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Parish News Round-up

Thursday March 17

Our regular round-up of news received from churches

Please send 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 picture please confirm that their parents or guardians have given permission for publication.


Visitors from many parts of Scotland and a few from as far afield as England were welcomed to Rutherglen Old Parish Church last month to witness the unveiling of two plaques commemorating William Wallace’s association with the church.

Although the current Rutherglen Old building dates back to 1902, there have been Christian churches on the site since the 6th century. It was at the second, 12th century church (part of which still stands in the graveyard) that Wallace brokered a peace treaty between England and Scotland in 1297. In the same place eight years later, Sir John Monteith met with Sir Aymer De Valence and was persuaded to betray Wallace, who was subsequently captured.

The plaques, a brass one inside the church and engraved slate outside, were unveiled by local MSP James Kelly and MP Margaret Ferrier. The gathering was addressed by Gary Stewart, Convenor of the Society of William Wallace, which donated the plaques.

Local dignitaries and members of Rutherglen churches of all denominations attended the ceremony. The event coincided with the Old Parish’s monthly coffee morning, the proceeds of which were rounded up to £500 by the Society of William Wallace and sent to the Old Parish’s Missionary Partner, Anne Davidson, at Mercy House Orphanage, Makalulu, Zambia.

Pictured from left: Session Clerk Hugh Millar, James Kelly MSP, Margaret Ferrier MP and Gary Stewart, Convener of the Society of William Wallace.


 

 

These banners made by the Banner Group at Duntocher Trinity Church were displayed to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Clydebank Blitz this week.

 


 

Motherwell South Parish Church had a double celebration on February 18, with the dedication of a new building and induction of a new minister.

The new sanctuary and community facilities were dedicated by the Moderator of the Presbytery of Hamilton, the Rev Derek Gunn, assisted by the Presbytery Clerk, the Rev Dr Gordon McCracken and Interim Moderator the Rev John Stevenson.

Following the church dedication service the Reverend Alan William Gibson was inducted into his new charge as Minister of Motherwell South Parish Church. Mr Gibson received the keys of the church from the Moderator and other symbols of ministry from members of the congregation as a mark that he was officially been accepted as the minister.

The induction of the new minister took place in the new sanctuary but in the presence of history as the recently returned baptismal font from St Patrick’s Church of Dalzell, which dates from the 12th century, stood at the side of the chancel.

The building of the new sanctuary/multipurpose auditorium and community facilities follows community consultation and over seven years of fundraising. Work commenced on what became known as the Keystone Project in January last year, and the keys were handed over on December 18.

Mr Gibson said: “The construction of the new facility reflects the remarkable dedication of the congregation throughout their journey to build something that would be at the heart of the community”

Pictured left to right: the Rev Arthur Barrie, the Rev Dr Gordon McCracken, the Rev Alan Gibson, the Rev Derek Gunn, the Rev John Stevenson.


 

 

On Sunday March 6 nine new elders were ordained at King’s Park Church, Glasgow. Front row from left: Cath Graham, Gaera Taylor, Millie McCabe, Laura Kirkwood; Second row: Ann McNeice, Dougie Mills, Sandra Anderson, Faye Walker, Gary King; Back: Alan Pratt (session clerk), the Rev Sandra Boyd (Minister)


 

Five elders at Cadder Parish Church in the Presbytery of Glasgow have received long service certificates for 30 years’ service. From left: Irene Walker, Margaret Neely, Stephen Mitchell, the Rev Douglas Clark, Pat Marwick and Gillian Crompton


 


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