NEWS  FROM  S^t JAMES  AND S^t PHILIPS: 2 March 2007

Change is a part of our lives these days. In politics the reaction to every perceived crisis seems to be to introduce change, usually new legislation, in the hope that it will solve the problem. Or, if you are cynical, it is done to avoid taking more difficult decision to address the underlying problem.

 We at St James are soon to be faced with our own change. Rita has tendered her resignation and will be leaving Stonehaven at the beginning of May. Ones first reaction is usually a selfish one. How could she leave us? What will we do? How will we manage? But while we will miss her, our response should be to give thanks to God that we have had Rita with us for the last four years. She has given so much of herself to the church and the wider community. It is only natural that, at some time, she would want to move on. There will be a time for more formal thanks later but now we must help Rita in what for her has been a difficult decision and look to the future.

 Ironically we now have, for the first time for many years, our own rectory. From 3^rd March, 3 Ramsay Road will be the property of the church. We will need to do a certain amount of work to get it into order, but Rita will be moving into it fairly soon after that date.

 Saturday, 3^rd March, is also the date of our annual diocesan synod at Dundee. This is the occasion when representatives from the various churches in the diocese get together to deal with a range of issues facing the church. Some are mundane, but essential, such as finances. Others are concerned with the way we worship. For example, on Saturday we will be discussing a new form of the marriage service.

 Finally a reminder to the young people in the church. 18^th March is the deadline for entries in the competition to design a cover for the Easter edition of the magazine. The picture should illustrate new life, the resurrection.