Parish News

Thursday February 6 2025

Our regular round-up of news received from churches

Send items of parish news to magazine@lifeandwork.org. All submissions will also be considered for the magazine, but we are unable to print everything we receive.
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A Borders church has converted part of its vestry into a catering facility for walkers on a nearby pilgrim route.

Bowden Kirk sits only 200m from the St Cuthbert’s Way, the popular walk from Melrose to Lindisfarne (Holy Island). Founded in 1128, it has associations with the reformer John Knox, missionary Mary Slessor and Grisell Baillie, the Church of Scotland’s first deaconess.

The minister of Bowden and Melrose, the Rev Rosie Frew, a keen walker and part of the St Cuthbert’s Way Churches Together Group, had the idea of the church becoming a refreshment stop for walkers. It also meant the convenience of a water supply to the church (previously there was only a supply to the toilet a short distance away).

Inspired by a similar conversion to a vestry in a church in Auchtermuchty, the works were mostly funded by the charity Friends of Bowden Kirk, with a contribution from church funds.

The completion of the project was celebrated after worship on February 2.

The service of union for Dundee Westgait Church of Scotland was held on Tuesday 21st January. Covering most of the west of the city of Dundee, the parish of Westgait was formed from the former Camperdown, Lochee, Menzieshill, Dundee West and Logie & St John’s (Cross) churches.

The service was held in Dundee Westgait (Lochee), with the Rev Tim Podger from the Presbytery of Perth preaching, and the Rev Alan Reid, moderator of the Presbytery leading the service. Lord Provost Bill Campbell and local councillor Michael Crichton were also in the congregation. A joint choir from the former churches performed a beautiful arrangement of “The Lord’s my Shepherd”.

The moderator of Dundee Westgait, theRev Grant Maclaughlan said “This is an exciting time for our church. We are bringing together time and talents from across our congregations to spread the word of Jesus to the people of West Dundee”.

The ministry team for Westgait consists of the Rev Grant Maclaughlan, the Rev Dr Jim Connolly, the Rev Dr Roderick Grahame, the Rev Bob Mallinson, and youth and family worker Matthew McKenzie.

Details of services, activities and contact details for the ministry team are available from https://www.dundeewestgaitchurch.org/

Pictured from left: the Rev Grant Maclaughlan, the Rev Dr Jim Connolly, the Rev Bob Mallinson, Lord Provost Bill Campbell, the Rev Alan Reid, the Rev Tim Podger, the Rev Dr John Ferguson (Presbytery Clerk), the Rev Dr Roderick Grahame, Matthew McKenzie.

Keith North, Newmill, Boharm and Rotheimay Guild held its first fundraiser for the new Guild partner projects on Burns Day 2025. Thistles and tartan for the tables were donated by local shop), a pianist and accordionist from the local grammar school provided the music, shortbread and pancakes (also generously donated), one of the members made up a tartan quiz and another gathered raffle donations from local businesses. Despite Storm Eowyn, the event was well attended and £750 was raised.

Two new elders were welcomed to the session of St Ninian’s Parish Church, Dunfermline, on Sunday. Caroline Boswell was ordained and admitted, while Angela Grant was admitted. Pictured from left: Caroline Boswell, locum minister the Rev Gavin Boswell, Angela Grant, session clerk John Thomson.

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