cost £94.

Update to external Notice Board by Jeremy Taylor for £70.

Redecorating Parish Room arranged by Pat Ellison and Judith Hampson costing just

over £500.

Leaking Radiator in the Lady Chapel which Scottish Gas quoted £728 to replace,

was cleaned and resealed by Dave Mackintosh for no charge.

One worrying problem that occurred as recently as this last summer, and fortunately while

Hamilton and family were away on holiday, was a blockage in the Rectory Sewer causing

an overflow by the Parish Room entrance. We were not able to clear it by rodding. So we

called in B&S Pipeline Solutions who cleared the problem, and gave us the information to

produce a map of the system, which has now been done. The cost was £306.

Another worry was when Deacon Anthony found woodworm in the lid of the Font. This

was replaced with a new one, made and donated by John Salt.

The question of where the woodworm had come from at the south end of the Church was

Property Report

7

raised, and I called in Neil Logan of Scotia to survey where signs of infestation were ap-

pearing on the sliding door to the Gallery, and on the doorpost leading into the Boiler

Room in the Gallery. His report suggested Beeswax to the sliding door, and white paper

affixed to the affected doorpost, which would prove whether the woodworm was active. It

appears not to be, but he suggested regular surveillance, and a full check in the 2019

Quinquennial Survey.

I hope and trust you will have noticed the difference in acoustics and audibility with the

new Sound System, which has been arranged by Pat Ellison, and paid for by a very gener-

ous donor, for which we are all very grateful.

As has been rumoured I am retiring from the post of Buildings Convenor, so this is my last

report to you, after 12 plus years in the job. During that time I have overseen the comple-

tion of the external harling and painting of the Church, its rewiring, lighting, redecoration,

and the replacement of the heating system, as well as the implementation of two Quin-

quennial Reports, and routine maintenance. I am now passing the baton, with every good

wish to Pat Ellison and Peter Airey, whom Vestry have appointed to succeed myself.

As many of you will know Ann is now being helped and cared for in Aberlour at The Spey-

side Care Home. It is somewhere she has spent a short respite and seems a nice place

apparently.

Ann has been a long term member of St John's, serving on Vestry, singing in the choir,

part of our Bible Study as well as contributing to the many other church activities - and

now sadly is no longer able to join us at church, and is rather a long way away for visiting.

I was speaking to Maria Audet who was a close friend of Ann's and more like a daughter,

but now lives in York. She was up for three days visiting Ann and was distressed to find

her so low. She spent time talking, taking her out for walks and drives and saw a real im-

provement.

It is quite a distance, but Maria just asked if any of us who remembers Ann could visit like

she did, take her for a drive or a walk it would really help. The Care Home number is

01340 871640 and it is advisable to telephone first. And I'd be happy to take anyone

when I'm going.

We are so grateful to Hamilton and Anthony for visiting when we know they are very busy

- also for being in touch with the new minister in Aberlour about taking services - which

would be lovely.

It is heart-breaking to see dear friends like Ann feeling lost and lonely and it would good

to be able to help even in a small way.

With thanks,

Wiz Latham

Ann Philp

8

Notes from the Via Francigena

I was lucky enough to enjoy a short holiday in Switzerland and Italy in September, walking

a section of the Via Francigena (The Road of the Franks) with two friends. We tackled the

Alpine section of the route, starting in the tiny Swiss village of Bourg St Pierre and then

crossing the Alps at the Great St Bernard Pass; from there we descended into the Val d’

Aosta on the Italian side, continuing for a further six days to Pont St Martin on the south-

ern boundary of the province. This is only a tiny section of the entire Via Francigena,

which is almost 2000km in length, beginning in Canterbury and leading to Rome. It is

universally known as a pilgrimage route, which it has been since the 8th Century, when

Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury travelled to Rome to receive his pallium (a white stole

with 6 black crosses upon it - his ‘badge of office’) from the Pope in person. But it has

been much more than that during its existence. It was well-established as a route over the

Alps long before the dawn of Christianity and even prior to the days of the Roman Em-

pire.

I should point out immediately that this trip was a walking holiday, not a pilgrimage; the

additional historical and cultural experiences to be enjoyed along the way, given that we

would be following the Via Francigena throughout, made it a very appealing prospect as

a long-distance walk, but there was never any intention on our part to conduct a pilgrim-

age per se. However, it’s interesting how exposure to the world of the pilgrim, old and

9

new, can add an additional dimension to your outlook. This article is a summary of the

views and discussions of my travelling companions and I, scribbled hurriedly into a journal

at the end of each day; it is not a personal account and is not intended to be anything

other than a simple record of our experiences on this ancient road.

My companions were two ex-colleagues, now retired, and our little group made for an

interesting combination - Claire, a lapsed Catholic, Donald, a Scottish Presbyterian and I, a

doubtful Episcopalian. I was expecting dark mutterings of ‘nae Popery’ from Donald as we

progressed, but, far from causing contention, our mixed backgrounds proved to be a cat-

alyst for a stimulating and reflective week together.

