Thursday December 2 2021
***Please note: people shown in photos must be complying with the guidance on distancing and the wearing of face masks in churches, that was in effect at the time the picture was taken***
Motherwell South Parish Church welcomed 24 new church members on Sunday (November 28).
The service was a celebration of St Andrew, with the congregation invited to wear tartan. Complying with social distancing rules, the church was packed with a live stream ensuring that everyone was able to be part of the church family whether at home, or in the overflow seating in the halls.
The 24 new church members comprised seven New Communicants who joined by profession of faith; and 17 who joined by Resolution of the Kirk Session. Minister, the Rev Alan Gibson expressed his gratitude at the way in which so many have come forward to make such an important step. “Each year we have been blessed with a number of people who join the church and that is something that we continually give thanks to God for. Inevitably we lose people through death or if they move away from the area, but what a delight it is to welcome people to our church family.
“I know that we should not get too caught up in numbers, but in a society that we are constantly hearing is increasingly secular, the fact that 24 people have come to faith, or to renew their faith through membership, is uplifting. Some of our New Communicants came to us via the provision of online worship during the lockdown months and they have felt very much welcomed by the congregation.”
David Pearce, who joined the church, said: “My family and I were welcomed by everyone at Motherwell South from the day we walked in. We love it here. There’s a warmth and a real vibrancy about the place.”
A Covid-19 Mosaic Memorial Stone was unveiled in the Community Garden of Dunipace Parish Church, near Falkirk, on November 21.
The stone was designed, crafted and gifted by Lesley Robertson, and the stone plinth was built by Sam Hutcheson. Both Lesley and Sam, who are pictured unveiling the stone, are members of the congregation.
Lesley chose light colours with flowers, symbolising new growth and hope. The image of brokenness through the use of Mosaic becomes complete when all the pieces come together in faith.
The Church Community Garden provides a space where folks from the community can enjoy a time of reflection. The Covid-19 Memorial Stone is a lasting reminder of the pandemic, allowing the community always to remember not only those who have lost a loved one to Covid-19 but also the many who were unable to grieve their loss of a loved one due to the pandemic restrictions.
Hazel Gardiner was inducted as an Elder at St Bride’s Church, Lochranza, on the Isle of Arran on October 31. She is pictured with the Rev Tom MacIntyre and Session Clerk Bill Scott.
Post Tags: parish news round-up
Read More >
Read More >
Read More >
There are currently no comments on this post
All fields are required. Email address will not be published.
Life and Work
121 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 4YN
T: 0131 225 5722
E: magazine@lifeandwork.org
Scottish Charity Number SC011353
Copyright © The Church of Scotland, 2024. All Rights Reserved
Website by Adept
