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Parish News Round-up

Thursday October 12 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.

Dunscore Church near Dumfries was packed on Sunday October 1 for a joyful service, led by the Rev Jannie du Plessis, to celebrate the reopening of the church building that has been closed for a year.
The rededication marked the end of a journey which started with with the winter storms of 2013 which caused significant damage. Investigation indicated that major repairs were required and the cost was well beyond the means of the congregation.
As well as the repairs, the congregation decided to take the opportunity to make the building more welcoming and more flexible for alternative uses.
Successful applications were made to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding organisations, and with fundraising events £200,000 was raised. The repairs started early this year.
The project included construction of a new heritage centre, staffed by volunteers, including information on the history of the village and church and also on Jane Haining, the Scottish missionary who died in Auschwitz, who was born locally.
Minister, the Rev Jannie du Plessis, said: “We are delighted by the transformation of our church building and pleased to have been able to share this with so many friends at our celebratory service. We now have a warm, dry and comfortable worship space that is suitable for all manner of services whether traditional or less formal and we also now have a suitable area for children during services. We extend a very warm invitation to join us at future services in our beautiful church”.
Session Clerk, Colin Mitchell said: “It is amazing that over three years of very hard work is now coming to such a wonderful conclusion. When we discovered the extent of the damage to the building, we had no idea how big a job it would be. We are thrilled by the outcome and the work undertaken has been to a very high standard and has enhanced the internal architecture of the church. In addition to a weatherproof building, we have a much improved interior space and the heritage centre will be wonderful addition to the life of the village. We look forward to welcoming visitors both to our church services and to the heritage centre”.


 

The final Sunday worship at Hyndland Parish Church in Glasgow also brought to an end nearly 50 years’ service at the organ by John Langdon. The former King’s College Scholar at Cambridge University had just been appointed to the staff of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1968 when he was suggested for the Hyndland post by his predecessor, J Purcell Mansfield.

In recognition of Mr Langdon’s skill and length of service, an award was presented by Mrs Joyce Morton, wife of a previous Session Clerk and possibly the longest-serving parishioner. John is pictured with Mrs Morton, his two sisters and Broomhill Hyndland minister the Rev George Mackay.

Hyndland Church has united with Broomhill Parish Church, and the latter building has been chosen as the principal place of worship for the combined congregation. The Hyndland building, now known as Broomhill Hyndland Kingsborough Gardens Sanctuary, is to remain open for occasional worship and other uses.


 

St Andrew's Church, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, continued their year of celebrations to mark the 175th anniversary of their building by holding a Flower and Scarecrow Festival.
The flower convener, Eileen Robertson, and her team decorated the interior of the church with magnificent floral displays whose costs had been met by local businesses, congregational members and other individuals.

Another church member, Eunice Naysmith, organised scarecrows to be created by folk throughout Inverurie -businesses, retailers, restaurants, schools, voluntary groups, residential homes and many others until 71 funny and droll creatures were dotted around the town and in front of the church. The media took up the story and the event received coverage in local and national press and even STV News.

People came from all over Scotland to enjoy the weekend which also included a display of the church silver in the chancel, a memorabilia corner where youngsters could learn something of days gone by and where the older folk could recall, not only the celebrations of the church's 150th anniversary in 1992, but also the centenary in 1942.
The weekend ended with the Inverurie Rock Choir giving a  concert on the Sunday evening.


Certificates were presented to seven long-serving elders and a retiring Sunday School leader during Harvest Thanksgiving at Ellon Parish Church, in the Presbytery of Gordon.
Senior elder Leonard Garland has served for 53 years, and Christine Hamilton had worked with the Sunday School and Star Squad for 32 years. The other elders received 30 years’ service certificates from minister the Rev Alastair Bruce.
Picture: back, from left: Dennis Chalmers, Leonard Garland, Christine Hamilton, Anne Wilson, Maureen Moir, Anne Milne, the Rev Alastair Bruce; front: Valerie Campbell, Alison Young.
Below: Mr Bruce with two of the youngest members of the church’s Twinkle Stars group, James Bruce and Harriet Walker, who helped prepare the Harvest displays.


Greenbank Parish Church in Edinburgh celebrated the 90th anniversary of its current sanctuary. The church’s young people (Springboard) took the service, and Anne Morham, who was six when the sanctuary was built, cut the cake.


 

Two elders were presented with certificates recognising 32 years’ service to Polmont Old Parish Church, near Falkirk.

Ian McLean (pictured left) and Derick Turner received their certificates from the Rev Debbie van Welie on October 1.

Ian’s certificate also recognised his 30 years as Session Clerk. A framed print of the Flying Scotsman was presented to him on behalf of the Kirk Session and congregation.


On the morning of Sunday October 8, a service was held at Dryfesdale Church, Lockerbie to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the joining of Hutton and Corrie Church with Dryfesdale.  

The service was conducted by the Rev Eric Dempster, assisted by Grace Leopold.

During the service senior elder Arthur Johnston thanked Charlie Conchie for his service of over 25 years as session clerk, and made a presentation on behalf of the Kirk Session.   Allison Conchie was also presented with a bouquet of flowers.


 


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