"Let no-one be a stranger within these walls"
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa
HomeStart Levenmouth - convey their grateful thanks to all the members of the congregation for the lovely Toys and knitted items donated to them last month. All these gifts have been used to bring joy into homes and families they support in our community.
LargoLinks Magazine – The Team thank all who have help over the last year to distribute this community news-magazine. Feedback from the community indicates that having a hard copy is particularly valued. 2000 copied have been distributed to homes and business in the Largo parish area. Preparation is now underway for the 6th Edition of the now quarterly LargoLinks. With such interest and demand, there is a need for people to help with the distribution – Can you help? If you can, could you please contact Irene Kay . She is trying to put together a Team, and the more helpers, the few homes each distributor will have to visit. Thank you.
Communication from the Church of Scotland Covid Group (December 2021)
As we will all be aware the latest Coronavirus variant Omicron is of great concern. I have taken a little advice from our Property Team and feel it would be wise to share with you some of the communication details so you can may a sensible and discerned judgement for your selves as regard to church attendance.
In blue text below I have given a response as to what we at Largo Church would recommend or are now not doing. I am sure you will appreciate we want to take a sensible and pastoral care approach in this time.
Please take a moment to read what George White, the Principal Clerks says:
With the unfolding situation with the Omicron Variant, new questions have been raised and these were underlined yesterday in the First Minister’s statement to Parliament. The Covid Group have been discussing various aspects arising from questions received over the last few hours.
Testing
The Scottish Government have stated that before we meet anyone out with our own household we should be undertake a Lateral Flow Test. The Covid Group believe that in the current circumstances we should encourage anyone who comes to church for whatever reason to undertake such a test in line with Government advice. Home testing kits are available free of charge from most local community pharmacies or online at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
We also need to underline the message that those attending services or groups should not attend if they are exhibiting any Cobid-19 symptoms. Instead they should self-isolate, book a PCR test.
Test and Protect
There have been a growing number of churches reporting positive cases linked to their buildings. Many churches have received contact from NHS Test and Protect. To that end, the Covid Group strongly urge all congregations to continue to take details of those who attend church events, including worship.
Face Coverings
There has been no change to the law in Scotland in respect of face coverings being worn inside churches. You may have heard the news reporting that a face covering can now be removed to sing but this is in England only. In Scotland face coverings must still be worn throughout worship services.
Questions have also been raised in respect of choirs singing without a face covering. Whilst this is acceptable in terms of the rules, Kirk Sessions may wish to consider whether this is the right policy for their own context. Choirs when singing, and distanced have permission to remove their face covering but a Kirk Session may wish to ask choirs to wear a face covering given the heightened risk posed by the omicron variant.
Distancing
There are many churches where social distancing is still the practice during worship. Where this is not the case, with the uncertainty of the new variant and the knowledge of its increased transmissibility, the Covid Group are recommending that all congregations look at where they can reasonably effect a degree of distancing between households.
At Largo Church, we have removed the black and yellow tape from pews not to be used. We ask that members, when or if attending church, look carefully at the end of a pew to see if there are hymnbooks in that pew and to sit in those pews. Any pew without hymnbooks at the end, which should be every alternate pew, is NOT to be sat in. We also ask you be sensitive to sitting in a pew where someone else may already be seated, and ask if they are happy you sit there. This applies mainly to the central pews in the main body of the church. If people can keep a 1 meter space between themselves and others not of their household, this would be very helpful in terms of social distancing.
In blue text below I have given a response as to what we at Largo Church would recommend or are now not doing. I am sure you will appreciate we want to take a sensible and pastoral care approach in this time.
Please take a moment to read what George White, the Principal Clerks says:
With the unfolding situation with the Omicron Variant, new questions have been raised and these were underlined yesterday in the First Minister’s statement to Parliament. The Covid Group have been discussing various aspects arising from questions received over the last few hours.
Testing
The Scottish Government have stated that before we meet anyone out with our own household we should be undertake a Lateral Flow Test. The Covid Group believe that in the current circumstances we should encourage anyone who comes to church for whatever reason to undertake such a test in line with Government advice. Home testing kits are available free of charge from most local community pharmacies or online at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
We also need to underline the message that those attending services or groups should not attend if they are exhibiting any Cobid-19 symptoms. Instead they should self-isolate, book a PCR test.
Test and Protect
There have been a growing number of churches reporting positive cases linked to their buildings. Many churches have received contact from NHS Test and Protect. To that end, the Covid Group strongly urge all congregations to continue to take details of those who attend church events, including worship.
Face Coverings
There has been no change to the law in Scotland in respect of face coverings being worn inside churches. You may have heard the news reporting that a face covering can now be removed to sing but this is in England only. In Scotland face coverings must still be worn throughout worship services.
