19 mins
PARISH NEWS
ORGANIST ANNIVERSARY
Dr Iain Galbraith celebrated 60 years as an organist in the Church of Scotland recently at Alexandria Parish Church, in the Presbytery of Dumbarton.
To mark the anniversary the Rev Liz Houston presented him with a gift on behalf of the congregation.
At the same time, Dr Galbraith’s archive of photographs and research on stained glass windows in Scottish churches was received and dedicated by the church. Dr Galbraith is a recognised authority on stained glass in Scotland and his work, which spans 40 years, has been accepted into the National Archives of Scotland. He has donated it to the church along with a cabinet he had commissioned to store it.
40TH ANNIVERSARY FOR GROUNDBREAKING MINISTER
A service was held in Townhill and Kingseat Parish Church, Fife, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ordination of the Rev Mary Morrison, the first female minister of Word and Sacrament in Dunfermline Presbytery.
She is pictured with the Rev Peter Neilson, who preached at the service, and Townhill and Kingseat’s current minister, the Rev Jean Kirkwood.
TOILET TWINNED VILLAGE
Dunscore in Dumfriesshire has become the first Toilet Twinned Village in Scotland, thanks to the efforts of the Dunscore Church Eco Group.
In autumn 2017 the group started their ‘Big Push’ on World Toilet Day with the aim of twinning as many local toilets as possible. The campaign raised around £900, enough to twin 15 toilets (and more have been twinned since). Certificates were given to local organisations including the village hall, community pub, surgery, school and pre-school.
The group were presented with the village certificate by Elyse Kirkham of Toilet Twinning. The picture shows the eco group with Elyse (seated, left) and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dumfriesshire, Sarah Landale (seated, centre). Picture by Alison Boyes.
BEFRIENDING INFORMATION
Pamela and Claire of the volunteer befriending group FAMS (Families Affected by Murder and Suicide) visited Greenhills Parish Church in October, providing information and advice on the service they offer.
Also present was local MP Lisa Cameron who is a psychologist by profession. Lisa commended the activities of FAMS, pointing out that NHS care had a long waiting time for appointments, and that befriending groups and welcoming churches are potentially life airming for so many.
Pamela and Claire are pictured with church member Ann Lindsay, Deacon Agnes Tait, and Safeguarding Officer Mary Coles.
50 YEARS FOR LIFE AND WORK
Amy Robinson has stepped down after 50 years as the Life and Work co-ordinator at Renield St Stephen’s Church in Glasgow. Thank you Amy!
SURPRISE CELEBRATION
Inchture Church, in Perth and Kinross, had a special celebration recently for an Australian couple who were having their recent marriage blessed at the church.
Paul and Kate Wright, who had got married at home in Queensland, decided to have a blessing at Inchture because a direct ancestor of Mr Wright had been married in the church there (the predecessor to the current building, which occupies the same site) in 1763.
The couple were expecting a small act of worship with only the minister and one or two others. But the congregation had other ideas, as the minister, the Rev Dr Marjory MacLean explained: “They had not appreciated that Inchture Church of Scotland is a bunch of party-animals who never miss an opportunity for some fun!
“By the time the office-bearers had seized their chance, Paul and Kate found themselves in the midst of a full-on wedding celebration complete with lowers, cake, gift, bubbles, music, a photographer, a congregation of 20 all togged up in wedding clothes, and even the Beadle game to walk Kate down the aisle.”
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This article appears in the January 2019 Issue of Life and Work
If you would like to view other issues of Life and Work, you can see the full archive
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This article appears in the January 2019 Issue of Life and Work