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AberdeenPassion Plays
Aberdeen Passion Plays is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC044128)
And Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2014
ANNUAL REVIEW
2
3
ContentsAbout Us 4
Reference & Administrative Information 6
Structure, Governance & Management 6
Objectives & Activities 8
Council of Reference 9
Chairman’s Report 10
Artistic Director’s Report 16
Financial Statement 20
Charitable Giving 24
Friends of The Aberdeen Passion 28
4
About Us
Annual Review for the Year Ended 31st July 2014 5
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
Acts 3:15
Founded in 2011, Aberdeen Passion Plays aims to use the theatrical arts to spread the gospel message to those living in the North-East of Scotland and to provide opportunities around which Christians across all denominations can synergise.
We believe people’s lives get better when they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. We equally believe the global Church is a stronger vehicle for positive spiritual & social change and improvement when all Christians are united and work together. Art and in particular the theatrical arts, is a powerful agent for doing just that. Alongside this Aberdeen Passion Plays is part of a wider movement to preserve the historical practice of passion plays, and so stages a major biennial production within the city.
As the project grows our prayer is for the establishment of the passion play as part of an officially (City Council) sanctioned Easter programme for the City of Aberdeen and to use the staging of the play as a platform for raising funds to support other charitable organisations that live out the Gospel message of love and compassion to all people through spiritual & social improvement and individual betterment activities, both locally and further afield.
Aberdeen Passion Plays is the parent charity for the theatre group whose players are drawn from Christians and non-Christians alike across the North East of Scotland. The charity benefits greatly from the talents of its group members be they performing, technical or production. All group members give their time voluntarily and become members purely by being involved.
Reference & Administrative Information
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:5
Charity NameAberdeen Passion Plays SCIO
Charity NumberSC044128
Principal OfficeThe Church Office
Bridge of Don Baptist Church Centre
Dubford Road
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen, AB23 8GS
Charity TrusteesFrazer Ramsay Chair - Founding Trustee
Craig Smith Elected - December 2013
Andrew Sykes Artistic Director, Founding Trustee
Elaine Sykes Chair FoTAP, Elected - January 2014
Other trustees who served during the year
Alan Campbell Founding Trustee - Until 19th May
Additional Office BearersIan Gourlay Finance Director
Appointed December 2013
Structure, Governance & ManagementConstitutionThe organisation is a Scottish Charitable
Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). It is
governed by its constitution which was
adopted June 2013. The organisation was
granted charitable status by Office of the
Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) on 10th
July 2013.
Prior to 10th July 2013 the organisation was
an unincorporated association of members.
Following conversion to an SCIO all assets
were transferred accordingly.
Appointment of TrusteesThe APP Board, which meets on a regular
basis, are the charity’s trustees. Membership
of the Board is open to any person aged 16
or over, and who subscribes to the purposes
of the organisation and wishes to see them
fulfilled.
Trustees are elected at the Annual General
Meeting. Under the constitution there must
be a minimum of three and there is no
maximum. The trustees can elect further
trustees during the year if they consider it
to be in the interest of the organisation to
do so.
ManagementThe trustees are responsible for the
strategic direction and governance of the
organisation as well as the day-to-day
management. The trustees are aware of
their responsibilities for Health and Safety,
especially for children. The organisation
holds comprehensive insurance and
maintains a risk assessment register.
6
Annual Review for the Year Ended 31st July 2014 7
Our Purposes The organisation is established for
charitable purposes only, and in particular,
the objects are: to advance religion; and to
advance the arts & culture.
In more detail:
1 To regularly stage a passion play in
the City of Aberdeen or its immediate
surrounds. This should be a new play to the
general audience each time, of high quality,
firmly rooted in scripture and be accessible
and acceptable to a wide audience.
2 To encourage support for, and
involvement in, the Aberdeen Passion
from as much of the North East Christian
community as possible.
3 To work towards seeing the Aberdeen
Passion established as an event as part
of the Aberdeen City calendar.
4 To provide an environment where
individuals are encouraged to develop
skills, gifts and talents in the performing and
technical arts.
5 To use art as a means of promoting
and encouraging Christian harmony
through actively engaging with individuals,
churches and communities across all
Christian denominations within the North
East Christian Community.
