Bennochy Church 2020 – 2024
We continue the history of Bennochy from 2020 to 2024.
In mid March 2020 Fife Council appointed a Project Manager to promote Fife as being Dementia Friendly. The project manager visits schools and delivers a specialist course for children on becoming a dementia friend. The gift of a small, hand sized, purple hippo is also given to each child who undertakes the course. Click to Follow the Pattern and make your own.
Following a recent adult Dementia Friends Course at Bennochy, we were invited to help with some of the knitting of the hippos to be gifted. The aim is to have 1,000 hippos to hand out to the children of Fife.
On the 18th March all our services, organisations and other activities were suspended due to the national emergency centered on the world wide coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. To mitigate overload on the health services, and to reduce the spread of infection, the Government imposed social distancing to avoid close contact between groups of people, especially the elderly and those with health problems and closed all places and activities which involved gatherings outside of a normal household.
To help people staying at home we added more pages to the website such as letters from Robin, prayers from the Moderator and even the Hippo knitting pattern to keep people busy. Robin also prepared a selection of lessons and prayers for the website every Sunday and produced his own podcasts direct from the Manse.
A National Day of Prayer was held on the 22nd March when The Church of Scotland joined with 11 other religious groups across the country and called for a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Everyone was invited to light a candle at 7pm in their window.
The following prayer was used when lighting the candle:
For all that is good in life, thank you,
For the love of family and friends, thank you,
For the kindness of good neighbour and Samaritan stranger, thank you.
May those who are vulnerable, hungry or homeless, experience support,
May those who are sick, know healing,
May those who are anxious or bereaved, sense comfort.
Bless and guide political leaders and decision-makers, with wisdom,
Bless and guide health workers and key workers, with strength and well-being,
Bless and guide each one of us, as we adapt to a new way of living.
And may the light shining from our windows,
across road and wynd, glen and ben, kyle and isle,
be reflected in our hearts and hands and hopes.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
At the end of March we successfully added the monthly quiz to the web site for everyone to try at home, along with the answers after a few weeks.
Starting in May, Robin deployed his new multi-media skills to prepare weekly Sunday reflections videos which were also made more widely available on our new Bennochy YouTube channel. Later, the From the Manse podcasts were also upgraded to videos.
During the national lockdown, Lorriane and Brian Fairful helped to convert John Methven’s ‘Memoirs’ into book form with proceeds donated to Bennochy Church.
To further improve communication we introduced an Email News Service whereby people can register to receive regular news from Bennochy Church direct to their email inbox. This lets you know what’s new on the website.
The usual Joint Kirkcaldy Town Centre Churches summer services were presented as YouTube videos with two services from different Churches every Sunday. A new ‘Open’ poster was created to promote the services from the five Churches.
The Scottish Government confirmed that Church buildings could re-open for limited activities on the 15th July as long as special social distancing measures were put in place along with contact tracing and enhanced hygiene. However it was decided to plan for reopening in late summer due to the joint video services which were already scheduled.
In mid-July the Presbytery appealed for money to buy Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Zambia in association with our Mission Partner, Jenny Featherstone. Although Zambia appears to have very low cases of Covid-19, it is because they are not testing as a matter of course, and that nurses in her area are being expected to buy their own PPE, which many of them can’t afford. A sum of £900 was raised and sent to Jenny.
With approval to reopen the Church and to ensure compliance with government guidelines, the Church organised the restart of limited worship services starting on Sunday 20th September. Up to 46 members of the congregation could attend, each bringing a facemask and cushion. Signs were added to ensure distancing and hand sanitisers were provided. Although there was music the shortened services did not include any singing, tea/coffee or access to bibles. The Sunday School was able to restart during November.
The Sunday services were also recorded and added to our library of weekly Sunday Reflections. During lockdown our videos have 130 viewers on average with some being seen more than 300 times.
Our annual Christmas Box appeal was suspended for this year, instead gifts were directly passed to the Salvation Army for local distribution.
During Advent, we hosted greetings between members of the congregation on the web site as well as a selection of Nativity Scenes which were sent in.
After the final Sunday service on 20th December there were Joint Kirkcaldy Churches Online Services spanning the end of Advent and the start of the New Year. However, Sunday services were then suspended as all of mainland Scotland entered tighter restrictions from Boxing Day with very reduced numbers permitted to attend worship services.
2021
Sunday reflections videos were shared between the Kirkcaldy Town Centre Churches on a rota basis with a different Church each week.
Starting in February, Robin hosted regular Coffee, Book & Chat interactive sessions on Zoom where a book was read as well as a general catch up and chat between attendees.
During the season of Lent, for six weeks, the Kirkcaldy Town Centre Churches offered a Lent study course, based on material from the Church of England, entitled, #Livelent21, God’s story, our story. This comprised a video from one of the Churches followed by a live discussion forum on Zoom the day after.
