Carnoustie Panbride Social Committee  Can I firstly convey the thanks of the Social Committee to everyone who donated mince pies and shortbread for the social get-together after the Christingle Service.   Once again this was a huge success and is only possible due to the never failing generosity of the ‘food donors’.  As previously promised we will be holding another Beetle Drive and this will take place on Friday 20 March.  The cost will be the same as before; £1 for adults and 50p for children with a reminder that all children must be accompanied by an adult.  Payment can be made at the door on the night and play will commence at 7.00pm.                                                                                                                    C.B.

Friendship Circle   There was a lovely start to the New Year when Chris Niven welcomed members and introduced Isabel Anderson, one of our members, who gave an interesting insight into the various oils and their use in aromatherapy. Isabel then demonstrated her skills on a number of happy volunteers. At the next meeting, the minister provided a great afternoons entertainment, playing classical, popular and Scottish music.

By the time you receive this issue of Update we will have been on a trip to India and Nepal with Dorothy Fyffe and heard of the confessions of a pet shop owner with Melanie Coleman. The remaining dates on our syllabus for this session are:-

Mar 3  History of jute in Dundee         Sandra Thompson.

Mar 17 Open meeting – Wilma Ewart and Friends entertain.

Apr 7 Cape Youth Care  - Margaret Iles – (AGM).    

Apr 21 Coach trip to Abernyte.       Liz Airth, Secretary

"F.O.G. Squad" (Friends of God) The children in the F.O.G Squad have participated in one of our 3 special Sundays we hold each year. Our theme for these special Sundays is the song 'How did Moses cross the Red Sea'. Our first Sunday was a games Sunday which was a success. The next Special Sunday is going to be held on 22nd February and is a Musical Sunday. Children will be able to make 3 different musical instruments. Lastly we will hold a Challenge Sunday later on in the F.O.G Squad session.

Before Christmas the children discussed donating money to a charity. It was decided to buy a donkey, cockerel, 10 chickens, a stove and community training for a charity called 'Send a cow gifts'. We are currently in the process of arranging this and will keep you posted on any developments.

Our Egg Rolling service this year will be held on Sunday 12th April at 9.30am. Mr Graham has kindly allowed us the use of his field at Knowes Loan in Barry. Everyone is welcome to come and join us celebrate Easter and roll our hard boiled eggs. If anyone needs directions please ask any of the F.O.G Squad staff. We look forward to seeing you there.

YOUTH GROUP   After a session in which we had a discussion about “Remembrance”, the members of the Youth Group decided that it would be a good way of “remembering” if we sent parcels to two former members of the Youth Group serving in the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. We asked family members which “special” treats Greig Forrester (RAF in Iraq) and Andrew Simpson (Royal Navy in Afghanistan) missed while they were away. Among the suggested items were sachets of Mocha Choca coffee, shortbread, Jelly Tots, shampoo, Soduko puzzles and tablet. I’ll leave you to decide which items go with which person!  

We also included Christmas cards and a CD with photos of the group. Two parcels were dispatched and arrived safely in Basra and Helmand Province. We knew this through emails from Greig and Andrew’s mother, and then through a telephone call to the Manse from Andrew in Afghanistan. It was good to see Greig at Christmas time, and we look forward to having Andrew at the Youth Group when he comes home on leave in February. We also sent another parcel to Andrew who was celebrating his 21 Birthday a week before he was due home on leave. This parcel has also been received safely and Andrew sent a letter of thanks and saying he hoped to be at the Youth Group on 22 February.  

The world situation is brought much closer to the youngsters in the Youth Group (and to the congregation at large) when we are aware that two former members are serving in the Gulf.  

Matthew.