After a picturesque journey around Lake Geneva and up into the Swiss Alps, we stopped

for our first night in Bourg St Pierre with it’s ancient church, itself built upon the site of an

earlier monastery dating from the 8th Century. The following morning we made a none

too promising start to our journey - cold, drizzly and uniformly grey. Disappointingly, by

the time we reached the highest point of our entire journey, the 8200 ft. Col du Grand St

Bernard, we had seen little of interest other than a wandering herd of slightly surprised-

looking Alpine cattle. The spectacular views of the Alps we had been hoping for remained

a dream - we could barely see our hands in front of our faces. By now cold and wet, we

soon encountered the hospitality that was to become the recurring theme of the holiday.

Emerging from the gloom that cloaked us, there appeared what was, for my money at

least, the outstanding example of that quality in the whole week.

The Hospice of Great St Bernard, situated at the summit of the pass that bears his name,

has a genuinely unbroken tradition of hospitality extending to very nearly 1000 years -

since it was opened in 1050 AD, it has never closed, even in winter when the pass is snow-

bound. It even provided sanctuary for the dead; the Mortuary was built to provide a rest-

ing place for the unfortunates who perished while attempting the crossing and has only

recently been sealed permanently. The monks here not only accommodated and fed the

travellers and pilgrims, but provided medical care and, using the now world-famous St

Bernard dogs, mountain rescue services to the lost and injured.

The Hospice incorporates a large Baroque church and although no longer conducted by

monks (but by local priests and lay ministers), a full range of daily services are provided.

We attended Vespers in a beautifully simple and serene crypt chapel, the perfect antithe-

sis of the Baroque excess in the church above

it. Said and sung in French by six clergy, and

attended by perhaps 40 visitors, this simple

service provided a spiritual and philosophical

link to all our predecessors who have done the

same. A long discussion followed about the

profound difference between the warm, wel-

coming and inclusive experience we enjoyed,

and that on offer perhaps 100 years ago in the

main church. We were three among many,

10

which quite clearly included different nationalities and faiths, and those of no faith at all.

A small boy and his mother sat in a row of seats that were intended for the clergy con-

ducting the service; the clergy moved, openly bidding the visitors to stay where they

were. Contrast that with a Mass in which the church itself is divided by a screen and

steps, the altar and choir accessible only to those deemed worthy; the priest facing the

altar, back to the congregation, who were confined to the lower part of the church

throughout. To my mind, it speaks volumes that such a simple service, conducted at a

very personal level, attracted so many people, especially those who were not religious -

they were evidently comfortable enough to remain for the entire service and some visibly

moved by the sharing of the peace. Donald in particular was very interested in discussing

this, as it is something unfamiliar to him, but despite the theological and linguistic differ-

ences, he was firmly of the same view as Claire and I - connecting at the human level

addresses a very human need and thus the provision of spiritual hospitality requires ex-

actly the same precursor as the provision of material hospitality - an unconditional and

genuine welcome.

Day 2 dawned awfully - sleet, snow, wind and low cloud. We delayed our start to await a

forecast clearance in the weather, before departing from the highest point of our entire

route without ever seeing a view worth the name. Descending into the Aosta Valley, we

lost height rapidly - 4500 ft. in the day - the temperature rising in response. Finding our-

selves enjoying a very warm late summer afternoon, this welcome improvement gave no

hint of the 29 C temperatures we would encounter over the next few days!

Our conversations throughout the week soon made apparent that we were all sharing the

same experience - the dominant feeling was one of continuity, which we all felt gave us

real insight into a less common aspect of what it is to be human. The notion that we were

following in the footsteps (on some sections, quite literally!) of countless people who had

trekked this way before us led us to consider the motivations of previous travellers and

the circumstances in which they travelled. There were many prompts along the way, an-

cient and modern - from plaster panels with Latin inscriptions along the lines of

‘Remember thee all those who have passed this way before thee’ to simple handwritten

notes pinned on wayside trees wishing the passer-by ‘Bon Camino’.

We were undertaking the journey simply because we wanted to and were fortunate

enough to be able to do so. Over the millennia, Celtic tribes, Roman Legions, Christian

pilgrims, Napoleonic armies, merchants, traders and migrating peoples have used it as an

artery for exploration, commerce, diplomacy, invasion, inspiration and introspection. It

has been a route to fortune, fulfilment and enlightenment, hunger, desolation and death.

It offered a journey not to be undertaken lightly, especially on foot (it still isn’t) - the

weather can change from sublime to abominable with little warning. There are many sad

memorials to those who failed to complete their journey and in preceding centuries it

was infested with assorted villainy, plague and pestilence. It is littered with wayside

shrines and chapels at which weary travellers would seek shelter and rest, and pray for

deliverance from the many perils that lurked along the way.

