Greetings from Leuchars: St Athernase Parish Church!  As we come out of lockdown and experience an easing of the restrictions, I was pleased to be able to announce in church we can now sing hymns as we are now in Level 1.  The last service at which any hymns were sung was in March 2020!  Therefore, we missed singing Christmas carols to Easter hymns.  However, we are still required to sing with face coverings.  For some voices, like mine, that is a blessing!

We have not been able to return to hold services at the Burnside Hall, Balmullo.  There are still Covid-19 restrictions in place for church services.  We can keep the church open with willing volunteers and lots of signs which remain in place.  I regret it is not possible to resume the services at Balmullo until the restrictions become less onerous.  The church can hold over 200 people, but presently we are only permitted to have 26 people.  We have split the parish in two with one Sunday for everyone living in the Balmullo/Guardbridge area and the following Sunday for everyone living in Leuchars, St Michaels and Drumoig.  This has meant we have not had to turn anyone away at the door of the church. 

I have been the Minister at Leuchars: St Athernase for over five years and I retire from full time ministry on the 30^th September 2021.  The Church of Scotland is re-assessing the number of ministers required to cover the parishes of Leuchars (Balmullo), Balmerino, Creich, Newport on Tay, Tayport and Wormit.  Therefore, I will not be replaced immediately upon my retirement.  I have been pleased to be the Minister at Leuchars: St Athernase and enjoyed my time as Minister of this parish.  It has been a pleasure to live in Balmullo.

I wish you every blessing.

Revd. John C Duncan MBE 

Parish Minister

The Scottish Government has given permission for in person worship to begin as of Friday 26th March 2021.

Public worship will therefore begin in St Athernase on Palm Sunday, 28th March 2021 at 11.00am.

This service will be for everyone living in the Leuchars, St Michaels and Drumoig areas of the parish. 

The following Sunday, Easter Day 4th April at 11.00am will be for everyone living in the Balmullo and Guardbridge areas of the parish. 

This is required so that we do not exceed our numbers in the church, which is a maximum of 26 persons. 

There will not be a service at  the Burnside Hall, Balmullo owing to the Covid 19 restrictions.