37 mins
PARISH NEWS
’AN EXAMPLE TO US ALL’
Billy Allan recently retired from his post as Church Officer of both Grange Church and New Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock, prior to the churches’ union.
Minister of the churches, the Rev David Cameron, said: “The Church is the people of God, and some people are given particular tasks. Billy’s was to look after the sacred space of God’s House, our Sanctuary, our buildings and surrounding gardens, as well as re-train three experienced ministers.
Billy’s kindness, compassion and willingness to take on the lowliest of tasks in looking after our church buildings and visitors are an example to us all. He made real and personal contact with our folk, they benefited greatly from what comes naturally to Billy. He painstakingly restored the paths of our Kirk Yard, for years grown over with grass and moss. No-one else would have patiently raked every square inch literally with his bare hands, returning it to its natural gravel state.
“It is a privilege for our church to have among us, people like Billy Allan who have been ready and willing to assume whatever is asked of them in the service of their church.”
Billy is pictured with his wife Jennifer, Derek I’Anson, Margaret Patterson, Liz Young, Ken Stewart and the Rev David Cameron.
ECO AWARD
The Eco-group at Inverkip Church in Greenock have been recognised for their achievement in environmental best practice by winning a gold award in the charities category at the Scottish Green Apple Awards.
An award ceremony was held on March 5 at the CMS Innovation Hub, Castlecary which was attended by Hilary Cameron, Convenor of the Eco-group and Susie Gemmill, member of the Eco-group and the Property Convenor.
The group was formed in 2016 and in less than two years, have achieved their first Eco-congregation Scotland Award, been highly commended in the green congregation category of the Church Times 2017 Green Awards, and have been awarded Fairtrade Church status.
Hilary said ‘I am thrilled to receive this award on behalf of the Eco-group. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of the group in caring for Creation. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us.’
PLAY AND TIME CAPSULE MARK BICENTENARY
More than 400 people packed into Dunfermline Abbey for a theatrical enactment marking the discovery of the tomb of King Robert the Bruce.
Bones, Bogles and Coronets, written by local playwright Diane M Stewart, charted the period years ago between the discovery of the grave by workmen excavating the site, and the laying of the foundation stone of the current Abbey Church building on March 10 1818.
Children from Pittencrieff Primary School, local folk musicians and the Abbey Church choir joined a cast directed by Catherine Exposito. At the finale Dunfermline-born singer Barbara Dickson led the audience in a chorus of Scots Wha’ Hae.
The play was part of a series of events marking the 200th anniversary of the current Abbey Church building.
The following week, a time capsule was sealed and placed below the floorboards of the Abbey Church. The capsule is a replica of the time capsule that was sealed within the foundation stone of the current Abbey building and contains, among other things, lists of elders, Dunfermline town councillors and members of presbytery; a memory key with photos and video footage of the congregation, and items donated by the young church including a fidget spinner and some Lego.
The picture shows Barbara Dickson (front, centre) with the cast of Bones, Bogles and Coronets.
DOUBLE CELEBRATION
Kilmonivaig Parish Church in Lochaber held a double celebration on March 4, with the official opening of its hall following a major refurbishment and more than doubling the size of its Kirk Session.
The Lord Lieutenant, Cameron of Lochiel, performed the official opening. Guests from St Margaret’s Catholic Church, various community groups, Highland LEADER, Highland Council, along with the former minister the Rev Donald MacQuarrie, and former Interim Moderator, the Rev Adrian Varwell, joined current minister the Rev Richard Baxter and members of the congregation for the celebration.
It is hoped that the hall will be used by a wide range of local community groups, and will also be of value when events take place at the nearby Commando Memorial.
The church also celebrated the ordination of six new elders and admitted two more who have transferred from elsewhere.
The Rev Richard Baxter said: “The opening of the new hall and the ordination of new elders are signs of life and growth in a flourishing rural church. In the months ahead we’re also hoping to have the opportunity to welcome new members and to find new ways to serve our local community.”
Picture: the new elders, back row (from left): Chris Carver, Heather McMaster, Fred Toms; front row: Morag MacNeill, Liz Fotheringham, Christine McWhinnie, Jennifer Skene (missing from photo: Helen Critchley)
THRIFT SHOP SUCCESS
The congregation of St Andrew’s – Lhanbryd and Urquhart Parish Church, near Elgin, are celebrating the success of their Thrift Shop, which has been run by groups of women from the church for the past 35 years.
The shop began with a week’s trial in 1983, fired by the enthusiasm of the then minister’s wife, Maggie Lunan. The local joiner/undertaker had recently relocated to larger premises in Elgin, and he willingly agreed to let them have his workshop in Lhanbryde temporarily, to let the idea be tried out. The first week’s trading was a huge success and it was clear that there was a place for a shop in the village of Lhanbryde.
It was decided, with the minister’s blessing, to move it to the original manse garage on the main street in Lhanbryde, and to open on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons, initially to coincide with family allowance day. The money raised was to be shared equally between Christian Aid and local projects, and would be administered by the Kirk Session. In the first year, the money was shared between Christian Aid and the new Church Hall fund – the Church’s chosen project in celebration of their bicentenary. Over the years, donations from the shop have been made to youth organisations, Women’s Aid and the Lhanbryde Community Centre Repairs Fund, to name a few. For around 10 years, some of the money went towards funding a part-time community worker. The annual takings are around £6,000.
Pictured: For 18 years, the organisation of the shop was undertaken by Helen Fordyce, with much help in this ministry from her husband, George. Sadly, Helen passed away on March 15 this year.
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A SPECIAL OCCASION
Livingstone Parish Church, Stevenston, in the Presbytery of Ardrossan, welcomed local Scouts and Guides to the morning worship for Founders Day/ Thinking Day. This was the first time the Scouts and Guides had been a part of a service for a few years.
During the service, the minister, the Rev Dave Sutherland, presented a Long Service Certificate signed by the Moderator of the General Assembly to John Kerr, who had completed 50-plus years of service to the church. John celebrated his 100th birthday the day before and the congregation organised tea, coffee and birthday cake after the service. It was also a special occasion for Alexander Chisholm who professed faith during the service and was added to the congregation.
Picture: Alexander Chisholm and John Kerr
This article appears in the May 2018 Issue of Life and Work
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