730 AND COUNTING 

2 July 2026
Rev Alan Gibbon
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Categories: Church News, Minister's Blog

If you have been in church recently, or watching on line, you will be aware that I have been in a reflective mood of late.  Think that is because of the anniversary on my induction, and two years feels like a reflective space for me.   

Reflections and images are funny things.  They play a big part in life, in stories, from Hitchcock and Agatha Christie stories to Sleeping Beauty.  Mirrors and reflections all play a big part in our understandings, and how we see ourselves. 

In the world of the ‘selfie’ it’s a whole other realm as it’s like a picture and reflection at the same time.  Very strange indeed.  

How we see ourselves and how we are two completely different perspectives.  For example, recently I had to renew my passport, and I was shocked to see the picture that came back, I was really surprised that the old man in the passport was actually me!!!  Or when I was in Edinburgh recently and my friend took a ‘selfie’ I was really surprised to see that I was grey haired.  News to me, I can tell you!! 

So why don’t I notice these things when I look in a mirror?  What does a camera see that my eyes don’t…with or without glasses. 

Sometimes it’s about perspective, isn’t it?  When I look in the mirror, I can choose the angle, how to have my chin, how to tilt my head towards the last patch of less dark grey that I pretend is still the black hair of my youth.  Whereas the camera sometimes chooses the angle for you….and you have nowhere to hide…. 

So, two years in, or 730 days, you know what I am like now regardless of what angle you are looking at me.  I hope you have a feel for the style of ministry I feel called to give here as we set a direction for the future. 

We can look back in the past with fond memories, but we are all changed, as church, and as people, and changing all the time.   

So, let’s take a moment to reflect, and have an honest look down the lens.  

We are not the church of 20 or 30 years ago, but…. we are a growing church, new people are coming, younger people are coming people are joining, we have connections with new projects, new connections with schools…. 

We’ve done a lot together in 730 days…. lets be ready to do much much more.  Hope you are up for a challenge 

Your friend and minister 

Alan 

DEXY’S (MIS) ADVENTURES – Chapter 13 – The Guild Outing 

2 July 2026
Dexy
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Categories: Church News, Dexy's Mis(Adventures)

So on Wednesday I was given a shower, that a bit unusual, especially as I know I am going to the groomer next week.  But I’m told I must be smelling nice and looking my best because I have an outing to go on!! 

Not, I’m not sure what an ‘outing is’ but there you go, my bag was packed and off we went to the church.  Was a bit disappointed when we arrived.  We were first there.  None of my fans were there, so, no treats for me…. disappointing……..thankfully, that was rectified a short while later as people started to appear.  Then we were off on the bus…. 

There was only one seat left on the bus when I got on, so I got up and settled.  I did wonder where dad was going to sit.  The cheek on him, he took my seat and there I was on his knee!! It was cozy to say the least.  On dads’ knee, Ken on my left and Brian on my right.  The three of them yapped away like old fish wives about this, that and the next thing.  Ken seemed a bit of a doggie person, so, I gave him the odd doggie kiss on the cheek.  Not sure whether he liked it or not, but…there you go…. I was just being friendly.   

We arrived in Ceres and off we headed to the park to play with the ball….my favourite past time.  That was fun…. but we got caught in the rain and had to head to the cafe…. I got some treats and dad had a coffee and a scone….but……this is a strange thing…. before everyone else came in he got the lady to take his plate and cup away and tell to pretend he’d had nothing.  Strange behaviour, if you ask me.   

Everyone else came in we had afternoon tea; my dad managed another scone and a cake no less!!  Not that I’m judging but, I often hear ‘Dexy’s had enough treats.’ 

On the bus back, there was a bit of a swap, Brian on my left and Ken on my right.  Brian nearly got lost on the bus…under a pile of bags as my dad, when getting me on his knee threw everything, he was carrying over Brian……they thought it was pretty funny…. 

The moral of this tail is……….. Sometimes, you can’t choose your companions on a journey…you just have to sit where you sit.  But, make new friends, chat, speak with someone new…..you never know, you might make a new friend along the way. 

DEXY’S (MIS) ADVENTURES – Chapter 12 – Digging for ??? 