11

This was, and remains, an overt indication of the culture of hospitality (in the widest

sense) that pervades the route. No distinction was drawn between travellers of different

faiths, believers or unbelievers; these chapels were intended to provide physical suste-

nance as well as spiritual, no-one would be turned away or refused shelter. This ethos is

still much in evidence today; many cafes offer special discounts for pilgrims, hostels and

bunkhouses cater for travellers of limited means and everywhere are the pleasing wayside

messages of encouragement. Studying the frescoes, paintings and sculptures in the

churches and chapels also gives a clear indication of the pre-occupations of those who

have passed this way before. The patron saint of pilgrims, St Rocco, is much in evidence

and his name was frequently invoked as a protection against the hideous diseases and

epidemics of the time, as he reputedly cured victims of the plague by making the sign of

the cross over them. These travellers harboured concerns centred upon this life as much

as the next.

A typical wayside chapel in Feilley.

This is a ‘plague chapel’, dedicat-

ed to St Rocco in 1645 after the

great plague of 1630. Although

now disused, note the pots of

fresh flowers on the windowsills,

despite the fact that this a tiny

hamlet of perhaps a dozen hous-

es

A vernacular fresco of Christ crucified on the

gable of a derelict medieval barn in Feilley. Such

images were often commissioned as defence

against the plague.

As we progressed through the attractive coun-

tryside of this bi-lingual (French and Italian)

province during successive days, the theme of

hospitality remained evident, in a secular sense

as well as a spiritual one. Every single village or

hamlet, no matter how small, possessed a water

fountain and lavoir, or communal washing

trough, which provide fresh water and in many

cases a covered shelter too. Some of the larger

villages would also have had communal dairies

and wine-presses, further evidence of a long

12

tradition of shared endeavour for common benefit. It

was very heartening to see the tiny tokens of thought

and care at these places; in one village, Chez Henry, a

kind soul had placed a soap dish and soap by one la-

voir, while at the next fountain down the hill a beer

glass (probably from the brewery of probably the best

lager in the world!) had been left out for thirsty travel-

lers to use and had been there for at least 15 years.

Enjoying a drink in Chez Henry, in

civilised style thanks to a kind soul

who left a beer glass on the fountain

for travellers to use. It has become a well-known feature of the Via Francigena, even fea-

turing in one of the Guide Books!

The route is clearly a path through history, in part quite literally - there is an extensive

network of medieval irrigation chan-

nels, or ‘Ru’, throughout the Aosta

Valley which for miles have excellent

raised footpaths alongside them

where the Via Francigena takes it’s

course.

The Grotto of ‘Je te Salue’ by the Ru

Neuf, on a beautiful section of the Via

Francigena between Etroubles and

Gignod in the northern section of the

Val d’Aosta.

There remain to be seen pre-Roman archeological sites, Roman roads, spectacular ruins

such as the Teatro Romana and the Forum in Aosta, cathedrals, castles, manors and enor-

mous military forts from Napoleonic times.

But despite this, the most intriguing relics were those that have afforded shelter and suc-

cor to pilgrims for a millennium or longer. Castles and cathedrals speak of wealth and

power, but these tiny, simple old buildings talk to us with unadorned honesty alone. They

13

also provide evidence of the decline in their own use - almost all of them are now closed

and locked, and of the two we did gain access to, one was used as a farmer’s tool store!

Their small scale and lack of architectural excess was instructive; it generates no distraction

from the purpose of the building and its long history, and occasional touches such as a

small vase of fresh flowers showed that some of them were still very much cared for de-

spite falling into disuse.

So, to what extent is religious belief a catalyst by which we became to be treated in a way

our thoughtful benefactors would wish to be treated themselves? Clearly, the generosity

to be encountered on the Via Francigena is unconditional, provided for the benefit of all

who pass by. Neither is there any reason to suggest that is has ever been any other way.

While pilgrims made the route famous, and perhaps provided the stimulus for the provi-

sion of such kindness, it earned its name long before, when it was the Roman Consular

Road to Gaul (France). It is likely that the reputation of the route suddenly became more

important thanks to Christian influence, but, unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons. The

peak popularity of the Via Francigena came early in the 14th Century following the intro-

duction of Papal Indulgences, a miserable device intended to swell Vatican coffers rather

than offer a contemplative and spiritually rewarding objective in Rome. While pilgrims had

been using the route for centuries before then, this is when ‘Via Francigena’ became syn-

onymous with pilgrim travel. But, after this exploitation of the faithful ceased, the number

of genuine pilgrims declined. It is true that organised religion is not an unavoidable pre-

cursor to the development of a society that lives in a moral and ethical way; it is perfectly

possible for humanity to live a ‘good’ life without any religious influence whatsoever. In it’s

own way the Via Francigena provides a cultural and historical proof that this is so; the

common thread we were fortunate enough to experience was one of humanity itself, and it

has evidently been present along this ancient road continuously, regardless of when purely

Christian motives inspired travellers to follow it.

However, to the traveller who does believe (or at least wonders) the very exercise of long-

distance walking in beautiful landscapes, free from the preoccupations of daily life, pro-

vides an opportunity for contemplation and adjustment of outlook. The frequent physical

The Cloister of the

Collegiate Church

of St Orso in Ao-

sta. The restored

carved stone capi-

tal (right) shows

how it was origi-

nally, next to it’s

neighbour which

has weathered for

centuries.

