"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
Worship and Church Guidelines (March 2022)
You no longer need to book to come to a church service, however it is still a legal requirement to wear your face mask. Sadly, the news about Covid infections is showing a rise again and so we do ask you to be sensible and take all precautions you need to keep well and safe. So, if you do think you have a flu type symptom think about whether you want to be out and possible infect others, until you can get a lateral flow test.
As you may be aware, the Scottish Government announced that from Monday the 4th of April, it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering in places of worship or while attending a marriage ceremony, a civil partnership registration, or a funeral.
As we know, face coverings have been an important part of stopping the spread of coronavirus. Although regulatory requirements to wear face at services will be removed, the Scottish Government continues to strongly encourage the use of protective measures to reduce risk.
We recognised that the removal of this requirement will probably see more people returned to in-person worship and other events. However we also appreciate there will be people in our community who feel themselves to be particularly at risk and who are reassured by mask wearing and distancing. So we are asking all who attend service to be sensitive to this situation and may ask to not have someone sit next to them, We know that infection rates are still high and a minority of the population remain vulnerable despite the vaccinations and the antiviral drugs which have been developed and deployed.
The First Minister announced that the remaining regulatory requirements in relation to face coverings will be removed on 18 April.
As you may be aware, the Scottish Government announced that from Monday the 4th of April, it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering in places of worship or while attending a marriage ceremony, a civil partnership registration, or a funeral.
As we know, face coverings have been an important part of stopping the spread of coronavirus. Although regulatory requirements to wear face at services will be removed, the Scottish Government continues to strongly encourage the use of protective measures to reduce risk.
We recognised that the removal of this requirement will probably see more people returned to in-person worship and other events. However we also appreciate there will be people in our community who feel themselves to be particularly at risk and who are reassured by mask wearing and distancing. So we are asking all who attend service to be sensitive to this situation and may ask to not have someone sit next to them, We know that infection rates are still high and a minority of the population remain vulnerable despite the vaccinations and the antiviral drugs which have been developed and deployed.
The First Minister announced that the remaining regulatory requirements in relation to face coverings will be removed on 18 April.
Tea and Coffee after services
We are now back to having tea and coffee and fellowship after the morning service. If you feel you can help with this duty, please do let Irene Kay know as she has been drafting a rota of helpers.
Ukraine Crisis
I am sure we have all been anxiously watching and looking at the news in papers and online regarding the Ukraine, and the invasion by Russian troops. In our community and congregation we have families who have relatives and friends in Ukraine and Russia and this makes the situation more personal. We want to assure them we hold them and all this terrible time in our prayers, seeking God’s guidance and spirit to enfold them in love and comfort, but also that Putin and his leaders would come to their senses and see this is a act of war that is unwarranted in the eyes of the world. Greed, power and might will not achieve anything. It is at time like this we find it hard to think we should prayer for the enemy, but even more son we should. It is also a time when we unite to speak out against injustice and dictatorships.
I have received this letter from the CoS Faith Impact Forum and invite you to download it and respond if you can. I believe too that Fife Voluntary Action in Glenrothes may be taking in donation to aid any needs that will be wanted for refugees.
I have received this letter from the CoS Faith Impact Forum and invite you to download it and respond if you can. I believe too that Fife Voluntary Action in Glenrothes may be taking in donation to aid any needs that will be wanted for refugees.
| ltr_to_wmpc_fif_-_01.03.pdf |
We are making available in the vestibule of the church an appeal box for the Reformed Church in Hungry Aid (RCHA) work as they aid Ukrainian people fleeing the war in their homeland. You can make a contribution to our retiring collection appeal, by placing your offering in the box marked Ukraine – RCHA box in the vestibule Sunday 13th March and/or Sunday 20th March.
You can also make direct donations through the bank account found in the Church of Scotland letter, managed by the Kirk’s Faith Impact Forum. (Donations can also be gift aided).
Royal Bank of Scotland – Church of Scotland No 1 Account.
Account Number – 0013 4859 Sort Code 83-06-08
Reference payment as RCHA Donation.
You can also make direct donations through the bank account found in the Church of Scotland letter, managed by the Kirk’s Faith Impact Forum. (Donations can also be gift aided).
Royal Bank of Scotland – Church of Scotland No 1 Account.
Account Number – 0013 4859 Sort Code 83-06-08
Reference payment as RCHA Donation.
Rev Gavin Boswell (B. Theol - RU)
Drop In
The Drop In at the Simpson Institute takes place every Thursday from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. All welcome to stop by for a coffee/tea home-baking and blether with friends. Donation of £2 requested.
Tea and Coffee after services – Irene Kay has kindly been drafting a rota of helpers and is looking for a few more volunteers to assist, some men folk would be helpful to set up the hall before and after services. If you can assist please contact Irene
Update on the congregational “pew talk” and the Kirk Session thinking. Having shared about the reasoning behind the Missional Planning and where do we at largo Church feel we fit and what is our future, the response from folks present at Church about a moved toward the East with a deeper working relationship with the congregations in both our current Cluster and the East Neuk East, which is Pittenween to Crail and Kingsbarns, saw 11 people thinking this was where be belonged. In response to a move more towards the Levenmouth grouping, 12 people felt drawn to the west. A good number out of the 47 people in the congregation, where not strongly drawn to one or other way and felt they would support the future of the church wherever that may be.
The Kirk Session met on Tuesday to hear from the Levenmouth Cluster facilitator what was happening and what Largo may benefit from or offer to a westward inclusion, and the Kirk Session were not really given very much information to make a informed decision. When the elders were asked to give their views of which way, of 16 elders present, 3 thought Levenmouth and 5 toward the East Neuk, and again several elders indicated they were of no particular inclination but would support the church wherever we were to be factored into the future ministry in this area.
Our next East Neuk meeting, we feel the response we would offer is to remain with the East Neuk Gateway cluster, and not to make the two East Neuk Clusters one grouping. That we continue to deepen and grow in partnership with the East Neuk Gateway Cluster churches as we have been doing over the last 6 or so years. At the end of the day, we pray that the Presbytery Missional Planning Task Group would take into account all that has been said by the groupings and Kirk Session to create a new plan that is fair and equal and inclusive of all congregations and their ministries and missional aspirations.
I received this week the attached letter from the Presbytery of Fife to be shared with all members.
The Kirk Session met on Tuesday to hear from the Levenmouth Cluster facilitator what was happening and what Largo may benefit from or offer to a westward inclusion, and the Kirk Session were not really given very much information to make a informed decision. When the elders were asked to give their views of which way, of 16 elders present, 3 thought Levenmouth and 5 toward the East Neuk, and again several elders indicated they were of no particular inclination but would support the church wherever we were to be factored into the future ministry in this area.
Our next East Neuk meeting, we feel the response we would offer is to remain with the East Neuk Gateway cluster, and not to make the two East Neuk Clusters one grouping. That we continue to deepen and grow in partnership with the East Neuk Gateway Cluster churches as we have been doing over the last 6 or so years. At the end of the day, we pray that the Presbytery Missional Planning Task Group would take into account all that has been said by the groupings and Kirk Session to create a new plan that is fair and equal and inclusive of all congregations and their ministries and missional aspirations.
I received this week the attached letter from the Presbytery of Fife to be shared with all members.
Rev Gavin Boswell (B. Theol - RU)
| letter_to_all_ministers_and_congregations_in_fife_presbytery_-_31_jan_22.pdf |
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.
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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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