‘The wise men built his house upon the rock… the rain came down and
the flood came up…’.
The Rev Vittoria Hancock of St Thomas Church, Aboyne and St Kentigern,
Church, Ballater writes:
As you will be aware, Ballater
was badly hit by flooding on the
30th December. Almost 500
properties in the Ballater area
were flooded to some extent,
with further flooding since. The
impact of this is immense.
In the 42 households that make
up the congregation at St Kentigern’s, Ballater, 29 have been affected by the
flooding, 20 directly with water entering part of their homes or businesses,
the others because they are now hosting family or friends in their homes, or
have close family affected by the flooding whom they are helping. In the St
Thomas’ congregation, more households and businesses have been
affected in Aboyne and Tarland, with some of our congregational members
having to be evacuated from sheltered housing and nursing homes, as well
as others who have had homes flooded.
This is representative of the community as a whole. In Ballater, over 20
businesses and community facilities have been damaged. In Aboyne, the
supermarket, post office, sheltered housing and care home have been
affected, alongside other properties.
During the past two weeks, a song has been echoing in my head ‘the wise
men built his house upon the rock… the rain came down and the flood came
up…’. The communities I am proud to serve have shown that they are truly
wise, built upon firm foundations. Despite the devastation and destruction,
the sadness, and the shock, the people here have worked together to serve
all. In their love, support, and understanding; in their practicality and sheer
grit; in their consideration for others – they have demonstrated what it means
to be community. The council, the voluntary organisations, the emergency
services, the multitude of volunteers have all been working together with this
community.
Please remember us in your prayers both now and in the weeks to come.
For news of activities and events across the seven dioceses of the Scottish
Episcopal Church, check out the diocesan websites including:
Glasgow & Galloway www.glasgow.anglican.org
StOM Page 13