My church

Renita Boyle reflects on the gifts and resourcefulness of Wigtown Parish Church.

WE are Christ’s church – the body of Christ; faith focussed followers of Jesus; seekers in the Spirit, growing in our understanding of God, committed to one another and to our community.

We are a people, not a place, and we hope that those who come find a welcome place among us – all ages, stages and traditions. We may be small in number, but we are big on belonging.

We are a human church; a family with all our dysfunctions and delights. Our doors and lives are open to one another. We work hard to agree and are skilled in the art of presbyterian compromise when we don’t. We often share services and gatherings with other churches – and we faced the challenges of pandemic worship together.

We are a resilient church; an early church, a medieval church, a reformation church, a covenantal church. We have been a site of worship for over 1000 years. We bear witness to the Killing Times – are descendants (spiritually/physically) of the Wigtown Covenanters. The Martyrs’ graves and memorials remind us to be thankful for and protect freedom of worship and expression. It is a living history always in danger of repeating itself.

We are a hospitable church. It is said that Wigtown’s medieval monks cultivated Galloway Pippins and offered them to visitors or those on pilgrimage to Whithorn. We are the keeper of this tradition – stop by during Harvest. Taste and see that the Lord is good. And on Mondays – the Guild dish up delicious pancakes, a place to gather and encourage each other.

“ We are a resilient church; an early church, a medieval church, a reformation church, a covenantal church.

We are a Messy Church – among the oldest Messy Churches in the country. Our annual Bramble Ramble is hugely popular as is the Messy Jelly made from our collective berries – saved for and served on Pancake Sunday. We also provide the Messy Marquee for Cancer Research – Relay for Life; a space for families to remember and reflect, play and create.

We are a ‘Book Town’ church. Yes, Wigtown is Scotland’s National Book Town celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. We play host to book events, theatre productions, musical concerts and exhibitions as well as our Sunday morning worship services.

We are a rural church. We live far from traffic lights and close to the land. Our physical and spiritual lives are guided by cycles and seasons. What we lack in resources we gain in resourcefulness. We are capable, committed and adaptable as well as traditional. Friendships are real. People matter. And who wouldn’t love to climb our yew tree – like generations of children before?

We are a living church. We have an ancient graveyard. You may trace your ancestry here, reflect on the deaths of the two Margarets buried here or enjoy its spooky delights under full moon with bats fluttering about. Sunrise will bring birdsong from the silence and on Sunday the bell will ring out its inscription: ‘O God, let Wigtown flourish by thy word in Christ, who is our only head!’

We will gather, the Word will be preached, hymns and songs will be sung, prayers will be lifted. There will be laughter. There will be tears. There will be chat. There will be faith. And there will be change.