Shortbread

Don’t wait until tea time to have shortbread – morning coffee is just as good. There is only one way to make shortbread and that’s with butter.  I think it’s a waste of electricity to use anything else.

8oz butter                                                                                                                                4oz caster sugar                                                                                                                8oz  plain flour                                                                                                                       4oz cornflour

Cream butter and caster sugar together until pale and creamy. Add both flours and mix well until you have a smooth dough.  Divide into two and press into 8” round sandwich tins. Crimp the edges with a fork handle and prick all over.  Bake for 1 hour 100ºC. Take out of the oven and allow to cool slightly, cut into 8 triangles with a sharp knife (that’s the hard bit, getting it even). Dust with caster sugar while still warm, then the sugar will stick and not fall off when you lift the shortbread.

You can roll the shortbread out and cut into shapes and bake for about ½ the time (when slightly coloured they will continue to cook while they cool) I make star shapes at Christmas, but rounds are great to serve with fresh fruit or creamy desserts yummy!

Ginger Shortbread is very nice to serve with lemon desserts add about 2 level tsp with the flour.

You can also make this shortbread in a food processor just add all together and wizzzzzzzz until it forms a dough.

ENJOY

Taken from “When its brown done……….”                                                                 by Kath  Leadbeater

Pauline Rose taking shoe boxes to a collection point after they had been blessed in church at our Harvest Service.

St John’s, Moffat and All Saints’, Lockerbie,
a linked charge of Episcopal Churches

in beautiful southwest Scotland, seeks full-time
rector to help our churches reach out to our
communities, evolve to meet the needs of all
age groups, and to develop our faith.
Application form available from: e.mcdonnell@hotmail.co.uk

Profile for All Saints Lockerbie please click link below to open pdf

NEW All Saints Profile 2018

Easter Message 2018

Some of you may listen to a Radio 4 programme called Last Word. In effect it offers appreciations and assessments of interesting people who have died in the week or so before the programme is broadcast. As I write, the cast includes Stephen Hawking and Ken Dodd. But it occurs to me that it’s an odd title for a programme which makes no claim that what is said is to be understood as either authoritative or the last word about anybody.

Odd, simply because we all know that whoever claims to have the last word about anyone or anything is claiming to have very significant power over people or in human affairs generally. And we are all too aware of the destructive potential of such claims in the world as we experience it. But what if the last word need not be like that and what if we are about to celebrate the all-important Last Word, namely the divine exercise of power which raised Jesus from the dead?And what if this Last Word turns out be the very opposite of a destructive exercise of power, but is heard rather as a word of love, a word of life, a word of vindication, a word of triumph over the worst that we humans can perpetrate, because it is uttered by no human claimant to power? And if that is true, and it is our faith that it is true, then here is a Last Word which constantly constitutes our hope and our ground for trying to live what we might callChrist-shaped lives, lives that may seem to meet with little favour in a hard and unforgiving world, but lives that bear the glory of resurrection now and at the end. I suggest that at its best the liturgy of Easter celebrates this hope and strengthens us in living it out. I wish you all a blessed Easter.

+Gregor

Simnel Cake

This is super cake and not just for Easter its a great all year round cake.  You could always not add the almond paste to the top, but instead sprinkle flaked almonds on the top before cooking. Not sure where I got this recipe from or who gave me it but is worth trying.

HAPPY BAKING

Cake
6oz (175g) soft margarine
6oz (175g) light soft brown sugar
3 eggs
6oz (175g) plain flour
3 level teaspoons mixed spice
1 level teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons milk
12oz (225g) mixed died fruit
2oz (50g) glacé cherries
Finely grated rind of 1 lemon
2oz (50g) ground almonds
8oz (225g) readymade almond paste

