01/03/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

As of 1st March 2010 we have introduced an updated web site at www.markinchchurch.org.uk.  The new site will include all the information pages from the main church website PLUS all the latest news and updates you normally find here on the News site.

As of 1st March we will no longer be posting news and intimations on this page so please bookmark www.markinchchurch.org.uk for future use.

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28/02/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

The Markinch Parish Church website could be offline over the next day or two as we implement the new design.

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28/02/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

Ministers Vestry Hour 12 noon - 1.00 pm. Please contact the Minister for an appointment - phone 01592-758264 or  E-mail  forsythar@aol.com  In the event of hospitalisation, serious illness, family anxiety, bereavement or personal difficulty the Minister is available to visit. You have to let him know if he can be of help.
Coffee Morning from 10.00am to 11.30am on Thursdays in the church hall. Join us for tea or coffee and a chat. Sales table and lucky tickets.
The Church’s Gift Day The Congregational Board has identified the following two items in need of attention. These are the replacement of the boiler used to heat the hall and the repair/replacement of several of the hall windows. Both of these items are likely to be expensive to Christian Aid Coffee Morning Volunteers are required please, for the Christian Aid Coffee Morning on Saturday 15th May from 10.00am to 12.00 noon. If you can help with any of the following, please speak to Jean Forsyth or call 01592 758264. She will be very grateful for:- help in the kitchen, serving coffees, manning the tombola stall, baking stall or the door and selling raffle tickets and tickets for the event. She would also appreciate donations of baking for the teas and for the baking stall, donations for the tombola and for the raffle
An invitation from the Burntisland Church Pastoral Care Group. Members of Presbytery are warmly invited to join them on Tuesday 9th March at 7.00pm in Burntisland Church Hall for an address by Justin Dowds, Director of the Charity ‘Lemon Aid’ based in the Vine Church, Dunfermline. Justin and his team of volunteer doctors and nurses go to La Gonave, an island off Haiti, to care for the children there, vaccinating them against typhoid, hepatitis B, meningitis and much more. The charity’s challenge now is to rebuild the hospital there. A film will be shown. If you are interested in attending please contact Ann Smith on 01592 873994 by 7th March.
“Bel Canto Voices – an evening of song” on Friday 12 March at St Margaret’s church at 7.30pm Tickets priced £5.00 including tea/coffee/juice and biscuits. in aid of the World Church Fund. For tickets call Brian Johnson on 01592 743251undertake and the congregation’s assistance will be needed to help to fund these projects. All the money donated on Gift Day, along with that brought in during other fund raising events, will be used to meet the costs involved.
Markinch Youth Club urgently requires more volunteers. The youth club is held in Markinch Church Hall on Thursday’s between 6.30pm - 8pm. Anyone interested in working with youngsters aged 10 - 16 years please contact Tracy Thomson on 775752
Rotary Shoeboxes must be returned today, 28th February. 
Fundraising and Social Events It has been decided that we will have a few social events as well as the major fundraising events in 2010, The fundraising effort for this year will be ring fenced for the fabric fund as there are a number of major projects which need to be undertaken this year, such as the replacement of the windows in the church hall. Please put the dates below in your diary, and we hope that these events will be well supported. All further details will be intimated in the weekly bulletin.
Fundraising.  
19th June  Coffee Morning with Tombola and Sales Table
1st September  Raffle Tickets will go on sale
9th October  Coffee Morning with Tombola and Sales Table
Social Events. 
9th April  Quiz Night
Summer  Garden Party (any volunteers?)
10th December Christmas Meal at Balbirnie Golf Club (£20 each)
Community Police Meeting - Fife Constabulary has recognised the need to engage more with it’s communities in order to better understand and act on local issues.  Everyone is invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday 2nd March in  Markinch Church Hall at 7pm, to raise concerns about the community and be updated on progress already made.
The Flowers in Church today are dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of George and Davina Hopkins. They are gifted to the Church by Bert Hopkins and Beth Baxter and family.

