Church Officer Vacancy
Our Church Officer, Donald Macleod, has given notice of his intention to retire from the post at the end of March. By then Donald will have completed seven years as our Church Officer during which he has carried out all his duties with exemplary diligence.
This means that we now have a vacancy for a new Church Officer and we would encourage anyone who is interested to contact Murdo I Macleod, Clerk of the Deacons’ Court, on [email protected] or by telephone on 01851 705028 or any of our office-bearers for an informal discussion about the post.
Read more about 'Church Officer Vacancy'...Induction of Rev Iain Thomson
The induction of Rev. Iain Thomson to the pastoral charge of Garrabost Free Church of Scotland will be held this coming Friday, 22nd January at 7.30pm, at the School Road church in Bayble. Rev. David Macleod, Moderator of Presbytery, will preach and preside. Due to the current Covid related restrictions, the number able to attend in person is restricted to 50 and the rest will join the service by Zoom video-conferencing facilities.
Read more about 'Induction of Rev Iain Thomson'...Sunday School Starts Again
Just a quick reminder that Sunday school re-starts this weekend and that the link to the video will be sent out by email as usual on Saturday 24th October.
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RE-STARTING SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday school will be starting again online on Sunday 27th September.
This will initially be for two weeks until the October holidays and then continuing weekly after that. The structure will be a bit different this time, but we hope it will be as enjoyable as the online lessons during lock-down.
First of all, we intend to start using the ‘Go-Teach’ materials again which is the scheme that the teachers follow during “normal” times.
Your child’s individual workbooks can be collected from the MA MacLeod Memorial Hall, on either Saturday 19th September from 11:00am to 12:00 noon or on Monday 21st September from 4pm to 5pm.
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Update on Church Offering Envelopes
Facility for depositing freewill offering envelopes
When the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to close our buildings for public worship in March of this year, few of us imagined that the period of lockdown would continue for as long as it has. For a congregation the size of ours, it may still be some weeks before we can gather to worship God together.
Although our buildings remain closed the work and wider mission of our church continues, albeit in a very different way. Services of worship are broadcast every Lord’s Day; we come together for prayer every week through audio/visual technology and we’ve maintained online facilities for the youngsters in our congregation. We also continue to support the wider work and witness of our church in its support for many missionary endeavours and as it reaches out with the gospel in our cities, our towns and in many rural communities.
We are extremely thankful for the generosity of all those who have contributed to the funds of the congregation by Standing Order, cheque donations or BACS transfer. We are also keenly aware that the protracted period of lockdown has denied those who prefer to contribute by weekly freewill offering envelopes an opportunity to do so. For those who wish to contribute in this way, a facility for doing so will be made available as per the following:
- On Wednesday 26th August and on Saturday 29th August the church hall on Kenneth Street will be open between 2.00 and 4.00pm to receive freewill offering envelopes.
- If you who wish to take advantage of this opportunity you should come along during these times, or arrange for a family member or a friend to deliver the envelopes on your behalf.
- You can also contact your district elder or deacon and arrange a time for one of them to collect the envelopes from your home.
- On arrival at the hall, a one way system will be in operation and you will enter by the main door and leave using the exit door at the far end of the hall.
- Wearing of face coverings is now mandatory and should be worn while you are inside the hall.
- Office bearers will be on hand to guide you towards the area for depositing the envelopes.
- Hand sanitisers will be available at both doors and it’s important that you maintain the recommended 2 metre social distancing on your arrival and while you are inside the hall.
You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11
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On the anniversary of VE Day Torcuil Crichton recounts the remarkable story of his late uncle, the late Alasdair Crichton who was an elder in our congregation, and his experiences at the end of WWll.
Last December, just as we approached the shortest day of the year, we buried our uncle Alasdair at the Braighe cemetery, a mile or two from the Isle of Lewis village where he was born.
At the age of 94, Alasdair Crichton, my father’s brother, was the last of the men in the WWII generation of veterans from Swordale.
My father used to tease him about how being a 1945 recruit he never actually made it to the war.
That was only partially true, as I discovered when I went to visit my uncle in the summer of 2011, fresh from Westminster’s political battlefields.
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The Free Church of Scotland's Mission Board has received a report from Rev. Samit Mishra concerning the desperate situation in central India due to Covid-19.
Pastors and church planters received their salaries up to the end of February. Yet due to lack of offerings, they have not been paid since. This scenario is repeated in the two Mission Schools at Chhapara and Lakhnadon. As the schools are shut, no fees are coming in and the staff are not being paid. Many members of staff have extended families that rely on their income.
Read more about 'Appeal for India'...Notices - Sunday 10th March
Sunday 10th March
There will be a Congregational Fellowship after the evening service. Dawn Campbell will speak about Moldova Youth Camps. All welcome.
Notices - 24th February 2019
Baptism- The sacrament of Baptism will be administered next Lord’s Day (3rd March) at the close of the morning service, when we expect to have six children baptised. Consequently, as usual at a time of baptism, there will be
no Gaelic service
Please remember the Senior Presbytery Camp in your prayers this weekend. A group of 18 campers, aged 15-17, will be taking part in the camp at Scaladale in Harris from Friday 8th to Monday 11th February. Please remember the leaders and campers, safety in travel and activities and that they will know God's presence throughout the weekend. Thank you
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