Christmas at Cluny Church
Sunday 13th December 11.00am Advent worship Friday
18th December at 7.30pm Candlelight Carols for Christmas with the Choir Sunday
20th December 11.00am Christmas family worship with the Kirkers Nativity Sunday
20th December 7.00pm Carols for Christmnas with the Choir in Monymusk
Christmas Eve 7.00pm. Family torch lit Christmans Eve Service in Monymusk
Christmas Eve 11.30pm Traditional watchnight service at Cluny
Christmas Day 10.30am Family worship in Monymusk
27th December 10.00am Joint servcie with Cluny at Cluny including a baptism
3rd January 10.0am Joint servcie with Cluny at Monymusk
Cluny Kirkers
The Kirkers will meet each Thursday from 5.30pm in the hall for those who are of primary school age. The new session started on 10th September. Further information from the minister Euan Glen Tel 01467 651470
Back to Church Sunday
On Sunday 27th September Cluny Church along with many congregations throughout the Uk will be participating in Back To Church Sunday. We hope that you will considder coming home to Cluny at 11.00am and join with those who are coming back to church. The service will be an all age service of worship and will be followed by teas in the church hall.
Variety Concert
On Friday 25th September the congregation is holding avariey concert led by the Garioch Fiddlers. This event which promised to be a great mix of music and song will raise money for the new roof and is the start of a Homecoming weekend of activities. Entry cost £5 and is pay at the door. We look forward to welcoming you to Cluny.
Praise in the Park
Once again the Granite City Brass Band led worship in a service called Praise in the Park on Sunday 16th August 2009. Sadly the weather was not kind to us for half an hour before the event was due to start the ehavens opoened with a massive downpoor. The park was wet and the decision was atken to move indorrs to Cluny Church. Thankfully many came back from sauchen to the church and an almoost full church enjoyed the mix of traditional and modern hymns intersperced with readings and prayers. Because of the service being in the church the gallent ladies of the church arranged for food and refreshments in the church hall after the servcie ( not quite the feeding of the 5000 but amazing at such short notice) and all enjoyed a great time of fellowship. The sad fact is that once the decisionw as atken to move indoors the weather improved and it turned in to a fine day! A film was made of the servcie and will be shown in the church at a later date.
To see a picture of the event in 2008 please follow the link http://www.savefile.com/files/2168720
New Roof
Following on from a professional survey arranged by Presbytery of Gordon it was found that the roof at Cluny Church will need to be replaced. The church will require new roof slates and new sarking together with all the anciliary work that goes with this major work. It is estimated the work will cost between £30 - £35,000. Permission has been granted to do the work by both the Presbytery and the General Trustees. We now seek planning permission for the work as our church is a listed building and an added complication that there is a bat colony in the oof space which means a license from the Scottish Government will be applied for to carry out the work. Look out for fund raising events to help offset the costs of the new roof.
Summer Services
The pattern of joint servcies is repeated again this year with worship during July in Monymusk Church and in August at Cluny Church. All servcies are at 10.00am apart from PRAISE IN THE PARK on 16th August at 11.00am
Kirkers end of Term Service
The Cluny kirkere held their end of sessionf amily service and prizegiving on Sunday 28th June. This followed on from an enjoyable BBQ in the church hall the previous Thursday
Pentecost Service
Our annual joint service for Pentecost was a great success with around 40 having breakfast before the servcie and three times that many in church for morning family worship where the congregation shared in a baptism and thought about the birth of the church that first Pentecost.
Plant Sale
The Congregation will hold its usual plant sale in Millbank Hall on Saturday 30th May 2009 starting at 10.00am. Along with plants there will be home bakes, teas coffees, garden equipment. Anyone with plants or other such items for sale can bring them to the hall on friday 29th May from 7.00pm. If you need help with delivering items for sale please contact the minister.
THE BIG SING
The Big Sing was a most enjoyable servcie held in church on Sunday 17th May. It was a mixture of traditional and modern hymns of praise together with three items sung by the Choir. More than twice the average congregtation attended this servcie and all left the church witha smile on their faces and a song in their hearts. The Minister thanked those attending and the choir for their efforts. This was a service of Praise to God.
