Perhaps as never before in recent times, folks have ‘tried praying’!  The global pandemic has raised so many questions, not least about our vulnerability and mortality, that many people have found themselves wondering about deeper matters and not least that which is usually referred to as ‘spiritual’.

The trypraying initiative has grown significantly through the years and now has a significant degree of ‘brand recognition’.  Its simple seven-day format offers a challenge, but one that seems attainable to those who may be doing no more than enquiring.  And just as importantly, trypraying has now built up a considerable case history; that is, people who have tried praying and have met with significant responses.
 
I can’t imagine that there’s a better year for congregations to have a go with trypraying.  I’m delighted to commend it to you and offer my encouragement to those who make it happen, that it may be a blessing to the whole Church at this time:
 
www.trypraying.co.uk
 
www.thereishope.co.uk
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​This year's World Day of Prayer is to be a Zoom Meeting on Friday 5th March.
 
Zoom Service Friday 5th March 2021 at 2pm
Access via website - wdpscotland.org.uk - Facebook can be accessed via this website.
ID. 89593983883
Passcode 901656
You can join using a landline telephone using the above ID and Passcode by dialling
01314601196
 
10 Days of Prayer Starting Tuesday 23rd February in morning
Access via website and Facebook a link for Facebook is on website. 

Long Service Certificates were due to be presented to three of our elders but because we were not worshipping in church due to the current situation we agreed that these long serving elders should have their certificates anyway, and here they are in their own homes showing off the church's expression of its appreciation of their service.
Thank you Alex, Margaret and Jessie for many years service to St Vigeans. 

Several items have been added to the noticeboard page, but these have also been included in Margaret Pullar's  emails to those on her e-mailing list.

‘Hidden in Plain Sight’  

[Please note that the website referred to below is that of the Church of Scotland, not this St Vigeans Church website]

To mark the start of Lent, on Wednesday 17 February, Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, is launching a photo competition – ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ – with both children and adults alike invited to send in their photographs showing the Cross in our everyday surroundings. The winner in each category will be awarded a gift to the charity of their choice.


Dr Fair, who has spent his year as Moderator reaching out to congregations and churches online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is keen to show that the Cross is an ever-present support in our lives, particularly during difficult times such as these.
“As we head towards Easter, the Cross will come ever more into view - the central symbol of the Christian faith,” Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair said.
“Generally speaking, we find Crosses set within church buildings or worn as jewellery. But, when we open our eyes to the possibility, we can begin to see images of the Cross all around us - in both nature and the built environment.
“Your challenge, should you choose to accept it: find a Cross that is ‘hidden in plain sight’ and using your camera, or your phone, take a photograph of it.
“Perhaps it will be two branches on a tree which form a Cross shape. Perhaps you’ll see a Cross in a section of wrought-iron fencing. Maybe you’ll see it in a set of road markings or in a random piece of graffiti?
“The only limit is your imagination. Open your eyes and you’ll see that the Cross is all around you.”
How to take partTo submit your entry for the photography competition, please email MediaRelations@churchofscotland.org.uk, attaching your photograph(s) as well as your name and which category you are in:

1. Primary school age
2. Secondary school age
3. 18+

The rules are very simple:

• The photograph must be one that you’ve taken yourself.
• You must take the photograph within your own community and must observe all Covid-related restrictions when doing so.
• Each entrant can submit up to three photographs.
• Images can be taken either on cameras or smartphones and must be submitted by email. Please note, we unfortunately are unable to accept photographs submitted via post at this time.

The competition will run for one month - from Wednesday 17 February (the start of Lent) until Wednesday 17 March. All submissions must be received by the closing date.
All entries will be featured in a special photo gallery on the website.
The Moderator will head a judging panel and the winners in each category will be announced in the lead up to Easter Sunday, with a gift to the charity of the winner’s choice being awarded in each category.
The winning entries will be displayed across the Church of Scotland’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and in a special photo gallery on the website.
Let the fun begin. Get snapping!

​Old and Abbey Church, Arbroath, Foodbank. In line with Scottish government advice, The Old and Abbey Church food bank is remaining open at West Abbey, Street, Arbroath during the current coronavirus crisis. The opening hours are Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 2-3 pm.

Good afternoon all
It will come as no surprise to you to learn that we have been fairly busy at the foodbank
however I am also aware that some people think we are closed because of the pandemic.
Added to that we have had a large community of Romanian / Bulgarian people looking for help
I am not sure whether they have been here for the fruit farms and are now unable to get home ?
They have received food parcels but there is a language barrier and so I have contacted the council for some help
and they are going to translate the above leaflet for me so that we can hand it out with food parcels.
The council also intend to include other helpful information – so all good.
I thought it might be helpful for all of you to have a copy of the details of times and referral agencies
for any enquiries that you may have especially as our church office like all of yours is closed at the moment
Of course any one the churches can refer someone in need for a parcel
Or indeed can collect one for delivery.
If its easier you can text a referral to me – all I would need is the name of the person collecting the parcel.
The number to send a text to is 07427 168951 – I hope that helps.
At the moment I am staffing the food bank along with Major Helen from the Salvation Army
and my husband Neil as we cannot have volunteers in and the central church guidelines are asking that if we operate
It should be with the minimum number of people/ households required.
Hey ho – donations from Morrisons supermarket are still coming in weekly and are a big help
As are donations for individuals at the door of the church.
Okay well keep safe all of you and thanks for your time in reading this.
God Bless
Dolly
Rev Dolly Purnell, Minister, Old and Abbey Church Arbroath Charity Number SCO13052

[BELOW IS THE FLYER WITH FURTHER INFORMATION]
​

Church of Scotland Job Vacancy.

We are delighted to be recruiting for our Head of Faith Action Programme. 
Are you an inspirational leader who could deliver our Faith Action Plan and make a major contribution towards transformative change within the Church of Scotland?
This is an exciting time for The Church of Scotland. Our Faith Action Plan sets out our passionate vision to see the Gospel call as expressed in all 5 marks of mission, lived out in our time and our place. We are seeking to appoint an inspiring individual to implement high level outcomes for the faith related work of the national office, working collaboratively with stakeholders across a range of Church activities and services.
This role requires a personal commitment to the Christian faith expressed through active membership of a Christian community. This is a Genuine Occupational Requirement in terms of the Equality Act 2010.
Closing date: 5pm on Monday 15th February 2021.
First stage interviews: Monday 8th March 2021.
Second stage interviews: Thursday 18th March 2021.
To find out more about the role and the skills we require, please see our application pack at https://churchofscotland.org.uk/head-of-fap