News

Parish News Round-up

Thursday February 15 2018

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. Please check the quality of your pictures: images which are too small, 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.

Two hundred years ago this weekend the remains of one of Scotland’s most famous heroes were discovered in Dunfermline.

Workmen excavating the grounds of historic Dunfermline Abbey on February 17 1818 to prepare it for the building of a new church stumbled across the final resting place of King Robert the Bruce.

The discovery provoked worldwide interest and placed Dunfermline – the former capital of Scotland and the resting place of many Kings and Queens – under a global spotlight.

The finest forensic scientists of the time were deployed and held that the uncovered grave was that of the famous king.

To mark the rediscovery of the Bruce’s tomb on February 17 1818, the Abbey Church will be open on Saturday February 17 from 11am to 2pm for those who would like to visit the tomb, situated behind the church’s pulpit

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning will preach at a special service on Sunday (February 18) at 10.30am to mark the anniversary, the first of a number of significant milestones in the life of the Abbey Church of Dunfermline.

The service will be followed by a special lunch at the Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline, at which a new appeal will be launched to help provide direct support to refugees and also support the Abbey Church of Dunfermline Restoration Fund to ensure the preservation of the Church which has a proud legacy as a place of sanctuary and refuge. David Bradwell, Refugee Co-ordinator for Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, will deliver an address entitled ‘When I Needed A Neighbour’.

The minister of Dunfermline Abbey, the Rev MaryAnn Rennie said: “This is the first of a series of significant anniversaries in the life of the historic Abbey church, a constant presence in the life of Dunfermline and Scotland for over a thousand years.

“We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to the Abbey Church of Dunfermline to mark this important and historic anniversary in the life of not just Dunfermline, but Scotland.”

A series of events have been planned to mark a number of significant dates for the Church later this year and over the next three years.

On Sunday February 4 three members of 2^nd Inverness Company Girls’ Brigade were presented with awards during the morning service at Inverness East Church.

Samantha Fraser received the Girls’ Brigade Queen’s Award, the highest award of the organization, and also the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Samantha has been working hard for these awards undertaking a wide variety of voluntary activities, challenges and residential courses, including volunteering with Hospital Radio and undertaking ward visiting at Raigmore.

Samantha is currently training to be a pilot and has recently spent a number of months in Arizona as part of her training.

Also receiving awards at the service were Sharlene Fraser and Rachael Taylor, who both received Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. In order to achieve their awards Sharlene and Rachael both upgraded their musical talents, committed to a physical activity, volunteered as assistants at the East Church Sunday School and completed an Expedition on foot in the Cairngorm National Park.

The presentations were made by Inverness East Church’s minister, the Rev Professor Andrew McGowan.

Daisy Thomson, a member of the Guild at St James Parish Church, Ayr, pictured on the celebration of her 100^th birthday.