Dear friends, It is my challenge for 2010 to combine my favourite activities of spending time with friends and cooking, with fundraising for the church fabric fund. I plan to start a dinner tree, a social activity for people to attend alone, in couples or with a guest, which will grow organically and allow us all to see more of each other in the coming year, while raising money in the process.
I will be hosting a number of dinner parties over the coming months, at which everyone will be invited to provide their own alcoholic beverages, a good time will be had by all, and then at the end of the evening, everyone will be invited to donate an amount of their choice into the fund.
The growth element of the activity is that everyone in the company will then be invited to host their own event, preferably with friends and family from outwith the congregation, in order to widen the income potential for the fabric fund.
If you hold an event, the money should be handed to myself within four weeks.
This activity is not restricted to dinner either, if you feel that you would rather host a lunch, wine tasting or morning coffee event, that is also encouraged, so that everyone can be included.
If you wish to be included in the initial round of events or require further information, please forward your names to me either by phone (07801279899) or email maz7731@aol.com

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24/02/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

Pulpit Exchange Sunday  - a warm welcome to Rev Catriona Morrison and Rev Marc Prowe, who will lead us in worship today,
Ministers Vestry Hour 12 noon - 1.00 pm. Please contact the Minister for an appointment - phone 01592-758264 or  E-mail  forsythar@aol.com  In the event of hospitalisation, serious illness, family anxiety, bereavement or personal difficulty the Minister is available to visit. You have to let him know if he can be of help.
Coffee Morning from 10.00am to 11.30am on Thursdays in the church hall. Join us for tea or coffee and a chat. Sales table and lucky tickets.
The Guild meets tomorrow evening, Monday 22nd February, at 7.00pm in the Church Hall. The speaker will be from the Procurator Fiscal’s office
Communion Sunday You are most likely aware that we have recently discontinued the use of the Communion Cards.  You are invited to join with us in celebrating The Sacrament of Holy Communion next Sunday, 28th February 2010 at 11.00 am.        
The Church’s Gift Day will be on the 28th February. As we are also celebrating Communion on the same day, we would ask those members who have not yet signed their Gift Aid declaration to arrive a few minutes earlier so that they can register their details on their way into the Church.
The Congregational Board has identified the following two items in need of attention. These are the replacement of the boiler used to heat the hall and the repair/replacement of several of the hall windows. Both of these items are likely to be expensive to undertake and the congregation’s assistance will be needed to help to fund these projects. All the money donated during the Gift Day, along with that brought in during other fund raising events, will be used to meet the costs involved.
Markinch Youth Club urgently requires more volunteers. The youth club is held in Markinch Church Hall on Thursday’s between 6.30pm - 8pm. Anyone interested in working with youngsters aged 10 - 16 years please contact Tracy Thomson on 01592 775752
Rotary Shoeboxes There will be a delivery of Shoeboxes to Eastern Europe for Easter, if you wish to fill a box for this worthwhile cause you can collect empty boxes and information in the Church Hall following today’s service.  Filled boxes must e returned by 28th February. 
The Flowers in Church today are dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of Cath Burns. They are gifted to the Church by the family. There are also flowers in loving memory of Rev T.A Downie and Mr and Mrs J. Duncan. They are gifted to the Church by Morven and John Duncan.
Christian Aid Coffee Morning  Volunteers are required please, for the Christian Aid Coffee Morning on Saturday 15th May from 10.00am to 12.00noon. If you can help with any of the following, please speak to Jean Forsyth or call 01592 758264. She will be very grateful for:- help in the kitchen, serving coffees, manning the tombola stall, baking stall or the door and selling raffle tickets and tickets for the event. She would also appreciate donations of baking for the teas and for the baking stall, donations for the tombola and for the raffle
An invitation from the Burntisland Church Pastoral Care Group. Members of Presbytery are warmly invited to join them on Tuesday 9th March at 7.00pm in Burntisland Church Hall for an address by Justin Dowds, Director of the Charity ‘Lemon Aid’ based in the Vine Church, Dunfermline. Justin and his team of volunteer doctors and nurses go to La Gonave, an island off Haiti, to care for the children there, vaccinating them against typhoid, hepatitis B, meningitis and much more. The charity’s challenge now is to rebuild the hospital there. A film will be shown. If you are interested in attending please contact Ann Smith on 01592 873994 by 7th March.
“Bel Canto Voices – an evening of song” on Friday 12th March at St Margaret’s church at 7.30pm. Tickets priced £5.00 including tea/coffee/juice and biscuits. In aid of the World Church Fund. For tickets call Brian Johnson on 01592 743251
Fundraising and Social Events
Following a recent fundraising meeting, it has been decided that we will have a few social events as well as the major fundraising events in 2010, The fundraising effort for this year will be ring fenced for the fabric fund as there are a number of major projects which need to be undertaken this year, such as the replacement of the windows in the church hall. Please put the dates below in your diary, and we hope that these events will be well supported. All further details will be intimated in the weekly bulletin.
Fundraising.
28th February Gift Day, a display in the hall with an extra ‘Soup Sunday’
19th June  Coffee Morning with Tombola and Sales Table
1st September  Raffle Tickets will go on sale
9th October  Coffee Morning with Tombola and Sales Table
Social Events.
9th April  Quiz Night
Summer  Garden Party (any volunteers?)
10th December  Christmas Meal at Balbirnie Golf Club (£20 per ticket)