Questions have also been raised in respect of choirs singing without a face covering. Whilst this is acceptable in terms of the rules, Kirk Sessions may wish to consider whether this is the right policy for their own context. Choirs when singing, and distanced have permission to remove their face covering but a Kirk Session may wish to ask choirs to wear a face covering given the heightened risk posed by the omicron variant.
Distancing
There are many churches where social distancing is still the practice during worship. Where this is not the case, with the uncertainty of the new variant and the knowledge of its increased transmissibility, the Covid Group are recommending that all congregations look at where they can reasonably effect a degree of distancing between households.
At Largo Church, we have removed the black and yellow tape from pews not to be used. We ask that members, when or if attending church, look carefully at the end of a pew to see if there are hymnbooks in that pew and to sit in those pews. Any pew without hymnbooks at the end, which should be every alternate pew, is NOT to be sat in. We also ask you be sensitive to sitting in a pew where someone else may already be seated, and ask if they are happy you sit there. This applies mainly to the central pews in the main body of the church. If people can keep a 1 meter space between themselves and others not of their household, this would be very helpful in terms of social distancing.
Church Capacity
We are now required by law to show on a notice the Physical Distance Based Capacity (PDBC) of the church interior, so that anyone coming to the church knows the legal capacity. With a little re-working and readjusting, we can now state the PDBC of the Largo Church is 72 people and that translates to 35 places. A majority of the seating places can accommodate 2 people. We have been able to create 3 places where we can seat, 3 or 4 or 5 people as a family group. This said, it is still very important that if you wish to come to church you book a place with Margaret Robertson before Saturday 12noon, for the Sunday service.
Worship and Church Guidelines (April 2021)
| Worship and Church Guildelines April |
On Sunday 11th April, at 10:30 a.m. worship resumed in the Largo Parish church. We do have to adhere still to our protocol put in place in the Summer of 2020. So please remember, you will need to book a place at Sunday worship.
Please see document below for guidelines
To attend church services, you will need to contact Margaret Robertson, we ask that you do this no later than 12 noon each Saturday. The reason we ask you to do this is that we have to keep a record of who attends worship for “track and trace” and Margaret will forward this list to the door duty steward in preparation for Sunday worship. If folks could assist us to this end, it will make things easier for the door duty stewards, who will know who to expect and not require Margaret to phone them on Sunday morning with additional names to now add to the list, if there is still room to accommodate folks at worship.
Having said that, we don’t want to turn folks away, so if you have a change in circumstances and have booked and then cannot attend, you could always let Margaret or me know on Sunday morning. Likewise if you have forgotten to book, you can still phone Margaret to see if there is space. However we would value and gratefully appreciate your kind help in this regard.
With a return to live worship in the Church, we will be exploring the future means by which our worship can be shared with the congregation and community. We are looking at investing in the technology to record and upload services as a catch up on our Church website. We have some matters to work through but we hope to begin to trial new methods. We do not have the same IT tech that Douglas has used during the period we have offered live Zoom and YouTube services, and we have been grateful to him and ENT and St Monans to be linked into their system. However, this period of shared services has given us the opportunity to see and discover what can be offered and this has opened possibilities to us. If you or you know of anyone interest in assisting in IT and sound/streaming work for our congregation, I would value to hear from you as we seek to find folks who can led us forward.
Having said that, we don’t want to turn folks away, so if you have a change in circumstances and have booked and then cannot attend, you could always let Margaret or me know on Sunday morning. Likewise if you have forgotten to book, you can still phone Margaret to see if there is space. However we would value and gratefully appreciate your kind help in this regard.
With a return to live worship in the Church, we will be exploring the future means by which our worship can be shared with the congregation and community. We are looking at investing in the technology to record and upload services as a catch up on our Church website. We have some matters to work through but we hope to begin to trial new methods. We do not have the same IT tech that Douglas has used during the period we have offered live Zoom and YouTube services, and we have been grateful to him and ENT and St Monans to be linked into their system. However, this period of shared services has given us the opportunity to see and discover what can be offered and this has opened possibilities to us. If you or you know of anyone interest in assisting in IT and sound/streaming work for our congregation, I would value to hear from you as we seek to find folks who can led us forward.
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Christmas 2019
A 'before' and 'after' photo of the Christmas Tree. Big thanks for all of your kindness in gifting toys. The gifts were sent to Levenmouth Homestart in readiness for distributing at Christmas.
Harvest 2019
Much to be thankful for on Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday
Easter Morning Worship 2019
A Son Rise Beach Service was held on the beach at the Temple, Lower Largo on Easter morning.
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The Church was decorated for Easter.
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East Neuk Foodbank
A basket for donation of goods is in the Church vestibule and in the Stables every week. Everything you donate is so much appreciated and many thanks to all those who contribute. Please keep supporting as the need is constant.
