News

Parish News Round-up

Thursday December 3

Our regular round-up of news received from churches

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By popular request, an exhibition celebrating the history of Fearn Abbey, one of Scotland’s oldest church buildings, remained on view for several weeks after Highland Council ‘Doors Open Day’.

The Abbey - known as ‘The Lamp of the North’ – is situated near Tain in Ross-shire. The original Abbey was established in the 13^th century and although the current building dates from 1772, it incorporates parts of the medieval structure. It continues as an active parish church, united with Nigg and linked with Tarbat).

The building has links to the Reformation through Patrick Hamilton, who was commendatory Abbot of Fearn and received money from the Abbey to study in Europe. There, he came under the influence of Martin Luther. Back in Scotland, he was accused of heresy and died at the stake at the age of 24, the first martyr of the Scottish Reformation.

The Abbey is also associated with revered missionary Rev Dr John Ross, who translated the Bible into Korean. It is visited by many tourists from Korea.

The exhibition, by congregation members Jean Cheyne and Isabel Ross, was prompted by the writing of a historical novel by an Australian author named James Fearn and the studies of genealogist John Faid from York, who is a descendent of Abbot Finlay MacFaid II of Fearn and whose effigy lifes in the now-ruined St Michael’s aisle.

The exhibition introduced the recently appointed minister, The Rev Robert Pickles, who welcomed the opportunity to meet members of his new congregation and others from the surrounding area. People travelled from afar to visit, and Mr Pickles entered into the spirit of the occasion by dressing as a White Canon (another name for the Order of Premonstratensians who founded the abbey).

A special pre-exhibition evening, not quite coinciding with the book launch in Australia, had been held a few days previously for the congregation and friends, and those who had helped in so many ways. Over 300 people passed through the door of the Abbey over these two events.

A long service certificate was presented on Sunday November 29 to Bill Cumming following 50 years’ service as an Office Bearer (Treasurer and Session Clerk).

Bill and his wife Moira are emigrating to Canada next year to be nearer their immediate family. Bill is pictured with the Rev Neil Buchanan of Moncreiff Church in East Kilbride.

Members of the newly linked charge of Fairlie and Largs St Columba churches in North Ayrshire enjoyed an evening of food and friendship. Celebrating the start of Advent they joined in telling the Christmas story through a meal with song and prayer in Fairlie Parish Church.

Guild Week in Mid Deeside Church was celebrated in style with a Posh Afternoon Tea on Saturday November 21. Despite the wintry weather a large number of people came along to enjoy a scrumptious tea which was served by Guild committee members dressed in stylish waitress outfits. During the afternoon, diners were serenaded splendidly by Notes from Torphins, a talented local choir.

In addition to raising awareness of the Guild and providing an opportunity for some people to see the church’s new extension for the first time, £615 was raised for church funds.

Broom Parish Church in Newton Mearns was one of the last churches to receive the Eco-Congregation baton before it was taken to Paris for the current climate change conference.

The Rev James Boag is pictured with East Renfrewshire councilors Charlie Gilbert and Ian McAlpine and the Broom congregation.