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Parish News Round-up

Thursday December 4

Our weekly round-up of news received from local churches.

On Sunday, November 16 St Michael’s and South Church, Dumfries hosted a bilingual commemoration service, led by the Rev Dr M Bond and Pastor Jostein Handal, to renew and strengthen the strong links that exist between the church and town of Dumfries and Norway.

These links were forged during World War Two when large numbers of Norwegian servicemen and women found themselves exiled in Scotland after the occupation of their country. Many exiled Norwegians found themselves welcomed into the life of Dumfries and formed lasting friendships.

The congregations of St Michael’s and South Church and nearby Troqueer Church also warmly welcomed the new guests, who worshipped regularly in both churches until their return to Norway in 1945. On leaving the Norwegians left a memorial in St Michael’s and South bearing the inscription taken from St Matthew 25:35 – “when I was a stranger, you took me into your home”.

The links formed over 70 years ago are still going strong in both the town and church, with regular commemoration services being held. This year a number of guests travelled from Norway, joining with the Honorary Consul General of Norway, Mr David Windmill, his wife and many local dignitaries.  


A Greenock minister has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Renfrewshire.

The Rev Alan Sorensen of Wellpark Mid Kirk said he was ‘surprised’ by the opportunity. The Lord Lieutenant is the Queen’s representative in a county, and appoints Deputies to represent the Sovereign when he or she is unable to.  Deputy Lieutenants often present the Queen’s ‘telegram’ on 100th birthdays and diamond wedding anniversaries, as well as being part of the team organising royal visits to the area. He has also been asked to assist the Lord Lieutenant with the evaluation of nominations for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Mr Sorensen said: “I have no idea why Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant should think me worthy of such a privilege but I am delighted to be of service to the Queen.  I think it’s quite unusual for a parish minister to be asked to undertake this honorary role, but I will most certainly do my best.  When I told my congregation I couldn’t help musing that I was ‘called by the King’ and serving the Queen!

“At least my friends have helped me keep my feet on the ground – several of them offered to buy me a badge of office, which turned out to be a star with ‘Deputy Sheriff’ on it bought on eBay!”


Three new Elders were ordained at Logie Kirk, Stirling, on November 23. From left: the Rev Stuart Fulton, Peter Gilmour, Dave Roderick and Dr Katya Neuman.


It has been a busy few months for the small Farnell Parish Church in Angus. In June they celebrated with Jimmy Wink who has been an elder for 50 years. Then in October they sent 110 boxes to the Blythwood Shoe Box Appeal, not bad for a church with a roll of 106.

The photograph shows Session Clerk David Adams and the Rev Jane Blackley with Jimmy Wink.


Please submit items of parish news to magazine@lifeandwork.org or Life and Work, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN. Digital photographs should not be reduced. Please check the quality of your pictures: images which are blurry or too dark cannot be used. If there are children in any pictures please confirm that their parents or guardians have given permission for publication.

 


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