Our meetings resumed on the 11th February with our own minister Rev. Alan Gibbon who brought along Dexy, his companion. Dexy once again, delighted us, accepting treats and pats from an admiring audience. Graeme started our meeting with a prayer, a reading and a hymn. To warm us up we had seated exercises to some fine Scottish music, finishing with, ‘Donald whar’s yer troosers’. The minister pointed out, in humorous tone, that with the lifting of the kilt and the drinking of the whisky for ‘Campelltown Loch’ it was becoming a bit risque for the kirk. For those who were not there, never fear, they were all just moves to give our arms exercise and no kilts or whisky were involved.
Alan gave us an interesting look into the city of Ephesus showing slides taken from his visit. The city was first built by the ancient Greeks and then taken over by the Roman Empire It was made famous for its nearby Temple of Artemis. Ephesus has been designated one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus was an important centre for Early Christians and the apostle Paul lived there for three years. Later Paul wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians while he was in prison in Rome. As we have been looking at Ephesians in our church services over the last few weeks and learning of how Paul worked there among the people as a missionary, seeing the slides and learning of the history of Ephesus helps to bring the bible to life. It is certainly on my bucket list for a visit.
Our next meeting on the 25th February was with Ann Taylor who came to talk to us about the work of the Friends of the Barnhill Rock Garden. I don’t think many of us realised how big the garden is and how much work the volunteers are involved in the work and planning. The first recipient of the Green Flag Award in Dundee in 2007, the Barnhill Rock Garden is a public park extending to more than two hectares, owned and maintained by Dundee City Council and supported by the Friends of the Barnhill Rock Garden. It is situated on part of a former nine-hole golf course which was laid out when the Dundee to Aberdeen railway line was built. It brings great pleasure to young and old throughout the year. Ann had a lovely selection of slides which helped to bring the garden to life in our hall.
Gill Murray was our next speaker on the 11th March. Gill is the pharmacist for Davidsons Clepington Road Pharmacy and is a friendly face for a few of our members and much praised. We certainly learned a lot and we had a lively discussion on the role of the pharmacy which are far more numerous than most of us knew. We learned that there are also many medicines which can be given over the counter without payment through the Minor Ailment Service. Gill explained how the role of the pharmacist has changed over the years to encompass so much more, and how, for the public, we do not always have to go to a doctor. If you have a minor illness you can go to the pharmacy in the first place for advice. It is good to know that there is another pair of safe hands when we have health issues. How the NHS has changed since its inception and perhaps we should all appreciate more what we usually take for granted. Gill, unfortunately, had to rush back to work while we tucked into our welcome refreshments at the end of another enjoyable and informative meeting.
Remember the Church Guild meets every 2nd week and all are welcome in friendship.
“When the word is so complicated, the simple gift of friendship is within all our hands.” – Maria Shriver.
Marguerite Ruffle, Guild Secretary
