© St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Kirkcaldy 2023

Made with Xara

Carol Service - Sunday 20 December at 3pm The theme of this year's carol service was "Good News - pass it on". The birth of Jesus is good news for everyone. He was born to a couple who were struggling to find a home in a strange town. He grew up identifying with the poor, the hungry and the underprivileged, and we remember such people across our country and the world. Jesus's example has inspired many charities, among them 'Shelter', who do so much for the homeless. We should all pass on the good news of Jesus' birth! At the end of the service, which included the traditional elements of carols and a nativity play, a collection was taken to support the hostel in the Mae Ra Mo refugee camp on the Burmese border. Later, members of the social committee served mulled wine and mince pies in the hall.

St Andrew's Night Celebration - Friday 27 November at 7.30pm The tone of the evening was set at the entrance by three violinists, led by Rob Maguire, 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.

Back to church Sunday And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was 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 was 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.

Recent deaths 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 including 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.

St Peter's Sounds of Music 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: 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.

Casting the Net 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. Christian Aid Week The hunger lunch on Sunday, 10 May and the quiz on Friday evening, 15 May were well attended and raised £200 towards Christian aid.

Easter 2009 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.

Visit by Bishop 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 show how the church was decorated for the occasion as well some of the children who took an active part. The candle stand, which was donated by Cameron's parents, June and David Paul, appears in several of the pictures.

Almost a Burns Night 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 1745 rebellion it had been illegal to wear tartan or to display 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.