6 To identify and provide financial
support to good causes, including
Christian endeavours, with a purpose of
social improvement & individual betterment
through the distribution of part, or all, of
any monies arising from the productions
and associated activities after all costs have
been met.
7 To raise and maintain funds which
shall be applied to the above aims.
ActivitiesDuring the period covered by this report
Aberdeen Passion Plays successfully:
• Staged the production “The Aberdeen
Passion: One Hope”.
• Increased the number, quality and
level of involvement of performers and
technical personnel.
• Agreed a timeline for the
commencement of acting workshops
within the community.
• Raised, through both the production
and associated fund-raising events,
money for the two chosen charities
– the Lighthouse Support Centre and
the Solid Rock Café. These included a
ceilidh, quiz night, coffee mornings and
the launch of the second volume of the
‘Made With Passion!’ cookbook.
• Ran a number of fund-raising events
to generate capital to offset part of the
production budget of “The Aberdeen
Passion: One Hope”.
• Developed and expanded the ‘Friends
of The Aberdeen Passion’ organisation.
• Brought on-board new trustees who
bring additional knowledge and skills
to both the oversight of the charity and
the actual activities it undertakes.
• Appointed an experienced Finance
Director who also has extensive
knowledge of Scottish charity
requirements
Objectives & Activities
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
8
Council of Reference Members
Dr. Andrew D. Clarke Senior Lecturer in New Testament University of Aberdeen
Pastor Iain Duthie Kings Community Church Aberdeen
Rev. John Greenshields Ministry Development Coordinator Baptist Union of Scotland
Fr. Keith Herrera St. Mary’s Cathedral Aberdeen
Jason McAuley Artistic Director New Scottish Arts
Rev. Eddie McKenna South St. Nicholas Church Kincorth, Aberdeen
Rev. Jarod Meenan Bridge of Don Baptist Church Aberdeen
Rev. Manson Merchant Dyce Parish Church Aberdeen
Rev. Gary Smith Crown Terrace Baptist Church Aberdeen
Ian White International Singer/Song Writer
The Council of Reference is a group of
individuals who support Aberdeen Passion
Plays’ ethos, aims and objectives, and
are willing to be publicly recognised as
providing ‘reputational sponsorship’ for the
project.
Members of the Council also give occasional
advice and encouragement as they are
able. Some members are in a position to
provide more input than others due to
their commitments; however, together the
Council brings a broad perspective to the
work of Aberdeen Passion Plays which is
invaluable.
It is also the members of the Council of
Reference who provide the main theological
sounding board for aspects of each
production as well the final theological
proofing of the scripts.
Members are currently drawn from within
the Christian community both locally and
nationwide and we seek to ensure the
interdenominational nature of the project is
reflected in the membership of the Council.
We have deliberately set no limit on the
number of members of the council as we
believe that God will raise new members as
and when we need them and so artificially
capping the group could limit His moving
through it.
During the coming year the trustees will be
looking to how the relationship between the
of members of the council of reference and
the board can be developed to support the
development of the Passion Play project.
Aberdeen Passion Plays is blessed by a group of wise advisors who help to guide and direct our work.
Council of Reference
Annual Review for the Year Ended 31st July 2014 9
Frazer Ramsay Chair, Aberdeen Passion Plays Board
Chairman’s Report
This was also the year when we would know if the passion play project could have a life beyond the 2012 production.From early on in the development process, within the Trustees we began
referring to Passion 2014 as the ‘difficult second album’. The Aberdeen Passion
2012: One Life had been an extremely well received production and as a result
we were all were very much aware of the importance of ensuring the second
production was both a worthy successor and one that would lay down the
foundations for a sustainable long-term project. To that end much of the work
that has happened within Aberdeen Passion Plays over the past year has been
focused on planning for the future while delivering on the needs of the present.
When we first started the project the steering group, who would go on to
become the founding trustees, also took on the role of production planning
and delivery. It was a model of project management that worked well and
allowed us to deliver the first passion play with less than one year of work.
They were tough months but ones in which we learned a lot.
