Church Diary
SUNDAY SERVICES
Craigellachie 9.45am
Aberlour 11.15am
TIG Craigellachie 9.45am (during school term)
SUNDAY CLUB Aberlour 11.15am (during school term)

BIG GROUP Resumes in September

SPEYSIDE HOME Sundays at 3.00pm

HOME BIBLE STUDY GROUP –Contact David Anderson (871906)
for details.
PRAYER GROUPS Small informal groups have been set up.
Phone 871027 if you are interested
Boxes for prayer requests are at the back of the church.

11 June Elders’ Training at Craigellachie, after morning worship at Aberlour
25 June All Age Services for Book Service
28 June Congregational Board meets, followed by Kirk Session
30 June Craigellachie School, Leavers’ Service in Craigellachie Church at 9.45am
6 August Combined Worship in Craigellachie at 9.45am
13 August Combined Worship in Aberlour at 11.15am
20 August Combined Worship in Craigellachie at 9.45am
27 August TIG & Sunday Circle re-commence (Craigellachie at 9.45am & Aberlour at 11.15am)
3 September BIG Group resumes
6 September Kirk Session meeting
Communion Services
Last Sundays of February, May, August and November – everyone welcome.

*August Combined Worship*
*please note times:
Sunday 6 August – Craigellachie – 9.45 am
Sunday 13 August – Aberlour – 11.15 am
Sunday 20 August – Craigellachie – 9.45 am

CHURCH REGISTER
DEATHS

14 February Harry Cumming Forbes, Craigellachie
27 February Barbara Elizabeth Carey, Aberlour
27 February Fiona Elizabeth Spark, Australia, formerly Aberlour
5 March Mary Campbell, Aberlour
18 March Gordon Duff, Aberlour
25 March John Main Falconer, Aberlour

Re-energise
Church Without Walls Conference
19-22 March 2006
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend the Re-energise Conference in Aviemore. I confess I went to it feeling rather apprehensive, wondering what I had let myself in for. However, my worries were needless. I arrived for dinner, which was followed by opening worship and from that point on I knew the delegates were in for a treat.

The programme was very full, starting at 7a.m. and continuing until 11.30p.m. each day – but it was stressed that we were not expected to attend everything! We could opt in and out as we were inclined. Mind you, most of us attended most sessions, as we didn’t want to miss anything! There were lectures, discussion groups, workshops, an exhibitor resource area and of course plenty of opportunities to chat with other people. It is amazing how many churches experience similar challenges. For me, though, there were two highlights. The first was being in a gathering of so many people (there were 412 of us) all enthusiastic about the Church. The second was the worship. Some of the worship times were very traditional, some were far from traditional, using power point presentations. Can you imagine what it was like being among so many people singing with conviction? A wonderful experience.
Margaret S

Cuppa at Craigellachie
Come and join us for a cuppa and some home bakes on 15th June, from 2.15pm to 3.15pm, at the church in Craigellachie. The “Craig Cuppa” will take a break during July & August but will resume again on 21st September. All proceeds to Christian Aid.

The Old Station Tea Room will open at 2pm on Sunday 4th June for the usual summer season. As always we shall be serving tea, coffee, soft drinks and our delicious homebakes. This year the Tea Room has a new organiser: Mr Sandy Henderson has very kindly agreed to take over. New volunteers are always very welcome. If you have just a few hours a week or month to spare, please call in to the Tea Room to see us and join our happy band of volunteers.  I would like to give my sincere thanks to everyone who has helped and assisted me during the last 2 years.
Judith B

Macmillan Cancer Relief

It is hoped to have a Soup & Sweet lunch in Craigellachie Village Hall on Sunday August 13th. Please watch press and posters for details nearer the time.
Edith P

ABERLOUR READING GROUP
A number of individuals in Aberlour have expressed an interest in setting up an Evening Reading Group in the town.  We already have one running in Aberlour Library on the first Tuesday afternoon of the month; but we'd be very happy to set up an evening group if there was enough interest.
If anyone is interested in an Evening Reading Group in Aberlour, please give names to Carlyn McTavish at Aberlour Library.  Alternatively, people can contact me direct.  I am: Susan Butts,  Senior Librarian (Keith)  Tel: 01542 882223  susan.butts@moray.gov.uk

CRAIGELLACHIE TIG
On Easter Day it was fantastic to see so many boys and girls in Church and we all enjoyed an uplifting service. We can't quite believe we are almost at the end of the session! Our final session of the year will be the All Age Book Service, which will take place on 25th June in Craigellachie at 9.45am. Until that time we are looking at: Why Saul changed his life and became Paul; Stephen, The First Christian Martyr; The Prodigal Son and The Feeding Of The Five Thousand.
TIG is open to any boys and girls from 3-12 years. Why not come along at 9.45am any Sunday and try? You will be made very welcome.
A big thanks to Elizabeth, our Minister, and the Congregation for their encouragement and generosity throughout the year. A special thanks to all who have helped us run the programme by offering their support.
Last but not least! A big thanks to all TIG members for coming along and sharing your energy and enthusiasm. Each one a true Blessing!
Margaret W & Marianne MacW

Aberlour Sunday Circle
Joy, Kay and I continue to enjoy working with the youngsters at Sunday Circle. We also continue to be amazed at some of the work produced by the children! They can be so perceptive and so original at times, it takes your breath away. It can make you think carefully about your own beliefs too! Would you like to share in the privilege of working with the youngsters on a Sunday morning? If so, do speak to one of us or to Elizabeth Curran and we can tell you more about what we do.
Margaret S

SPEYSIDE SUPPORT GROUP FOR CARERS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

This group, which has been active now for two years, is open to parents, grandparents and foster carers of children with physical, psychological and emotional disabilities, who require a high level of care.

