St Peters Episcopal Church
Townsend Place, Kirkcaldy, Fife KY1 1HB
01592 206099
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St Peters Episcopal Church
Townsend Place, Kirkcaldy, Fife KY1 1HB
01592 206099
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Events in 2009
The tone of the evening was set at the entrance by three violinists, led by Rob McGuire, playing traditional music befitting a celebration of Scotland's patron saint.
The theme of St Andrew was continued in the hall, where the colourful flags and the table decorations showed the saltire, the diagonal cross on which the saint is said to have been martyred.
Before dinner was served, more music was provided by "Pink Champagne", a group of singers from Fife Opera. Richard Fawcett then gave a brief account of what is known about St Andrew and why he is has come to be associated with Scotland and in particular with the town of St Andrews. A toast was drunk and then grace sung by the choir.
The social committee are to be congratulated as ever for providing such an enjoyable evening and such an excellent meal.
The following show some of those who attended.
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he ws rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little in stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he ws to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said unto him, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house". Luke 19: 1-5
Zacchaeus symbolises the man or woman who is seeking to add or restore a spiritual dimension to his or her life. The afternoon service on Sunday, 27 September, was an opportunity for new or former members of St Peter's
to join in an act of worship and to meet members of the congregation over afternoon tea.
It was part of an international event, in which churches from many different countries and denominations were taking part, but it fitted perfectly into our own "Casting the Net" program.
The following show some of those who attended.
Over the summer the deaths occurred of three members of the congregation, Katharine Fiske, Johan Watt and Jim Low.
Their funerals were held in St Peter's, that of Katharine Fiske on 8 June, of Johan Watt on 19 August and of Jim Low on 17 September.
Each of them was a lifelong Episcopalian and for many years a faithful member of St Peter's.
Katharine Fiske (1917 - 2009) was born in Norfolk, worked for some time in London, then moved to Scotland with her husband Bill, first to Kinghorn and then to Kirkcaldy. In the years she worshipped at St Peter's, she was a staunch member of the Mother's Union.Her warm and caring personality will long be remembered and missed. She is succeeded by her husband Bill and grandson Timothy.
Johan Watt (1918 - 2009) was born in Coalton of Wemyss, moving to Kirkcaldy while still a child. She remained in the family home, caring for her parents and being an active and involved sister and aunt. We shall picture her in her last months, sitting in a wheelchair at the back of the church, brought there by Jim and Beryl Rogerson.
See Events in 2008 , Visit of Archbishop Stephen, for
pictures of Johan in her 91st year. We remember her with great fondness.
Jim Low (1933 - 2009) was born in Kirkcaldy and was closely involved with St Peter's all his life, fulfilling many roles includng serving several times on the Vestry. One of his chief interests was in the Scout movement, his troop being one of the most successful in the district. His funeral was attended by his wife Nancy, whom he married in 1956, and many family members. One of the tributes to his memory was an affectionate poem written by one of his granddaughters.
On Friday evening, 26 June, Carol Latimer and Fiona Walker gave a Power Point presentation of their visit at Easter to the Mae Ra Mo refugee camp in Northern Thailand. Mae Ra Mo is one of a string of camps along the Thai-Burma border which give refuge to members of the Karen and other ethnic groups under persecution by the military dictatorship in Burma.
St Peter's has a special mission to the Karen people, giving financial help in education and currently maintaining a hostel for refugees in Mae Ra Mo.
Why should we care about Burma? It tends to be forgotten when events in other parts of the world dominate the headlines. But it has half a million displaced persons, more than 150000 refugees in the Thailand
camps and 1100 political prisoners, including elected democratic leader
Aung San Suu Kyi shown below. Its people are demoralised and see no end to their struggle for democracy.
The book below is about the experiences of the young Burmese woman Zoya Phan. You can meet her in Edinburgh on 21 August at 7.30pm. Click on Edinburgh Book Festival for more information.
The presentation included slides of the history of Burma, of the chaos caused by the cyclone in May 1988, and of the human misery caused by government persecution. For current news about Burma (now Myanmar) and its people click on Site 1 or Site 2.
Carol, her daughter and Fiona were part of a group from a charity which provides education and other help to the camps. Click on Burmese Education Partnership to find out more about their work.
Following the presentation there was an opportunity for the audience to engage in more informal discussion with Carol and Fiona over wine and cheese.
The evening raised a total of £283 for St Peter's fund for Mae Ra Mo.
The following pictures show some aspects of life in the camp.
Housing is primitive, built of the locally available bamboo, and food is monotonous, consisting largely of rice.
