News

Parish News Round-up

Thursday November 12 2020

Our regular round-up of news received from churches

Send items of parish news to magazine@lifeandwork.org or Life and Work, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN. All submissions will also be considered for the magazine, but we are unable to print everything we receive.
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Churches throughout Scotland have not let coronavirus restrictions marking the season of Remembrance with the customary spectacular and moving poppy displays. Here are a few that have been sent to us. Please send us yours to magazine@lifeandwork.org

Above: At Banff Parish Church, Aberdeenshire, a cross was created in the church grounds with the silhouette of a soldier standing guard. Members of the congregation, the local primary school, the Boys’ Brigade and passers-by were invited to leave a poppy, painted stone or cross.

Above: Cumbernauld Old Parish Church

Above: Duntocher Trinity Parish Church, Clydebank

Four new elders have been ordained at Kilbarchan Parish Church, during a meeting of the Kirk Session held via Zoom.

The ordination of Alison Renfrew, Arlene McKay, Elizabeth Crawley, and Tony Martinhad been scheduled to take place in March, but the restrictions imposed on gatherings due to the Coronavirus pandemic had made it impossible to go forward with an ordination in church. Under the circumstances, it was felt that an on-line service was the best means to proceed.

The service, led by the Rev Stephen Smith and attended by the new elders’ invited guests and members of the congregation, was the first online service and the first ordination of elders at the united Kilbarchan Parish Church.

Coronavirus restrictions meant that some elements of the service of ordination were different from normal, with the prospective elders making their commitment to serve and signing the approved formula in their homes.

Following prayer, the Moderator then declared that the four had been admitted to the office of eldership. As an alternative to the traditional ‘right hand of fellowship’ the new elders were welcomed to office with a round of applause.

The four new elders are in the top row of the picture. From left: Alison Renfrew, Arlene McKay, Rev. Stephen Smith, Elizabeth Crawley, Tony Martin.