By Val Cadd –
December at St James Church includes Advent, Christmas and the Tree of Life.
This year is the twenty-first year of the Tree of Life. Twenty years ago in 2004 a tree in the churchyard/garden of St James Episcopal Church, Arbuthnott Street, Stonehaven (across the white bridge) was dedicated as the Tree Of Life – a place where anyone can hang a bauble in memory of someone ‘they love but no longer see’. This year the tree will be rededicated by Rev Canon Mary Jepp on Sunday 22th December at 10am, at the beginning of the Nine Lessons and Carols service.
Since 2004 the tree has been decorated with baubles every year by residents of Stonehaven and the surrounding area in memory of someone very dear to them. The tree will be decorated again this year from Sunday 1st December until Sunday 5th January.
The congregation of St. James would like to invite anyone and everyone who would like to, to place a bauble on the tree in the memory of someone very special to them. The tree is next to the side gate in Arbuthnott Street beside the church wall and can be accessed from either inside or outside the churchyard. (If you wish to retrieve your bauble in January please do so by January 5th or search the basket inside the church before Sunday 12th January.)
You are very welcome to either bring your own bauble/s or collect from a basket to be found in the church. The basket of baubles along with a marker pen will be available daily (during daylight hours) in the church and also at St James’ Christmas Coffee Morning in the church hall on Saturday 7th December from 10am until 12.30pm.
We hope all who place a bauble on the tree will get comfort and everyone who passes will appreciate the simple yet stunning effect.