14

examples of belief, stretching backwards over centuries, provide food for thought and

discussion all along the way.

But most important-

ly, the opportunity to

share an experience

of worship in the

same spaces occu-

pied by pilgrims

1000 years ago, and

to gain an insight

into the beliefs and

spiritual preoccupa-

tions of those who

have travelled this

way before you, is a

rewarding experi-

ence in itself. While

this may not dispel

doubt, it does serve

the meaningful pur-

pose of setting belief in the wider context of human history or experience, through which

we may individually evaluate its continued relevance to us.

That being so, what of today’s pilgrims? We encountered many fellow-travellers whose

motivations were entirely secular - the desire to take up the challenge of a self-

supported 2000 km walk, for example. Others, like us, enjoyed the opportunity to mix an

outdoor foreign holiday with exposure to a history and culture about which we wished to

learn more. On our ascent of the Col du Grand St Bernard we came across a couple on

the path ahead of us. Of retirement age, they both looked fit and well and the man was

tall and well-built. We could not work out why they were travelling so slowly as we

passed them and exchanged greetings. It was only later that evening, when we met them

in the Hospice, that we discovered that the man was blind. Did he seek a miraculous cure

on the Via Francigena, in the manner of a pilgrimage to Lourdes, or was he simply seek-

ing to prove that his blindness could be overcome, even in demanding circumstances?

We will never know. To our little group, it seems that today’s pilgrims are driven by mo-

tives every bit as diverse as those of their many predecessors, and are lucky enough to

enjoy the same spirit of hospitality and encouragement. We, in turn, experienced that

too, and gained a rewarding insight into the mindset of pilgrims past and present.

Article submitted by John Horrocks

Fresco of the Lamb of God, Church of St Lorenzo, Chambave.

15

16

Every Sunday, 10.00am

Sung Eucharist using the 1982 Scottish Episco-

palian Church Liturgy and

readings from the Scottish Epis-

copalian Liturgy. There is nor-

mally a short sermon and we

also have a Sunday School for

younger worshipers. The service

is followed by fellowship

Worship at St. John’s

Church Forres All are welcome …

here’s what to expect

Every Sunday, 8.00am Said Eucharist

Using the 1970 Scottish Episcopal Liturgy

and readings from the 1929 Scottish Prayer

Book, for those who like a more traditional

sermon and singing free. service.

Wednesday Evenings. 7.30pm Youth

Fellowship an opportunity for younger

members to enjoy fellowship in the luxuri-

ous refurbished parish room or a parishion-

er’s home, fun, laughter and discussion to

help us feel closer to God.

Second Tuesday of the Month 2pm

Mothers’ Union an opportunity for more

mature (men and women) to enjoy some

fellowship in the luxurious refurbished par-

ish room or a parishioner’s house, fun,

laughter and discussion to help us feel

closer to God.

Every Sunday, 10.00am

Sung Eucharist using the 1982

Scottish Episcopalian Liturgy

and readings from the Scottish

Episcopal Lectionary. There is

usually a Youth Fellowship gath-

ering a Sunday School for

younger children

The service is followed by Tea/

Coffee and Fellowship for all in

our Parish Hall.

17

Every Sunday, 10.00am

Sung Eucharist using the 1982 Scottish Episco-

palian Church Liturgy and

readings from the Scottish Epis-

copalian Liturgy. There is nor-

mally a short sermon and we

also have a Sunday School for

younger worshipers. The service

is followed by fellowship

Every Thursday, 10.00am Said Eu-

charist using the 1970 Scottish Episco-

palian Church Liturgy in our smaller and

more intimate Lady Chapel . The service

is usually followed by tea & coffee and

many worshippers stay on for the Bible

Study and Prayer Group

Every Thursday, 11.00am Bible Study

and Prayer Group an opportunity to

share thoughts and listen to others as

we reflect on the readings and other

aspects of our Christian Faith. In the

intimate surroundings of our Lady

Chapel, we share prayers & contem-

plation

Every Sunday, 10.00am

Sung Eucharist using the 1982

Scottish Episcopalian Liturgy

and readings from the Scottish

Episcopal Lectionary. There is

usually a Youth Fellowship gath-

ering a Sunday School for

younger children

The service is followed by Tea/

Coffee and Fellowship for all in

our Parish Hall.

First Tuesday of the Month 7pm

Book Club meeting at 7pm in a pa-

rishioner’s home to discuss a book

read recently by club members.

18

St John’s Flower and Harvest Festival

The connection of Forres with flowers

is internationally known through the

town’s contribution to the Britain in

Bloom competition, significantly

boosted by its much photographed

floral sculptures in Grant Park immedi-

ately opposite St. John’s Church.

This year, the church’s gifted team of

flower arrangers gave flowers empha-

sis by introducing a floral theme to its

Harvest Festival displays.

