News and notices

Christmas on-line

posted 16 Dec 2020, 17:02 by St. Thomas' Church Aboyne

The Upper Deeside Carol Service is on-line this year, and is active from 13th December. We have the introduction and Bidding Prayer given by the Rector Vittoria Hancock, and the traditional readings on video by readers from the different congregations. Ten well-known carols are played on the organ, with the words on the screen, making it easier for you to sing along.

The Carol Service is on YouTube, under 'Vittoria Hancock', with the link: https://youtu.be/YsSmzHdLt80

Crib service. This popular service is usually in St Thomas's on Christmas Eve at 4pm. This year it has gone on-line, telling the nativity story in a lively form suitable for children - and the not-so-young. There will of course be no children present, but we are told that the adults have dressed up suitably, and will give a presentation well worth watching.

It will be on YouTube, under 'Vittoria Hancock', from 24th December. The link will be made available in due course.

Holy Communion

posted 30 Nov 2020, 15:42 by St. Thomas' Church Aboyne

The first Holy Communion since the COVID-19 restrictions started took place on Advent Sunday, 29th November, with modifications to ensure compliance with the Diocesan regulations. It was however a moving occasion, with separate elements for each member of the congregation, and a little pearl to take away, to remind us of the theme of 'pearls of wisdom'.

Holy Communion is still confined to special occasions, the normal 2-weekly services remain as Morning Prayer.

Act of Remembrance

posted 14 Nov 2020, 15:11 by St. Thomas' Church Aboyne [ updated 16 Nov 2020, 15:09 ]

Act of Remembrance at St Thomas’s

We marked Remembrance Sunday with a difference this year. Because of the Covid-19 restrictions, normal remembrance services were suspended. At St Thomas’s, we did not have a full service, but we had a very moving short one, a 10-minute service in church, followed by the laying of a wreath outside. It sounds simple, but the details were beautiful.

The congregation were, as usual these days, seated 2m apart with masks, with service sheets laid on the seats beforehand. But that was not all - on each seat was placed a stone with a poppy on it, individually painted on by Vittoria and Sue.

I was allowed to play the organ beforehand, which meant that we had the traditional hymn ‘O Valiants Hearts’ before the service started. Andy Linklater played Elgar's Nimrod quietly on his violin before the 2-minutes silence.

At the end of the service, Vittoria went outside to lay a wreath of poppies at the Memorial for the Simon brothers, uncles of Pearl, Margaret and Eileen. She was followed by the rest of us, each carrying a poppy stone, to lay on the Memorial along with the wreath. It was a moving act of remembrance, shared by all of us.

Some of us also went to the Memorial to the King brothers,Lucas and Alfred, at the other side of the church, and laid stones there.

Sheila Maxwell

Services under COVID 19 restrictions

posted 20 Oct 2020, 13:41 by St. Thomas' Church Aboyne [ updated 20 Oct 2020, 14:11 ]

Our Services are now taking place fortnightly in St Thomas's, alternating with our sister church, St Kentigern's. Great care is being taken to adhere to all the government restrictions, members of the congregation are placed at 2 m distance from each other, except for couples or others coming from the same household, and all are wearing face masks. Stewards are appointed to ensure all is done correctly.

The Services so far have been a simple Morning Prayer, imaginatively drafted by our Rector Vittoria Hancock, who also gives a Reflection.

No singing is currently allowed, so of course there is no choir. However, the organ can be played, and while there is no hymn singing for everyone, the organist is playing lots of hymns, before and after the service, and also during two short moments of reflection during the service.

And Flowers are allowed, which greatly enhance the appearance of our church.

Jill's flower arrangement by the pulpit

Brighter, more comfortable Chairs and a Brass Handrail!

posted 29 Jul 2020, 14:24 by St. Thomas' Church Aboyne [ updated 20 Oct 2020, 14:26 ]

We have had our new chairs for more than a year now, and much appreciated. A combination of oak chairs for weekly services and chrome based chairs which can be used for bigger events such as weddings or concerts have transformed the look of the church. Upholstered in a warm red, they are welcoming and comfortable - a great mix. All are stackable, meaning the space in the church is more flexible. The congregation enjoy having more space for coffee and chat as well. Well done and thanks to the chair team!

And the brass rail up to the chancel makes it safer for those who have any problem negotiating the steps!

April 2020

Dream Team take over - for one week! 2nd February 2020

posted 6 Feb 2020, 04:36 by St. Thomas' Church Aboyne

Splendid service this week from a huge team. Strange how many people (7) we need to replace our minister, Vittoria when she goes off. But oh Vittoria when the cat's away the mice will play: even if you have prepared the whole thing for us we'll still invent twiddly bits of our own. Special thanks to the whole team for pulling it all together. It was a very intimate, friendly occasion, though maybe that judgement should come from someone not actually part of the team.