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Parish news round-up

Thursday February 19

Our weekly round-up of news received from local churches.

To mark the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, the congregation of Kirk of Calder, which worships in a pre-Reformation church, has embraced a vision of linking up with a project in the developing world. In partnership with the Vine Trust, the congregation, with the help of other local churches and communities, is raising funds to build a safe home in Tanzania where 40 vulnerable children will be educated and cared for. The target for this project is £85,000.

Over £11,500 has been raised to date since the launch in September. A local high school had a ‘dress down’ day, all proceeds from the weekly Kirk of Calder Fairtrade cafe and various initiatives by church members have been amongst the activities that have happened so far. Retiring offerings from the Kirk of Calder and several other churches in the West Lothian Presbytery have also contributed to the total.

Musical concerts have been a big part in boosting the funds for the project. The Kirk of Calder choir, Choral Highlights and the Calder Bells have both performed in concerts and most recently there was a fundraising concert by the Kirk of Calder Ukulele Band featuring the Scottish Formby Group. Many other events are planned in the future.

The Minister of the Kirk of Calder, Reverend John Povey, said: “We wish to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the first major anniversary in the age of ecumenism, in a spirit of friendship, encouraging all in and around our local community to join in, by linking up with the people from Tanzania from whom we can learn so much. It is an exciting time, and a wonderful learning experience, sharing a vision of hope, opportunity, and transformation in the lives of vulnerable orphaned children and their community.”

Three local Ministers represented the Church of Scotland as ecumenical representatives when their colleague in East Kilbride, Father Bill Nolan of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, was Episcopally Ordained to the office of Bishop of Galloway at a service in the Grand Hall, Kilmarnock on St Valentine’s Day.

Rev Kevin Mackenzie of Westwood Parish Church, Rev Dr John McPake of Mossneuk Parish Church, and Rev John Brewster of Greenhills Parish Church are seen pictured with Father Nolan immediately after his ordination.

Linktown Church, Kirkcaldy held a special 'Souper Sunday' Service on Sunday February 15 in aid of the Church of Scotland HIV/Aids Project, raising £400.

The first Ordination of an Ordained Local Minister by the Presbytery of Argyll took place on Saturday December 6 2014 in Campbeltown.

William Crossan was ordained by the Moderator of Presbytery, Rev Jeffrey McCormick, in Campbeltown: Lorne and Lowland Church, with the other Presbyters present joining him in the laying on of hands. Mr Crossan joins the Rev Christine Fulcher in the Ordained Local Ministry within Argyll Presbytery, Mrs Fulcher having been ordained in the Presbytery of Annandale and Eskdale prior to moving to Argyll. Mr Crossan is based in Campbeltown, where he was formerly Headteacher at the Grammar School, and will serve mainly in the Campbeltown Parish Grouping and in Gigha & Cara linked with Kilcalmonell linked with Killean & Kilchenzie.

On February 8 2015 the minister of St David’s High Kirk Dundee, Rev Marion Paton, had the privilege on behalf of the congregation of honouring Jack Scott, who has been a member of the congregation for 75 years, a member of the Congregational Board for 70 years and an Elder for 60 years. It that long number of years Jack has served in many areas of church life, and above all as a caring elder to the members in his districts. He still takes a very keen interest in all that is going on in the church. After the service a soup and roll lunch was enjoyed by Jack and many of the congregation, at which a celebration cake was cut.

Please submit items of parish news to magazine@lifeandwork.org or Life and Work, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN. Digital photographs should not be reduced. Please check the quality of your pictures: images which are blurry or too dark cannot be used. If there are children in any pictures please confirm that their parents or guardians have given permission for publication.

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