Thursday October 5 2023
The Back to School with God service has now become a major fixture in the community of Newhaven in Edinburgh. Based on interactive material produced by Scripture Union Scotland, the service takes place at the beginning of September each year and remembers all those involved in education. Everyone with a link to the congregation is encouraged to light a candle for their school or college, with the prayer that the light of Jesus might shine in each institution. Each candle has the name of the school on it and is lit from the central candle which represents Jesus, the light of the world. Many who have had links with the congregation come to pray for their school. This year the church had one of its largest congregations, including about 30 children and teenagers remembering their schools. They were particularly encouraged that they were able to follow up contacts made during the holiday club in July, including several families with no regular church connection. The children were able to take part in crafts before the service and most of the families stayed for brunch afterwards.
Jim Mathew, a qualified angler and elder at Bellshill Central Parish Church, North Lanarkshire, led a group from the 1st Bellshill and Mossend Scouts on a wet visit to the Green Frog campsite and fishery near Moffat. As well as learning to fish, the Scouts were taught about sustainability and the environment. The Scouts troop meets in the church’s Orbiston outreach building.
Largo Parish Church in Fife concluded its 400th anniversary celebrations with worship on Sunday October 1. Former Moderator of the General Assembly, the Very Rev Colin Sinclair, who preached at the service, is pictured with another former Moderator, the Very Rev Dr Russell Barr, who is the church’s interim moderator, and their wives Margaret Barr and Ruth Sinclair.
The current Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, had taken part in evening worship the Sunday before, as part of her visit to the Presbytery of Fife.
Charlene Macdonald and Colin Hunter, elders at Dunbarney and Forgandenny Parish Church in Bridge of Earn, near Perth, have been presented with long service certificates. Both have served locally for 30 years and Colin also has many more with another parish.
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