We see below a newly arrived consignment of food aid
Clothes are washed in the river
There is some animal life in the camp
The children smile happily for the camera
Classes are held wherever there is a room available, sometimes outdoors
Below we see the church Carol and Fiona attended on Easter Sunday
In spite of their privations the people in the camp were eager to share what they had with their visitors, were extremely welcoming and grateful for all the efforts being made on their behalf
Some farewell pictures:
It is several years since St Peter's hosted a performance of this nature. Currently, however, we have a number of highly talented musicians in the congregation, from professional graduates to youngsters performing
for the first time in public.
The concert on Saturday, 13 June, was promoted by the social committee, but was largely organised by Rob Maguire, who also introduced the performers.
It began with Phil Kear playing piano music by Samuel Coleridge, John Field and George Gershwin. There followed contributions from three youngsters. Katie Selkirk on the violin played Londons's Burning, Chelsey Kilpatrick on the viola played The Skye Boat Song while Megan Briers on the piano played London's Bridge is falling down, Turkey in the Straw and Au Claire de la Lune.
Soprano Eleanor Hubbard sang three arrangements by Francis Scott, My Love is like a Red, Red Rose (Burns), Ay Waukin O (Burns) and The Wee Man (Muir).
Rob Maguire played Partita no 2 for solo violin by J.S.Bach.
Claire Maguire, on the piano, completed the first half of the concert with Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and an arabesque by Debussy.
After the interval Phil Kear played three piano pieces by Albeniz, Tango in D, Granada and Cordoba.
Susan Fawcett on the flute, accompanied by her daughter Claire Maguire on the piano, played All Through the Night and Ye Banks and Braes
Eleanor Hubbard sang Vilia from the Merry Widow.
She and Len Coles sang Vaughen Williams' Linden Lea and Len himself sang Answer Me and When I fall in love by Nat King Cole.
Rob Maguire played Arcangelo Corelli's Violin Sonata no 2.
Claire, on the organ, ended the concert by playing the Prelude in G minor and the Prelude in D minor by J.S. Bach.
The audience of 55 were highly appreciative of the content of the concert and by the standards set by the performers.
The proceeds of the evening, £275, will go to church funds.
Note: for information about the professional services offered by Rob and Claire go to Maguire Music Services
Note:
Eleanor Hubbard (nee Herd) was born in Kirkcaldy into a musical family. Encouraged by her mother, by the time she left school she had passed the grade 8 exam in singing, grade 7 in piano and Higher music.
Nevertheless, her first choice of career was in Social work. After graduating with M.A. Honours in Social Sciences at Aberdeen University and completing a postgraduate course at Dundee, she returned to Fife to work.
Currently she is a member of the Fostering and Adoption team in the Social Work Department. She and husband Tom have three children and one grandchild.
Her singing was not neglected, however. While at Aberdeen she sang in the Chapel and University choirs, joined the Havergal Brian society and premiered some of his songs. Back in Fife, she sang with Glenrothes Choral Society, then the Kinghorn Singers. In 1994, she took some lessons with the professsional singer, Robin Gordon, and began to enter and be successful in Fife Festival of Music competitions. She is a strong advocate of Francis George Scott's songs. Since 2000, she has sung with Fife Opera and is a member of the Pink Champagne concert party.
Philip Kear was born in Arbroath. From childhood he showed a keen interest in music. In 1969, as a student at Edinburgh University, he directed from the keyboard the first Scottish performance of Peter Brooks' "Marat/Sade" musical play.
Click on top to go back to the beginning.On Sunday, 31 May, the diocesan initiative "Casting the Net" was launched. This is to be a long-term process, with the broad aim of revitalising the congregations in the diocese, and enabling them to look outwards beyond their existing confines. Events which develop the process will be reported as they occur.
The hunger lunch on Sunday, 10 May and the quiz on Friday evening, 15 May were well attended and raised £200 towards Christian aid.
On Sunday, April 12, at 10.30am, a crowded St Peter's celebrated Easter with traditional ceremonies and hymns. It was a fine spring morning and sunshine flooded the church. Jane Legge's flower arrangements added to the beauty of the service, as did the music provided by the choir and the solo "I know that my Redeemer liveth" sung by Eleanor Hubbard. Later, when coffee and hot cross buns were served, many of the congregation escaped the overcrowding in the hall to chat, to enjoy the sunshine and to admire the Peace Garden. Among the pictures below can be seen Rob Maguire conducting the choir and Judy Webster, holding an Easter card just given to her by two of the girls in the Sunday School, Megan and Shona Briers.
On Sunday, 1 February, at 10.30am, Bishop David celebrated Candlemas, a Christingle service, the admission to communion of 8yr old Chloe Mackie and the dedication of a candle stand to the memory of Cameron Paul, who died 25 years ago. This service, combining as it did several features, was very moving and very well attended, particularly by friends and relatives of Cameron. The Christingle collection was donated to the Aberlour Childcare Trust.
The pictures below show how the church was decorated for the occasion as well some of the children who took an acive part. The candle stand, which was donated by Cameron's parents, June and David Paul, appears in several of the pictures.