As we stepped up to consider the Passion 2014 production we adopted the
same working model and to an extent it served us well. However, as we
entered this year as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO)
the increased demands this entails have led us to reassess our management
structure. As a result we have decided, as we move into planning for the
2016 production and additional projects, to separate the routine production
planning from that of the core work of the governing board. This will make it
easier to work on productions in a more focused manner while also laying the
foundation for having more than one production being worked on at the same
time without causing our board meetings to become clogged down in details
that need not be discussed at that level.
We anticipate this move will also foster an environment into which the board
The Difficult Second Album
2013-2014 marked our first year as a charity and the second staging of The Aberdeen Passion.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; on him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Keep up to dateFor the latest news check out our website: www.aberdeenpassion.com
can grow to meet the increased demands
which will be placed on the charity as the
project grows and develops. In particular,
by removing production operational
discussions from the board meetings the
formal board meetings allow for greater time
to focus on vision and long term strategy.
Equally, by decreasing the frequency
of board meetings from their currently
monthly cycle we hope to be able to attract
additional, experienced, people to attend
the meetings, either as trustees or advisors
to share their wisdom and experiences and
help direct the charity forward.
In staging the 2014 production we
deliberately sought to produce a work that
was both ambitious and challenging. Not
because we were seeking acclaim or any
other form of recognition, but because we
strongly believe telling the story of Christ’s
sacrifice and the hope and salvation that
it brings to everyone deserves to receive
our very best efforts and be presentable
in a manner that will be as interesting and
engaging as possible to everyone, be they
seasoned church goers or ardent atheists.
And so across the Easter weekend 2014, the
second Aberdeen Passion production was
staged with almost 140 people involved
on-stage or in the background. Months
of rehearsals, prop and set building,
technology testing, music arranging,
costume making to name but a few of the
activities required to stage the production
all came together as a single element over
those 3 performances. Once again this
company of amateurs gave themselves
wholly to declaring the gospel message
of hope and salvation and did so with a
professionalism to rival that of the most
hardened West End producer.
A total audience of around 1850 witnessed
the performances, and feedback received
to date has been on the whole positive with
solid indicators that future productions
if handled correctly will be equally well
supported.
One area where we were not as successful
as we had hoped was in the provision of
follow-up sessions which were designed
to help anyone who wanted to know more
about the Christian faith. Themed around
the central question of “Who Is This Jesus?”
these were informal evenings of a meal and
a discussion time. As a board we feel it is
important that there is always some form
of follow-up opportunity surrounding
the productions and as such we will be
exploring this in greater detail over the
coming year, in particular whether this is
something Aberdeen Passion Plays should
be coordinating or whether it is best, and
possible, to operate through the local
Churches instead.
Finances continued to be an issue for
staging the productions. The passion plays
are very expensive to stage, particularly
with regards to venue hire. It would be fair
to say that the 2014 production made a
loss of around £10,000 against ticket sales
alone and it was only through sponsorship,
donations and fund raising that we met our
costs and managed to give a small amount
of money to the charities.
We were always aware that the type of
venue required for the size of production
the passion play is, and the associated
costs of having so many people involved,
could only be met through either
commercial level ticket pricing or large
scale fund-raising. We feel we are at the
top end of where we can pitch ticket prices
for the type of production we are staging;
however, we are equally aware of the rising
costs of staging the plays and as such are
fairly sure that even with trying to reduce
the non-fixed costs elements of the 2016
production we will not meet our outgoings
through just ticket income. To address this
the board has been looking at different
models for funding the productions on an
ongoing basis.
In saying this we were very blessed this
year to receive dedicated fund-raising
support from so many people, especially
the work of the Friends of the Aberdeen
Passion in organising so many fund raising
events. We were also particularly inspired
and blessed by the efforts of Chika Edeh,
Pastor of Vinespring Church, who led the
“Walk for Passion” during November 2013.
Along with his daily walkers Chika walked
around 120 miles along the North East
coast, from Stonehaven to Portsoy, and in
the process raised almost £800 towards
the production. Our “Made With Passion!”
team were also back in force again this
year with the follow-up cookbook, “Soups,
Savouries & Snacks”.
We are also very thankful for the continued
support from BreadPR and Graham Dargie
Annual Review for the Year Ended 31st July 2014 13
Photography who donate their services free
of charge to the project and from which we
benefit greatly. The 2014 passion production
also became the first to receive financial
sponsorship with Ken Sturgeon Training
Ltd. very kindly sponsoring the sound
requirements.
