During this Advent season leading up to Christmas, we are offering a wee gift to the community in the form of some Christmas Angels.

Folks in the congregation and friends of the church have been busy knitting these angels in a variety of colours and patterns.

Why angels? You may remember that the Nativity story is full of angels who come to visit Mary and Joseph and the shepherds on the hillside with the message of good news that a child has been born who will come to bring peace. What is an angel? An angel in the Bible is a messenger from God.

We recognise today that there are angels amongst us wherever we are and whoever we are. Some bring a message of peace and love, some offer care and help, some help teach us about a better way to live. There is a bit of the angelic about any of us that choose to do these things and build good relationships in our community.

Our own knitted angels will have simple messages of good news added to them and then through Advent will be available outside the church. Please feel free to pick one up and enjoy it for a time yourself before then passing it on to a friend or neighbour, encouraging them to do the same.

If you would like to participate in creating the messages we add to the Angels then come to the church on Monday 2 December at 7 p.m.

We hope that over the weeks that these messages of good news will move around the community bringing some seasonal good cheer and joy.

A big thank you to all the knitters who have contributed to this project from all on our Worship Team.

It's nearly 20 years since the Coffee Shop at Ferryhill Parish Church first opened its doors and as a wee celebration we are expanding our range of quality coffees.

The Coffee Shop has invested in a new bean-to-cup coffee machine offering freshly-ground coffees in regular or decaf options in addition to our usual cafetieres. Choose from a creamy Latte, a Flat White, Cappuccino or Americano!

We have sourced our new coffee machine from local company Caber Coffee Ltd and the regular coffee blend we will be using is Msaada Espresso from Tanzania. The use of this coffee directly supports staff and pupils at Msia Secondary School in Mbozi District who will be taught how to grow and nurture coffee trees. The school itself is benefitting from the addition of running water and electricity. Which all goes to make that cup of coffee taste a wee bit better!

The Coffee Shop continues to offer a warm and friendly space in which to relax or catch up with pals, enjoying a fresh scone or a bacon roll, and served by our amazing team of volunteers. We are open every morning, Monday to Saturday. If you can't stop, remember you can always take away your coffee and bite.

The Trustees of Ferryhill Parish Church approved the Annual Report for 2018 at a meeting held on 17 March 2019. You can download a copy of the Annual Report here.

Thank you to everyone who participates in the work that goes on through the congregation at Ferryhill Church. The breadth of different activities and ministries going on to support the local community is wide and that is only made possible through the time and energy people give through the church and to the financial support offered. 

Also, a note of thanks to Val Hutton, our Treasurer, for all the work she and the Stewardship Team have put into ensuring the finances of the church are well managed and to Lorna Glen, our Session Clerk, for the update in the first sections of the Annual Report on what has been going on at Ferryhill Kirk. 

Rev Peter Johnston, Minister

Ferryhill Church aspires to be an Eco-Congregation. This means we encourage and enable our Church to care for Creation in every part of church life and to link environmental issues and Christian Faith in worship and education. We try to take environmental and ethical action in church buildings and grounds and in finance and purchasing. We aim to work with the community for a greener world through our personal lifestyles, community projects and global links.

As Climate Change requires urgent action on many fronts, we now seek someone who can advise, inspire and encourage us to do more than we do already. The leader of this group is standing down after 10 years to make way for some enthusiastic young activists. Could that be you? You do not need to be a church member!

There are many other Eco-Congregations in Aberdeen and Scotland that share ideas, support and advice. Resource material with suggested projects and programmes is available on the website, www.ecocongregationscotland.org. Please do consider if this is something you could be involved with, and if you would like to find out more, please get in touch with the minister, Rev Peter Johnston (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the church administrator, Julie Thompson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Our Lunch Club for the over 50s meets every Tuesday at 12.30pm during school term-time. Come and join us for a delicious hot lunch (£4 per person) and a chat in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere any Tuesday you fancy. Booking is not required.

We are always looking for helpers. If you can spare a few hours every month to assist please do get in touch. For further information on helping or coming along for lunch , please contact the Church Office on 01224 213093.

We look forward to seeing you there.

"Walking to Church, Ferryhill", an original painting by local artist Kathleen Bremner, was gifted to the church by the artist as a fundraiser and has recently helped us raise over £500!

Greetings cards of the picture are available at the coffee shop priced £2, but we are now offering 25x25cm unframed prints for just £15. Treat yourself, or consider birthdays or even Christmas! They are available most Sundays after the Church service, or please contact Ann Ralph to purchase a print.

Ferryhill Parish Church recognises the importance of protecting privacy and personal information, and has updated Privacy and Data Retention Policies which state how we use, disclose and protect such information according to law. These Policies are available by clicking this link, and any questions on the matter can be addressed to the Session Clerk by email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you'd like to subscribe to a new weekly update of news from Ferryhill Parish Church please fill out your details below to be added to our mailing list.  You can unsubscribe at any time.

Subscribe to our mailing list

Over the next couple of months we will be encouraging us all on a Sunday morning to join with Rev Mary Whittaker during the Lord's Prayer to also sign the prayer. If you would like to practise that, please use the video above!

The Living Well Café at Ferryhill offers a safe, friendly, relaxed and welcoming space for people with a diagnosis of dementia or memory problems and their carers. It is well supported by both café friends and carers and is held every second Thursday from 1 - 3pm.

We enjoy a variety of activities including singing and dancing, reminiscing, word searches, jigsaw puzzles and boccia to name just a few. Refreshments are provided throughout amid a very happy atmosphere.

If you know of anyone who may benefit from being part of this group, please do let us know - you will be made very welcome at the café.

Call Rita King Tel. 01224 572391 or Shona Matthew Tel. 01224 704378 for more information.