Notices - Sunday 9th April
Safe Families.
Some of you will have been at our Congregational Fellowship a few months ago to hear Catherine Macdonald speak about 'Safe Families' which has now launched in the Western Isles. Safe Families is a Christian family support charity which seeks to link local volunteers to families who are isolated and struggling. Safe Families was one of the projects supported by the WFM project last year. As Christians we are called to love the marginalised in our community and this is a very practical way of showing Christ’s love in action.
Safe Families provide excellent training and support. Volunteers can be linked to children or parents depending on suitability. Even a few hours a month can make a real difference in the life of a child or parent.
If you want to volunteer please go to the Safe Families website and click on the 'get involved' and 'volunteer' button and then 'volunteer sign up' and you will be invited to your first online training module and then one of the local staff will be in touch and will talk you through the training process.
https://safefamilies.uk/volunteer/
The Scotland Programme Manager for Safe Families, Andy Murray, is with us today and will be available to chat to anyone in the hall afterwards if you have any more questions or want more information. The local team can be contacted at The Shed on [email protected]
Read more about 'Notices - Sunday 9th April'...Notices - Sunday 2nd April
Teens’ Conference – Booking Now Open!
The teen’s conference is taking place from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th June at Lendrick Muir. Anyone S5 or S6 age, as of January 2023, whether already a Christian or just interested to find out more, is welcome. More information is available on the Free Church of Scotland website.
Notices - Sunday 26th March
Friday 31st 12.00pm-4.00pm in M.A. Hall – Warm Spaces
The hall will be open for soups, teas and coffees to give people an opportunity to meet with friends (and make new ones), read, play board games and chat. There will be a kids play area available as well as nappies, formula, and adult toiletries from Dove’s Corner Baby Bank.
Anyone needing transport please call Calum: 07717 495424.
Read more about 'Notices - Sunday 26th March'...Notices - Sunday 19th March
Update on Transport arrangements for attending Church Services.
Many in the congregation will be aware that the bus service company on which many relied for attending church services ceased trading in February 2020. Soon afterwards the country was placed into ‘lockdown’ due to the Covid pandemic and it was only in mid 2022 that church services returned to their pre-pandemic pattern. Since then, several attempts have been made to source a mini-bus service to enable elderly and non-drivers to attend church services. For various reasons, it simply has not been possible to secure an alternative service provision and it looks as if this situation is likely to continue into the foreseeable future.
As a congregation, we are greatly indebted to many car owners in the congregation who provide friends and neighbours with transport to church services and we know that this is greatly appreciated. There may be several others who would dearly love to attend church but are genuinely reluctant to ask anyone for a lift. All we can do is to encourage car owners in the congregation to seriously consider identifying and contacting people in their districts who may be desirous of attending church services and offer to take them as circumstances allow.
Read more about 'Notices - Sunday 19th March'...Notices - Sunday 12th March
Providence Christian School – Coffee Morning & Open Day
Providence Christian School are hosting a Coffee Morning and Open Day for all who are supportive of, or interested in, the school on Thursday 16th March from 10.30am-12 noon at the school at the Cearns Community Centre. All are welcome and encouraged to come along for some baking, fellowship, and an opportunity to learn more about the school and its work.
Notices - Sunday 26th February
Statement issued by Communications Department of the Free Church of Scotland
As a nationwide denomination, the Free Church of Scotland is composed of people from all political persuasions, some of whom will not share Kate’s politics, particularly over an independent Scotland. Regardless of these differences, Kate is highly respected within the church as a skilful, hard-working and competent MSP. Furthermore, she is consistent about what she believes, irrespective of the consequences, a quality which makes for an honest politician.
The issues raised by Kate Forbes’ intention to run as SNP leader have displayed a level of intolerance that we believe is uncharacteristic of the wider ordinary Scottish population, and indeed does not represent authentic Scottish identity which is historically grounded on hard work, common sense, respect, Biblical truthfulness and the family. It is lamentable that Kate’s honest adherence to simple traditional values would, for some, disqualify her from contributing to the public good of Scotland.
The Free Church of Scotland is concerned at the level of anti-Christian intolerance which has been displayed on social media, and by some political and media commentators. Kate Forbes is standing on the basis of her policies - the fact that she is being criticised for her Christian convictions shows a level of bigotry that has no place in a pluralistic and diverse society.
Read more about 'Notices - Sunday 26th February'...Notices - Sunday 19th February
Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal
The Free Church of Scotland, through its Disaster and Relief Fund, has already sent £2,500 to Tearfund and £2,500 to Open Doors, to support the work being done to alleviate the suffering of those significantly impacted by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
As a church, we bring all those affected before the Lord in prayer and we are grateful to all the local organisations who are offering support.
The Mission Board want to encourage congregations to continue to pray for these countries which are in such desperate need, and to ask for God’s protection and comfort for all those who are affected, whether injured, traumatised or grieving.
You can donate directly to help the people of Turkey and Syria via the following website:
https://www.tearfund.org/campaigns/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal.
You can also put your donation in an envelope marked 'Earthquake Appeal' in the collection plates at the church or Seminary. If paying by cheque, please make it payable to ‘Stornoway Free Church’.
Read more about 'Notices - Sunday 19th February'...Notices - Sunday 12th February
‘Dove’s Corner’ Baby Bank
Many thanks to those who have already contributed to the Baby Bank. This will be an ongoing collection where baby items such as nappies, wipes, formula, and adult toiletries will always be gratefully received.
At present they are short of pyjamas for children aged 5-10 years (new or in good clean condition).
Donations can be placed inside the door of the M.A. Hall.
Read more about 'Notices - Sunday 12th February'...Notices - Sunday 5th February
Hope Explored – 7th, 14th and 21st February
Do you ever wonder about all that is going on in the world around us, and where Christianity features in all this? Or are you looking for a Hope that won’t disappoint you?
There are few emotions more powerful than hope. But these days, hope often feels hard to come by. Where can we find a hope that won't disappoint us?
Looking at the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in Luke's Gospel, this three-session series from Christianity Explored Ministries shows that Christianity is about real hope: a joyful expectation for the future, based on true events in the past, which changes everything about my present. It sounds good…………… but is it true?
Whatever people do or do not believe, Hope Explored offers them an opportunity to explore, to discuss the hope, peace and purpose Jesus offers.
Please come and join us to consider some of these matters over 3 evenings in the M.A. Hall, Kenneth St. This 3 session programme will be run on 7th, 14th and 21st February. Each session will start at 7:30pm and finish at 8:30pm.
The meetings will be held in an informal and relaxed environment and suitable for anyone with little, or no, Christian experience.
There is no need to book, just turn up and bring some friends if you can.
Read more about 'Notices - Sunday 5th February'...Notices - Sunday 15th January
FCYC 2023 Registration Reminder!
Registration for Free Church Youth Camps 2023 is now open.
God willing, there will be 9 camps in summer 2023 and all the information about them (including Team Leaders & Costs) are online.
Free Church Youth Camps are a brilliant week of fun and games, activities, challenges, and lots of tasty food. But most importantly they are a week of discipleship for young Christians in our churches, and an opportunity for young people that aren’t yet Christians to learn more about Jesus and His relevance to their lives. It is amazing to see and hear of the impact the Free Church Youth Camps have had over the last 62 years, please pray with us for that to continue for many years to come.
The registration deadline is Monday 30th January 2023. For a little more info, this short news update gives you more details on the 9 camps on offer. The FCYC website and social media pages will also be posting information about the camps over the registration period.
Read more about 'Notices - Sunday 15th January'...
