ST JOHN'S CHURCH CUPAR

                    CHURCH PROFILE

THE CHURCH AND TOWN

The Church was founded as a congregation in the 1843, following the Disruption, and the present building was erected in 1878 on a dominant site in the centre of the small market town which Cupar then was.

The town has grown greatly over the past 20 years and the population is now almost 9000. There is one other Church of Scotland (Cupar Old and St. Michael of Tarvit). There are 3 other congregations in the town – Baptist, Scottish Episcopal and Roman Catholic, and inter-church relations are good.

The town also has a Christian bookshop – cum – café (The Lighthouse) which is staffed by volunteers from all denominations.

There is a very well organised and active "Y" centre with a professionally trained leader /secretary. Recently a youth café was opened in the town.

The Lighthouse and the "Y" are to bee found near St. John's in the Bonnygate

 THE CONGREGATION

The present minister,  Rev Sheila Blount was inducted in December 2002. Mrs Blount previously served in Spirngburn and Falkirk and celebrated the 25th anniversary of ordination in September 2003

The current roll is around 840. There are 43 Elders and a Congregational Board of 37.

Sunday worship is at 11a.m. Attendance at the Sunday morning services is normally around 200..

For 5 weeks in the summer, an early service is held at 9.30 a.m.

A mid-week Service is held every Wednesday at 9.30 a.m -10 a.m. and is followed by tea/coffee. .

Communion is celebrated 4 times a year – on the 2^nd Sunday of March, June, September and December. The afternoon Communion is a seated service and this has proved popular with elderly and disabled people.

Communion is also held on Easter Sunday.

At Christmas, there is a Christingle Service at 6 p.m. and a Watch Night Service at 11.30 p.m.

A Tape Ministry has been started and is now being well used.

PUBLICATIONS

The Church magazine, "Aspire", is produced 4 times a year and is distributed free to each household by the Elders when they visit their Districts before Communion.

A weekly Order of Service, including the intimations, is handed out each Sunday.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL

There is a large Sunday school and children are welcome from the age of 3 upwards. Primary 6 and 7 age group move into the Sunday Club and those in 1st Year Secondary and upwards meet together as Sunday Alternative.

All these children gather in the hall from 10.50 a,m, and the youngsters join with the whole congregation for the last part of the service.

CHOIR

The choir leads the singing every Sunday and new members are always welcome. Practice time is from 10 a.m. on Sundays or as otherwise announced.

GUILD

The Guild meets fortnightly, alternately on Tuesday evening at 7.15 p.m. and Thursday afternoon at 2.15 p.m. New members are welcome -both women and men.

PARENT AND TODDLERS GROUP

This group meets every Thursday forenoon in the Hall from 9.45 a.m.

It is a very informal group, with minimal organisation (a Committee of 3 which changes every 2 years). They meet once a month at 7.30 p.m. with a variety of speakers.

GARDENING GROUP

This small group of people, mostly men –retired - meets on a Friday forenoon at 8.30 a.m.to plant out the borders in the early summer and to cut the grass, weed and generally maintain the grounds which are in a very prominent place in the centre of the town.

This group is to enable carers to have a place to come together for friendship and relaxation. They meet on the last  Friday of each month for soup and sandwiches.  

LEISURE GROUP

A group of retired people meet weekly in the Hall, on a Wednesday afternoon, to play indoor bowls to enjoy the friendship and a bit of gentle exercise.

Attendance at St. John's

The congregation is happy to welcome members and non-members to Sunday Services and other activities. If you would like more information about becoming involved, please contact the minister by E mail asblount@fish.co.uk