Glenrothes Christ's Kirk Pitcoudie Avenue

Glenrothes

KY7 6SU

November 2015

The Church of Scotland

ALL ARE WELCOME

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

will be celebrated here at

Christ’s Kirk on the 29th November 2015.

The Rev Scott McCrum will conduct the service

and everyone is invited to attend.

The service begins at 10.30am.

Welcome to our latest publication. November is a big month for us as you will see inside where

you will find a few details about our new minister Rev Scott McCrum. Also included you will

find out how you can help the church’s finances whilst doing your Christmas shopping. Look out

also for news about Ellie’s bouncing bundle of joy.

Dear Friends,

An Interim Moderator is supposed to work him or herself out of a job, and I’m delighted we’ve reached

that stage at Christ’s Kirk. Scott’s ordination and induction marks an important new beginning for the

congregation. I hope and trust the congregation will embrace the opportunity that lies in front of them. A

new minister is one of the rarest and most expensive resources the church has to offer, so it’s vital that you

support and encourage Scott and enable him to grow and develop his ministry.

It’s been my pleasure to work with the office-bearers and congregation at Christ’s Kirk during the vacancy

period. There are many strong and capable people in the leadership team and they need your

encouragement and support. I want to say a special thank you to the clerks of session, board and

nominating committee for all their help. John Simpson, Sheila Jackson and Ron McDougall have all done

a good job in keeping me right over the period of the vacancy, and I’m grateful for their support, for that of

the nominating committee and all the session and board members, and for the opportunity to work closely

with Ellie Morrocco and Jennifer Stark.

If I have one parting message for the congregation, it is to urge you to be positive and encouraging in your

outlook, never to let small challenges be seen as big issues, and to continue to work co-operatively and

creatively with each other and with your new minister. I wish everyone in Christ’s Kirk God’s blessing for

the future.

Yours in Christ,

Richard Baxter

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It only takes a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

I've been asked to introduce myself! I'm the Rev Scott McCrum and

Christ's Kirk will be my first charge at which I'll be Ordained & Inducted on

12th November at 7pm. The pub-com team have kindly asked me some

questions about things you might like to know, see below. I look forward to

meeting you all!

Why did you select Christ's Kirk for your first ministry? Name 3 of

your targets as minister of Christ’s Kirk. It would be unwise to have

targets set at this point. Before you decide where you’re going you need to

know who you are. The first thing I’ll be doing when I get to Christ’s Kirk is getting to know people and I

intend to visit every member of the Church over a period of time. As I said in my application though, I see

before me a Church with great potential! I also believe the same about Glenrothes and I'm looking forward

to being part of your community.

Why enter the ministry? I never intended to become a minister. I think being brought up in a Manse

made that about the last thing I wanted to be. However in 2003 I started to feel called to the ministry, and

as you can see by the time scale I’ve spent a lot of time wrestling with my sense of call. I started training in

2005 so I’ve taken my time! Now that I am a minister, I enjoy it and I’m excited about coming to Christ’s

Kirk!

Where were you born and educated? I was born in Hamilton though moved when I was very young. My

father was a Navy Chaplain for a time so I’ve changed schools quite a few times. I left school at 16 with no

Highers so I did an Access Course at Glasgow University to get into their full-time Bachelor of Divinity

(ministry) degree course. At this point I hadn’t yet been accepted as a candidate for the ministry but I was

sure it was the direction I was to go in, so I did. I graduated with merit in 2010.

Can you tell us a little bit about your family? Well I’m single so I don’t have a family of my own. My

Dad (Robert) is a recently retired Church of Scotland Minister & my Mum (Valerie) is a travel agent

specialising in cruises. My elder brother Mark works in the space industry and my younger brother Garry is

in the Royal Navy.

What are your hobbies? I’ve been a martial artist since I was a young teenager. After a little karate I’ve

done many years of Tae Kwon-Do with a couple of years of kickboxing in-between TKD schools. In 2009

I started training in Wing Chun Kung Fu, the martial art made famous by Bruce Lee. I’m also in the gym

most days lifting weights and doing cardio. I’m also passionate about fast cars and always have been. I

got my first supercar when I was 28 and my second one a few weeks ago (one of the benefits of being in

your early 30s is cheaper car insurance!)