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17/02/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

Ministers Vestry Hour 12 noon - 1.00 pm. Please contact the Minister for an appointment - phone 01592-758264 or E-mail forsythar@aol.com In the event of hospitalisation, serious illness, family anxiety, bereavement or personal difficulty the Minister is available to visit. You have to let him know if he can be of help.
Coffee Morning from 10.00am to 11.30am on Thursdays in the church hall. Join us for tea or coffee and a chat. Sales table and lucky tickets.
Communion Sunday You are most likely aware that we have recently discontinued the use of the Communion Cards. You are invited to join with us in celebrating The Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday 28th February 2010 at 11.00 am.
The Church’s Gift Day will be on the 28th February. As we are also celebrating Communion on the same day, we would ask those members who have not yet signed their Gift Aid declaration to arrive a few minutes earlier so that they can register their details on their way into the Church.  The Congregational Board has identified the following two items in need of attention. These are the replacement of the boiler used to heat the hall and the repair/replacement of several of the hall windows. Both of these items are likely to be expensive to undertake and the congregation’s assistance will be needed to help to fund these projects. All the money donated during the Gift Day, along with that brought in during other fund raising events, will therefore be used to meet the costs involved. Markinch Youth Club urgently requires more volunteers. The youth club is held in Markinch Church Hall on Thursday’s between 6.30pm - 8pm. Anyone interested in working with youngsters aged 10 - 16 years please contact Tracy Thomson on 01592 775752 Christian Aid Week - There will be a meeting on Sunday 14th February at 12.30pm to plan events for Christian Aid week. Everyone is very welcome. Contact Tracy Thomson on 01592 775752 for more information.
Rotary Shoeboxes There will be a delivery of Shoeboxes to Eastern Europe for Easter, if you wish to fill a box for this well worth cause you can collect empty boxes and information in the Church Hall following today’s service. Filled boxes must e returned by 28th February.
The Flowers in Church today are dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of Jim Winton. They are gifted to the Church by his wife Rose and family.

Following a recent fundraising meeting, it has been decided that we will have a few social events as well as the major fundraising events in 2010, The fundraising effort for this year will be ring fenced for the fabric fund as there are a number of major projects which need to be undertaken this year, such as the replacement of the windows in the church hall. Please put the dates below in your diary, and we hope that these events will be well supported. All further details will be intimated in the weekly bulletin.
Fundraising.
28th February Gift Day, a display in the hall with an extra ‘Soup Sunday’
19th June Coffee Morning with Tombola and Sales Table
1st September Raffle Tickets will go on sale 9th October Coffee Morning with Tombola and Sales Table
Social Events.
9th April Quiz Night
Summer Garden Party (any volunteers?)
10th December Christmas Meal at Balbirnie Golf Club (£20 per ticket)

Dear friends,
It is my challenge for 2010 to combine my favourite activities of spending time with friends and cooking, with fundraising for the church fabric fund. I plan to start a dinner tree, a social activity for people to attend alone, in couples or with a guest, which will grow organically and allow us all to see more of each other in the coming year, while raising money in the process. I will be hosting a number of dinner parties over the coming months, at which everyone will be invited to provide their own alcoholic beverages, a good time will be had by all, and then at the end of the evening, everyone will be invited to donate an amount of their choice into the fund. The growth element of the activity is that everyone in the company will then be invited to host their own event, preferably with friends and family from outwith the congregation, in order to widen the income potential for the fabric fund. If you hold an event, the money should be handed to myself within four weeks. This activity is not restricted to dinner either, if you feel that you would rather host a lunch, wine tasting or morning coffee event, that is also encouraged, so that everyone can be included. If you wish to be included in the initial round of events or require further information, please forward your names to me either by phone (07801279899) or email (maz7731@aol.com) Marianne Sankey

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07/02/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

