Notices - Sunday 15th September
Creche: 11.00am in the upper hall for children up to age 3.
Volunteers Today: Elaine, Christine, Chris, Annmarie and Helena.
Volunteers 22nd September: Christine Ann, Maighread, Donna, Carol Ann.
Tweenies in the main hall for children aged 3-5.
Volunteers today: Elizabeth, Alison and Aileen.
Volunteers 22nd September: Liz, Evelyn and Lydia.
Tweenies, Sunday School, and Bible Class arrive in church at 11.00 with family, then leave through the side door nearest the hall after children’s address.
Everyone is welcome to the M. A. Hall after the morning service for a time of fellowship. Tea and coffee will be served by Katie Ann and Erica.
Monday 16th September from 1.00pm to 3.00pm – Toddler Group meets in the M.A. Hall.
Monday 16th September at 7.00pm – the Kirk Session will meet in the Kenneth Street Session room.
The Kirk Session will remain open until the close of the Congregational Meeting appointed to meet in the Seminary on Wednesday 18th September at 7.30pm.
Thursday 19th September at 7.30pm – Gaelic Prayer Meeting in the Seminary led by Mr Joe Macphee.
Thursday 19th September – Explorers meet in M.A. Hall:
6.00pm - 7.00pm: P1- P3
7.15pm - 8.15pm: P4 - P7
Thursday 19th September from 7.15pm to 8.15pm – Exploring Life’s Big Questions at the M. A. Hall. This is an opportunity to discuss questions in a relaxed and informal setting. The current study is called ‘Hope Explored’. You are very welcome to come along. Please do invite others, and use the leaflets available at the door as a way of spreading the word.
Friday 20th September from 12.00pm until 3.00pm – Fridays at The Free The M.A. Hall will be open for soups, teas and coffees to give people an opportunity to meet with friends.
There will be a kids play area available as well as items from ‘Dove’s Corner’ Baby Bank free of charge.
Anyone needing transport please call Calum on 07717 495424
Saturday 21st September at 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary.
Services next Lord’s Day – 22nd September
11.00am – Gaelic Service (Seminary) conducted by Mr Murdo Martin.
11.00am – English Service (Church) conducted by Rev Calum M. Smith.
6.30pm – English Service (Church) conducted by Rev Thomas Davis.
Use of Defibrillators in Medical Emergencies.
As a congregation we are greatly indebted for the instinctive response that’s always given when medical emergencies arise by those present with medical and First-Aid experience.
In recent years having access to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has increased the survival rate of someone suffering a cardiac arrest.
There are several AED’s within easy reach of our buildings. For the church and hall, there’s one mounted externally at the Police Station on Church Street (on the end wall next to Peking Cuisine), and another at K J Macdonald’s pharmacy on Cromwell Street. For the Seminary, there’s one mounted at the rear of e-Sgoil.
The Deacons’ Court is keen to know of any in the congregation who is familiar with AED’s and also of anyone who would be interested in attending CPR and AED training sessions.
To register your interest, please contact Mairianne on 703860 or by email to [email protected], or speak to any of the office-bearers.
Presbytery Youth Camp – Save the Date
If you are in S3-S6, come and join us at Scaladale 22nd - 25th November 2024. More details will follow…
Schedule of Communion Services: Lochs Free Church
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Thursday 19th September |
7.00pm |
Gaelic |
Rev Ian M Macdonald Tarbert C of S |
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Friday 20th September |
7.00pm |
English |
Rev Ian Thomson Point |
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Saturday 21st September |
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Lord’s Day 22nd September |
11.00am 6.00pm |
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
As the participation of the whole congregation is encouraged as we begin the process of filling the vacancy, we hope that as many as possible will attend the Congregational Meeting.
Rev Colin Macleod, Interim Moderator, will preside. After a time of worship, there will be a presentation on the process for filling the vacancy. The congregation will then be asked to complete and approve the Sustentation Fund Schedule and to formally appoint a Vacancy Committee.
In the interests of good order, the Kirk Session is proposing a Vacancy Committee with a maximum membership of 24 persons. As all the elders and deacons are ex officio members of the committee, it’s proposed that the Kirk Session will be represented by 12 elders and the Deacons’ Court by 6 deacons – this is approximately 50% of the active membership of each Court.
The remaining 6 members of the committee will be chosen by the communicant membership of the congregation. Nominations can be made by men or women - each nomination will require the support of a seconder. Those nominated can also be men or women and may include non-communicants who regularly attend our services of worship.
Between now and the meeting on Wednesday, it would be helpful if conversations could be had with a view to identifying suitable individuals and to establish if they are willing to be appointed to the Vacancy Committee.
After the formalities have been completed, the Sustentation Fund Schedule will be forwarded to the Western Isles Presbytery in time for their meeting on Tuesday 24th September where it will be considered and, hopefully, approved. It will then be forwarded to the Mission Board for their consideration and their anticipated approval.
No formal steps will be taken towards filling the vacancy until the congregation has the consent of the Mission Board to proceed. We are reliably informed that the Board recognises the importance of processing applications from vacant congregations with the minimum of delay.
Our earnest prayer is that the presence of God will overshadow all our deliberations and that we will be aware of His unifying presence at every step of the process.
