Parish News

Thursday August 22 2024

Our regular round-up of news received from churches

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Newport-on-Tay Church in north east Fife celebrated a very special milestone this year. Newport was in the old parish of Forgan and 2024 is the 900th anniversary of a church in Forgan parish. To acknowledge and celebrate this anniversary an open-air service was held in the kirkyard surrounding the old ruined Forgan Church on Sunday August 18.

The original church of Forgan was founded in 1124 and the present-day ruins probably date back to the fourteenth century. The old church was beautifully situated, but rather inconvenient, being at least a couple of miles from the scattering of cottages along the shore that made up the village. By the mid-1800s its position was considered just too remote and in 1841 a new Forgan Church was opened, more conveniently sited on the Newport-Leuchars road. The old Forgan Church and churchyard are now maintained by Fife Council.

The service, on a sunny and warm morning, was led by minister, the Rev Dr Amos Chewachong, and was attended by between 50 and 60 people, ranging in age from 9 to 89. The hymns, sung unaccompanied, were chosen as ones well-known to previous generations, but also because most of them had been sung in the 800th and 850th anniversary commemoration services in the church.

In partnership with Campsie Church and St Paul’s and St Machan’s Catholic churches, Milton of Campsie Parish Church delivered its ninth consecutive two-week summer club, reaching out to children, young people and adults with music, art and drama. 

This year’s theme was ‘Oompalarity: Oompa, Loompa, Doompedy Do; We have a wonderful tale for you’. Each day’s tale focused on a well-known Bible parable brought to life for the children by Willie, Lofty and the Gospel Guy. The theme was explored later in the day in Parable Prayers (a short intergenerational act of worship), preceded by 7-Up for older youngsters.

Care Homes were visited, a litter-pick was done, Fairtrade rice was sold, and a Community Art Project invited people to lay their worries at the foot of the cross.  The fortnight’s hard work culminated in a Charity Concert with over £1000 being divided among four charities – Breast Cancer Now, Christian Aid, Scottish Bible Society & Strathcarron Hospice. A highlight of the concert was the Churches Together Redemption 6-hander played by Marion Donnachie, Aileen Kelly and Gareth Wilson.

Six new elders were recently ordained at New Laigh Kirk In Kilmarnock. Pictured from left: John McDowall, Jamila McDowall, Elaine McLaren, the Rev David Cameron, Anne Brown, Lora Barclay and Annette McClymont.

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