© St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Kirkcaldy 2023

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St Peter's Christmas Party On Friday, 14 December, a happy evening was spent by about forty of the congregation and friends. All the entertainment, sketches, skits, recitations and music was provided by members of St Peter's, apart from the sketches by our interim priest-in-charge Malcolm and his wife Thelma. Courses of the excellent meal were served by members of the social committee at convenient intervals. A raffle near the end ensured that nearly everyone went home with a prize. This was followed by the singing of Christmas carols and finally of Auld Lang Syne.

Thank you to Martine Sunday, 22 December, marked the last day of Martine Robertson's long association with St Peter's Sunday School. The current members showed their love and appreciation by presenting her with cards and gifts. After many years with the Sunday School, Martine feels that her vocation now lies in becoming a Vestry member. The photographs show also some of this year's Christmas floral arrangements.

Gareth says Goodbye On Sunday 2 September, Fr Gareth celebrated his last service at St Peter's. It was an emotional occasion, since he has been with us since 1988, aiding Rev Ron Leigh then Rev John Penman as a non-stipendiary priest until 2004, when he became Rector. Just before the end of the service, Shirley Mann presented him with a cheque and gifts from the congregation, while the Sunday School children brought flowers for him and Bridget. Shirley also took the opportunity to express the thanks and appreciation of the congregation for all he has done for us during those years. Fittingly, the last hymn, "Guide me O Thou great Redeemer", was sung to the tune of Cwn Rhondda. Another notable event on 2 September was the the 90th birthday of Mary Frew. She was presented with gifts and flowers during the service, while the presence of her friends and family added to an already packed church. The service was followed by wine and a buffet lunch served in the hall.

Visit of Bishop One purpose of Bishop David's visit to us on Sunday, 26 August, was to commission our lay worship leaders and Eucharistic ministers. Another was to dedicate the baptismal ewer presented by David Thomson and Pam Wilkie in memory of their mother Gladys Thomson. It was also his last opportunity to be present while Fr Gareth is Rector of St Peter's and to deliver a warm address about him to the congregation.

Golden Wedding Anniversary Duncan and Jill Kellock celebrated this special anniversary on 21 July. Next day, after the 10.30 service at St Peter's, the congregation had the opportunity to congratulate them and to enjoy with them the cake specially baked for the occasion.

The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II This was celebrated by a service of Thanksgiving on Sunday, 3 June, at 3pm. The congregation of about forty included Mary Robertson, a deputy lieutenant of Fife County and two captains (man and wife) from the Salvation Army. It was a moving and uplifting occasion, giving those present the opportunity to reflect on the benefits we have enjoyed from the queen's sixty years of loyal service to the nation. A retiring collection produced £127 for the Mission to Seafarers, whose Scottish chaplain was also present. Later, in the suitably decorated hall, Mary Robertson proposed a toast to the queen and the celebration continued with wine, sandwiches and cakes.

Death of Edith Hubbard 1927 - 2012 Edith Mary Hubbard was born in 1927 in Dysart, where her father, Angus McKay, was a miner. Her mother, Edith, came from Yorkshire. The young Edith inherited her mother's skills as a seamstress, leaving school at 14 to make shrouds during the Second World War. When she was 19 she married Fred Hubbard, son of MP Tom Hubbard, the ceremony taking place in St Peter's. Their son Tom was born in 1950 and daughter Linda in 1963. Originally trained as a gas fitter, Fred's energy and ambition led to his becoming a prominent local hotelier. Starting from a small grocery business, he bought the White Heather pub, then moved on, leading the development of hotels such as the Dutch Mill, the present Beveridge Park, the Windsor and others. He was also a town councillor, member of the Children's Panel and ardent twin towner, visiting Ingolstadt frequently. Edith worked alongside Fred, acting as cook, manageress, personnel manager, whatever was required. She preferred, however, pursuits with her family and horses, dogs and garden. Linda had become a keen horse rider and show jumper, so that Edith was often called on to drive the car with its horsebox trailer to various horse shows. Later, as a hotel manager in London, Linda ran, among others, "The Grapes", on the banks of the Thames, which is mentioned in Dickens' "Our Mutual Friend". After their retirement in 1987, Fred and Edith were able to spend more time with each other and with their grandchildren in Kirkcaldy and London, although, until her death in 1990 Edith devoted much of her time to nursing her mother. They then had many happy years together until Fred became ill with dementia and died in 2004. At that point, Edith renewed her membership of St Peter's. As a young couple, they had been active in the church, Fred having been a leader in the Scouts. Now she undertook other duties, including organising the Sunday teas and coffees until she too succumbed to a similar condition. Daughter-in-law Eleanor says of Edith, "She was a courageous woman who liked nothing better than to be needed, particularly by children. She was sensible, capable and caring, a good friend, willing to help people when they needed it, a good example to us all and a gift from God". Edith is survived by her son Tom, her daughter Linda, and her grandchildren Christopher, Gavin, Claire, Daniel and Jennifer.

Easter Day Easter Sunday, 8 April, was a warm sunny day and a large congregation enjoyed the service, the joyful hymns and admired the special display of flowers. Also the children were delighted to receive large Easter eggs from Gareth. It was an emotional day for him, since he will retire in September and was celebrating his last Easter as rector of St Peter's.

Special Baptism The 10.30am service on Sunday. 18 March was a Family Service, in which the children took an active part in the prayers and readings, while some of the hymns were accompanied by rattles and tambourines. It was a fitting occasion for a baptism, in this case that of Gareth's first great-grandchild, Hayden.

Beyond a Burns Night This celebration held on Friday 27 January was a great success. It had everything to be expected of a Burns Supper and more. There was a piper, the excellent meal included haggis and cranachan, there were the traditional poems, toasts and addresses. Some of the poems, however, were variations on the original text, while the addresses included elements of wit, satire and humour which delighted the forty or so people present. The entertainment was provided mostly by members of St Peter's. However, the 'Immortal Memory' was given by invited guest, Isobel Coventry, while the operatic group, ‘Pink Champagne', were responsible for most of the Burns' and other Scottish songs.

Children's Party On Saturday afternoon, 14 January, a local entertainer "Kenny the Klown" and, in his other role, "Pancake Pete", provided the children of St Peter's and their friends with two hours of non-stop fun. It started with a session of games and disco dancing. Next, Kenny performed an impressive series of magic tricks. A quieter period followed, with juice and party food for the children and a welcome cup of tea for the grownups. It happened to be the birthday of two of the girls, Chloe Mackie and Jennifer Martin. Each was presented with a cake while everyone sang "Happy Birthday". For the final activity Kenny presented each child with a "sword" balloon and any remaining energy was worked off in mock battles with the many friends they had made.