12 April 2026
Dexy
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Categories: Church News, Dexy's Mis(Adventures)

So, after an eventful visit to the ‘guild’ with my dad.  It’s eventful cause there is so much going on there.  My dad is busy handing out treats for people to give them to me, for which I am very grateful, but I can also hear a rustle a mile away.   Once they have started I home in on that sound, and they are getting ready to give me a treat, but they are also trying to do it on the sly so that my dad doesn’t catch them giving me too many and get them into trouble…..so I am watching too….just to try and help them, and when I think dad isn’t looking I will paw at their leg to let them know the coast is clear.  It’s all very cloak and dagger stuff.  But……rewarding……. 

Then, if was off on my holidays as they were away…yes…again…. but I love going to see Jim and Jackie, they look after me so well and there are lots of pals to play with.  This time, when out on my walks I became a bit obsessed with digging a hole beside a log.   

Jackie would often say to me, ‘are you trying to get to Australia to see your mum and dad?’  To be fair I have no idea what Australia is, but I would be very surprised if it was under this log!!   

I was just digging for the roots…there is something quite tasty about freshly dug roots.  What a treat!!!  Mum and dad made it safely back from holiday, which was all good, and I am back at home with the ‘cat.’  I was ‘treated’ very well on both outings.    

The moral of this tail is……….. Sometimes, the good things in life come easy, and that is great, treats just keep coming, sometimes from the most unexpected places.  You can’t beat a bit of dropped ham or cheese….. other times…. well…. you need to be doing a bit of digging to get there.  Sometimes, even in all the mud and dirt some good stuff can be found.  In these times, you can’t give up, you just gotta keep digging.     

How to find hope in the dark days

12 April 2026
Rev Alan Gibbon
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Categories: Church News, Minister's Blog

As you know we were away on holiday during much of February and March to a long-anticipated trip to Australia.  It was really a most unbelievable experience, especially in terms of the wildlife that we saw.  There is something quite magical about seeing kangaroos and koalas in the wild and not forgetting a life affirming visit to watch baby loggerhead turtles make their way to shore.  It truly was the trip of a lifetime, and the memories will stay with me for a very long time.  

We were about 12 days into our holiday when we heard the news filter through of the outbreak in hostilities in the middle east.  A flurry of messages of concern from family and friends followed wondering about our journey home, as that was supposed to be through Dubai.  Thankfully we were well looked after by our travel company, and we were rerouted for our journey home.  

We did think about all those who were affected in so many ways, not only by the terrible war, in which so many innocent people were caught up with the fear of bombs and drones falling on their homes, but who were caught up in the travel chaos that has followed with many being stuck for days and weeks, unsure of how they are getting home, and unsure of who is paying.        

We watch all this from afar on our TV screens and we find ourselves asking, ‘where does the world go from here.’ I don’t pretend to have an answer for this, but we must never lose hope of a better day.   

If we lose hope, then darkness has truly won.  But if we hope for better days.  If we hope for peace.  If we hope for compassion and compromise. If we have hope, then darkness has not won. 

This newsletter will come out in amongst Easter, a true time of hope and new beginnings.  Not without its betrayal, pain, and lose and suffering.  But through all this there was hope.  Hope that love would win.   

A sacrifice paid……..a life laid down…….a promise of new life…….. 

I do not believe that our prayers will be in vain.  I do hope for a brighter tomorrow, in which peace will reign. 

This will be my Easter Prayer 

Your Friend and Minister 

Alan   

News from the Church Guild

14 April 2025
Web Editor
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Categories: Church News

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

Welcome to our redesigned website!

16 December 2024
Web Editor
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Categories: Church News

We are thrilled to welcome you to the newly redesigned website of Dundee Congregational Church! Our goal with this fresh look is to make it easier for you to connect with our church, find information, and engage with our activities and services. 

Explore Our New Features 

  • User-Friendly Navigation: We’ve streamlined our menus and added clear categories to help you find what you’re looking for quickly. 
  • Event Calendar: Stay up-to-date with all our upcoming events, services, and community activities. 
  • Resources: Access sermons, publications, our photo gallery and other resources to give you a flavour of what it’s like in our church. 
  • Interactive Elements: Enjoy new interactive features such as our minister’s blog and online forms for prayer requests, and more. 

Your Feedback Matters 

As you explore our new site, we invite you to share your thoughts and feedback. If you encounter any issues or find something that doesn’t work as it should, please let us know. Your input is invaluable in helping us improve and ensure the best possible experience for everyone. 


Provide feedback

Thank you for being a part of our community. We hope you enjoy the new website and look forward to hearing from you! 

Blessings, 
The Dundee Congregational Church Team