Basic needs - UHT milk, sugar, cereal, pack of teabags or coffee, tins of soup, tins of fish, jars of pasta sauce, packs of pasta, tins of veg, tinned puddings, tins of beans, tins of meat, packet of biscuits and jars of jam.
Basic needs - UHT milk, sugar, cereal, pack of teabags or coffee, tins of soup, tins of fish, jars of pasta sauce, packs of pasta, tins of veg, tinned puddings, tins of beans, tins of meat, packet of biscuits and jars of jam.
Restoration work at Largo and Newburn Parish Church 2015-17
In July 2013, with the approval of the Church Session, Larry Rolland as convener of the fabric group requested a survey of the church windows. These date from the late Victorian era and consist of 4 stained glass windows and 8 quarry and crown glass windows. The work required varied from minimal to extensive with several needing to be fully re-leaded owing to sagging of the structure threatening the glass. In addition, the supporting ironwork and openings had rusted and external protection was failing. The rose window glass which was hidden behind organ pipes since 1981, was to be moved to the North aisle.
We accepted a quote from Scottish Glass Studios (Mark Bambrough) following successful grant applications. We had a 75% grant (£47,820) from Fife Environmental Trust (landfill tax) with additional income from Baird Trust and donations from the Wood clan and Baxter family (the latter two in relation to windows given by these families). VAT was reclaimed under the Listed Places of Worship Scheme. The work was done between Dec 2015 and Jan 2017 resulting in a major improvement in terms of draughts, light and durable structures for the next 50-100 years.
In July 2014, a survey of the exterior of the church revealed major issues with failed pointing allowing water ingress and plant growth and also “hard pointing” which was damaging the stonework. The East gable end had been rendered previously. This was badly damaged leading to water penetration into the East facing walls. Subsequently, once the render was removed a great deal of stone and pointing repair was required. The rainwater goods were in poor condition which contributed to water penetration into the walls. The estimated cost of all the work was around £150-200,000. Discussions and a phase 1 application to Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) were successful to develop the bid further. This involved a more detailed survey and specification of works. In addition, we undertook to investigate the history of the church and to display this on the church website, to provide signage and leaflets and to have open days to encourage a wider understanding of the heritage we have. Our phase 2 bid was successful with an award of £138,600 provided equally between HLF and Historic Environment Scotland. In addition, we were very pleased to receive grants from General Trustees of Church of Scotland, Todd Bequest, Garfield Weston Foundation, Alan Evans Foundation, Scotland’s Churches Trust. Once again VAT was reclaimed and local donations and fundraising was used.
The work took place between Oct 2016 and April 2017. The external appearance is much improved and will secure the building for generations to come. The photographs illustrate some of the problems we were facing and the improvements we have made.
Do come and enjoy the heritage we have!
The church is indebted to the Upper Largo Camera Club for many of the wonderful photographs included in the web-site and also to Andrew Beveridge for the excellent video recording.
We accepted a quote from Scottish Glass Studios (Mark Bambrough) following successful grant applications. We had a 75% grant (£47,820) from Fife Environmental Trust (landfill tax) with additional income from Baird Trust and donations from the Wood clan and Baxter family (the latter two in relation to windows given by these families). VAT was reclaimed under the Listed Places of Worship Scheme. The work was done between Dec 2015 and Jan 2017 resulting in a major improvement in terms of draughts, light and durable structures for the next 50-100 years.
In July 2014, a survey of the exterior of the church revealed major issues with failed pointing allowing water ingress and plant growth and also “hard pointing” which was damaging the stonework. The East gable end had been rendered previously. This was badly damaged leading to water penetration into the East facing walls. Subsequently, once the render was removed a great deal of stone and pointing repair was required. The rainwater goods were in poor condition which contributed to water penetration into the walls. The estimated cost of all the work was around £150-200,000. Discussions and a phase 1 application to Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) were successful to develop the bid further. This involved a more detailed survey and specification of works. In addition, we undertook to investigate the history of the church and to display this on the church website, to provide signage and leaflets and to have open days to encourage a wider understanding of the heritage we have. Our phase 2 bid was successful with an award of £138,600 provided equally between HLF and Historic Environment Scotland. In addition, we were very pleased to receive grants from General Trustees of Church of Scotland, Todd Bequest, Garfield Weston Foundation, Alan Evans Foundation, Scotland’s Churches Trust. Once again VAT was reclaimed and local donations and fundraising was used.
The work took place between Oct 2016 and April 2017. The external appearance is much improved and will secure the building for generations to come. The photographs illustrate some of the problems we were facing and the improvements we have made.
Do come and enjoy the heritage we have!
The church is indebted to the Upper Largo Camera Club for many of the wonderful photographs included in the web-site and also to Andrew Beveridge for the excellent video recording.
Largo Parish Church of Scotland - SC003465
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