Easter Celebrations
We are fast approaching Easter, this year is going by so quickly!
The image in this post provides a list of the Services which will be taking place at Woodside and at our sister Churches in the local area, we look forward to welcoming you.
Balmedie Congregational Church – Ground Breaking News!
Our sister Church in Balmedie has been trying to get planning permission, a site and funds together for over 20 years to have their own building to worship in and host groups, clubs and events. Now, after many hurdles and red tape they finally have a date to start work on their church building. An article was published in the local paper, The Press & Journal on Monday 23 March 2015 (see link below).
The official ground breaking ceremony will take place on Monday 30 March 2015 at 11am.
We have been fortunate enough to call the Printfield Forum/Project’s Portacabin home since December 2012 (when the Burgh Hall closed). Without them, we would have been quite literally homeless and are very grateful for the space.
Having use of the Portacabin has allowed us to interact with people who wouldn’t have normally come into a Church setting. The Portacabin is also great for the children who come to our clubs. Understandably not having our own building restricts us as to the times, frequency and types of groups/clubs we can offer. We work with what we have and do God’s work as He directs us.
It may not be the most traditional looking Church building but regardless of the look, where two or three are gathered, God is there and His presence can be felt when we come together in worship.
Hello, a warm welcome to you!
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our website and hope that we will be able to welcome you at our Church too.
I became Assistant Pastor at Woodside Congregational Church in March 2014 but my involvement with the Church goes back to 2011. Initially I started out as a helper at the Craft Club. My daughter started the previous year and they were looking for helpers. I couldn’t manage due to other work commitments but had recently started a new job and the hours fitted in.
It was great to be involved with something that really engaged the kids and help them to make various items from bookmarks to Easter baskets, and keyrings to advent calendars. It was funny trying to explain to one youngster that the calendar she had just created was a picture type and didn’t come with chocolate as apparently is standard issue these days (they weren’t always like that).
The following year (2012) I also helped out at the Summer Playscheme which saw children aged Primary 1 up to 1st year taking part in sports, crafts, baking and a day trip to the Highland Wildlife Park, we’re going back there this year. In 2013 the Playscheme went to Blair Drummond Safari Park as well as a number of different activities. I had been attending the Church Services off and on with my husband and daughter but not regularly. In December 2012 the 3 of us decided to make a commitment to the Church and haven’t looked back since.
In June last year, I was hired by the Church as a Youth and Admin Worker for 5 hours per week. I took over the running of the Craft Club and the newly set up Homework Club. As well as club organising/admin, I also produce promotional posters/flyers, the Church newsletter, programmes for events, and have now set up and maintain this website and the Facebook Page to name but a few. I also work for Aberdeen City Libraries (Council) as a Support Assistant, 20 hours a week, doing various admin duties for the City’s library service.
This year, in February, my work took a slightly different direction at one meeting with our minister, Rev. Andy Cowie. He asked if I had ever given any thought to becoming a minister, as over the time he had worked with me he could see a potential calling there. I had never thought about it but the more I did and the more I prayed to God to discern if this is what He wanted me to do, the more sense it made. I’ve started taking Services and have even given 2 sermons. The next step is to see if the congregation are happy with me continuing in this role and whether I go to University to study or just learn on the job as it were.
So here I am. I pray that God will be able to use me according to His plan and everything I do is used for His glory and praise.
Jeremiah 29:11-13New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29:11-13
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc
Every blessing
Nicola Watson
Assistant Pastor
Friends,
It is a great privilege to serve as unpaid Minister of our tiny Church, which tries to put into practice – show you ‘our’ Faith by ‘our’ Actions (James 2 v 18).
Our tiny Church runs a Ladies Group, Men’s Group, Children’s Craft Club, Homework Club and an embryo Boys’ Brigade Group. We are also part of a discussion group which meets weekly at the local KFC.
We also support widows and children in Tanzania through a Charity called, Global Love, and also Tear Fund and Christian Rebuild, which helps in places like Syria, Lebanon and Eastern and Southern Europe.
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the members try to respond to the reality that we are part of Christ’s body at Woodside and as such, we remind ourselves of W.W.J.D. – in responding to the needs of today’s living, What Would Jesus Do. We are in the community to help people.
With the freedom to make our own decisions, and with Jesus’ guidance and help, anything is possible.
If you agree with the ethos of our Church, why not come and visit us, any Sunday at 10am in the Portacabin. God calls all of us to; a new beginning, forgiveness and to life eternal, but it starts here and now. You will be made most welcome.
Every Blessing
Rev. Andy Cowie
Our playscheme starts Friday 18 July and we’re not sure what to expect! Will the weather behave itself and allow the sun to shine and will we have a good turn out of children and young people this year?
We’ve lined up a number of activities and outings and will even have a day trip to the Highland Wildlife Park!
The playscheme is open to all school aged children and is free to attend (details in the right hand side what’s on section). We may only have a short space of time every week, but it’s amazing what you can do with 2 hours! Whether we’re creating colourful bracelets with Loom Bands or heading out on an expedition to find our very own rock monsters, we’re sure to have a whale of a time.
Our Church is here to help and support, be it a happy occasion or sad, we are here for Baptisms, Weddings, funerals or if you simply need a listening ear.
There are 7 Congregational Churches in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire; Balmedie, Cove, Danestone, Kittybrewster, Northfield, Potterton and Woodside.
Woodside Congregational Church was re-established in 1997 (after a break of 3 years). Since the closure of the Burgh Hall on Clifton Road in December 2012, we have been based in the Printfield Portacabin on Printfield Walk.
The Church was first founded in 1818 and was also known as Printfield Congregational Church or “the Cotton Chapel” based on Great Northern Road, so we have essentially come full circle.
Woodside Congregational Church 