Kirk Session
The Kirk Session meets for regular business on 12th May at 7.30pm in the hall
Cluny Kirkers
On Thursday 7th May the Kirkers will meet at Monymusk Church for a walk along the edge of the River Don towards the Monymusk Standing stones
On Thursday 14th May there will be a treasure hunt at Castle Fraser.
Both meetings start at the usual time.
Busy Month of May
The Congregation looks forward to a couple of special servcies to be held during May.
17th May - the Big Sing. A songs of praise service with participation from the Choir. This service starts at 11.00am
31st May Pentecost. This is a joint service with our neighbours at Monymusk and begins at 10.00am. Breakfast is served in the church hall from 9.00am.
Holy Communion
The Kirk Session has decided to remove the sending out of indvidual communion cards replacing them with a family invitation to each household from the members of the congregation. We would like to hear your comments about them. The invitations do not need to be handed in and no record of attendance will be kept apart from a rough head count for information of the Kirk Session. We celebrate Holy Communion on 26th April at 11.00am and 6.30pm
Easter at Cluny Church
Easter is a very special time in the Christian tradition, and one we in Cluny want to acknowledge and share in. The congregation holds a number of special servcies during this time, as we celebrate and give thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus - that he died for us on a cross- and that he rose again from the dead and showed us that there is life after death. During the school holidays there will be no Kirkers or Mustard Seed cafe as our focus is on worship services.
Palm Sunday ( 5th April) we prepare the journey as we too join with the crowds of Jerusalem 2000 years ago and sing Hosanna in the highest - blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Maunday Thursday - 7.00pm. Short reflective service with Holy Communion in Monymusk Church - we do what Jesus did with friends in an Upper Room
Good Friday - 7.00pm in Cluny Church. A service of songs with a sermon for Good Friday as we take time to think about the Cross - the death of an innocent man for all our faults and failings.
Easter Morning - 11.00am Family worship as we join millions around the world and sing Thine Be the glory- risen Conquoring Son. There will be fellowship after the service and the chidlren can roll easter eggs on the glebe.
Special Joint Service
Sunday 29th March at Monymusk Church at 10.00am the children of both congregations will be leading worship with a performance of "The Passion" This will tell the story of Jesus' last day leading up to his execution. This short service will be followed by fellowship in Monymusk Hall. It is hoped to film the service.
Stated Annual meeting
The SAM of the congregation will take place during morning worship on 22nd March 2009. Copies of the accounts available online here. http://www.box.net/shared/f9meupcnx0
Presbytery Visit
Cluny welcomed the Rev Ian Groves minister of Inverurie West Church and Convener of the Presbytery Visit Support group who visited the congretation in December 2008. Mr Groves brought the greetings from presbytery before eladign worship. On Tuesday 31st March 2009 Presbytery recieved the report given by the visiting committee. The report can be seen at http://www.box.net/shared/187bret0pk
Mustard Seed Cafe does Red Nose
All the income from the Cafe held on Saturday 14th & 21st March will be donated to Comic Relief. Thanks to those who contributed we raised £60 for comic relief.The cafe is open from 10.00am until 12 noon each Saturday during school term time.
Special Services
The Way Ahead Group has once again arranged for Praise in the Park to be repeated this year with worship to take place in the park in Sauchen on 16th Augst at 10.00am.
There is also going to be a Special "Big Sing" songs of praise in the Church on 17th May, more details to follow.
May also sees a joint service with Monymusk in Cluny Church as together we celebrate Pentecost on Sunday 31st May. This service begins at 10.00am with breakfast being served in the church hall from 9.00am.
Murder Mystery
The Murder Mystery event held in Cluny Castle on Saturday 28th February was a great success and our thanks are offered to all who have made the plans, sold the tickets, prepared the food and to the performers who entertained us so well. Thanks also to Cluny Castle for the use of the Tennants Hall. The event raised over £800 for each congregation of Cluny and Monymusk.