The situation regarding the number of
people involved in production tasks has
improved over the reporting period. We
are also very pleased to see a number of
those previous involved stepping up their
commitment and involvement; however,
as with most projects of this nature we
continue to see a core grouping carrying a
large number of roles and as such the board
is committed to supporting the productions
to seek out additional workers to relieve
burdens. If you are skilled in an area of use
to the project please get in touch and we can
discuss how you can get involved.
The board had been working to develop
more formal relationships with a number of
churches; however, as we worked through
this over the past year it has become
clear that this was not going to be a viable
option for the time being given the size of
the charity and that to most outside of the
project it was something that only had a
visible life every two years. To this end the
board agreed to not pursue the idea further
for the time being. It is hoped as future
projects come on stream the portfolio of
work emanating from Aberdeen Passion
Plays will mean developing arrangements
such as can be returned to at a future date.
The joys of the past year have only been
tainted by loss we felt as a board with the
stepping down of Alan Campbell, one of
the founding trustees, as he and Helen, his
wife, made the move down to Edinburgh to
be closer to their grandchildren. Both Alan
and Helen were involved in the project from
the very beginning and gave an enormous
amount of time and energy to seeing the
productions come about - much of which
went unseen. We are forever grateful to
them and miss them both greatly.
And so in closing we wish to thank everyone
who in one way or another has contributed
to this remarkable project. We as trustees
are a small group and one who ourselves
are wholly unable to bring about the
productions and foster the impact that
the passion is having. It is only through our
extended family of cast & crew as well as our
amazing community of supporters within
the Friends of the Aberdeen Passion that a
project such as this can flourish.
Again we thank you all but give the glory
and honour to our Lord Jesus, maker of all
things.
14
Annual Review for the Year Ended 31st July 2014 15
Andrew Sykes Artistic Director, Aberdeen Passion Plays
Artistic Director’s Report
So I tried introducing some new elements. Now I would accept that
not all of them were universally liked but the aim was to challenge
the audience and so I think it’s inevitable that there will be a range
of opinion. The new elements were a challenge to the actors and the
technical team as well as to me.
The use of pre-recorded material projected on a big screen did, I believe,
add greatly to the look of the Aberdeen Passion 2014. The striking
image of Jesus on the cross as the audience entered the room made a
statement from the very outset. The use of this filmed material was an
artistic challenge - how to mix this with on-stage action in a way which
didn’t distract or confuse the audience. And it was as also a technical
challenge to get an image that size at a good quality. We are indebted
to Gillian Martin and her team at Aberdeen College and Adam Bolton for
their help.
And it wasn’t just new technical elements that were tried. The idea of a
narrator in the person of Barabbas was something which set the tone
for the play and allowed the character to speak directly to and challenge
the audience. I know not everyone was keen on the noise of the cherry
picker as it raised Barabbas above the action and brought him back
down into it but I rather liked it.
And at the end of the play, the disciples changed into modern dress
to signify the change in their lives after Jesus’ resurrection and the
relevance of the story today.
Challenging Ourselves,Challenging the Audience
After our first venture into producing a large scale Passion Play the challenge was to do a second that built on the les-sons learned from the first and to move things forward.
“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
18
These were elements incorporated into the play to surprise and challenge the audience. And they can all be seen as a risk - a risk as to whether they would work in the way intended but I felt they were risks worth taking and I was very pleased with the final product. Everyone involved gave everything they could to make the play
work and the combination of music, singing, drama, lighting and
technical came together as a moving and powerful telling of a
great story
And since then? Some might think I would hibernate for a few
months before emerging to begin the process again but there is
a heightened atmosphere of creativity during the performances
that I have tried to use and sustain by looking to the next project.
And of course after the difficult second album the expectation is
to step it up a level again. I don’t want to give too much away at
this stage but you can be sure that I will do my best to dream big
and aim high so if you’re up for it, we’d love you join us again for
a whole new Passion journey.