In late March we received permission to reopen the Bennochy building, for worship only, from the Presbytery of Fife. So as from Easter Sunday, 4th April, it was back to ‘in person’ worship at Bennochy, starting at 11am, however the earlier restrictions on numbers and permitted activities were still in place.
Easter Sunday, 4th April, was a big day as the Church reopened and the service was also streamed live on Zoom and Facebook and via the website. Members of the congregation had gifted the required audio-visual equipment to the Church for this purpose to allow members at home to view the live service.
During May we expanded the service by relaying the service live to the Methven Hall where socially distanced seating was provided. This allowed us to remove the need for people to book a place each week.
A baptism was performed during the service on 20th June, the first for a long time. This gave Robin some additional Covid procedures to adapt to.
Our Guiding Units were awarded a Golden Pudsey in recognition of their Children in Need fundraising! Well done to all the girls and their leaders!
Social distancing limits were reduced from the 25th July allowing more people to be accommodated in the Church for services. When limits were removed in August we reserved a dedicated part of the building for people who felt more comfortable with a 1 metre gap. Other areas were free of limits. On 26th August we were able to reopen The Olive Branch Café.
In early September we were able to restart teas and coffees after the Sunday service. By the middle of the month many of our groups, organisations and activities had restarted.
In mid September we were saddened by the death of John Methven MBE at the age of 94. John was one of the most respected and longest serving figures in Kirkcaldy’s Boys’ Brigade movement. He famously led the Boys’ Brigade at St. Johns/Bennochy for 29 years and our large Church hall was named in his honour in 2008.
John ‘retired’ after 80 years with the Boys’ Brigade when a special Church Service and Exhibition was held in November 2015.
On 18th September we held a Yard Sale in the Church car park where many bargains were to be found from donations handed in by the congregation. Proceeds from the sale went towards the Church Harvest Appeal supporting a family in crisis in Zambia.
Our annual toy appeal for the Salvation Army to distribute in the local area was again well supported on the 12th December.
Once again Covid returned for Christmas with a new Omicron variant. Therefore we cancelled in-person services until early 2022 including our Christmas and Watchnight services which were switched to be online only.
2022
Sunday services were still suspended as we entered the new year as the Omicon variant of Covid caused a large increase in infections around the country. We were able to resume in-person worship, but with some extra restrictions, on Sunday 9th January.
An application for listed building consent for the Church building (submitted October 2019) has, in January 2022, resulted in a Historic Environment Scotland Report which contains a summary of the history of the building you may find interesting.
Robin restarted his regular Coffee, Book & Chat online meetings where he reads part of a book and chats to the all the attendees via Zoom.
Our Easter Sunday service (17th April) was the first to be held after all Covid restrictions were removed by the Government. It was still decided to use only every second pew and to encourage face masks to be used while not seated. This service included a live band and a choir for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
At this time only the Church Choir had still to restart as all other organisations were now running normally again – except for the Taekwondo Club which decided not to continue. However there are now more exercise activities with Tai Chi and Zumba Gold classes being added.
The Annual Stated Meeting was held, the first since 2018, after the 1st May Sunday service. At this meeting an update on the Presbytery planning process was also presented.
To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (2nd June) we held a special Afternoon Tea with musical accompaniment from pupils of Balwearie High School. Everyone received a handmade gift and there was an exhibition of history blankets made by the pupils with covers that represent periods throughout history from memories of people living in Kirkcaldy. After the tea there was a tree planting ceremony and a performance by the Bennochy Community Choir.
A special Celebration Booklet was created and presented to everyone who attended.
The event featured pupils from Balwearie High School in their first public musical performance which was wonderful. Pupils and staff appreciated the positive feedback and were keen to return in the future.
And finally, the Bennochy Community Choir looked splendid in their new scarfs and ties whilst their singing enthralled the audience.
We restarted our annual Bereavement Service (on 12th June), the first since the pandemic, which invited relatives of lost loved ones whose funeral service was conducted by Robin since 2018. A candle was lit as their names were read out.
Fife Presbytery, on direction from The Church of Scotland, has been progressing a Mission Plan process which has determined that the Kirkcaldy Town Centre Churches should amalgamate with only the Bennochy and St. Bryce buildings retained after 2027.
At our October Harvest service we included a live link with Jenny from Zambia as part of the service.
Sunday 23rd October was Robin’s final service at Bennochy Parish Church following his decision to retire. After the service a special lunch was enjoyed by all to celebrate his time with us. We all wish him well.
On 19th November we held a very successful Christmas Coffee Morning where toiletries were handed in for our dontaions to charity. We had also previously raised money for the Poppy Appeal at our annual Remembrance service.
As is traditional during Advent we ended the year with our Toy Service (collecting for local children via the Salvation Army, see picture above), and our Carols and Readings, Watchnight and Christmas Day services.