Window Repairs
The church has undergone some major repairs to the windows with the replacement of a number of the window frames and sills. This work has been carried out by Sandy Brodie one of our members to whom we owe a great deal of thanks. His work in repairing the windows will have saved the congregation substantial amounts of money as we thought we may have to replace all the windows. Mr Brodie has cut out all the rotten wood and in his workshop has formed new timbers to match the existing so that when all the work is painted no-one will know the difference.
A recent professional survey has reported the need for some work at the church and the Board are now looking to implement the points raised in this report. Our aim as always is to maintain and upgrade the church and its facilities when it is required for the benefit of those who use the church.
Homecoming at Cluny
During the year of homecoming the congregation wish to welcome old and new visitors to the church and would be happy to hear from any who are coming back to Cluny due to the Homecoming celebration and to offer them the chance to see around our church and to explore the church records we have locally. Accomodation is possible nearby at Alford, Kemnay, Monymusk Inverurie and Aberdeen. If you are coming "home" we would be delighted to meet with you and welcome you to Cluny. If you need to see around the parish or find the old family farm we can offer help as well.
Joint Services
The Kirk Sessions of Cluny and Monymusk met on 13th January to agree a pattern of joint worship for the next three years. The pattern will follow the details listed below for 2009 but with the dates swapped for 2010 and again 2011. All joint services begin at 10.00am unles stated otherwise
2009
March 22nd Mothers Day & SAM
Sunday 29th March - Joint family servcie The PAssion 10.00am at Monymusk Church
Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Holy Communion Monymusk Church
Good Friday 7.00pm Cluny Church
May 31st Pentecost in Cluny Church with breakfast in the hall served from 9.00am
July all the services in Monymusk Church
August all the services in Cluny Church
November 15th worship in Monymusk Church
Christmas Eve 7.00pm Family worship Monymusk Church
Christmas Eve 11.30pm Traditional watchnight Cluny Church
Christmas Day 10.30am Family Worship Monymusk Church
27th December 10.00am Christmas Worship Cluny Church
3rd January 10.00am New years worship Monymusk Church
Mustard Seed Cafe
The Cafe will reopen in the Church hall on Saturday 31st January at 10.00am. The Cafe will be open during school term time each Saturday until end of June.
New Session Clerk
The Kirk Sesion appointed as its new Session Clerk Anne Harrison at a meeting on 13th January. The Minister was delighted by the choice made and expressed his thanks to Mrs Harrison for taking up this important roll in the church. There will be a review of the work of Mrs Harrison with regard to her dutues as newsletter editor to help balance her workload for the church. At the same meeting the Kirk Session welcomed Mr Frank Smith recently ordained elder to his first Kirk Session meeting.
Christmas at Cluny
The Church was very busy over Christmas with the traditional mix of formal and informal services held. The Choir once again excelled under the leadership fo Sandy Argo with the Carol Service on the Friday before Christmas. This year the church was full to bursting which was a trend repeated at mnay of the Christmans servcies. The Kirkers presented their Nativity service and Cluny School also held a wonderful end of term service. Our hope is that you enjoyed Christmans as much as we did.
Christmas at Cluny
The Congregation is looking forward to celebrating Christmas with a mix of traditional and reflective ways. You are invited to attend any or all of the services listed below. We hope that you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Friday 19th December 7.00pm Carols for Christmas with the Choir
Sunday 21st December 11.00am Christmas Nativity with the Cluny Kirkers - short family service
Christmas Eve 7.00pm Torchlit family service at Monymusk Church
Christmas Eve 11.30pm Traditional watchnight service.
Christmas Day 10.30am Family Christmas servcie at Monymusk Church
Sunday 28th December 11.00am Christmas around the world
Presbytery Support Visit
Four members from the Presbytery Support Visit Group will be visisting Cluny on monday 24th November at 7.30pm. This is open to all members of the congregation and is a way to explore what we are doing at Cluny.
