Bishop Ian instituted Revd. Christopher Lowdon as our new Rector today, in a wonderful service which involved many representatives of the congregation. After the service we walked to Dollar Academy Dining Room, with a piper from The Academy to greet us for a reception.Welcome to Chris and his family.

Our first Pop In Café was held on March 5th in the Parish Rooms. We were delighted to welcome nearly 30 people. The next one will be on Tuesday April 2nd.

Fiona McNicol, a member of the congregation, gave a most interesting talk on Saturday 9th February about her visits to Malawi. She is a teacher at Beath High School, Cowdenbeath who have a link with Mapanga and Njale Primary Schools in the southern part of Malawi.Groups of young people have gone to Malawi and worked in the schools and learnt about the culture of Malawi. The aid that they bring has enabled more children to stay on at school and progress to secondary school. It has also been life changing for the Scottish students.

This year Laurene Mackenzie led us on three Advent Reflections on the theme of journeys: Mary’s, Joseph’s, the Shepherds’ and our own.

We were delighted to welcome Bishop Ian and Carrie to St. James’s for the first time last Sunday. We enjoyed the opportunity to get to know them a little at a Bring and Share lunch after the service.

On Advent Sunday we had a service of readings and Advent carols. Wonderful to hear again familiar words in carols such as “Wake O Wake for night is flying” and “Come thou long expected Jesus” but also some less familiar sung by our choir. The readings gave us a chance to pause and reflect on our focus during these busy weeks.

A very moving exhibition has been created by Margaret Taylor with contributions from many members of the congregation telling the story of family members in the First and Second World War, some of whom died in action and some who returned home to a changed world.

An afternoon tea with a baking and preserves stall was held on Saturday 27th October and the warm and friendly atmosphere was enjoyed by all.

Folk at St James Dollar enjoyed the live link to Bishop Ian’s Consecration Service. Due to band width problems there were some breaks, and hymns were a good time to have a tea and cake break!

For the first time the Pet Service in honour of St. Francis had to be held indoors as it was so wet this afternoon.  Pets and their owners enjoyed the sociable atmosphere with refreshments after the short blessing service.

A Harvest Supper was held on Saturday 29th September in the Parish Rooms and greatly enjoyed by all who attended. We welcomed Rev Jim Thomson as the celebrant to our Harvest Thanksgiving.

A weekend of celebration and warm farewells at the beginning of September for St James’. On Saturday we celebrated Andrew and Lynn’s 8 years with us with a wonderful afternoon tea and presentation of gifts. Andrew and Lynn are looking forward to some time in the U.S. where Andrew will be working for his former church in Atlanta. We wish them every blessing in their new adventures.

On Sunday 12th August during the morning service Sharon Allison, Project Manager at the Hub at HMP Glenochil and Cornton Vale, gave St James’s a most interesting presentation on work with prisoners and their families. The Hub is one of the charities supported by St James’s this year. If you would like to find out more about volunteering at The Hub, please speak to Elma at St James ‘s.

On 28th July the first diocesan pilgrimage took place walking from Ceres in Fife along the newly re-established pilgrim route to St Andrews.About 40 people set out from Ceres but we were joined along the way and by the time we reached St. Andrews there were about 90 people. It was a wonderful day of prayer and fellowship culminating in a Sung Evensong at All Saints, St Andrews.

At the end of June a group of 10 from St. James’s went on a two day retreat to St. Mary’s Kinnoull. We all found it to be a most wonderfully hospitable place and gave us a good opportunity to enjoy our theme “Be still and know that I am God”

The Area Council Meeting was held at St. James’s on Wednesday 20^th June. It was an evening on labyrinth walking, one of a series being held across the diocese this year. Andrew and Rev Liz Baker (Pitlochry) introduced the idea of walking a labyrinth as a tool for prayer and reflection. They also provided printed material with useful suggestions and prayers. We were able to use our own outdoor labyrinth and an indoor one on canvas. Each offered a very different experience. About 20 people enjoyed a bring and share supper and we finished with Evening Prayer in the church. The people attending came from numerous churches across our area and a lovely atmosphere was created.

The newly restored Japanese Garden at Cowden just outside Dollar was opened to the public for the first time as part of Scottish Gardens Open days. it is now open until October on Wednesday to Sunday each week. Members of St. James’s helped with guiding and providing refreshments.

Hillfoot Harmony delighted their audience on Friday night with a varied concert of Barbershop singing. It was lovely to welcome so many friends to St. James’s. 

This morning 36 trauma teddies were blessed before being taken to the Scottish Fire and Rescue service in Alloa. These teddies, knitted by members of the congregation are handed out to children who have been involved in distressing incidents and can be greatly reassuring for them in difficult circumstances.