Data Protection

In today’s society you hear about concerns regarding personal details being passed about from one company to

another. Please be assured that here at Christ’s Kirk, access to personal details is restricted to only a few people.

The roll keeper has a note of members’ addresses and only office bearers (e.g. Minister, Session Clerk) are allowed

access to this information.

For those of you who use WFO envelopes you will have noticed that your envelope has an identification number and

the only person who can match that number with a church member is the Gift Aid Convener. Therefore the amount of

your weekly giving is known only to that one person.

Walk of Peace The Rotary Club in conjunction with the 3 Secondary schools has organised a peace walk which will take place on Tuesday 10th November.. All the Glenrothes churches are being encouraged to take part. Everyone should gather at the school in their area at 6pm and then they will walk to the War Memorial opposite the Kingdom Centre where a short ceremony will take place and 3 white poppy wreaths will be laid. Please bring along a torch or lantern with you.

Page 3

It takes only an hour to like someone,

And a day to love someone,

But it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Tribute to Walter Ruddiman

Walter Ruddiman was born in Leslie, and when his father died when he was only 5 he was brought up in a family of

women, a pattern that was repeated when his own family was born - 4 girls. Even the pet dog was female! As he

grew up he was in the cubs and scouts, and enjoyed playing football, eventually playing for Leslie Hearts. Football

remained a big interest for him throughout his life.

As a youngster he was a gifted student, and as well as being Leslie Primary School dux, he passed many of his

carpentry exams with merit or distinction. He started work as an apprentice joiner with Crawford's of Leslie before

doing his national service in the RAF. On his return to civvy street he met Jean and they married in 1960. The family

began to grow and Walter attended night school to attain his Clerk of Works qualification. He became Clerk of

Works for Leslie Burgh Council, eventually becoming Burgh Surveyor, and then finished his career as Building

Inspector for Kirkcaldy District Council. On his retirement he assisted his wife Jean in the day-to-day running of the

Church of Scotland Home at Leslie House.

At Christ's Kirk on the Green, Walter was always outside the door on a Sunday morning waiting to welcome

people to church, and again, when the congregation moved to the Anderson Hall Walter was on the pavement with a

smile and a "Good Morning!" for everyone. Walter was Master of Ceremonies on Remembrance Sundays at Leslie

War Memorial for many years.

Walter and Jean involved their 4 children, Mhairi, Rose, Nicola and Michelle in the Sunday School concerts

which are fondly remembered, and enlisted their help with the many chores such as baling out the boiler house after

heavy rain, winding up the church clock every week, (latterly also the town clock), putting up the hymn numbers and

helping to prepare for Communion. Walter enjoyed dressing up as Santa Claus and handing out presents at Sunday

School and Guild parties for many years.

After Jean died in April, 2009, Walter's health deteriorated, and in 2010 he gave up the job of Session Clerk after

38 years. He had also been an elder for over 50 years. On the 3rd of September, 2015, Walter, aged 83, passed away

peacefully in a nursing home in Kinglassie.

We give thanks for Walter's life of service, and offer our most sincere condolences to his family as they come to

terms with their loss.

Easy fundraising during the festive season

During the run-up to Christmas there are opportunities to help raise funds for the Church. If you do any of

your Christmas shopping online (in fact any shopping online); if you register with easyfundraising.org.uk, a

small percentage of your expenditure will come to Christ’s Kirk. Details of how to do it are listed below.

Let's say you want to buy a pair of shoes from John Lewis. Instead of going to johnlewis.com directly, you first go to easyfundraising.org.uk.and click on “Support a good cause” and follow instructions to register.

Make a purchase: From the easyfundraising website, click through to John Lewis to make your purchase. This tells John Lewis you came from easyfundraising. The price of the shoes is exactly the same..

Get a donation: After you buy your shoes, John Lewis will give you a cash reward that you can turn into a donation for your good cause. Easyfundraising collect this and send it on at no extra cost. All you have to do is make sure your good cause is Glenrothes Christ’s Kirk.

Bible Study

The Bible Study group have changed the time of their meetings. Instead of a Wednesday evening they will now meet

in the Session at 10.30am on the first Wednesday morning of the month. However, please be aware that there is not

a meeting in January.

Page 4

There are no new sins . . . the old ones just get more publicity.