Ministers Vestry Hour 12 noon - 1.00 pm. Please contact the Minister for an appointment - phone 01592-758264 or  E-mail  forsythar@aol.com  In the event of hospitalisation, serious illness, family anxiety, bereavement or personal difficulty the Minister is available to visit. You have to let him know if he can be of help.
Coffee Morning from 10.00am to 11.30am on Thursdays in the church hall. Join us for tea or coffee and a chat. Sales table and lucky tickets.
The Guild meets tomorrow evening, Monday 8th February, at 7.00pm in the Church Hall.  Nancy Howie will be giving us a cookery demonstration.
Rotary Shoeboxes There will be a delivery of Shoeboxes to Eastern Europe for Easter, if you wish to fill a box for this well worth cause you can collect empty boxes and information in the Church Hall following today’s service.  Filled boxes must e returned by 28th February. 
Markinch Youth Club urgently requires more volunteers. The youth club is held in Markinch Church Hall on Thursday’s between 6.30pm - 8pm. Anyone interested in working with youngsters aged 10 - 16 years please contact Tracy Thomson on 01592 775752
Christian Aid Week - There will be a meeting on Sunday 14th February at 12.30pm to plan events for Christian Aid week.  Everyone very welcome.  Contact Tracy Thomson on 01592 775752 for more information.
Glenrothes Böblingen Ecumenical Group A wine tasting organised in conjunction with the Markinch Wine Gallery will be held in Markinch Church Hall on Friday 26th February at 7.30pm. Tickets priced £5 include a bread and cheese buffet. Only a few tickets are available and they will not be available to buy on the night. Anyone wishing to buy a ticket please contact Bob Grant as soon as possible.
German Visitors. Preparations are at an advanced stage for the four-yearly visit by Christians from Böblingen, Glenrothes’s twin town. Glenrothes Böblingen Ecumenical Group are organising the event, which will take place from Thursday 27th to Monday 31st May. There are twenty German visitors this year and, while we will have no problem accommodating them, anyone in your congregation is welcome to get involved, especially younger souls, as we hope that the connection will continue when the existing membership are no longer able. Between visits we socialise and fundraise. Prior to this year’s visit we have the following events planned: on 26th February a wine tasting in Markinch Church Hall and on 16th April a musical evening with Linda Ballingal and friends in St Margaret’s. We have members of the group from most of the churches in and around Glenrothes, but if none is known to you, please feel free to contact the Chairman, Alf Patey on 01592 759108.

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28/01/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

Christian Aid is responding to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. It has launched an emergency appeal and is working with its partner organizations to deliver aid.  There has been overwhelming devastation across the country. At the time of writing the death toll is estimated to be up to 200,000 people.
The aid agencies are working hard to reach thousands of children and families in desperate need of food, water, shelter and medical supplies. They have been caring for injured survivors and have delivered medical supplies to hospitals and health centres. They are distributing planeloads of temporary shelter, blankets, water containers, Rotary Shelter Boxes, cooking and hygiene kits to thousands of people in Port-au-Prince. They are also going to be involved in supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of 120,000 people in Haiti’s capital over the next few months.
Despite logistical difficulties aid is getting into Haiti.  However, the scale of the destruction remains a huge challenge to relief efforts. Christian Aid relies on the generous support of individuals like us to help reach the thousands of children and families in desperate need. Last Sunday our congregation gave over £400. Please join us in helping the earthquake survivors and leave your donation in the Christian Aid Pot at the church entrance.
If you have already given, thank you - please know that your donation will allow Christian Aid to help the earthquake victims of Haiti and enable them to rebuild their lives.

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18/01/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake and continuing aftershocks have struck southern Haiti, causing mass casualties and many hundreds of suspected deaths.  Early reports indicate that a hospital, the presidential palace and several other buildings have collapsed. The Christian Aid office building collapsed and three people, including Christian Aid staff, had to be rescued from the rubble. They are shaken but safe.

Extreme poverty in Haiti worsens crisis
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. An earthquake of this magnitude is of major concern, but it is especially devastating in Haiti, where 85 per cent of the population struggles to survive on little more than £1 per day. Around half of the country’s population are children in need of immediate help. Fears are growing for thousands of people who survived the earthquake that flattened most of Port-au-prince, the Haitian capital, but are now without food, clean water and proper medical care.

Christian Aid has released £100,000 for immediate emergency relief and has launched an emergency appeal for Haiti. Please give what you can either locally through your church or at www.christianaid.org.uk

A prayer for Haiti
Loving God of creation, at this time of devastation we hold before you the people of Haiti. When the damage is unimaginable, and the suffering seems overwhelming, remind us that every person affected is loved, honoured and precious in your sight.
We remember all those who have been hurt; all who have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. Work through us to bring healing to broken and distorted lives, peace to those who have been thrown into despair, light to those in darkness, and hope to those who fear.
We ask this in the name of Jesus  in whom all life and grace is found.   Amen.

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17/01/2010 by Ken Wilkie.