We meet monthly on Wednesday evenings between 7pm and 9pm at Aberlour Medical Practice for discussions, activities and mutual and social support.

The meetings are carer led and informal. If you feel that this is for you, please come along.
Child care and transport can be arranged if required.
For further information contact: Kate Asher on 01340 882107

The Aberlour Church Walking Group

The Christian Aid Sponsored Walk on 13th May went well, with 47 people from Aberlour, Craigellachie, Dufftown and Rothes (plus even a walker from Inverness) doing either the whole or part of the walk. It is too early to say how much money was raised but once all donations are received we will announce the total.

Our next walk is on Saturday 10th June, meeting at 11am. This walk takes us gently up to the Rothes Wind Farm. It is quite an experience walking among the windmills.

To reach the starting point take the Oakhill Road (Knockando to Dallas road) and drive to the highest point of the road, then continue downhill through woodland for over a mile. Cross a small bridge over a stream, and then you will reach a wide opening on the right—this is the parking place. This is before “Yellowbog” on the Ordnance Survey map, and about 4 miles north from Upper Knockando road junction. We will be there early (10.30am) to help you identify the meeting place!

A walk in the Glenlivet area is planned for Sat 8th July, and a coastal route will be followed on Sat 12th August. Details will be on posters outside Aberlour and Craigellachie Churches and on leaflets available in the churches. If you want details to be regularly emailed to you please let us know by emailing “maurvid@hotmail.com” and we will be pleased to keep you informed. The walks are open to anyone but children should be accompanied by an adult and participants are responsible for their own health and safety.
For further information or help with transport phone: David, Maureen or Jane.

Craigellachie Village Council
are hoping to get the plants from Moray Council Cooper Park Nursery about the third week in June.  As in previous years, we have to arrange for the collection of the plants from the nursery.  Stephen Strathdee has kindly agreed to go to Elgin and collect the plants from the Nursery on our behalf.  We will be looking for volunteers to go down to the Nursery and assist with loading the plants onto the trailer and unloading them at the village hall.  It would also be of great benefit if we could have volunteers to assist with planting of the bedding plants.  The more helpers we get the quicker the task will get completed.  Anyone who can spare a couple of hours is asked to contact Brenda

Craigellachie Senior Citizens’ Club
Our Silver Anniversary celebrations in April were a great success with games, quizzes and musical entertainment by Carol Aitchison and Maureen Anderson. An excellent tea was followed by a celebration cake, generously supplied by Walkers, being cut by founder members, Gladys Cowie, Janet Dunn and Dorothy Gelati.
The AGM took place in May and following the business meeting, an afternoon of fun quizzes was organised by Edith.
In June, we have our Summer Outing when, following lunch at The Kintore Arms Hotel, we will visit the Maritime Museum in Aberdeen.
The new session starts on Thursday 14th September when we hope to welcome new and old members.
Christine L

ABERLOUR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION was investigated at the end of last year by the Office of Scottish Charity Regulators. We have received a letter to confirm that the investigator would like to thank us for our co-operation and stated that nothing irregular had been found.
It has come to the time of year when we need to start getting organised for the summer.  If anyone would like to help with the planting and up keep of the floral displays can they please contact Mrs. Mabel Donald. 
It is also the 25th Village party this year .If anyone has any photos of the past parties and would like to share them with us, or if anyone would like to help with the party or It's A Knockout, could they please contact Mrs. Pamela Winchester

COMMUNITY DIARY
June 4 Concert at St. Margaret’s, Moray Brass
9 Auction Sale, Edinvillie Hall 7pm
10 Tea & Competitions, Craigellachie Christmas Party Fund, Craigellachie Hall, 7.30pm
10 Avon Party, Fleming Hall 7pm
15 Cuppa at Craigellachie Church 2.15—3.15pm
17 Coffee Morning, Masonic hall
22/24 Span Event, Celtic Festival
24 Concert at St. Margaret’s, Sonas Acapella Group
29 Pensions Surgery, Aberlour Health Centre 10-12

July 1 Edinvillie Hall, Quiz and BBQ 7.30pm
9 League of Friends, Station Tearoom, Soup and Sweet, 12-2pm Afternoon Teas 2-4.30pm

August 4 Concert at St. Margaret’s, Edinburgh String Quartet
5 Aberlour Highland Games
20 Aberlour Horticultural Show 1.30pm
The Kirk News is published in March, June, September & December.
Deadline for entries is the 14th of the month prior to issue date.