Each year, when we celebrate with

gratitude God’s gifts, churches

throughout the land are filled with a

wide range of produce, from sheaves

of corn and fruit from orchards, vege-

tables from gardens and bread from

ovens and bakeries – and in urban are-

as, sometimes the occasional tin of baked beans! But what has so often been

neglected is the vital importance of flowers in the production of this food.

Did you know that each year, almost every single plant on God’s Earth goes

through the vital Flowering stage, whether the plant be a tree, shrub, grass, ce-

real crop, vegetable or weed? Flowering, which may not be so obvious as the

commonly-accepted sense of the word, is the vital stage of any plant’s growth

where the reproductive organs develop for Pollination - or fertilisation - to take

place, and fruit to form. Pollination is achieved in a wide variety of ways, from

wind, by the myriad of insects (including bees, moths and even the dreaded

wasp), and in some circumstances, actual physical contact – particularly in rare

self-pollinating plants; (Nature doesn’t really approve of self-pollination, as this

restricts bio-diversity, and in some cases it takes active steps to prevent this

happening). What we commonly know as a Flower is Nature’s way of attracting

insects to a plant to carry out the act of pollination, where the pollen from one

part of the flower is transferred by contact, often with the reward to the insect of

the sweet fluid Nectar.

19

So this year at St. John’s we gave Flowers a well-deserved place in thanking the

Good Lord for all the remarkable produce of the land. Needless to say, this was

accompanied by those well-known and loved Hymns of Praise and Thanksgiving

– and some new ones, too.

Our Flower Ladies are always busy. For the Festival they constructed a wide vari-

ety of floral displays, with indicators which we hope gave cause to remember

God’s work in providing us with spiritual and temporal nourishment “ere the

winter storms begin”. Our displays were seen by some 200 people who visited

the church over the week. So whether you read this at home, in the pews (pay

attention at the back!), or on the internet, do come and see our lovely church.

Many people came to join us for our Flower and Harvest Festival service on Sun-

day, 30th September, bringing their hearty voices, were they Earthy Baritone,

Tinkling Soprano – or Whatever in between – “To Thank The Lord, and Thank

The Lord, for All His Love”.

Here are notes of some remarks visitors to the Festival made about the displays :

“Liked all the Toadstools – Beautiful ++++ - Very good use of carrots – Never

seen the church looking so lovely - Complimentary autumn colours – Stunned –

Lovely hearing organ music – A triumph – The church lent itself to God’s Peace

and even smelled of Harvest”.

Article Submitted by Paddy Meiklejohn, Photographs by the Editor (more on the

inside and

outside back

cover)

20

Mary Meets Cousin Elizabeth

Hither and thither

Like a wind blown wisp of straw

Along road from inn to inn with headless slither,

From village to village, market to market,

Passing up, passing down

A tale was told from lap to lap till it reached Nazareth Town

And whispered through our family door

To which we asked whence and wither.

And this was the tale that was told

Among us all in our household

That a childless Judean wife had at last conceived

Though some doubted and disbelieved

Since its father priest was middle age too

Thus it was all wishful thought, hardly true

But my mother Anne on hearing this report

My good nature she besought

And pleaded I should go to Judea

To test this tale of cousin Elizabeth and her husband Zachariah.

“Haste ye now,” she said, “start without delay

Take provisions to see your journey through

And two of our donkeys strong.

Let Joseph your betrothed walk with you

For the roads are steep and long.

May the angels guide your steps across the day

And guard you by night as you pray.”

The Judean hills tested sore our intent

Yet not once did we think we might relent.

At each village my cousin we sought

Asking young and old, house to house around

Till a shepherd showed us the way he thought

Where she and Zachariah would be found.

At one day’s end there was a house half hidden

A woman standing on the steps looking out

Welcoming us, ready beyond all doubt

So I Hurried up to greet her thus bidden.

Some time later it came about

Elizabeth and I were by the fire

For all was quiet within and without.

Fields were silent from workers’ shout

21

Scarce a shuffle of hoof from the byre.

Elizabeth looked at me and prophesied:

“Chosen by God you are the one

To bear His only Son;

All will honour your motherhood

Accepted by faith understood.

With you I have now joyfully shared

What the prophets have ever declared”

Then my cousin told me discreet

That once before her babe had left

Knowing that my Lord he would later meet

And so together we rejoiced yet wept.

I sang: “I magnify the Lord

Saviour of my soul.”

And in her turn my cousin chanted:

“The Lord’s mercy let’s extol

And pray an easy childbirth for us both be granted

My child, my very child

Will go forth ahead of yours

Bearing a priestly trumpet in his hand

To call all those in Israel’s land

To turn to God and obey his laws.”

Day followed day, each yielding its peaceful event.

To motherhood we knew our lives had been sealed.

Little things come together to give content

Whether done in house or in the field.

Truly that wondering tale from Judah

Was neither false nor idle rumour

But the hope of an active God it bore

Like the opening chords of holy score

Sabbaths passed then Joseph appeared outside

Leading a donkey on which I should ride

Back to Nazareth home should I decide

I knew I had no choice but to depart

So cousin and I kissed with heavy heart

One last farewell we made, then looked no more

Allowing us to cherish it in memory’s store.