Annual Review for the Year Ended 31st July 2014 19
Ian Gourlay Director of Finance
FinancialStatement
Financial StatementAs a charity we take great care in ensuring our financial dealings are in compliance with the relevant regulations. As Christians we aim to go further in seeking to be honouring to our Lord’s name.
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11
Reserves Policy
The Board of Aberdeen Passion Plays have
designated a reserve fund. The general
purpose of the fund is to help to ensure the
organisation’s ability to meet its financial
commitments associated with its activities
long-term. The charity generates the
majority of its income following the events
it stages, in particular the biennial passion
play; however, much of this is in the form
of ticket sales through a third party agency
and as such the organisation does not
receive any monies until after the event
has been staged. Almost all of the charity’s
expenditure associated with staging the
production is required to be made in
advance. Currently Aberdeen Passion Plays
relies on interest-free loans from private
individuals to underwrite the production
cash flow; however, the Board recognises
this is not a sustainable model to operate
under.
Aberdeen Passion Plays therefore maintain
a Board-Designated Reserve Fund to achieve
the following objectives:
1. To enable the organisation to meet the
advanced expenditure associated with
staging productions and associated
activities;
2. To promote public and supporter
confidence in the long-term sustainability
of the project by preventing a chronic
cash flow crisis that can diminish the
reputations of both the organisation and
associated groups/individuals; and
3. Allow the organisation to focus on its
primary objectives in times of varying
economic conditions, in the knowledge
that production income will replenish the
reserve.
Designated reserves at the end of the year
were £1000.00 with additional funds due to
be transferred by board decision at the AGM.
Risk Management
The trustees have assessed the major risks
to which the charity is exposed and in
particular those relating to the operation
and finances of the charity and are satisfied
that systems are in place to mitigate the
charity’s exposure to any major risk.
Donated Facilities & Services
During this year the charity received freely
donated services and support from the
following commercial businesses:
• Graham Dargie Photography
(photography)
• BreadPR (public relations services &
press liaison)
• Sir Jack and Lady Stewart-Clark,
Dundas Castle (loan of costumes)
• Alford Heritage Centre (loan of props)
In addition, Bridge of Don Baptist Church
freely donated:
• Rehearsal space
• Fund-raising event hosting
• Short-term storage
• Administrative support.
Turnover
The turnover for the period was £42,662.
raised through ticket sales of £25,825;
donations of £8,074; fund raising activities
of £7,759 and Friends of Aberdeen Passion
Plays £985.
Costs for the year amounted to £39,534
leaving a surplus from the production
and fund-raising of £3,128 after making
charitable donations to the Rock Solid Café
in Fraserburgh and the Lighthouse Support
Centre in Aberdeen of £1,850. There was a
pre-SCIO bank balance of £5,343.53 from
a previous production and fund raising
activities which are reflected in the surplus
shown of £8,471. This amount has been
carried forward as a reserve into the new
financial year.
As at 31 July 2014 the charity held an
unrestricted reserve of £8,471. The ultimate
aim of the trustees is to build a sufficient
reserve in a designated fund to meet the
costs involved in producing a performance
without the need to borrow funds for cash
flow purposes ahead of ticket income
flowing.
22
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS For the period 10 July 2013 to 31 July 2014
NOTES
1. Donations - The donations figure includes the pre-SCIO bank balance of £5,343.53 for the unincorporated organisation as at 10 July 2013 when Aberdeen Passion Plays was granted charitable status.
2. Ticket Sales - Donations of £796 were made to allow those less well-off to attend performances. This figure is included under the donations heading.
3. Fund Raising Costs - The fund raising costs of £5,729 includes the printing of recipe books, some of which the charity holds in stock
4. Surplus - The closing balance excludes £17.76 in the charity’s PayPal account.
5. Surplus - There is an outstanding liability of around £900 due to PRS in respect of music used during the 2014 performance. The company has not yet calculated our liability.
