Week long 'Faith in the Festival' hosted by Aberdour's St Fillan's Church
Historic St Fillan’s Church is putting some “Faith in the Festival” as part of Aberdour’s annual summer programme of events and activities for all ages.
This is the first time that the church has curated its own programme of events within Aberdour Festival, although the building has been used as a venue.
The St Fillan’s programme includes music, prayers and praise, a children’s storytime, and an insight into the work of global charity Christian Aid.
There will also be a special service of celebration and thanksgiving marking the centenary of the reopening of the 12th century church and the 100 years of service and ministry to the Fife community since then.
The church’s Faith in the Festival goes beyond St Fillan’s ancient walls with a pilgrimage from Forthview-Dalgety to Aberdour in the company of Rev. Simon Hessett, the dedicated Pastor to the Fife Pilgrim Way, while the week is scheduled to finish with outdoor prayer and praise on Silver Sands Beach – weather permitting.
Rev Andrea Fraser said: "We are delighted to be offering our programme of ‘Faith in the Festival’, as part of the Aberdour Festival.
“We are an active and inclusive congregation with an aim to share God's love with all who wander our way. There is something for everyone in our programme, those with a faith and those who don't have one.
“Everyone is welcome to come and see what the local Church of Scotland is doing here in Aberdour."
The Faith in the Festival programme begins at 9.45am on Sunday, August 2, with an all-ages festival praise service at St Fillan’s, followed at 3pm by the 100th anniversary service of celebration and thanksgiving.
The pilgrimage to Aberdour will leave Forthview at 10am on Tuesday, August 4, with the modern pilgrims fortified by a welcoming coffee and scone before they head to St Fillan’s via the ruins of fellow 12th century church, St Bridget’s Kirk. At Aberdour, where a lunch of soup, tea and cake awaits the walkers, Mr Hessett will say more about his role offering spiritual support to pilgrims attempting the 64-mile Fife Pilgrim Way from Culross to St Andrews.
The younger members of the community will be entertained with stories and songs at St Fillan’s on Wednesday, August 5, from 10.30am.
In the evening, in St Fillan’s Church Hall at 7.30pm, Rev Fiona Smith, who was the first woman to be Principal Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, will be in conversation with Mrs Fraser about the work of Christian Aid and how it seeks to be a voice for peace in the world.
The focus of the festival turns to music over the next two evenings at 7pm.
On Thursday evening there will be an exploration of the history of hymns with Rev Dr Douglas Galbraith, a retired minister and musician and author of “Assist Our Song: Music Ministries in Local Church”.
Friday will see St Fillan’s own organist Catherine Baker joined by saxophonist and composer Cat Evison for an evening of live music. Tickets are £15 (£10 concession) and include refreshments.
The week concludes with open air praise on Silver Sands Beach with a Labyrinth illustrating the spiritual journey from 8pm to 9.30pm
For more information on any of these events, please contact the church office on 01383 824092 or [email protected]