Topping — Optional
8oz (225g) readymade almond paste
1tablespoon apricot jam

Heat the oven to 160ºC Grease and line with greaseproof paper a 7 inch (17.5cm) deep round cake tin.
Put all the cake ingredients except for the fruit and cherries in a mixing bowl and beat well for about 2 minutes until well blended, now add the fruit and cherries and stir well.
Place half the mixture in the cake tin. Take the almond paste and roll out to a circle to fit the cake tin. Place the almond paste on the cake mixture and add the remaining mixture on top. Smooth the top.
Bake in the oven for about 2¼hors or until a skewer comes out clean when pierced into the Centre of the cake.
When cooked turn out on to a cooling rack. When cold remove the paper.
Topping brush the top of the cake with apricot jam. Roll out the almond paste, the best way I have found for cutting a circle of almond paste is to use the cake tin as a template. Using the left over almond paste to make 11 equal pieces, and shape into balls. Crimp the edge of the almond paste and place the balls round the edge.
Gill for a few minutes to brown.

Enjoy!!

To freeze—freeze cake without topping pack in container seal and label use within 3 months. Freeze the almond paste topping separately—open freeze when frozen wrap label and use within 3 months.

A few weeks ago Elizabeth McDonnell sent me the following story, I was intrigued…..so I went to Google (as one does) and did a search, this what I came up with. Please click on the wikipedia link to read more.

‘Helen Roseveare, Missionary to Africa
Helen Roseveare a doctor missionary from England to Zaire , Africa, told this as it had happened to her in Africa’.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Roseveare

‘Before they call, I will answer.’ (Isaiah 65:24)

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labour ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).

We also had no special feeding facilities.
Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.
Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates).
‘And it is our last hot water bottle!’ she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles.
They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.
‘All right,’ I said, ‘put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm.’
The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. ‘Please, God’ she prayed, ‘Send us a hot water bottle today. It’ll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.’

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, ‘And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she’ll know You really love her?’
As often with children’s prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say ‘Amen?’ I just did not believe that God could do this.
Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren’t there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home.
Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!
Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses’ training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the veranda was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly-coloured, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas – that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.
Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the…..could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried.
I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.
Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, ‘If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!’
Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!
Looking up at me, she asked, ‘Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she’ll know that Jesus really loves her?’
‘Of course,’ I replied!
That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God’s prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator.
And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child – five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it ‘that afternoon.’

‘Before they call, I will answer.’ (Isaiah 65:24)

When you receive this, say the prayer. That’s all I ask. No strings attached. Just send it on to whomever you want – but do send it on.

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards. Let’s continue praying for one another.

This awesome prayer takes less than a minute.

Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this. I ask You to minister to their spirit. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed confidence to work through them. Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, guidance, and strength. Where there is fear, reveal Your love and release to them Your courage… Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them.. I ask You to do these things in Jesus’ name. Amen

P. S. Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both. Passing this on to one not considered a friend is something Christ would do

Another successful event enriching the life of our Church and enabling us to share the amenity with the wider community. Although the audience was rather reduced due to earlier snowfall and icy conditions those who did attend enjoyed the Sing a Long ,many items from our youths, together with some less well known songs and individual performances – by  John Wade

male Soloist and the Fiddler Charlie Carr

A raffle was held and refreshments served in the  interval.

We are most grateful to Hilary Carmichael for masterminding the proceedings ( acting on John Macleod’s suggestion) and to the Dryfe Singers ably assisted by some ladies from the ‘Lochmaben Sing for Fun’  group turning out in force on a winter’s night and for providing such an excellent and entertaining evening.

The Mingulay Boat Song
Westering Home
Charlie Carr on fiddle
The Peat Fire Flame
Mairi’s Wedding
John Wade – Solo
Ho-ro my Nut – Brown Maiden
The Uist Tramping Song
The Road to the Isles
John Wade – Solo
The Jura Harvesting Lilt
Coorie Doon
Follow the Heron
Charlie Carr – Fiddle

Interval

The Carnival is Over
I’ll Never Find Another You
John Wade – Solo
Ye Banks and Braes
Loch Lomond
John Wade – Solo
Dumbarton Drums
The 4 Marys
Charlie Carr – Fiddle
Galway Bay
The Old Camarthen Oak
I Love a Lassie
Roamin’ in the Gloamin’
I Belong to Glasgow
John Wade – Solo
The Song of the Clyde
Keep You in Peace

John’s Farewell Communion Service on 31st December 2017 . The words spoken by Ian Stewart reflected the whole congregation’s feelings about the generous ministry of both John and Maggie during their 5 years with us, whilst they will be greatly missed, they were wished a very happy retirement.
Many folk from the group joined John and Maggie at the Rectory later on 31st. for a very happy time together, again our grateful thanks to them for their hospitality.

