The Fife Herald has kindly given the Dairsie web site permission to copy the Dairsie News that is printed in the Fife Herald every week.
The ladies of the Church Guild produced some enticing home baking at the Tea on Sunday afternoon in aid of the Salvation Army. A cold bright day but only a warm greeting met all who came to ignore (a little!) the calorie count, and it was indeed a cheery time, which raised the sum of around £124 for this important charity. Warm thanks go to all who helped in any way and to those who came along to give their support.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday morning was led by the minister, the Rev. Sheila Blount. It was the second Sunday in Advent so two candles were lit by long-standing members, Joe Goodicut and Ruby Braid, and the lessons were read by Craig Rodgers. The congregation enjoyed some favourite Christmas carols as well as some newer ones and an Advent hymn. It is good to have the minister able to lead the worship again after her long period of ill-health, and of course there were thoughts of those too unwell to share in the sacrament in the church. Refreshments and warm fellowship were enjoyed in the hall after the service. There was a retiring offering for Practical Action which has projects throughout the world aimed at reducing the vulnerability of communities threatened by disasters. One important help given is to ensure that clean, safe, water is available as soon as possible. £41.90 will now go to help this valuable work.
The Parish Church Newsletter was distributed this week, with its mixture of a Christmas message from the minister, together with news of past and coming events in the village, gathered and compiled to interest us all by Andrew Stevenson, to whom sincere thanks are due. If you did you not get a copy, he can supply one.
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has given us support and encouragement since we started up in October. It has been a great couple of months with numbers increasing and the children really enjoy themselves. The Christmas Party is on Wednesday, 17th December, and then we stop until re-start on Wednesday, 7th January at 10am. New members always welcome. We all wish you a Happy Christmas and a fun-filled New Year.
The President, Willa Ferguson, opened the meeting. A hymn, with Jean Stevenson on the organ, followed. Then the President gave a reading on the meaning of the 12 days of Christmas and led a prayer.
The Rev. Andrew Stevenson was asked to take the chair and with a panel of three invited guests, the Rev. Alex Strickland, Norma Davies, and Jim Anderson, the questions suggested by the Guild on the theme A Matter of Opinion were presented. The questions were wide-ranging, and from three such different people, the replies proved to be varied, ranging from reminiscences, to deeply thought answers, to humorous, and member’s interest and enjoyment was held throughout. Barbara Fargie thanked the speaker’s warmly on behalf of all, and tea/coffee and mince pies followed, and the meeting closed with another hymn and a final prayer led by the Rev. Alex Strickland.
The service on Sunday, 21st December at 9.45am will be a Family Service. All are welcome, and there will be tea/coffee and mince pies in the Church hall afterwards. Also, there will be a Christmas Eve Service at 11.30pm, so please come along to share in the joyous carols and welcome in the day of celebration for the coming of Jesus.
As usual, the Christmas draw of the Dairsie Memorial Hall 200 Club is a big one, with more winners. They were: P. Tomlinson £50; Caroline Eccles £20; H. Yule and L. Murray £10 each; and five winners each receive £5, they are J. McGowan, M. Booth, H. Horsburgh, N. Davies, and J. Anderson.
The December meeting was a Christmas Party, and members enjoyed a fun evening with a Beetle Drive followed by fine refreshments. The Competition winners were: Christmas decoration 1st M. Booth, 2nd A. Jeffs; Flower of the month 1st H. Horsburgh, 2nd J. Armes.
Worship on 21st December was a family service led by the minister, the Rev Sheila Blount. There were the traditional carols: the lesson was Luke 1-20 read by the Rev Graham Blount; the Advent candles were lit by invited members of the congregation assisted by some of the children; and a Drama The Shepherd and the Psychiatrist was enacted by Willa Ferguson and Lewis Thomson, vacating his seat at the organ to take the part of the shepherd. It was a delightfully humorous story, raising the concerns of a shepherd at the visitation from the angels, and of course he went away happy! Mince pies, a hot drink and many cheery good wishes for Christmas followed in the church hall.
The Memorial Hall committee have organised a Hogmanay Dance. Information and availability of tickets from Carol Owen.
All are welcome to blow away the cobwebs with a short walk - stout footwear advisable - meeting at the church at 2pm, ending about 3pm with a warming drink.