Ministers Vestry Hour 12 noon - 1.00 pm. Please contact the Minister for an appointment - phone 01592-758264 or  E-mail  forsythar@aol.com  In the event of hospitalisation, serious illness, family anxiety, bereavement or personal difficulty the Minister is available to visit. You have to let him know if he can be of help.
Coffee Morning from 10.00am to 11.30am on Thursdays in the church hall. Join us for tea or coffee and a chat. Sales table and lucky tickets.
Christian Aid - Haiti Earthquake Appeal Shortbread will be on sale in the Church Hall following today’s service and all proceeds will be added to the retiring collection for the Haiti earthquake victims.
The Guild’s Scottish Evening is on Monday 25th January at 7.00 pm in the Church Hall.  Entertainment will be by Bill Ewan and friends. Tickets priced £3.00 can be purchased from Jean Wilson
New Year Meal and Gathering Places have been booked at Glenrothes College Restaurant on 19th January 2010 for a social evening.  Tickets will cost £15 and must be purchased prior to the meal. Anyone wishing to come along to this should speak to Tracy Thomson today or call 01592 775752.
Fundraising Meeting on Sunday 31st January at 12.30 in the hall. Could anyone with any ideas or interest in helping with the 2010 fundraising effort please meet Marianne Sankey  there. As you know we are in the process of upgrading the fabric of the church and this will be the main effort in the coming year. If you are unable to attend, but still interested in helping or have ideas for events, please email maz7731@aol.com or call 07801279899.
Glenrothes and Area Futures Group The AGM for the Futures Group is on Wednesday 27th January at 7.00pm at the CISWO in Glenrothes. Everyone is invited to attend. The current situation with regard to Glenrothes Town Centre developments and improving the A 92 will be discussed.
Ceilidh In The Kirk  Crawstep Ceilidh Band (members include Fife music teachers)
will give their first performance free of charge, in St. Margaret’s Church, Woodside Road, on Friday 22nd January 7.30 - 11pm. Refreshments available at small cost.
Holocaust Memorial Service You are invited to attend a short service on Wednesday 27th January 2010 at 7.00pm in St Margaret’s Church, Woodside.
The Flowers in Church today are dedicated to The Glory Of God and in loving memory of Willie and Bunty Laidlaw. They are gifted to the Church by their daughter, Catherine Murray.

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26/12/2009 by Ken Wilkie.

The Youth Club led the early evening Family Service on Christmas Eve. The large congregation enjoyed the Nativity Play and joined in singing the Christmas Carols.

WE  EVEN  HAD  A  REAL  BABY !!!

Thanks to Ian and Jennifer Watt for allowing the youth club to ‘borrow’ their son Christopher.

Full size images will be available online shortly so parents can download the photographs for their own use.

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07/12/2009 by Ken Wilkie.

The November 2009 copy of our Church Newsletter “News From The Pews” can be downloaded from here. The printed version has recently been distributed to all households in our parish.

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01/12/2009 by Ken Wilkie.

Our church is represented on the Kirkcaldy Presbytery Prayer Group by Dr. Morven Duncan. Click on the link below to open a copy of the current “Prayer Call” booklet

http://www.markinchchurch.org.uk/download/PrayerCallDec09ToJan10.pdf

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29/11/2009 by Ken Wilkie.

Members of Markinch Parish Church have given the Help for Heroes charity a boost of £430 (edit - now £472.00). The church hosted a coffee morning to raise the money. Church members and friends also gave £304 from the Remembrance Sunday retiring collection to the Earl Haig Fund (Scotland).

Our minister, Rev Alex Forsyth said, “It was great to see so many support Help for Heroes and the Earl Haig Fund.  These charities support our injured and wounded and provide practical help to those servicemen and women hurt in the line of duty in past conflicts and the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Many thanks to all who made the effort and all who helped on the day.”

The picture shows Rev Forsyth, and Mrs Tracy Thomson, who organised the coffee morning, accepting a donation of a House of Commons Bottle of Whisky from Lindsay Roy MP.

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26/11/2009 by Ken Wilkie.

Members of Markinch Parish Church are hosting a Help for Heroes Coffee Morning. The charity supports armed forces personnel recovering from their wounds by providing funding for key services such as Army Recovery Centres. This event will be held the church hall on Saturday 28th November from 10.ooam - 12.00 noon.  Further information from Tracy Thomson on 01592 775752. Tickets, priced £1.50 are available at the door.

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08/11/2009 by Ken Wilkie.

Photographs taken at the Remembrance Service at Markinch War Memorial on Sunday 8th November

 
Victoria Ritchie represents Markinch Parish Church as she lays the wreath

The scene at the War Memorial as Stuart Morris of Balgonie lays a wreath

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