Data protection and confidentiality are important – in the church we endeavour to keep the same high standards expected in other walks of life.  For various reasons related to these issues parish ministers can no longer visit hospital patients unless they already know the person is in a ward.  We can’t be shown a list and find the person who we know, or introduce ourselves to the one we don’t know.  I understand the reasoning but find it sad because I have met folk who have said they were very pleased that I came to see them. They would not have known to ask for a visit, or might not have felt comfortable making such a request. I was always willing to take no for an answer both when I was hospital chaplain and as parish minister.  Anyway, the point of writing this is to ask folk to let me know if anyone is in hospital. Not just church goers or professing Christians but anyone who lives in our parishes. If I get there & they don’t want a visit that’s ok – I’ll wish them all the best and go away. But part of my role is to offer pastoral care and a listening ear to everyone in the parish. That hasn’t changed but will need to be more deliberately organised. Your help with spreading the word would be appreciated. And the good news doesn’t change – God isn’t confined by any rules and regulations!   – Liz Gibson

All are welcome:

Each year we celebrate harvest and give thanks for food which we consume from around the world. Since sheep are a major part of the economy in this area it has been decided to make them the theme for this year’s services. Pictures, poems, wool and other contributions would all be welcome.

Some people like to just listen to the Bible readings on a Sunday morning. Others like to follow the reading. It’s also good to have Bibles available to read for those who drop into the church during the week, whether in Glenorchy open daily, or Bridge of Orchy open for the Post Office, or Crianlarich when the school is in. The New Revised Standard Version is an accurate modern translation which retains much of the beautiful language of earlier editions. If you would like to contribute to buying Bibles each hardback copy costs £12 (reduced from £17). Dedications can be placed on request.

Tuesday 26th October 7.30pm in Dalmally Church Hall

An innovative framework for creating sustainable ways of living. Presentation by Sally Wilkin from Kilmartin House. Sally will be doing a session at Dalmally Primary School in the afternoon. The evening session is open to all – it’s free but donations towards costs would be appreciated. Come along and get some inspiration & information.

Wednesday 20th October in Tyndrum Hall

What has mathematics ever done for us?

Jack Lambert BSc PhD FRSE FIMA (Emeritus Professor of Numerical Analysis, University of Dundee) will not present any mathematics as such but will demonstrate how mathematical methods and models help to solve real life problems.  Examples include the mystifying case of an aircraft ejection seat, improvements to the success rate of surgical bypass operations and the nasty matter of dealing with abandoned land mines.

The parishes of Glenorchy & Innishael, Strathfillan, Muckairn, Kilchrenan & Dalavich, and Connel & Dunbeg have been working together to establish a twinning with a parish in the Church of North India. From a choice of three Kohlapur seemed the most appropriate and they have now accepted us as well.  I had an email from Rev More of Kolhapur Parish sending his greetings & saying how excited his congregation were about the twinning.

Two representatives from Lothian Presbytery came to tell us about their experiences of twinning with a diocese of the Church of North India, and how this had developed over the past 10 years. Their enthusiasm for the project was infectious, and the response to their talk was very positive.

The next stage is for Karen Francis, the Twinning Development Officer from the Church of Scotland’s World Mission Council, to come to speak to us and lead us through the stages of forming and developing the relationship with our twinned parish. This meeting will take place on Tuesday 5th October, 7.30 at Muckairn Church, and it would be great if as many as possible could attend. If you would like more information about the twinning, or about the parish of Kolhapur, please contact me.  – Adrienne Swan

Not that we really needed an excuse to eat together but both parishes were pleased to gather for lunch, first in the Station Tearoom at Crianlarich and then a few weeks later in Dalmally Church Hall.  Gifts were presented to retiring Session Clerks – John MacPherson and Jean Steer.  We’re all glad that Mary Anderson & Ann McNicol agreed to take on the office. All four are pictured here.  The cameras were less in evidence at Jean’s do so the photos of her and Ann were taken on other occasions. We wish John well on his move to Aviemore & Jean well finding more time to relax.

Jan Sutch Pickard will be joining Liz to lead worship on the morning of Sunday October 3rd in St Conan’s, Glenorchy and Crianlarich and then giving more of a presentation in the evening in Dalmally Church Hall at 7.30. She is on the left of the photo with the team who spent three months living together in Yanoun. The Deputy Mayor was quoted as saying: ‘You do not have guns, but your pens and cameras are even more powerful.’  If you’d like to find out a little more before October try Jan’s blog: earthfasts.wordpress.com

The total annual cost of a parish minister is £39,100. This is not what the minister is paid! but includes national insurance & pension contributions and is based on a minister with 10 years’ service (the top increment for stipend). At the moment Glenorchy & Innishael pay £4,101 and Strathfillan pay £4,375 – a total of £8,476, 87% of which goes to Ministries. The rest goes to Mission & Renewal and Support & Services. These figures may be adjusted slightly but give some idea of how we are subsidised by wealthier parishes. Worth bearing in mind when there is talk of money “going to Edinburgh”.  A leaflet called Funding our Faith gives more detail and is available in all the churches.

1st & 3rd Tuesday of month 10-12 Dalmally Church Hall. More about getting together than about making money but they need to cover costs.

• A Quiz at Bridge of Orchy raised £237 for Strathfillan Parish.
• A Games Night in Dalmally raised £85 for the Homeless World Cup.
• Jackie Craig had his walking boots on again, this time for the RNLI. Walking from Inverness to John O’Groats he raised a magnificent £1614.40. Congratulations!

Tobyn Cairn McCorquodale Cruise; St Conan’s 14th August

Cathie Lambiel; Crianlarich Church 1st July

Brian Duncan; Glenorchy Kirk 19th July

Anna Khanna; Glenorchy Kirk 27th July

Karen Roger & Fraser MacLennan; St Conan’s 7th August

Marjon Klaver & Iain Fisher; St Conan’s 12th August

Sarah Mooring & Paul Drayton; St Conan’s 4th September