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Parish News Round-up

Thursday May 4 2017

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 picture please confirm that their parents or guardians have given permission for publication.

In 1972, Greenhills Parish Church began with 20 people gathering in the Manse for worship. As numbers grew, the congregation became established in Castlefield Primary School until the present building opened in April 1977.

Forty years on, there was a special service to mark the anniversary of the building. The service was led by the Moderator of Hamilton Presbytery, the Rev Gavin Black, and the guest preacher was the Rev Alan McWilliam of Whiteinch Church in Glasgow – son of Greenhills’ first minister, the Rev Tom McWilliam.

Other participants included Chris Coles, one of the first elders; Deaconess Agnes Tait, one of the first female elders; Ella Mathieson, session clerk, present minister the Rev John Brewster, Caleb Nwongbouwoh Muefong from the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, the Rev Dr John McPake of Mossneuk Parish Church, and Rev Dr Gordon McCracken, the Presbytery Clerk as well as local politicians Lisa Cameron MP and Linda Fabiani MSP.

There were reflections on the 40 year history, and commitment about moving on into the future. Many letters and cards were received and there is special appreciation of neighbours at St Vincent’s RC church who gifted a large Irish crystal cross with a personalised inscription. There followed a special fellowship tea with a birthday cake, and in the evening the church hosted the annual joint choir concert for Christian Aid.

Pictured from left: Ella Mathieson, Margaret Smithers, Rev John Brewster, Joy Munro, Mary Coles, Sheila McDermott.


 

To mark the Ruby anniversary of the formation of Forfar: St Margaret’s Church, a memories evening was held where members shared film, videos and photographs of the past 40 years and looked forward to plans for the years ahead.

St Margaret’s was formed from the union of St James' and the West churches. Other events in the anniversary celebration were a commemorative service, a Ruby Slipper ball, a Ruby Murray curry night, a tea dance and a barbecue.


 

Long service certificates were presented to elders and organists at Urr Parish Church in the Presbytery of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright.

Pictured left to right: Isobel Riddick, organist for 36 years; Gordon Kinghorn, elder for 30 years and organist for 34 years, the Rev Fiona Wilson and Elizabeth Smith, elder 30 years.


 

On April 30 the congregation of St Margaret's Church, Greenock was delighted to celebrate the ordination and admission of seven new Elders. Pictured with the Minister, the Rev Morris Coull, are Gemma Docherty, Elspeth Boag, Anthony Wilson, Cameron Montgomery (admitted), Michaela Magee and Violet Lapsley.


 


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