© St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Kirkcaldy 2023

Made with Xara

Tuesday, 30 October On Tuesday, 30 October, a service of thanksgiving was held for the life of Peggy Foggie,1908 - 2007, a much loved and devoted member of St Peter's. She attended services until her 96th year, spending her last three years in a nursing home. Peggy(Margaret) was born in South Africa and trained as a nurse. When she was 26 she came to Britain to study tropical diseases in London and midwifery in Glasgow. The conditions she met there required all her courage and strength of character. There were few amenities in the Gorbals in the 1930's and a student midwife was expected to go out alone to attend a birth, often in the middle of the night. She subsequently joined the Colonial Nursing Service and was initially sent to Cyprus, where she met her husband. He was also in the Colonial Service and they lived abroad for many years, especially in the Middle East. It was typical of Peggy to enter enthusiastically into the life there. She spoke Arabic, and was able to entertain women of the local community in her home. They were married in Jerusalem. The picture on the right 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 left 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.

Sunday, 16 September A service of thanksgiving for our life as the family of St Peter's was held on the afternoon of Sunday, September 16, followed by an informal buffet meal. A special visitor from the past, Rev John Brown, took part in the service. The older members of the congregation, who knew him when he and Rev David Rimmer shared the rectorship for a few years, were delighted to see him and his wife Jean.

Dedication of new sanctuary lamp 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.

Rite of passage for Gareth In September, after 33 years with Adam Smith College, Gareth has retired from his post as senior lecturer in the electrical engineering department. In 2004 he reduced his workload with the college in order to become part-time Priest-in-Charge of St Peter's. We wish him every joy in his retirement and hope he will stop trying to pack 48 hours work into every 24.

Dedication of paschal candle holder to the memory of Rev Canon Ron Leigh 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.

Sunday 13 May The service at 10.30 a.m. focussed on the plight of countries suffering from corrupt or repressive governments, especially on El Salvador. We were reminded of the fate of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who in 1980 was shot dead by government soldiers while he was saying mass. The poor in such countries tend to suffer the most. The 'hunger' lunch (soup, bread, cheese and water) held after the sevice raised £230, taking into account the tax recovered from each donation. This was sent to Christian Aid. Visit of Bishop On Sunday, 4 February, Bishop David visited St Peter's and preached at what was a Christingle service. It was also memorable in that he used the occasion to formalise Carol Latimer's position as a lay worship leader. The traditional collection for the Aberlour Childcare Trust raised £160. Celebration of the life of Doris Pattinson A celebration and thanksgiving for the life of Doris Pattinson was held on Monday, 10th January at 2 p.m. Mother of Alan and grandmother of Eleanor, Doris became 90 in September, 2006. A regular churchgoer all her life, she attended services at St Peter's faithfully until a few weeks before her death.