View from the  pulpit

The Very Rev Dr Russell Barr describes the shoots of hope found at parish churches in Fife.

EARLY January, and an afternoon walk with Duncan Weaver, the Pilgrim Pastor, from Clatto Reservoir to Ceres, part of Fife’s increasingly popular Pilgrim’s Way.

We tramped, slipping and sliding along muddy paths and splashing through huge puddles until we reached the dry comfort of Ceres church where three of my somewhat bedraggled fellow pilgrims told me of the Christmas tree festival in their church, some trees decorated by church groups but the majority by groups and organisations from their local community.

It brought scores of people into the church, people who might not otherwise have darkened its doorstep.

Sodden feet were soon forgotten as they described how a grant had allowed them to develop the church garden, and the different ways in which this project had engaged with the wider community.

The three were excited and encouraged about their congregation’s life.

So I told them about some of the things happening at Largo Parish church.

With the oldest part of the present building dating from 1623, a 400th anniversary programme was developed, a celebration of the life and worship of the congregation, and an opportunity to engage with the wider community.

A flower festival brought lots of visitors into the building, including children from the local primary school who helped decorate the sanctuary.

A Songs of Praise evening, a guest lecturer from Stirling University on Largo’s historic Pictish stone, a congregational lunch, and with the Moderator preaching at the beginning of the week, and a former Moderator, the Very Rev Colin Sinclair, guest preacher at the 400 anniversary service at the end of the week, the celebrations could hardly have gone better.

Indeed, such was the energy and enthusiasm generated, the idea of a Christmas tree festival was quickly embraced.

Groups and organisations from the church and community chose a Christmas carol and decorated their tree accordingly. A memory tree was set up in the large chancel area at the front of the sanctuary, labels were provided, and visitors were invited to write the name of someone they would be remembering over Christmas and hang it on the tree.

Such was its popularity, not least with the school children, the tree was covered in several hundred labels, each with a heartfelt message.

Meanwhile at the end of October 2023, the Kirk Session appointed a children and family worker, Fiona Ramsay.

Based in the community, in the few weeks since her appointment Fiona has established a weekly Messy Church with over 20 children and families registered.

Each Friday Fiona spends three hours in the primary school, supporting the RME programme, attending and participating in school assemblies, helping out in the playground or dinner hall as required, building relationships, and from the beginning of the year, running an after school Bible club.

An Easter club and a community garden in the orchard area behind the church stables are being planned.

Although we have well documented struggles at a national level with presbytery plans, too many buildings, and recruitment issues, at a local level many congregations are thriving.

And as these two congregations demonstrate, the key to their ‘success’ could not be more simple – reach out, engage with your local community, build relationships, ask, invite, and involve shops, businesses, schools.

You will be surprised at the response, and amazed at how quickly the life your congregation grows. ¤

The Very Rev Dr Russell Barr is Locum Minister at Largo Parish Church in Fife.