WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Sunday 19 January 2020: Second Sunday after Epiphany
10 am Morning Worship at St Stephen’s
11.15 am Morning worship at the Old High
Both services led by Rev Arthur Sinclair
NEWS FROM OUR CONGREGATION
SOUTHSIDE NURSING HOME There will be a short service, led by Malcolm Macrae, at Southside Nursing Home immediately after this morning’s service at St Stephen’s. If you are able to assist with the singing, or chatting to the residents, this would be much appreciated. Please speak to Malcolm after the service. We still also seek members willing to lead these services on a rota basis; please contact Janet Robertson.
OLD HIGH CHURCH REDEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION PROJECT A small exhibition about the architect’s ideas is now on display at the Old High. You can visit it following services at Old High, and we will have more opening times in the New Year. There are also forms available for visitors to give feedback. More information at https://www.oldhighststephens.com/2019/12/05/old-high-development-project-exhibition/, where you can also download the architect’s report.
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS The offerings taken at the various services over the Christmas period at St Stephens amounted to £458.07 with all funds going to GATEway the Highlands’ charity for vulnerable and homeless people https://homelesstrust.org.uk/. The Community Choir “Singing Around the Christmas Tree” eventraised £210.76 for CLARITY WALK, a social enterprise with a mission of helping improve mental health in the Highlands by organising free walks for all fitness levels. Participants are asked to disconnect from technology and reconnect with others, nature and yourself with a 1 hour ‘No Phone’ walk. Proven to be effective for combating anxiety, depression and loneliness, as well as having many physical benefits, followed by a coffee after the walk at a local café. Details of walks and how you can donate, at their website https://www.claritywalk.co.uk/
Old High Flower List The draft flower list is on the notice board. Addresses and phone numbers have been removed to comply with Data Protection. If you wish to add your name to the list or change a date please contact Sally McCubbin.
WARMTH FOR THE HOMELESS CAMPAIGN We are again be running our Campaign over the festive period and would be very grateful for donations of used clothes that will be passed onto our Homeless Community by the Gateway Centre. Suggestions: Dog blankets, Socks, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Warm clothes, Boots, Trainers, Sleeping bags, Roll mats, Rucksacks. Please leave your donations in the suitcases located in the entry halls (to be collected by Gary Ross.
Food for Families Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Food for Families programme for 2019/20. Over 200 portions of mince and tatties have been made. Thank you all for giving up your time to make a difference to those in need within our community, it is much appreciated. Christine Mackenzie.
HIGHLAND FOOD BANK have asked that from November to January we donate Cartons of long life fruit juice; Small washing powder/gel; Tins of corned beef/ham; Jam. You will also be happy to know that some of the folk who use St. Stephen’s hall during the week have said that they are happy to bring along small donations on a regular basis, so crates have been supplied for this at the back of the hall. Thank you again for your generosity. Margaret Neville.
OLD HIGH ST STEPHEN’S WINTER WALK this afternoon, to Canal at Dochgarroch and cuppa at An Talla. Meet at St Stephen’s car park at 1.30pm or Dochgarroch 1.45pm. Varying length of walk with cuppa at 3pm till 4pm. More details from Deborah Macrae.
CRAFT EVENING St Stephen’s Hall 7.30–9pm, Wednesday 15 January 2020. Crafters and non-crafters welcome (you may wish to learn a craft). Friendly atmosphere and refreshments provided Susan MacLeod.
Old High Music At One with Music is a parallel lunchtime recital series offering regular 1 hour concerts in Inverness. These are held at 1pm on Fridays in the Spectrum Centre. However, in 2020 all the piano recitals in that programme will now take place in the Old High Church, in partnership with Old High Music. The first of these will be a piano recital by Ailsa Aitkenhead on Friday 24 January at 1pm. As a commemoration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday, she will perform one of his major Piano Sonatas, along with work by Chopin. Donations of £7.50 requested at the door. More details from Andrew Stevenson.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated at the Old High Church on 26 January. All welcome at the Lord’s Table. The Retiring Collection will be for Friends of Cameron House who fundraise to provide additional comforts for residents such as pictures, garden, curtains etc. Members of our congregation are part of the friends group and of course the home is within our parish. Christine Mackenzie.
Sharing Your Faith (SYF) Discussion Groups will restart in 2020. If you are interested in joining a group, please speak to or email me with first and second choices of day and time that suit you best. Dot Getliffe.
SUNDAY BULLETIN Volunteers are needed to fold the weekly bulletin once a month. Can you help please? Further details from Rae Swan.
SUNDAY BULLETIN Please send items for this sheet to our Church Administrator Mrs Pat Macleod (079 342 85924) invernesschurch<at>gmail.com. Deadline Wednesday at 12 noon. Please keep items as brief as possible, and include contact details and/or e-mail.
OTHER NEWS
INVERNESS SINGERS ‘Desert Island Disc’ Evening in Smithton Free Church on Friday 17 January at 7:30pm. Enjoy an evening of conversation and music as Fiona MacDonald, BBC World Service, interviews two special guests – Thomas Prag [ex Local Councillor] and Eileen MacIntosh [Soprano]. To book tickets contact Margaret Livingstone, Convenor of Fundraising Committee.
ECUMENICAL SERVICE OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER 6pm on Sunday 19 January at Culduthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness IV2 6AS. Please join us in worshipping together and in praying together for the many issues which face our city and our society. Contact: Jonathan Appleby.
INVERNESS STREET PASTORS January: As in a number of other cities and towns, there are no Street Pastor patrols In Inverness during the month. The training schedule for new Street Pastors and Prayer Pastors begins on 25 January. There are 2 particular Prayer Opportunities Sat 18 January, at The Hub, Castle Street Baptist Church 9.45 am for coffee and catch up, then time to pray for Street Pastors (and to look at part of Session 1 of the ‘Prayer Course’ with Pete Greig). Sun 19 January, 6 – 7.30 pm – Prayer for our City – held at Culduthel Christian Centre.
GROW is on Saturday 29 February 2020 in Culduthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness. What is it? One Stop Shop for anyone who works or wants to work with a Christian focus on children and young people. Workshops look fantastic! This will equip OHSS for when we get more youngsters in. There is also a workshop for working with Toddlers and Their Carers. Dot would LOVE if 2 or 3 folks could go with her to represent our ‘GROWing’ church. Brochure/registration form and more details from her. Pray and see if it appeals!? Only £8….