Social &Fundraising

On the 27th November we are holding a St. Andrew’s night in the church hall starting at 7pm. We will be offering

traditional Scottish food and traditional Scottish music. Tickets are priced at £6 for adults and £3 for children. This

will be a popular event so please purchase your tickets urgently.

We will also be bringing in the New Year with a Hogmanay party night. Tickets are priced at £15 per adult

and £7 for children. The celebrations start at 7pm. Numbers are limited, so please see Rose as soon as possible if you

are interested.

In January we are hoping to celebrate the birthday of our national bard by having a Burns Supper on the

22nd January 2016. Look out for more information on this event in the Order of Service or on our website.

What’s On at Christ’s Kirk

At Christ’s Kirk our premises are used regularly by the community. Every second Monday our Guild

meets at 2pm. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings we have the Karate Group which is run by

Mr Kenny Morrison.

On a Tuesday evening the Hall is occupied by our Brownie group. The Baby Clinic and Mother and

Toddler group join us on Wednesdays.

On a Thursday at 10am we host the Playaway group. The café is open on Thursdays from 10am - 2pm for

delicious home made food. The Yoga Group use the hall on Thursday evening which is run by Pete West.

Fridays and Saturdays at the moment are available for hire. The Hall is suitable for private functions,

boot sales or craft fayres.

On Saturday 28th November the North Glenrothes Community Council are hiring the hall for a Christmas

Craft Fayre and it will be officially “opened” by our new minister Rev Scott McCrum.

Sunday is dedicated to our services and there is a warm welcome to all of you.

Guild

The Guild opened its 2015-2016 session on 18th October 2015 with the Guild Dedication

Service led by Ruth Anderson .

The Guild committee has prepared an interesting programme which they hope the members will

enjoy.

During the run-up to Christmas members will have the opportunity to hear Rev Richard Baxter, our

Interim Moderator, who has worked tirelessly and most effectively for us during the vacancy; the

National Convener, Mrs Linda Young; the young enthusiasts who inspired us at the Lent services with

their descriptions of their work in “Mission to …the Young”; our own minister, Rev Scott McCrum who

will share the Fun & Finance topic with the Guild treasurer, Ron McDougall on 30th November.

Please come and join us in the Guild in this exciting time for our Kirk. A warm welcome and warm

fellowship awaits you. EvlynAllsop

Electronic Newsletter

If you would like to receive future publications of the church newsletter electronically instead of through

your letterbox, please send an email with your name and home address (your email address will be at the

head of your email) along with a short notification to the church at mail@christskirk.wanadoo.co.uk and

we will send it to you.

Page 5

Always put yourself in others' shoes…...….If you feel that it hurts you.

It probably hurts the other person, too.

Room at the Inn? Charity HOST is seeking friendly people who could volunteer to

offer an invitation to adult international students for a day, weekend, or four days at

Christmas. Learn about other cultures, welcome a guest far from home, and make

the world a little friendlier! To be put in touch with your local organizer, visit

www.hostuk.org or call 020 7739 6292

GROW Report

After successful holiday clubs, school groups

have restarted. Scripture Union groups are

flourishing in Pitcoudie PS, Auchmuty HS,

Glenrothes HS and Glenwood HS.

A helper from Christ’s Kirk is needed to assist the team with the Pitcoudie

group. CAN YOU HELP? The enthusiastic group of pupils meet on Mondays from 12.30 - 1.20.

Contact Wilma Page if you can help or speak to Jennifer Stark.

“The Time of Our Life” – this is the theme of the Secondary Schools Weekend for Perth,

Kinross and Fife pupils of S1-S6 to be held from 6-8 November2015.Some of our Sunday

School enjoyed the Primary Schools weekend so as they have moved on to Secondary School

this is a great opportunity for them to meet with fellow pupils.

Bea, GROW Associate Worker is moving to Glasgow at the end of the year but we are

hopeful of interviewing prospective Associate Workers in the middle of November. Watch this

space for news!

Please pray for the work of GROW and for a volunteer to assist with Pitcoudie Scripture Union.

BOUNCE

The Scripture Union will be holding a Fife wide event at St Columba’s Church, Glenrothes aimed

at P4-P7 children. Come along for an afternoon of inflatable fun, games, interactive Bible stories

and snacks. It will take place on 28th November from 1.30-4pm at a cost of £5 which includes

snacks. If you wish your child to attend please speak to Wilma Page at the church or Bea from

GROW and they will give you the booking form.