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Total
RECEIPTS
Ticket sales 2 25,765 25,765
Donations 1 13,418 13,418
Friends of The Aberdeen Passion 985 985
Fund-raising 7,759 7,759
Miscellaneous 18 18
TOTAL RECEIPTS £47,945 £47,945
PAYMENTS
Venue hire 14,479 14,479
Scenery, lighting and sound 11,358 11,358
Costumes, wigs, props and make-up 345 345
Other production costs 72 72
Fund-raising costs 3 5,729 5,729
Tickets and posters printing 2,301 2,301
Programme printing 2,060 2,060
Gifts 1,976 1,976
Insurance 522 522
Postage and stationery 298 298
Website costs 215 215
Storage for scenery & costumes 100 100
Miscellaneous costs 19 19
TOTAL PAYMENTS £39,474 £39,474
SURPLUS 4, 5 £8,471 £8,471
Annual Review for the Year Ended 31st July 2014 23
Craig Smith Trustee
Charitable Giving
Helping those in need is one of the major themes of the Bible and of Jesus’ ministry.
As far back as the thirteenth century
B.C., the Hebrews’ law institutionalised
assistance to the poor:
When you reap the harvest of your land,
you shall not reap to the very edges of your
field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of
your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard
bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your
vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor
and the alien: I am the LORD your God. (NRSV,
Leviticus 19:9-10)
Both the Old and New Testament writings
give many examples of the importance of
service and charity:
And the crowds asked [John the Baptist],
“What then should we do?” In reply he said
to them, “Whoever has two coats must share
with anyone who has none; and whoever has
food must do likewise.” (NRSV, Luke 3:10-11)
But whoever has the world’s goods, and
beholds his brother in need and closes his
heart against him, how does the love of God
abide in him? (NAS, 1 John 3:17)
It is with this in mind, for each passion play
production we work with two locally active
charities that visibly demonstrate Christ’s
comPASSION to help raise their profile and
to seek to raise some money for their work.
The scriptures tell us our good deeds should
be motivated by a sincere desire to help
others and that public recognition should
not be the goal. That is something we
recognise in the humble, Christ-like service
our two charities for the 2014 production
show every day as they selflessly seek to
make the world better for someone else
and to help them find true meaning and
satisfaction in their lives.
Unfortunately this year, due to increased
costs, we have not been able to raise as
much funds as we would have hoped;
however we are committed to protecting
this aspect of the passion project and are
actively looking into how we can increase
that element of our work for future years.
We would ask that you prayerfully consider
how you can help these charities, or others
you know of. Each of us has something to
give. Some have wealth, some have talents,
some have time. Whatever gifts we have
been given - large or small - we should share
generously and the Lord will make good use.
And [Jesus] looked up and saw the rich
putting their gifts into the treasury. And He
saw a certain poor widow putting in two small
copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you,
this poor widow put in more than all of them;
for they all out of their surplus put into the
offering; but she out of her poverty put in all
that she had to live on.” (NAS, Luke 21:1-4)
The Lighthouse Support Centre
The Lighthouse Support Centre is a
community outreach project situated in
Tillydrone Shopping Centre. The project
offers one-to-one and group support to
socially excluded and disadvantaged people
in the surrounding community.
Holistic (emotional, material and spiritual)
support is provided to men and women who
have life controlling issues such as alcohol or
drug addiction; ex-offenders and families of
prisoners; single parents; lonely and isolated
individuals. Help is given with form filling
and accessing essential items of furniture
and household goods. Food is distributed
weekly.
The aims of the Lighthouse community is:
• To show unconditional love by
respecting and valuing each individual
• To develop self esteem and self worth
• To provide one–to-one support
• To act as role models, mentors and
advocates
• To encourage spiritual development
through life courses and pastoral care
The project is dependent on a team of
committed volunteers, from churches, who
are involved in running drop-in sessions for
men on a Monday and women on Tuesday
& Wednesday mornings (due to the ever
swelling numbers of women). On Thursday
mornings the project is now also running
two groups alternatively. A creative craft
group for ladies to help develop skills and
self esteem and a parenting support class
for mothers.
On Thursday afternoons the project has
started a “Celebrating Recovery” group.
This group focuses on addiction issues and
includes a step by step programme towards
freedom. Last year 7 people completed the
25 session course!
The Lighthouse Support Centre works
in partnership with other social action
agencies such as Bethany Christian Trust,
Prison Fellowship, Integrate and St. Machar
Parent Support Project.
