Letter from our Interim Moderator

Falkland linked with Freuchie Parish Churches

Rev Jeff Martin

Telephone:- 01334 656181

Email:- jartin@churchofscotland.org.uk

Weddings

Anyone resident in the parish is entitled to request a wedding service from the church and the minister will be happy to discuss with you how we can help you celebrate your special day.

The minister is happy to officiate at your wedding in church or other appropriate venues (within reason!) and will meet with you to discuss all the details.

There is no requirement to be a member of the church, but it is worth remembering that it will be a Christian service and your marriage will be before God.

There is no restriction on widowed or divorced people remarrying in the Church of Scotland.

Christenings

We offer two types of Christening events in the Church of Scotland.

First, Blessing is for anyone who wishes to bring their children to church, offer thanks and seek God’s blessing. There is no requirement to join the church or to attend regularly, but we’d love it if you did.

Second, Baptism is for the children of members and baptised parents intending to be members. Adults who have not been previously baptised may also seek this sacrament. Baptism involves making promises to follow the Christian faith and be a regular worshipper at church, there is the sprinkling of water as a sign of joining Christ’s baptism and a new beginning.

You can download a leaflet explaining this in more detail here.

Funerals

Anyone resident in the parish or members resident elsewhere may ask the minister to conduct a funeral for a loved one.

The minister will meet you before the service to discuss your requirements for the service and is available to talk about whatever you need to talk about.

Funerals are arranged with the undertaker, but it is important to consult the minister about his and the church availability (if required).

Please note that there is no right or wrong way to “do a funeral” - everyone has traditions that mean something to them. The minister will help you to decide what is right for you and choose hymns and readings.

1 April 2022

Dear Friends:

I’m writing on behalf of the Kirk Sessions of the Freuchie and Falkland Parish Churches, to invite you to join in the regular and special activities in the coming weeks, to update you on the current pandemic regulations, and to give a brief intimation of the new presbytery mission plan.

Sunday morning services continue in both churches weekly, with worship in Falkland at 9:45 and in Freuchie at 11:15. We will maintain this schedule through the end of June. In the coming months, the elders will make a decision about returning to joint services later in the year.

During Holy Week, there will be a Prayer Space in the churches. This will include a dozen different activities centring upon the theme of Holy Week and Easter, with encouragement to think through the topic, pause for thought or prayer, and make a response to these thoughts through an activity. The Prayer Space will be in the Falkland Church on Monday 11 April and Wednesday 13 April, from 10:00am to 12:00pm, and on Saturday 16 April, from 10:30am to 1:00pm. The Prayer Space will be in the Freuchie Church on Monday 11 April and Wednesday 13 April from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

On Maundy Thursday 14 April, a service of Holy Communion will be celebrated in the Falkland Church at 7:00pm.

On Good Friday 15 April, a service of worship will take place in the Freuchie Church at 2:30pm.

Freuchie will host a Messy Church activity for families on Saturday 16 April, beginning at 3:00pm in the parish hall.

I’m very grateful to the Reverend Susan Thorburn for creating and coordinating all of these special Holy Week activities.

Worship on Easter Sunday 17 April will take place at the usual times: 9:45 in Falkland and 11:15 in Freuchie. Freuchie will have refreshments before the worship service, beginning at 10:00am.

If you would like to attend an early, outdoor service on Easter morning, there are two options available within the Eden-Tay Cluster: In the Lindores Parish, worshippers will gather at 7:00am at the waterfront in Newburgh, followed by breakfast in the Newburgh church hall. In Edenshead, worshippers will meet at 7:30am at Pitmeddan Forest car park, Mournipea, followed by breakfast in the Auchtermuchty church hall. And if you’re closer to Cupar, you can climb the Hill of Tarvit for an ecumencial hilltop worship service that starts at 8:00am.

Looking beyond the Easter celebration, Holy Communion will be celebrated in both churches on Sunday 15 May.

Everyone in both parishes is very welcome to attend any and all of these events, regardless of location.

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Most legal restrictions for the control of the pandemic have been removed, with the mandate for mask-wearing now being removed on 4 April. Hand sanitising, distancing, mask-wearing, and ventilation are now recommended as good practices. In the coming weeks, please be sensible for your own practices, and sensitive to the needs and preferences of others, who may wish to continue to wear masks or maintain some distance from others.

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The presbytery mission plan has been released for each session to review its own recommendations. I am not able to disclose any specific information at this time, until both sessions have met, but I will say that there are significant changes ahead of us, as we are challenged to adapt and grow, and to work together in witness and service in our communities. In the coming days we will share the details of the report and provide opportunities for feedback from the congregations.

May the risen Christ bring new life to us; and may our lives reflect our trust in the One who ever and always leads us from darkness into light.

With warm regards,

Jeff

The Reverend Jeff Martin

Interim Moderator