19th Glenrothes Brownies

Brownies meet on a Tuesday evening in the Church hall from 6.00pm until 7.30pm. We have an enthusiastic

group of regular attenders, generally around 16 girls. At the moment we are well supplied with adult support,

but more help wouldn’t be refused! We recently acquired the help of Mrs. Frankie Anderson who has come from

the west of Scotland. We are pleased to welcome her into our team of fun loving leaders!

The girls enjoy fun filled evenings with craft, generally thought up by our own craft master Lorna. Games,

challenges and badge work also play a big part in our evenings. The Brownies are very keen and it’s lovely to

welcome such cheery little people into the great scheme that is Guiding.

There was great excitement too, at the Pack holiday weekend to Balmullo, where the Fife Guides have a holiday

home. The theme for the weekend was Minion orientated! Although sleep deprivation was the order of the day

for the Guiders, everyone had a fun filled weekend and as it was also Hallowe’en, witches and ghouls played their

part too. New members are always welcome but we do have a waiting list.

Patricia Forbes (Barn Owl)

Hi everyone,

Well, we are two months into being a family of four and Stefan,

Ruairidh and I are loving having our new arrival, Micah. He is very

settled which is great and I am finding having a baby much easier

second time around. I thank God for the blessings he has given me

and my family.

I am missing everyone in Glenrothes though,

especially over the summer when the joint services and holiday clubs were

taking place. But I know that Jennifer is taking care of things well and I hear

that you have been successful in your search for a new minister. I pray that God

will guide you all so that you can grow stronger and keep serving Him in all

that you do.

I hope to come down and visit sometime in the next few months. I had

hoped to have visited before now but I think I underestimated the organisation it

takes to make even a short journey with two little ones! In the meantime, here

are a couple of photos to remember us by.

Blessings to you all.

May God be with you.

Ellie

“Your Chance to Make a Difference.”

The Church of Scotland is taking a long term approach to tackling injustice and inequality.

Over the next ten years the Church and Society Council is asking the people of Scotland -

i.e. YOU! - to identify what would make Scotland a fairer, more equal and more just nation

in a more just world.

People in churches all over Scotland are being asked to identify up to SIX key areas for

action. These key points can be local, national and international. They should involve and

refer to people in all walks of life - politicians, voluntary organisations, people who are

disadvantaged and/or excluded - everyone.

10,000 people are being asked by the Church and Society Council for their views and key

points. YOU ARE ONE OF THESE.

At the October meeting of the Kirk Session it was agreed to order postcards and to ask

the new Minister to consider options.

Either complete the postcard or go to

www.churchofscotland.org.uk/speakout/10000 voices - or

www.facebook.com/churchsocietycouncil.

This is YOUR chance to ensure Scotland is a fairer, more equal and more just society, in a

more just world. Take it!

It is so easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements compared

with what we owe to the help of others.”

Page 6

Update from Jennifer

It has been very rewarding to become 'better acquent' with both the Christ's Kirk and St Margaret's congregations

(though I hope you will forgive me if I still occasionally struggle to put names to faces!) I've also enjoyed leading

worship in both churches over the last months, and sharing in the 'Future Focus' sessions at St Margaret's, which was

an absorbing and interesting process.

Since August, Ally, John and I have been involved, with many others, in Holiday Clubs running in various churches.

The Pitcoudie Primary SU group, led by Bee, continues to do well, with unexpectedly large numbers one week

coinciding with a flood in the school … but the school found us another room and we carried on regardless!

At Christ's Kirk, the Playaway group restarted in August but with a different family support worker, Jo Cockburn, as

Susan Thomson is now based entirely at Ladybird Nursery. For no obvious reason, the attendance has been more

sporadic, though the mums who've come have all said how much they've enjoyed the sessions (some of them I

also see at the St Margaret's toddler groups). From October, due to Jo's other commitments, the group will move to

Thursday morning. If you know families with pre-school children who would enjoy Playaway, spread the word!

Thanks to Evlyn Allsop and Lynn Turner who have come along to give a hand; and Anne Crombie who has opened

up the Halls when needed.