There was no "almost" about this celebration of Burns' life and work on Friday, 23 January . All of the traditional elements were included, from the piping in of the haggis to the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
Speeches, songs and readings were introduced between courses of the splendid meal. St Peter's is fortunate in having two music graduates, as well as several very talented singers and speakers.
In the "Immortal Memory", Mr David Potter reminded us of some lesser known aspects of Burn's life, e.g. since the 1945 rebellion it had been illegal to wear tartan or to dispay any tartan object. Normal dress was truly "hodden grey".
Similarly Raymond Mann's Toast to the Lassies" and the reply by Carol Latimer were full of novel elements and greatly appreciated.
They, Rosemary Potter, Eleanor Hubbard, and members of the Social Committee, Joan & Len Coles, Kerry Briers, Judy Webster, Rob & Clare Maguire are to be congratulated for making such a success of the evening.
Events in 2008
On Sunday 10 August we were delighted to welcome Archbishop Stephen and his wife, visiting us after attending the Lambeth Conference. A large number of members came to hear the archbishop preaching, perhaps after hearing Canon Rodger Royle announce the service on Radio 2. Aterwards we were able to meet with him and his wife at a buffet lunch.
We hope they will be able to return within the next few years. Perhaps some of our members may be able to visit them in Burma.
One of our oldest members, Joanne Watt, celebrated her 90th birthday on Sunday 10 August and Archbishop Stephen presented her with a card and flowers to mark the occasion.
This was celebrated on Sunday 29 June. A buffet lunch followed the 10.30 service, in which the guest preacher was the Rev Canon John Brown.
In the afternoon, John led a meeting of the USP (Unique Selling Point) group of St Peter's. The picture shows John with some of the group.
St Peter's contribution to the 2008 Christian Aid appeal consisted of the proceeds from three events, the Hunger Lunch on May 11th (£330), the Quiz Evening on May 18th (£95) and a sale of plants by Edward Thomas (£65).
Owing to the disastous situation caused by the recent cyclone in Burma, it was decided to donate the total of £490 raised to that cause.
On 28 April the social committee hosted an Italian evening. About 40 church members and friends enjoyed a traditional Italian meal accompanied by appropriate decorations and music. Later some Italian songs were sung (thankfully in translation).
On 23 March a crowded St Peter's celebrated the festival of Easter. It was a joyous occasion, the flowers, vestments and music adding colour to the day, especially welcome after the sombre period of Lent. The service included the Liturgy of Initiation, in which an adult, James Finn, was admitted into the fellowship of St Peter's through baptism.
The pictures show some of Jane Legge's flower arrangements. There are also picture of Gareth, of Carol, of some members of the congregation and of the children receiving Easter gifts from Joan Coles.
Bishop David visited St Peter's on Sunday 27 January. He was accompanied by Bishop Daniel from Kerala, India, who is currently a guest of the diocese. During the service, one of our younger members, 7 year-old Megan Briers, was admitted to communion for the first time.
It was also our annual Christingle service and fundraising for the Aberlour Childcare Trust, on this occasion raising nearly £200.
After the service tea, coffee and pancakes freshly made by members of the Social Committee were served in the hall.
Events in 2007
Our annual dinner, followed by entertainment from the stars of St Peter's, was held on Friday 7 December. It was a very enjoyable evening, as the following pictures show.
They were married in Jerusalem. The picture on the left was taken on their honeymoon in Egypt. Her husband declined to ride on a camel, claiming it made him feel seasick. The picture on the right shows Peggy in middle life, after settling down in Fife. She became active in local politics and in charitable organizations, especially in work for Save the Children.
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Rev John Brown and his wife Jean |
At the same service on September 16 a new sanctuary lamp was dedicated to the memory of Robert and Catherine Wall.
On the left, the old lamp is lit, indicating the presence of the Holy Sacrament. On the right, Rev Gareth Benson lights the candle in the new lamp and is about to switch off the other.
On Sunday, 3rd June, this memorial of Ron Leigh was dedicated by the Rev Gareth Benson.
Present in the congregation that day were Ron's wife, Margaret and many members of his extended family, including children and grandchildren.
This building was known affectionately in Kinghorn as the tin hut.The Episcopal congregation in Kinghorn worshipped here from 1905 until 2005,
when it was decommissioned. Services since then have been held in Kinghorn Parish Church.
These pictures were taken shortly before the building was demolished in May, 2007 to make room for a housing development.
Events in 2006
Events in 2005
Musician Richard Pattinson, son of Alan Pattinson, was killed in an accident in the Swiss mountains on 18 July. Stunned by news of his death, members of the community, members of St Peter's, representatives of the musical world here and abroad, family and friends attended a service at St Peter's on 29 July.
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