2023
In March we hosted a Spring Craft Fayre with stalls comprising Knitted/Crochet items, Cards, Body Shop, Pots and Canvas paintings, Cushions and Bits, Frames and Gifts, Baking/Crafts, Jewellery, Scentsy Candles, Sweet Bouquets, Macrame and Resin Art.
The Guides prepared ‘Care Packs’ for a ward at Victoria Hosiptal as part of a community project. The girls were treated to hot chocolate at the Costa at the Vic. which seems to have been a highlight! The hospital tweeted “A huge thanks to the 20th Kirkcaldy (Bennochy) Guides, who have kindly donated toiletry packs for our patients to use on ward 34”.
The annual Bunny Drive, organised by the Women’s Group, was again held in April where tables of participants enjoyed a fun night with a light supper and prizes.
At the end of July the Sequence Dance Club ended after many years of dancing.
In August, The Boys’ Brigade decided to fully move to Pathhead Church Hall ending 98 years of the The BB at St. John’s/Bennochy.
Our annual collection of filled shoe boxes were uplifted in early November. In total there were 72 boxes and they were despatched to Blythswood Care for delivery to needy children. In addition £142 was raised to support the delivery of the boxes.
December’s Toy Service donated many new toys for use by the Salvation Army in the Kirkcaldy area. It was also our Christmas Jumper Day!
The annual Olive Branch Café Christmas Lunch in December was again fully booked and a great success. Special thanks to all volunteers who helped make it a memorable event.
2024
The Bennochy Community Choir took part in the 42nd Fife Festival of Music during February.
After the success of the pre Christmas Advent Bible Study, we ran six weeks of Lent Bible Study on the theme of Food during February and March until the title of Bible Blethers.
Following a process where all members were invited to submit a suggested name for our new congregation after the union, the Strategy Team, then each Kirk Session, drew up a short list. This was then refined by the Strategy Team with two names emerging as the strongest and most favoured candidates: Kirkcaldy Central Kirk and Langtoun Central Kirk. All members were then invited to select their preference, resulting in a majority decision for: Langtoun Central Kirk.
The name expresses a fondness for the intimate friendliness of the Langtoun name while also indicating the geographical location for the new congregation’s ministry and mission.
The Café organised an invitational Easter Lunch which was enjoyed by all who attended.
The Women’s Group had excellent support for their annual Bunny Drive in early April. The splendid sum of £384 was raised for Church funds.
Saturday 20th April was International Organ Day 2024, promoted by the Royal College of Organists, and Stuart Watson, our organist organised a special event in the sanctuary of Bennochy Church. Some of his piano students showcased their keyboard skills and there was the option for anyone to try the organ themselves.
This event was streamed live and a recording can be viewed below:
The Annual Stated Meeting for 2024 was held after the service on 21st April and included an update on the Town Centre Churches union process.
A further series of three Bible Blethers discussion meetings focusing on an eco/environmental theme were held in May.
August saw our first ever ECO Fayre with a wide range of stalls and activities. See below for the video from the Fayre as well as a selection of photographs.
For a full list of the stalls and supporters please see the Fayre Flyer.
Early September featured our Harvest Songs of Praise Service, with goods collected for the Kirkcaldy Foodbank.
Our annual collection of filled shoe boxes were uplifted in early November. A total of 65 boxes were despatched to Blythswood Care for delivery to needy children.
Following decisions at Presbytery’s November meeting, the date of union has been set as 1st January 2025 which will create Langtoun Central Kirk.
Our Toy Service again collected toys and toiletries for distribution by the Salvation Army. The toiletries were donated during a special coffee morning held the day before the service.
On 9th December in the Sanctuary, Bennochy Community Choir entertained family and friends with a performance which included a wide variety of music including Christmas songs. The large audience then joined the choir in some rousing carol singing, followed by much needed refreshments. Thanks to the audience and choir members, £270 was raised for Kirkcaldy Food Bank and Alzheimer’s (Kirkcaldy Branch).
On 17th December the Bell Ringers welcomed residents of Abbeyfield Care Home who came to visit as a special Christmas outing when the ringers played 12 carols including a favourite composition “Starlight” with a mesmeric double note as the twinkling – all much enjoyed, at times a hum-a-long or toe tapping, especially with old numbers.
Sunday 22nd December, our Christmas family service, was led by our Interim Moderator, Morag Wilkinson, with Sunday School participation. It was the last Sunday service in Bennochy Church prior to the union of the Kirkcaldy Town Centre Churches. After the service there was a short party for the Sunday School.
The end of 2024 marked the end of Bennochy Parish Church. The expanded congregation, formed by the union of the Kirkcaldy Town Centre Churches, continues as Langtoun Central Church with the first service being held on 5th January 2025.
If you would like to read more about the life of the Church, we have a copy of all the magazines from 2010 to 2024 on our Newsletters page.