Our Harvest Festival service at Balfarg Care Home, held as part of a 'Harvest event', had an excellent turnout from

residents and families, and thanks as always to those who came from Christ's Kirk to support it. At the request of

their Activities Coordinator, I've approached Pitcoudie Primary to see if they might be interested in having some

children take part in a Christmas service there, and had a positive response – watch this space.

As I write, we've just finished an Autumn-Harvest-themed Community Craft Corner for primary-aged children,

which we ran for two afternoons in the church. It was on a drop-in basis, with the aim really just of opening up the

church for creative – even messy! - fun for families in the area during the school holiday. For me, a large part of the

enjoyment was working with the team that evolved, and I'm so grateful to Enid Mitchell and Lynn , who came up

with great ideas and put in a lot of time to prepare the crafts. Thanks also to the rest of the team - Ally, Rose Bowie,

Lyndsey Christie, Wilma Page, Helen Telfer, Barbara Walker – and others who contributed materials or help (not

forgetting Bill, who moved all the chairs!) We had about 17 children over the two days, plus several adults, and it

was wonderful working with the children, absorbed in making cards or decorating a mural – and the adults

enjoying it just as much (see photos below).

I look forward to Scott's ordination and induction in a couple of weeks, and to us all journeying together in the joy

and hope of Advent!

Jennifer Stark

Families Worker/Parish Assistant

Life isn't tied with a bow . . . but it's still a gift.

Page 7

Prayer guide November 2015-January 2016

Give thanks for all the support and care given during the last year from retired ministers; Rev. Richard Baxter, Interim

Moderator; and Kirkcaldy Presbytery and the leadership and support given by many in the congregation

Pray for our new minister, Rev. Scott McCrum, as he settles into Glenrothes and his ministry with us and the

wider ministry team in Glenrothes.

Pray for all who grieve, or are experiencing illness or hardship, particularly at this time of year

In the wider community:

Pray for;

the teachers and pupils of Pitcoudie and Collydean Primary Schools, enabling children's growth in mind, soul

and body

all who find Christmas time difficult or lonely

those who are homeless or hungry, and all who support them

victims of war and violence

Pray for:

peace in the Holy Land

refugees risking their lives to find safety and a better life

countries we know of where justice fails and fear overcomes hope

Event Diary

November

Sunday 1st Nov 10.30am Worship

Wednesday 4th Nov 10.30am Bible Study

Sunday 8th Nov 10.30am Worship

Sunday 15th Nov 10.30am Worship

Sunday 22nd Nov 10.30am Worship

Friday 27th Nov 7.00pm St Andrew’s night

Sunday 29th Nov 10.30am Worship (Communion)

December

Wednesday 2nd Dec 10.30am Bible Study

Sunday 6th Dec 10.30am Worship

Sunday 13th Dec 10.30am Worship

Sunday 20th Dec 10.30am Worship

Thursday 24th Dec 11.15pm Watchnight Service

Sunday 27th Dec 10.30am Worship

Thursday 31st Dec 7.00pm Hogmanay Party

January 2016

Sunday 3rd Jan 10.30am Worship

Sunday 10th Jan 10.30am Worship

Sunday 17th Jan 10.30am Worship

Friday 22nd Jan 7.00pm Burns Supper (TBC)

Sunday 24th Jan 10.30am Worship

Sunday 31st Jan 10.30am Worship

February

Wednesday 3rd Feb 10.30am Bible Study

Sunday 7th Feb 10.30am Worship

Sunday 14th Feb 10.30am Worship

Sunday 21st Feb 10.30am Worship

Sunday 28th Feb 10.30am Worship (Communion)

CONTACTS

Minister Rev Scott McCrum 0800 566 8242 mail@scottmccrum.co.uk

Parish Assistant Jennifer Stark 07779900024 jstark@churchofscotland.org.uk

Church 01592 745938 mail@christskirk.wanadoo.co.uk

Session Clerk (Pro Tem) Sheila Jackson 01592 743613 sheila.southdene@blueyonder.co.uk

Clerk to the Board

Website www.christskirk.btck.co.uk

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Glenrothes Christ’s Kirk, Pitcoudie Avenue, Glenrothes, KY7 6SU

Glenrothes Christ’s Kirk (Church of Scotland) is a registered charity SC007397