News

Parish News Round-up

Thursday August 20

Our regular round-up of news received from churches

Please send 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.

Greenhills Parish Church in East Kilbride were visited by Nigerian Major Abbas Aminu Umar at the weekend.

Major Abbas, who was awarded the GOP medal in 2006 for his contribution to international security operations, is presently at Newcastle University studying renewable energy. He was joined at Greenhills by Muhammad Soheil from Pakistan, a PhD student in biology.

Both Muslims, the two men were warmly welcomed at the church, where the Rev John Brewster preached on Blessed are the Peacemakers.

During the visit, Major Abbas and Muhammad were shown around the community, visiting the library, community centre, House of Hope charity shop and panto club.

They also met local politicians Councillor Archie Buchanan, Linda Fabiani MP and Lisa Cameron MP. Many of the Major’s own Muslim friends and colleagues have died because of terrorist group Boko Haram, and he spoke of his commitment to international peace and security.

Mr Brewster said: “The visit of Major Abbas and of Muhammad Soheil to Greenhills has been a happy occasion for community relations and interfaith contact. I am proud that our visitors were so warmly welcomed, and they really touched our hearts.”

Major Abbas and Muhammad are pictured with Linda Fabianski MSP.

St Margaret’s Church in the parish of South Ronaldsay and Burray, Orkney, held a highly successful ‘Weddings Through the Decades’ exhibition.

There were 35 dresses in total, including one from 1880 and representing every decade since the 1900s. Most of the dresses were accompanied by a photo of the bride in her dress, and a running loop on the powerpoint screen showed over 100 local wedding photos through the decades.

There was also a separate display of christening robes.

The even was attended by visitors from all over Orkney and further afield, and made over £2000 for the church.

This year marked the 40^th Holiday Club held by Kirkmuirhill Parish Church. The theme this year was “Back to His Story”, based loosely on the film “Back to the future”. The week started with an act of dedication for the 35 team members held at the evening service on the July 26. The preacher was Rev John Wilson, a former elder at Kirkmuirhill, who was very active in the early years of holiday Club. The activities were the usual mix of games (some messy), songs, quizzes, craft work and stories

On Saturday afternoon there was a large gathering for a nostalgic look back over the 40 years through photographs, cine films, videos, press cuttings and artefacts. In the evening over 100 people attended the annual treasure hunt and barbecue. The church was full for the family service on Sunday morning and the week ended with the evening thanksgiving service led by former minister Rev David Young.

Following last year’s event, the teenage leaders and helpers re-formed the church's Youth Fellowship which meets each week after the evening service.