We praised God that we had bowed to his behest

That with holy child we’d soon be blest

Poem by John Scott

22

Three Archbishops from Africa respond to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change [IPCC] report

The announcement from the UN’s panel on Climate Change is apocalyptic—irreversible

climate changes are a possibility unless we act very quickly. Millions of the most vulner-

able of the peoples of our Earth will be affected by devastating drought, flooding and

sea level rise .

Some Christians who believe that we do not need to act- for the Bible tells us “ I see a

new heaven and a new Earth , for the first heaven and the first Earth had passed away”

(Rev 21:1) Salvation is an escape to a new earth, it is not our role to get involved in sav-

ing the Earth.

However, this is not what the Bible teaches - In Greek there are two words for new –

“neos” and “Kainos”. Neos means brand new – throw away the old and bring out the

new. Kainos – means renewed, restored to a better state than before. This is what

the bible tells us – “ I see a new heaven and a (kainos) renewed Earth” (Rev 21:1). There

is no Planet B – we are called to renew this one.

So we as Christians are called the renew the earth. The very first commandment that we

were given as human beings was to care for the Earth (Gen 2:15) – “work the Earth and

look after it”

Irreversible Climate Changes are now a possibility

23

So how can we do this?- The IPCC indicates that we need to cut greenhouse emissions by

50 percent by 2030 and eliminate them by 2050.

This means that all of us must act – we must put pressure on our governments to stick to

the commitments they made in line with the Paris agreement (Nationally determined

contributions – NDCs)

It is time for us as Christians to take action

The Bible tells us that Creation is groaning as in child birth. (Rom 8:22) This is a very posi-

tive image – the Earth is in serious pain at the moment but we are in the process of

‘birthing’ a better future- with clean energy, clear rivers and fresh air for our children and

grandchildren.

We also know that Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the sons and daughters of

God to be revealed (Rom 8:19) – it is time for us to act.

As Churches of Southern and Central Africa we are committed to the following:

Encouraging churches and families to reduce their carbon footprint in trav-

el, energy and food choices

That Church buildings should be models of energy efficiency for the com-

munity to see. Developing small scale solar farms on some church land.

Divesting our funds from fossil fuels

Planting trees

The Archbishops also are committing to personal lifestyle changes to reduce their carbon

footprint:

Most Revd Dr Thabo Magkoba, Anglican Archbishop of Capetown and Primate of the

Anglican Church of Southern Africa

I pledge to use more gas at home than electricity, to tree planting after major

travelling and to continue abstaining from eating meat.

Most Reverend Albert Chama, Archbishop of Anglican Church of the Province of Central

Africa

I pledge where possible to eat locally grown food , to plant as many trees as pos-

sible and to reduce my use of energy as much as possible

Most Reverend Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town.

I pledge to using aircon and heating less, to only use my car when absolutely nec-

essary and to continue to reduce, recycle and re-use. And, of course, I will plant

trees whenever possible.

#livingthechange

24

A letter from the new Diocesan President, Deborah L

Munday

Dear friend.

Firstly, my thanks go to Catherine Green for all the hard work she has put in to

looking after us in her role of Diocesan President. Earlier this year Catherine re-

signed, and I offered to take over. Following a meeting Catherine and I had with

Bishop Mark; it was agreed that I should become Diocesan President. On Sunday

2nd September during the Evensong in Inverness Cathedral Bishop Mark commis-

sioned me.

Let me introduce myself. mv name is Deborah, we moved to Dalwhinnie in Feb-

ruary 2014, arriving in a blizzard. Previously we, that is myself along with my hus-

band of 34 years, and Duncan and Rebecca now aged 26, lived in Long Marston

near Tring in Hertfordshire, in the St Albans Diocese. I joined the Mothers' Union

when we lived in Tring in April 1996. When I moved to Dalwhinnie, I was pleased

to find the there was Mothers' Union in the Diocese and became a Diocesan

member. A few years ago, I became the Faith and Policy Coordinator for the Dio-

cese.

Enough about me; you may be aware that there has been fundraising for AFIA

(Away from It All), is a holiday scheme primarily funded by the Mothers' Union to

help people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to have a holiday. Unfortunately, we

failed to get any families to take up the offer of a holiday. At our last Trustees

meeting it was agreed that the money could give several families a chance to

have a day out away from it all, which is an alternative that can be offered. I met

with Rev. Sarah Murray who was pleased to have the opportunity to give the

families a day out at the seaside paid for by the AFIA money raised. I left Sarah

thinking of places to take those she knows that could benefit from such a day

out. I will take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all of you who have

contributed.

While I was speaking to Rev. Sarah we discussed how we, the member of Moth-

ers' Union could help her particularly with mission in the Diocese, I know a lot

happens in the Branches, but this is mainly for those of us who are Diocesan

members to get involved. Sarah suggested that we could. buy packs of socks

and pants for school children aged 5 to 18 years, black or grey socks for boys,

white for girls. She suggested the great name of Smalls for All. The other thing

that would be great for the children are pencil cases, either home made or from

a shop with a few pens and pencils in it.