Café Church Service
Cluny hall was the setting for a joint service on Sunday 16th November. The service theme was “ the Church”. Around 50 people adults and children together spent time in worship seated round tables with a mix of hymn styles, watched a film and tried to answer the question what is the church. A list of answers is available for download. Children spent time in LEGO corner trying to build a church. At the close of the service many stayed on to continue the discussion over a welcome cup of tea. Copies of the "answers can be downloaded at http://www.box.net/shared/67r1g5b3ea
Remembrance Sunday
On Sunday 9th November a larger than normal congregation met to share Remembrance of those who had fallen in war. A retirning offering raised £153 for the Poppy Scotland appeal. After the wreaths were laid at the Memorial, one from the church, one from the local authority and one for the chidlren of the church there was a great lunch served in the hall from the Brodie/Patterson family and this raised £325 for church funds.
Church Newsletters
The Kirk Session has changed the format of the church website to include a new section containing church newsletters. Please feel free to download and copy any of the material you should want to use. If you have any problems downloading the material pease email the minister and he shall send you a hard copy of the newsletter.
Holy Communion
The Kirk Session has decided this year to dispense with the white cloths on the pews. It is felt that we shall only require a white cloth on the communion table. The rear pews will be "roped off" to encourage members to sit nearer the front. The Table oo the Lord is open to any who love the Lord a little and would like to love him more.
Harvest Thanksgiving
Harvest thanksgiving takes place on Sunday 12th October at 11.00am in the church. All are welcome to attend.
Guild Centenary
Sunday 5th October saw a large attendence in church to share with the Guild as they marked their centenary. Letters of congratulations were read out from the Moderator of the General Assembly, from the National President of the Guild Movement, from the Presbytrey of Gordon and from Monymusk Kirk Session. All the ladies of the Guild recieved long servcie certificates ranging from 10 years to 54 years servcie. The service also marked the dedication of the Guild Centenary Banner After the servcie attended by some "old" members of the Guild a very enjoyable lunch in the church hall was organised by the Guild to which around 60 people attended. Roll on the next 100 years!
Church Coffee Morning
A coffee morning held in the church hall on Saturday 27th September was well attended and the Board would like to thank all who came and donated time and effort. Just under £300 was raised for church funds. There was also just over £100 spent on Fair Trade goods which does not go to the church.
Cluny Kirkers
The Cluny Kirkers - a club for primary school age chidlren- meets after the holiday break on Thursday in the church hall at 5.30pm. All primary school aged chidlren are welcome to attend. further information from Euan glen at 01467 651470 or email minister@clunychurch.org.uk
Prayer Meetings
A small prayer group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.0pm in the Church vestry. Prayer requests can be sent to minister@clunychurch.org.uk or come and join us.
Praise in the Park
A wet and cloudy morning met those who gathered to set up the Play Park for the Praise in the Park event. There was much discussion about whether we should move the event into the church. It was decided that we should set the park up and make a final decision around 10.00am. At 10.00am it was wet and damp but the decision was taken to finalise the Praise Service in the park and we did not look back. A Gazebo was erected for the band and for the teas, chairs were put out, the generator switched on and the sound system set up and we waited for good weather and crowds. The clouds moved on an the event took place in warmth with bright sunshine the order for the servcie and the picnic afterwards. The Granite City Brass Band played the ten chosen hymns with mellowness and at just the right tempo to allow the large crowd of between 150-200 people to sing along with. At the clsoe of the service many stayed behind to have a picnic. All and all the Minister said it was a great event and he was delighted by the response and the organisation. Folk came from Cluny, Monymusk, Insch, Alford, Echt, Torphins Aberdeen and no doubt other places and thanks were expressed to the band and to the Way Ahead group for all their efforts in making the day a great success. Thanks were given to God for the weather. It is hoped that some pictures will be available online shortly.
Cluny School End of Term Assembly
Cluny School returns to Cluny Church on Wednesday 2nd July at 9.30am to hold their end of term assembly. There will be the usual "show" together with singing and presentation of awards. The church begins to fill up around 9.00am and all are welcome to attend what is always a very good show.
Mustard Seed Cafe
The Mustard Seed Cafe is open on Saturdays 21st and 28th June and then will be closed for the holidays. Details of opening hours will be posted onlline and in the church notice boards.
Cluny Kirkers
The Kirkers last meeting of the session takes place on Thursday 19th June at 5.30pm. This will be a BBQ at the Church hall. Children attending are asked to bring £1 to partially cover the costs of the BBQ.
