News

Parish News

Thursday May 12 2022

Our regular round-up of news received from churches

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St Cuthbert’s Parish Church in Edinburgh is acting as a secure hub in the city centre for Ukrainian refugees staying in transit hotels at the airport.

There are now around 600 refugees in the city, staying temporarily before they move on to permanent homes elsewhere in Scotland. The City Council has provided travel passes and has asked if St Cuthbert’s could be used as a safe place from which the refugees can gather and explore the city, especially at weekends.

The church and its partners are also putting together a programme of Sunday afternoon visits. Last Sunday (May 8), a group of 45 refugees were taken on a visit to Edinburgh Castle, supported by volunteers not just from St Cuthberts but also from other parishes who provided interpreters, and the school pupils who help set up the church’s homeless outreach.

Minister, the Rev Peter Sutton, said it had been ‘an uplifting afternoon’.

Twenty-three elders were presented with long service certificates at a special evening service in Strathaven Trinity Church, South Lanarkshire on Sunday May 8. Three elders with 50 years’ service, twelve with 40 years’ service and eight with 30 years. An additional five elders were unable to attend and their certificates will be presented at a later date. John McLarty was also presented with a certificate in recognition of 30 years’ service as organist.

A presentation took place at Halkirk and Westerdale Parish Church, Caithness, to celebrate Christine Campbell’s 50 years of service as organist. Christine was presented with a Church of Scotland long service certificate by elder Bill Watson along with gifts from the Session, Board and congregation. Pictured from left, back: Bill Watson; Janet Mowat; John Campbell (Christine's husband); Janis Coghill; front: Sheila Cormack, Interim Moderator; Christine Campbell (grey jacket), Sheila Stewart and Kate Campbell.

After 30 years as an elder at Forfar St Margaret's, including 20 as session clerk, Maureen Fenton received a presentation which included a long service certificate signed by the Moderator.

The Rev Ian Wiseman presented long service awards to nine elders of Prestwick Kingcase Church. From left: Linda Stevenson, Diane Scott, Irene Pimentel, Philip Craig (50 years service), Ian Wiseman, Gordon Macdonald, Rita Donaldson and Elizabeth Syme. Not pictured: Ian Mackay and Margaret Mullen.

Below: at the same service, Mr Wiseman presented Margaret Ross and J Morris Brown (not pictured) with Elder Emeritus certificates.