News

Parish News Round Up

Thursday July 27 2023

Our regular round-up of news received from churches

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A summer ‘picnic in the park’ attracted more than 80 people to Coronation Park in Port Glasgow.

Organised by Port Glasgow New Parish Church, the picnic took place on Saturday July 22 from 12pm to 3pm.

Minister, the Rev William Boyle explained: “Picnic in the park is a simple idea, to bring the church/community together at our local park (Coronation Park) at the front of Port Glasgow with views right across the River Clyde.

“It doesn't involve spending lots of money, hiring buses or anything like that. You simply bring along a picnic, enjoy a catch-up, and meet new people. The kids and even the adults enjoyed the many games that we had and there is a big play park.”

He added: “What made this year even more special was that it is our church's 200th-year celebration. We asked the Riverside Youthband which meets in our church weekly to come along and provide an hour of praise music, so picnic in the park became praise in the park. It was amazing at one point as around 80 people stood up in Coronation Park singing Stand up, stand up for Jesus along with many other well-known hymns/songs.

“Like last year, the comments have been: ‘We need to do that again, that was great.’”

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Hundreds of years of service by elders and choir members at Helensburgh Parish Church were marked at a special service.

The church’s interim moderator, the Rev Ann Cameron and director music Derek Clark presented long service certificates totalling more than 500 years to elders and members of the choir.

Certificates were presented to elders Jean Burns (32 years); Ronnie Dunachie (32 years); Roy Greer (30 years); Anne Mitchelson (30 years); Jean Ramsay (30 years); Colin Shannon (32 years) and Neil Turnbull (34 years). The choir members honoured were: Mary Duncan (50 years); Melville Matheson (50 years); Margaret Bruce (40 years); Elizabeth Colmer (40 years); Martin Speller (40 years); Richard Hassall (30 years) and Stephanie Mitchell (30 years).

The Rev Cameron and Mr Clark are pictured with some of the recipients after a special presentation service.