A Boston Red Sox and Celtic Fan Celebrating Christmas in Brave Heart's Land

Well, here it is, almost Christmas, and there are Christmas
festivities galore here in Cupar, Scotland. There have been
Christmas decorations and lights up on the main street of
the small town since late November. I listened to a drum
and bagpipe band do Christmas carols at a recent farmers'
market. Stores have been offering Christmas promotions
and sales since early November. I hear of many groups and
work places having their Christmas dinners or parties.
What amazed me was that Ken, my ministerial colleague,
was invited to conduct two Christmas assemblies at the
big regional school in town. He addressed over 700 stu-
ents between the ages of 11 and 13. They listened to Scrip-
ture about Jesus, sang Christmas carols, and heard Ken
share with them about the incomparable Christ. (The
three other ministers in town conducted Christmas pro-
grams for the other levels at the school.) At night I look
out my bedroom window to see a few houses that went all
out with outdoor Christmas decorations and lights. They
add a sparkle to the neighborhood.

At church we've been preparing for Christmas since the
first Sunday in Advent. Slowly we've been focusing in on
Christmas. People here take great delight in giving Christ-
mas cards. People of the church have been signing a big
Christmas card to be sent to forty street boys of an orphan-
age in Peru that the church has been supporting for sever-
al years. Money has already been sent for a big Christmas
meal and new shoes. Last Thursday evening there was a
family Christmas party at the church. The highlight for me
was watching the ceilidh (a Scottish social dance event).
Parents introduced the children to some of the well-known
Scottish dance steps. There also was a well done children's
nativity play last Sunday morning and a beautiful nine les-
sons and carols candlelight service that evening. On Christ-
mas Eve there will be a Family Service at 7 pm and a Watch-
night Service later at 11:30. On Christmas Day there will be
a service for the family at 10:30. This is a special time of
year for me and I have been enjoying it.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas,

Settling In

Since November 1 I have been settling into Cupar. The small
town of 8500 inhabitants is an ancient farming town that also
served as county seat of the 'Kingdom' of Fife until the 1970s.
Since St. Andrews is in the Kingdom of Fife as well, I have
been living in a kingdom for the past five years! I'll write
more about the town in due time. Meanwhile I'm finally get-
ting things in order and learning my way around town. I
have been quite busy. I'm taking off this week to catch my
breath and continue settling down. I have not had a string
of more than two days off for quite some time. I just wanted
to let you know that I am alright and doing well. I'm really
enjoying being involved in pastoral ministry again and liv-
ing here in Scotland. I will being writing more about that,
too.

Here is my address until 31 October 2009! (Boy! It feels
so good to have a stable address for a change. I won't have
to move for a whole year!)

38 Castlebank Gardens
Cupar
Fife
United Kingdom KY15 4DA

Advent and Christmas Blessings to you and yours,

'We're Glad You're Here, Laddie'

This is a short posting to let people know that I am doing
very well here in Cupar, Scotland. On Sunday, November
2nd, I was introduced to the people of the Old Parish Church
of Cupar as the probationer assistant minister for one year. I
have been busy with participating in worship services, observ-
ing four funerals, attending various committees, leading and
preaching at the latest Sunday evening service, and doing pas-
toral visitation in the homes of more elderly members. I have
felt welcomed and invited to share in the life and mission of
this lively congregation. I have quickly felt at home here and
have enjoyed being engaged in pastoral ministry again after
an absence of five years. Being involved in pastoral ministry
gives me the greatest joy. Recently I met with members of
the minister support group set up for me to review my first
few weeks at the church. I felt affirmed and supported. It
meant a lot to me when the convener, a retired but still very
active Church of Scotland minister, told me that after seeing
me in action the past few weeks he and other people were
glad that I had been assigned to Cupar Old. I'm glad to be
here, too.

Ever since June I have had considerable difficulty getting reg-
ular internet access. The situation has not been any better
here in Cupar. But I have recently figured out how to ad-
dress this problem. I hope to get more postings up.

Blessings, and all the best,