25

Also, it is planned for a display of poppies at the Cathedral, she only had 350

when I spoke to her, so if you can knit or crochet do make some. We are also

asked to provide knitted items for the Mission to Seafarers. I can provide copies

of patterns in case you want them. lf you are not coming to Inverness Cathedral,

perhaps speak to members in your church, if all else fails contact me and I will

see what I can do.

Just so everyone is aware, you may have noticed that in the July/August issue of

Families First on the Dear Reader on the inside cover it mentions below their

Christian care for families announcement that they are dropping the price, that

the way of subscribing is changing. Next year it won't be possible to order

through the Diocese, we will all have to subscribe individually.

As Catherine (Green) mentioned in her last newsletter things are happening in

the' Mothers' Union in the north of Scotland. Following a meeting with Bishop

Mark, together with Chris Crosley and Bishop Anne, I have continued-the dis-

cussion of merging

the Mothers' Unions

in the three Dioceses

of Moray, Ross and

Caithness, Aberdeen

and Orkney, and Ar-

gyll and the Isles. This

it is hoped helps with

the running of Moth-

ers' Union as we have

a shortage of people

willing to get in-

volved.

Love in Christ,

Deborah

26

If any of you have heard one of my talks,

you’ll know that I rabbit on about “wee

brown jobbies”. It’s my contention that

there are more species of birds in your

garden than you may think, and that

because many of them are brown they tend to be dismissed as”

yet another sparrow” or something similar. This then, is an encouragement to

look more closely at what you see, especially over the coming winter months.

Perhaps the most typical

of these “lbj”s is the

Dunnock. Traditionally

known as a Hedge Spar-

row, it is not a sparrow

at all, being a member of

the Accentor family. It

does look rather like a

sleek sparrow and is

usually seen rummaging

in the undergrowth.

Close-up it is rather at-

tractive with a blue-grey

head and breast, brown streaky back and flanks, pink legs and a black bill that is

finer than a Sparrow’s.

The sexes are alike, though the female is drabber. Juveniles lack the grey on

their head and chest and instead have brown streaks. It is Amber Listed as a bird

of medium conservation concern following a serious decline during the 1980's,

though the indications are that the population is recovering, particularly in York-

shire.

A ground feeder, the Dunnock eats insects such as beetles, ants, and spiders. In

the autumn and winter it will eat seeds and berries as well and frequently

searches underneath feeders for anything dropped by other birds.

Sparrows can take a bit of sorting out too, as they come in three varieties. Both

sexes of Tree Sparrow have chestnut crowns, male House Sparrows have grey

crowns and black bibs whilst female House Sparrows are patterned rather like

The birds in your garden

Dunnock – John Harding/BTO

27

Dunnocks but more boldly. The beak is a tell-tale here.

Many female and first year finches are brown too, Chaffinches particularly, but

also Goldfinches and Bullfinches can be quite drab. Even Linnets might be

around and can be hard to distinguish at a glance.

Don’t forget the Wren either. It is a secretive bird, so much so that many garden

bird-watchers don’t even realise they have one around. I believe that they are

seriously under-recorded by Garden BirdWatch as they are so self-effacing. I

know they are much smaller than the other lbjs, but it’s quite easy to confuse

one with a Dunnock if it is rummaging around in the shrubbery or at a distance.

There are several other less common lbjs around during autumn and in winter.

Lesser Redpolls are brown and stripy, but with pink heads and breasts that are

not always obvious in females and youngsters. They are migrants from Scandina-

via which winter in the UK, often in large numbers, and will come onto your

feeders if there is insufficient food in the countryside.

You may also see Reed Buntings which are still more boldly marked. In winter, or

as first year juveniles, they lack their distinctive black heads, but are a different

shape to sparrows with quite stubby beaks.

In short, keep your eyes peeled, your binoculars handy, and if you have a cam-

era, make sure it is ready too! You just never know what you might see.

If you find the lives of our garden birds to be of interest, and would like to join in

and count the feathered occupants of your garden, please contact me or visit the

BTO Garden BirdWatch website (www.bto.org/gbw). If you know of an organisa-

tion not too far from

York who would like a

talk on garden birds call:

Mike Gray 07596 366342

or

gbwmike@gmail.com.

Left

Lesser Redpolls - Mike

Gray

28

At 11am on Sunday 11th November, the nation will

once again fall silent as people mark the 100th anni-

versary of the end of the war to end all wars, the

First World War.

The Armistice of 11th November 1918 was the armi-

stice that ended fighting on land, sea and air in

World War I between the Allies and their opponent,

Germany. Previous armistices had eliminated Bulgar-

ia, the Ottoman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Also known as the Armistice of

Compiègne from the place where it was signed, it came into force at 11am Paris time on

11th November 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month) and marked a victory

for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although not formally a surrender. Alt-

hough the armistice ended the fighting, it needed to be prolonged three times until the

Treaty of Versailles, which was signed on 28th June 1919, took effect on 10th January 1920.