Ronald was born at East Clumpton farm, Dumfries on 5th August 1943. His father James was a dairyman and his mother Margaret looked after the home. He was their third son growing up with his older brothers Gordon and the late Leonard. Later they were joined by their younger sister Marlene. His father’s work meant moving around different farms and Ronald went to school in Dumfries, Annan and Moffat. During his time at school he was a keen army cadet and always wanted to join up, however a hearing difficulty prevented this. On leaving school Ronald worked with his father on the farm in Moffat but when the family moved to Torthorwold he went to work in the rubber factory for a short while. Ronald knew his vocation in life lay elsewhere and he was accepted to train as a nurse at the Crichton Hospital later specializing in mental health. After qualifying he took up a post in Bolton where he lived for almost 40 years. He was in his late 50’s when came to live in Lockerbie after early retirement.
During his retirement Ronald became involved in the civic life of the community. He was greatly involved in Lochmaben Residents Association, becoming chair of the organisation. This took him all over Scotland and he regularly attended meetings in the Parliament at Holyrood. He used to speak of the people he met there; he had a personal interview with the First Minister Nichola Sturgeon and knew Ruth Davidson as well as other MSPs. Only recently he received an award on behalf of his Association and was elected as one of the new regional chairpersons. He was also involved with Lockerbie and District Community Council and Doreen Jenkins its secretary told me he was first elected as a councillor 6 years ago and was made vice chair. She spoke of his work at Holyrood and he gave detailed reports to meetings with the Scottish Government. She described him aas a valued member, a willing worker and one who was always willing to listen and help residents. He was very proud of his connections to the Prince of Wales estate at Highgrove where he had friends working there. And every Christmas he arranged holly to be sent from Highgrove to decorate the church. He spoke of taking Camilla’s dog for a walk during one of his visits there and was recently introduced to Princess Anne in Ayrshire after receiving an award in Edinburgh.

Ronald’s brother, Gordon wrote to me that Ronald loved to travel to many foreign parts including America France & Spain, he made a lot of friends throughout his travels that I did not know about, until I went through his address and telephone book, there was too many to print. He was indeed a great traveller not only in the UK but particularly to America where he visited his late brothers family, Rosemary, and his nephews Leonard and Daniel. But he also made many friends there particularly in Church circles and kept in contact with them regularly. And like others I have been contacted from people in the United States expressing shock and sadness at his passing.

Ronald’s faith was of the greatest importance to him. He became involved in the International Justice Mission and helped build the internet prayer chain known as PUSH sending prayer requests all over the world. He became involved though his close friend, Sister Lorna with the Good Shepherd Sisters. Ronald had known her long before she took vows when they both attended Langside College forty years ago on a course on Residential Child Care. When she was at the Convent in Manchester he used to travel from Bolton often and knew many of the Sisters. He used to take the elderly ones for walks and Sister Lorna described him to me as a people person. They kept up their contact and almost every month met in Peebles for lunch. She spoke to me also about his devotion this Church.

From first coming to All Saints Ronald wished to be involved. He became an Altar Server, was Sacristan who prepared the church for services, was a lesson reader, trained as an intercessor offering prayers during the Eucharist, was Vestry Secretary, a member of the Annandale Group Committee and even offered his services as verger, church cleaner and even made sure the outside flower tubs were watered and prepared every year with bulbs. Ronald was a regular visitor to members of the congregation in need. He was always willing to lend a hand. He was also an accredited prison visitor taking the weekly service readings to share with inmates at Dumfries. His whisky marmalade which he used to make and sell for church funds will be missed by many. Ronald made a difference to people’s lives through service, caring and his larger than life personality. He will be missed by very many.