Parish News Round-up

Thursday April 23 2015

Our regular round-up of news received from churches.

The Scots Kirk Paris, a congregation of the Church of Scotland extended ecumenical hospitality to the Lutheran Order of St Mary the Virgin of the Confession of Augsburg on the occasion of the ordination of Daniel Blanchard to the office of deacon.

The service took the form of a Latin Mass (the language chosen by Daniel as one he had studied at University) and was led by Bishop Michael Tajra. The singing and responses were led by a singer from the Orthodox congregation in Paris. The Rev Jim Cowie represented the Church of Scotland congregation and was joined by ecumenical representatives from other denominations. Mr Cowie said: "It was a most unusual service for us in the Scots Kirk, but one which demonstrated how much we have in common in our faith, as well as our liturgical differences."

Pictured from left: Mario Hacquard, cantor, Orthodox; Father Samuel Gandon, Priest of the Parish of St François Xavier; the Rev Jim Cowie; Bishop Michael Tajra; Daniel Blanchard

Choir members from Saltcoats St. Cuthbert’s Parish Church met to recognise and pay tribute to Joan Gordon for her long service as organist and choir mistress.

Joan has been at the organ now for over 35 years – one third of the life of St. Cuthbert’s - and until a recent period of ill health has days off and holidays were few and far between.

One of her lasting legacies will be  memorable annual charity concerts produced in association with the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Rotary Club. With her numerous musical contacts in the area Joan was able to recruit additional singers to augment the church choir for these large and popular events. A considerable number of her former students, many of whom have made professional careers at home and abroad, have returned to perform to support Joan’s efforts and express their gratitude for her instruction and guidance in their early years. Four years ago many of them reassembled to present a “surprise” concert to celebrate her 80^th birthday.

Joan became an accomplished organist at an early age and has often recalled cycling from Skelmorlie for many years to play at morning service in Fairlie Church. This would suggest that she has been playing for in excess of 70 years.

To mark the occasion Joan was presented with gifts of flowers and an appropriately designed long service certificate.

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