Activities
As a linked group of four congregations, several activities take place which cross the boundaries of our individual churches and are open to members of all four churches. The activities and groups listed below are ongoing year-round, but we also have groups which run for a limited time period, e.g. Lent and Advent discussion groups. Our weekly pew leaflet covers activities in all our churches and keeps us in contact with each other.
Meditation Group
A small group representing all our congregations meets fortnightly for silent, prayerful meditation. Meetings take place in members’ houses. Details of meetings are included in the weekly pew leaflet.
Men's Breakfast
This is an ecumenical group specifically for men which is well supported by members of our churches. Details of meetings are included in the weekly pew leaflet or can be obtained from Revd David Cameron.
Messy Church is a way of being church for families and others based around welcome, crafts and art, celebration and eating together. We hold Messy Church several times a year in St Anne’s church hall, generally once during each school holiday. Dates and times of Messy Church are included in the weekly pew leaflet as and when they are planned.
This small discussion group meets monthly over a sandwich and coffee at lunch-time in an upper room in St Catharine's Centre; it is open to members of all our churches and beyond. It provides a safe and confidential environment to address questions of belief for which there is no right or wrong answer. There is a good selection of books in the Centre, spirituality, prayer, self- help, theology, biographies, Bible study material, Bibles.
Details of meetings are included in the weekly pew leaflet.
Our local Mothers’ Union Fellowship meets monthly, mainly in St Catharine’s Centre, with a varied programme of prayer, study and fellowship. We are exploring the new MULOA initiative (MU - Listening - Observing – Acting) and take part in other local and national MU activities. Details of our meetings are included in the weekly pew leaflet.
EPACTS (East Perthshire Action of Churches Together in Scotland)
EPACTS is a group of Christian churches in East Perthshire co-operating in activities and presenting a united witness in the community. Membership is open to all local churches who support the following aims:
· To promote exchange of information on church activities in area.
· To further mutual understanding among member churches.
· To collaborate on projects proposed by members.
· To work together to advance the Kingdom of God.
· To promote the aims of Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) to which the group is affiliated.
· To present to the community a common understanding of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Scottish Episcopal churches in Eastern Perthshire are active members of EPACTS, participating in a wide range of activities. Together the EPACTS churches organise prayer lunches each year for the week of Prayer for Christian Unity, run a charity shop to support Christian Aid in Christian Aid week and organise a Songs of Praise event each summer. EPACTS also supports the organisation of ceilidhs each summer to make our seasonal fruit pickers feel welcomed in our community.
In recent years EPACTS has produced an attractive calendar of local photographs, promoting the Gospel message and has also provided Social Services with hampers to provide Christmas cheer for families in need.
A small group of members from EPACTS churches go away together each year for a few days’ ecumenical retreat.
