March – May Church Magazine

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March-May Magazine

Did You Know ?

The following contribution comes from Kathleen Hind, one of the oldest members of the original Abbey Church:

The Abbey Church was closed for refurbishment and re-opened in 1960.  During the closure services were held in Erskine Church in Commerce Street which was empty at that time.  The local firm of George Chisholm & Sons, Joiners and Carpenters, made a wonderful job of taking the woodwork back to its original state, as it is today.  On completion of the refurbishment, as a momento of the occasion, George Chisholm presented the church with a wooden cross that he had made himself.  It is this cross that still hangs above the back of the pulpit.

Colin Dundas – Old & Abbey Energy Officer

Colin Dundas has been appointed as Old and Abbey energy officer.  The role of energy officer is a new position and Colin’s initial duties will be to read and collate all information from our electricity, gas and water meters. Colin will calculate the consumption, calculate the cost and log our carbon footprint. The benefit to the church is that we will be in a position to see any significant changes in what we are consuming and be in a better position to investigate the reasons why.

An Interview with Jean Glass of the Eco Workgroup

Q1 Jean, you have been at the forefront of setting up an Eco Congregation. How important are the networks in helping to develop the Eco Congregation movement?

Networks are very important. There are now 213 registered churches of which the Old and Abbey is one. Many churches are at varying stages in their Eco-environment journey.  Some have been working steadily for two or three years while others are just starting to think about it. To be part of a networking system brings everyone much needed support while assisting individual Eco-congregations to fulfil their missions.  Each Eco-congregation works on a huge variety of different aspects related to caring for God’s　creation.　It could be beach cleans, involving young people or youths through projects on waste, fund-raising for developing world charitable events or being involved in projects such as a community garden.  Each networking system is split into local areas making it easier to meet with other churches and share ideas.  Networks also help with the award assessment process.

Q2 How important has your faith been in your involvement with environmental issues?

I am fortunate to live close to beautiful countryside leading to breathtaking walks.   The lovely wide open spaces of grass and sea, the birds singing on a summer morning and even on a winter morning; rabbits in the field and bright rowan berries on the trees, I worry we are taking it all for granted.  Give us the compassion to realise  how our actions impact on others.  God has given this world to us to look after; therefore we must do all we can to do just that, not only for this generation but for generations to come.

Q3 In your opinion what is the greatest achievement that the Old and Abbey Eco– group has achieved to date?

I would say without a doubt it has to be the setting up of our own Eco-Newsletter. With so many people having access to the internet nowadays it is amazing just how far the Eco-message can be distributed, both locally and nationally.

Q4 Do you think that global warming is a real threat and if so are we doing enough in the Eco-congregation movement to get the message across to our congregation? 

Since joining our Eco-group I am amazed at just how much we have achieved in that time. We are a collection centre for milk bottle and plastic tops. We have organised a plant sale, taken a stall at the Seafront Spectacular to sell herb plants in conjunction with the Year Of The Light and to promote Eco-congregation. We have organised a walk or cycle day to church, held two Earth Hour Concerts, an Eco-Festival and film evenings. The group has visited A.C.R.O.P recycling centre to give us a better understanding of what happens to our waste and what type of items are recyclable. We have represented the church at the first Annual General Meeting of Eco-congregation held at Bridge Of Allan and set up our own Newsletter.  Global warming is something that is happening now and we must keep working as God’s stewards, and continue to do all we can.

December – February Church Magazine

The latest edition of the church magazine can be downloaded by clicking

Dec-Feb Church Magazine

Arbroath Art Society

As of October this year the Art Society has made its home in the Old and Abbey Church Hall.  The meetings are held on the first Friday of the month with a break in the summer and in January.  At these meetings guests give demonstrations of different art techniques and media or deliver illustrated talks on some aspect of art history.  Time is also allowed for members to socialise and enjoy a cup of tea before they head home.  In addition three indoor and one outdoor art workshops are held per session when members get practical advice and guidance from a guest tutor.  The group pays regular visits to the Pittenweem Arts Festival and has, in recent years, added the Pot Fest and the McManus Galleries to the list of ‘things to do’.  Most members paint but it is not an essential qualification for membership.  The main aim is to encourage interest, participation and enjoyment of art in the Arbroath community.  With that in mind, the Art Society extends a warm welcome to anyone in the Old & Abbey congregation to come to a meeting, either as an occasional guest or as a prospective member.  Keep an eye on the Community noticeboard for details of meetings and activities.

Top Honour for Air Cadet

Our own Kistie Cunningham of 2422 Squadron ATC has been awarded the Andrew Sash as the best female cadet in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  This follows on from a previous award when she was named as one of the Lord Lieutenant’s cadets, another highly regarded achievement.

Kirstie has passed both the independent parachute and solo flying courses and plays netball at both Wing and Regional level for RAF Cosford.  She hopes one day to become an officer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve.

Within the Old & Abbey, Kirstie is a Youth Group leader and she was part of the Habitat for Humanity group that went to South Africa to build homes for AIDS/HIV orphans.  Locally, Kirstie coaches the Hayshead Primary School netball team.  Kirstie is currently working as a carer at Tarriebank Care Home.