On Sunday 22nd June the chidlren will receive their gifts to mark the end of the year. The roll this year has stood at 14 chidlren, most of whom come very regularly.
We finished the year with a BBQ in the Church hall due to uncertain weather. There were 15 children plus the three helpers. All enjoyed the last week of fun food and fellowship and Euan said he was looking forward to contacting the familys during the school holidays to invite them to come back next year.
Stewardship Presentation
Mr John Gray Stewardship Consultant from the Church of Scotland is to make a presentation in Cluny Hall on Monday 9th June from 7.30pm. All are welcome to come along and find out ways in which we may increase our income for the church. After the presentation the Board decided that the income we have for the church is sufficient to meet our ends and that we would not take part in the programme.
Cancellation of Weekly Activities
Because of a family bereavement there will be no Kirkers on Thursday 5th June or Mustard Seed cafe on 7th June. Normal servcies will resume the following week. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Plant Sale
Thanks to everyone who took part int he plants ale on 31st May. It was a great success. As usual the crowd arrived early and th eplants were almost sold out within the first hour. Teas were a welcome break ont he stage in Millbank. The treasurer reported that around £1180 was raised for church funds.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion will be shared during services at 11.00am and 6.30pm on Sunday 27th April 2008. The table of the Lord is open in Cluny Church.
Stated Annual Meeting
The stated annual meeting of the congregation took place on Sunday 30th March. The Congregation receieved the accounts in a new format and it showed that in 2007 we had a healthy surplus of over £5,000. This was explained partly by a reducion in ministry costs due to the way the church pays its ministers but mainly because income was also up due to major fundraising. The minister paid tribute to the treasurer for his hard work revamping the accounts to comply with new Charity regulation requirments.
A Cold Dark Good Friday
A dark and cold church hall was the setting for the Good friday servcie. A high wind caused a tree to cut the powerline to the church and though the engineers worked hard to try to restore power by 7.30pm it was not to be. With candles and torches the Choir sang and the congregation particiapted singing one hymn. The sermon was reduced to a few words, where the minister reminded the ucomfortable congregation about the real hurt that was felt by Jesus on the first Good Friday, a prayer was said and the cold congregation of around 35 people headed home to warm up. Thanks to all who participated and came along on the night. Better luck next year!
Holy Week Services
Thursday 20th March sees the first of the joint holy week servcies to be held in Monymusk Church at 7.00pm. Holy Communion will be shared as we recall the first upper room experience of the Lord's supper.
Friday 21st March sees a joint Good Friday servcie in Cluny starting at 7.30pm. The Choir will be participating in worship on Good Friday.
Mustard Seed Cafe
The Mustard Seed Cafe is closed for the Easter holidays reopening on Saturday 12th April at 10.00am
Palm Sunday
The Cluny Kirkers and the Monymusk Sunday School will be joined together on 16th March to take part ina procession around Monymusk to recall the first Palm Sunday. The Chidlren were led by a pony and the chidlren waved braches int he air. when they enetered church the congregation sang the song Hossana as they went down the isle to take their seats at the front of the chruch. The Chidlren sand to the congregation adn led us in worship. More than half the congregation on Palm Sunday were below the age of 40.
Board Meeting
The Congregational Board meets for regular business on Tuesday 26th February at 7.30pm in the Church hall.
Burns Supper
Around 80 people packed the church hall to celebrate th elife of Robbie Burns witha traditional Burns Supper on Saturday 26th January. The tradions of the vent were followed with the address to the haggis given by Alastair Robertson. after a meal of soup, haggis neeps and tatties, and finished with triffle Mr Sandy Gray propsed the Immortal memory. Neil and Susan McArthur gave the toast tot he lassies and the reply and after a short break the night wwas finsihed off with entertainment int he fom of Alastair Robertsons recitation of Holy Willies Prayer, Patricai Norman sung some scots Songs and Anne Ross recited Pam o Shanter ( not a spelling mistake!) a great night was had for all and the vote of thanks given by Sylvia Henry spoke of the hard work done by so many to make it so.