For more information please contact John
Merson, DCF Church (01224 733979)
26
The Solid Rock Café, Fraserburgh
The Solid Rock Café has been at the very heart of Fraserburgh since the
North East town was first ravaged by the effects of drug abuse in the late
1990s. The outreach initiative provides desperately needed help for those
battling addictions, as well as support for families, who often suffer greatly
when loved ones become entangled in drugs.
Operating a host of services, including a drop-in centre and one-on-
one appointments, Solid Rock’s dedicated team of staff and volunteers
work hard at building relationships, offering assistance and providing
counselling to those in need.
The café – which is often the first port of call for those looking to change
their lives – acts as a feeder to the Teen Challenge programme, referring
local, hurting people to centres across the UK.
Solid Rock, which is open between 10am – 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Thursdays, recently introduced ‘Street Church’ on the third Sunday of
every month. At the sessions, attendees enjoy a free meal before having
the opportunity to listen to a sermon, as well as an inspiring life story from
someone who has overcome their problems to live a life free from drink or
substance abuse.
And the café – which also hosts drug prevention seminars for local schools
and youth groups to raise awareness of the dangers of substance misuse
– has now joined forces with the Apex Church in Peterhead to bring ‘Street
Church’ to the town.
For further information on the Solid Rock Café, please call Paul Innes on
01346 515608 or dolly.solidrock@gmail.com
We were very pleased to have been able to support the Lighthouse Support Centre and Solid Rock Café as our two partner charities this year.
Along with hopefully increasing awareness of the amazing work they do we also managed to raise funds towards their work.
We thank everyone we came along and supported the fund-raising events and also those who came to the play from which money was also raised.
Annual Review for the Year Ended 31st July 2014 27
Elaine Sykes
Chair, Friends of the Aberdeen Passion
Friends of the Aberdeen Passion
A Communityof Support
We had a number of people who were keen
to keep in touch in the years in between
productions, they wanted to be able to
support us both financially and through
prayer. These people wanted to see the
Good News of the Aberdeen Passion spread
further afield and they wished to see the
project grow and thrive. They wanted to
stay as a community.
The Aberdeen Passion steering group
took advice from many good friends in
the Aberdeen Christian community and
considered how we could do this. It was
decided to form what has become known
as the ‘Friends of Aberdeen Passion’. This
was launched in 2013 and to date we have
84 memberships.
Becoming a Friend means you commit
to a small financial payment once a year,
£10 for an individual and £25 for a family
membership. When people became a
Friend they received regular newsletters
which kept them up to date on the latest
Passion news, including the work of the
supported charities. As a welcome gift
they received a car sticker, a postcard
advertising the Aberdeen Passion – One
Hope and a keyring. Friends were also
given invitations to Friends events.
Friends events this year included a Beetle
Drive, a quiz night and a ceilidh, these
were all fun filled family events and we
were pleased to welcome friends and their
families.
The Friends of Aberdeen Passion also
take a lead on the fund-raising activities
which are so important to being able to
fund the staging of the shows and to give
money to the supported charities. A small
steering group works with Elaine Sykes to
plan and run events in the time leading up
to each production. This year the Friends
of Aberdeen Passion also supported the
launch of the second Aberdeen Passion
cookbook – ‘Soups, Snacks and Savouries’.
Being a Friend is more than just signing up
for updates and information, it is crucial in
helping to enable staging a major passion
play for the North East of Scotland every
two years. Friends are among our biggest
prayer support and because they span
across the country they spread the news of
each passion play meaning people come
from far and wide to each production.
We hope that Friends of Aberdeen Passion
will continue to grow with many people
joining us to support this project and all the
things it could become.
If you would be interested in becoming a
Friend of the Aberdeen Passion either sign
up on the Aberdeen Passion website or
send us an e-mail at:
friends@aberdeenpassion.com.
Following the Aberdeen Passion 2012 we were encouraged and blessed by the sense of community which had grown up around the project.
“…who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:21
30
Annual Review for the Year Ended 31st July 2014 31
Aberdeen Passion Plays
c/o The Church Office
Dubford Road
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen
AB23 8GS
Telephone: 01224-826256
Email: admin@aberdeenpassion.com
Web: www.aberdeenpassion.com
AberdeenPassion Plays
The Aberdeen Passion: One Hope, Cast & Crew
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