I would imagine that there may be quite a number of people who don’t realise that The Bridge is produced by the church. It started back in Tom Dick’s time as minister here – one of the innovations he introduced to provide a parish magazine. From those beginnings, through various editors and advertising managers, it has developed into what it is today under Sally’s editorship and John Gray’s financial guidance. (The Kirk Session is currently looking at ways its financial position can be sustained for the future.)
It is, of course, largely dependent on volunteers – like so many other things in our community. The Tuesday Lunch Club is going strong again post-Covid, as is the Friday Meeting Place, each run by three teams of volunteers. There is the Parent and Toddlers group, the Art Exhibition, the Men’s Breakfast, the food share tables and Christian Aid, the Charity Shop to name just a few of the things that go on in the community here, all thanks to willing volunteers.
The Monday after the Coronation was called ‘The Big Help Out’ encouraging more volunteering all over the UK. Dunkeld could have shown the way! It is often said that volunteering is good for us, mentally and physically. It is good to feel useful, to have something to focus on and helping others is always beneficial to both helper and helped.
Of course, there is always room for more people to volunteer. Every group and society in this area is always on the lookout for willing helpers. In church life, it is fundamental to how we understand ourselves. In the New Testament one of St. Paul’s favourite images for the church is ‘the body of Christ.’ An organization where each constituent part does its bit for the benefit of the whole, under the headship of Jesus Christ.
For a parish church it is about community; serving the community of a congregation and the congregation serving the wider community in whatever way it can, to express the love of God in practical ways. The church is at its best when it is not a one-man band but when everyone can contribute in some way and build up the body as a whole.
So all volunteers deserve a hug pat on the back because without them things like the Bridge simply wouldn’t happen and we’d all be the poorer…. and if you have any spare time there is a whole host of groups out there looking for you!

Fraser Penny