The armistice was signed in a carriage of Foch's private train, CIWL {Compagnie Internatio-

nale des Wagons-Lits} #2419. It was later put back into regular service but after a short

period it was withdrawn to be attached to the French presidential train. From April 1921 to

April 1927, it was on exhibition in the Cour des Invalides in Paris. In November 1927, it was

ceremonially returned to the forest in the exact spot where the Armistice was signed. Mar-

shal Foch, General Weygand and many others watched it being placed in a specially con-

structed building: the Clairière de l’Armistice.

There it remained, a monument to the defeat of the Kaiser's Germany, until 22 June 1940,

when swastika-bedecked German staff cars bearing Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring, Wilhelm

Keitel, Joachim von Ribbentrop and others swept into the Clairière and, in that same car-

riage, demanded and received the surrender armistice from France. During the Occupation

of France, the Clairière de l’Armistice was destroyed and the carriage taken to Berlin, where

it was exhibited in the Lustgarten. After the Allied advance into Germany in early 1945, the

carriage was removed by the Germans for safe keeping to the town of Ohrdruf, but as an

American armoured column entered the town, the detachment of the SS guarding it set it

ablaze, and it was destroyed. Some pieces were however preserved by private persons;

they are also exhibited at Compiègne.

After the war, the Compiègne site was restored, but not until Armistice Day 1950 was a

replacement carriage, correct in every detail, re-dedicated: an identical CIWL carriage, no.

2439, built in 1913 in the same batch as the original and present in 1918, was renumbered

no. 2419D.

Two relics of the original signing are exposed at the Musée de l'Armée in Paris: and the

carriage (or replica) was commemorate by the French Post Office in 1978, to mark the 60th

anniversary of the Armistice [stamp from the Editor’s Collection]

Armistice Carriage

29

St. John’s Mothers’

Union - there is a box

at the back of the

church for non-perishable food donations to sup-

port the Moray Food Bank - please support this

worthwhile outreach by the members of the Moth-

ers' Union.

The MU group also collect for Mary's Meals at their meetings

as well as at the Tea/Coffee after the 10.00am Sunday Eucha-

rist and 10am Thursday Eucharist. These collections began in

October 2017. The REALLY GOOD NEWS is that as this edi-

tion of Eagle went to print, our collections in just under a

year have raised over £1,300 and as a result 139 children

have been provided with a hot meal for a year. Thanks to all

who have supported the collections.

A BIG thank you to all who helped make the church look so beautiful for the

Flower Festival and also those who helped at the Kinross Military Wives Concert

and the Coffee Morning at St Leonard’s. The three events raised over £900 to-

wards church funds. The flower festival even had a one page spread in the

Forres Gazette.

Book Club - are currently reading The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah

Rodriguez. Their next meeting will be at 7pm on Tuesday 6th November at 45

Bruceland Road, Elgin.

Saturday 24th November—Concert by Plough featuring folk music from North-

ern Europe with Key Fiddle, Banjo and Pipes at 7pm, Tickets £8 including re-

freshments.

Advent starts on Sunday 2nd December, there will be additional services dur-

ing the season of advent, please watch the pew sheet for details of these ex-

tra services. The Christmas Crib will once again be appearing towards the end

of Advent, with possible explanations from Khalid, who has been practicing

passing through the eye of a needle with his accomplices.

Saturday 8th December—Christmas Fair at St John’s—details and insert in the

pew sheet asking for ideas for stalls etc.

St JOHNS

NOTICES

NOTICES

30

Our Priest in Charge’s contact details are:-

The Reverend Dr. Hamilton Inbadas

The Rectory, Victoria Road, Forres, IV36 3BN

Telephone 01309 672856

Email clergy@stjohnsforres.org.uk

Our website is www.stjohnsforres.org.uk, where you will find details of

our services and other events and also a full colour copy of Eagle

Scottish Charity Number SC010346

Wednesday 12th December—Musick Fyne evening concert at St John’s at 8pm

Friday 14th December—Blue Service—it is hoped to hold another Blue service at

5pm, for those for whom the jollity and noise of Christmas presents a bit of a

challenge.

Sunday 23rd December—Carol Service at St John’s

Monday 24th December—Crib Service and Midnight Mass– it is hoped to have

a Crib service in church in the early evening of Christmas Eve and to start the

Christmas Celebration’s with the traditional St John’s Midnight Eucharist.

The next edition of Eagle will

be available in church from

Sunday 23rd December, to

allow our hard working

printer to produce the edi-

tion in time for the Christ-

mas Season.

Your editor and webmaster is Michael Ellison, who can be contacted :-

St. Crispin’s, 9 South Street, Forres IV36 1DE

Email eagle@stjohnsforres.org.uk

Telephone 07932 000398

The editor would like to thank all the members of our congregation who have

contributed articles for this edition and also thank all for your kind words of

sponsorship, support and encouragement for the previous editions

Many thanks,

Michael

31

St John’s Flower Festival

September 2018

Photographs by Michael

32