| Newtonhill Church news stories from 2005. Click here for the latest news stories. |
| Harvest celebration | 18th September 2005 |
Harvest display |
Harvest Celebration
Harvest is the time of year when we traditionally give thanks to God for his continuing provision and care to us. Harvest is also a time when we particularly remember those in need. This year we collected food and toiletries for Aberdeen Cyrenians' work with the homeless. In the service we heard how giving thanks to God for the harvest is an ancient tradition. In early Bible times the Israelites set aside part of their crops (grain, grapes and olive oil) as a thanks offering to God. |
| Landlubbers Holiday Club | 1-5 August 2005 |
Landlubbers ahoy! |
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The Landlubbers This year's holiday club adventure cast us as "landlubbers" — pirates stranded on a desert island on a hunt for lost treasure. Everyone was divided into teams, with names reflecting the pirate theme, such as "Buccaneers" and "Cutlass Crusaders"! |
Heave-Ho demonstrates something to her incredulous crew |
Making the most of the sunshine: outdoor games |
Non-stop action Each day was packed with activities. We began with our version of aerobics — pirobics! (thanks for that Rachel, Rachael, Stuart and Phil!). This was followed by songs, crafts and games (including the annual Newtonhill Holiday Club boat race!). |
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Buried treasure Each day two landlubbers, Heave-Ho and Yo-Ho (aka Zoe and Rachael), stumbled across different clues which lead them around the island towards the treasure. The clues were solved by bandanna-wearing Captain Book, who showed how they related to the life of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. |
Heave-Ho and Yo-Ho read their mail |
The modified pirate flag |
What's the connection between pirates and Christians??? We discovered some surprising similarities during the week. Both hunt for treasure; the pirate for silver and gold, the Christian to know Jesus better. As Paul put it, "Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as rubbish. All I want is Christ." The pirate flag, traditionally known as the Jolly Roger or Skull and Crossbones, reminds us that Jesus died at a place called the Skull. However although our flag had a cross, it had no bones. Jesus died on a cross, but his bones cannot be found anywhere because God brought him back to life again (which we celebrate at Easter — see below!). |
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Drama Each day ended with the excellent pirate drama, including the love-struck-yet-deadly Dangerous Daisy, the captivating Captain Kate, the far-from-happy Miserable Roger and the blue-bearded Bluebeard. |
Drama action: walking the plank somehow loses something when performed on dry land (can you spot the blue beard?). |
The "Mini Mutineers" show off their maritime masterpiece. |
Thanks to everyone! The week went by so fast. Many thanks to everyone who helped make the Club a huge success, especially Zoe for overseeing the entire operation. Thanks also to Scripture Union for another excellent holiday club theme. Finally, thanks to all the children who came along and had so much fun! |
| Easter 2005 | 27 March 2005 |
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Is Easter really news? Some might say that Easter is hardly news, afterall it comes along every year! However, it's not everyday that someone says they are able to conquer death and then goes on to prove it in such a dramatic fashion! |
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Decoration of the front of the church |
Half full or half empty? During the Easter service the minister reflected on how different people see the same thing differently. For instance, someone might describe a cup as half empty, while someone else says that it is half full. On the first Easter morning three people saw exactly the same empty tomb, yet each saw it differently: Mary saw it but misunderstood it (thinking that someone had moved or stolen the body). Peter saw it but didn't understand what it meant. Finally John saw it and believed.
How do you see things? |
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Early morning Easter celebration It was early on the first Easter morning that some women went to the tomb where Jesus had been laid, and found it empty. An Easter tradition in Newtonhill is an early morning service, held at the bowling club in the village overlooking the sea. This year it was a little misty, which added to the atmosphere of the occasion! After the service we return to the church and the Boys' Brigade prepare bacon rolls for breakfast. Many thanks to everyone who helped with this and made it possible. |
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| Boys' Brigade Scottish Chess Champions | 20 March 2005 |
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Congratulations to our Boys' Brigade chess team who have won the
Scottish Boys' Brigade chess championship for the third time in four
years!
The victorious team were Stuart Leslie (captain), Alastair Grant and Harry Peaker, all of whom have had to travel the highways and byways of Scotland in pursuit of the Championship. |
The winning chess team (L to R): Stuart Leslie (captain), Alastair Grant and Harry Peaker. |
Carronvale (BB Scottish HQ) |
The final was held on Sunday 20th March at Carronvale, the Boys'
Brigade Scottish headquarters in Larbert, not far from Falkirk. The
team was accompanied by officers Bill Shanks and Ken Cruickshank.
The strong opponents were 1/2 Dreghorn Company from Ayrshire. |
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Both Scottish finalists now go on to compete in the UK final
against the 17th Notthingham company representing England and the 1st
Portadown company representing Ireland.
This year the final is being held in Aberdeen on the 9th April. |
The Skateraw Shield |
| Ready, Steady, Cook! | 26 February 2005 |
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Last Saturday three members of our Girls' Brigade took part in a
national competition at Harlow Academy in Aberdeen similar to the
popular Ready, Steady, Cook TV show. They had to prepare a
four course lunch on a theme of their choice for four people, and all
for under £8! They chose a Mexican theme, which included chicken
fajitas followed by mangoes in cinnamon syrup (it's making me hungry
just typing this!).
Everyone involved had great fun and the food was certainly appreciated! |
Ready, Steady, Cook team (standing) together with some clearly very happy tasters! |
| Well done Girls' Brigade! | February 2005 |
| We are really proud of our Girls Brigade, who have done very well in the Aberdeen Division competitions. They hadn't entered the Basic Drill competition for a number of years, so were delighted to come first. Especially as it is the first time Fiona, their Captain, has given the orders. She was over the moon, till she realised that winning meant she would have to lead them through their paces on the stage at the Music Hall later in the spring! Advanced Choir was an entirely new competition for them and they came first there too. Congratulations to girls and officers. |
| Stonehaven Jumble Sale | February 2005 |
| Our Jumble Sale and Cake/Candy stall in Stonehaven on 12th Feb, was a great success, raising about £1400. Our thanks to everyone who contributed goods or came along, and especially to our members and friends who worked so hard to achieve this result. It took lots of effort, but was also a great opportunity to enjoy working together towards a common goal. |
