Notices - Sunday 17th April
Creche: 11.00am in upper hall for children up to age 2.
Volunteers today: Fiona, Catherine, Ruby.
Volunteers 24th April: Annette, Kathleen, Anne Mackenzie.
Holiday Tweenies: 11.00 in the main hall for children aged 3-7.
Volunteers today: ChrissAnne, Karen, Joanne, Kate.
Volunteers 24th April: Liz, Donna, Aileen, Kirsty.
Sunday School is now on holiday until 24th April.
Tuesday 19th April 7.30pm – Youth Club POSTPONED to next week (26th April)
Wednesday 20th April 7.30pm
Meeting for signing the Closed Call to Rev Calum Murdo Smith in the Kenneth Street Church
Thursday 21st April 7.30pm - Gaelic Prayer Meeting in the Seminary led by Rev James Maciver.
Friday 22nd April 1.00pm - Ladies Bible Study on Zoom.
Saturday 23rd April 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary.
Services next Sunday – 24th April
11.00am English Service (Church): Mr Scott Macleod
11.00am Gaelic Service (Seminary): Rev James Maciver
6.30pm English Service (Church): Rev James Maciver
Meeting for signing the Closed Call to Rev Calum Murdo Smith
The Western Isles Presbytery will meet on Wednesday 20th April at 7.00pm in the Kenneth Street Church and at 7.30pm with the congregation for the purpose of Moderating in the signing of a Closed Call to Rev Calum M Smith. Rev Colin Macleod will preach and preside
It is important that as many as possible attend the meeting to sign the Call so that the Presbytery can ascertain the level of support for calling Mr Smith.
For those who are unable to be present at the meeting, you should already have been contacted by your district elder and given an opportunity to sign a ‘Mandate’ authorising one of the elders to sign the Call on your behalf.
If your circumstances have recently changed and you are not likely to attend the meeting in person but would like to sign a Mandate, please get in touch with you district elder as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday.
Due to the recent Covid related uncertainties, some have taken the opportunity to sign a Mandate ‘just in case’ they will not be able to attend in person. For the avoidance of doubt, anyone who has already signed a Mandate with regard to the Call must not sign any of the forms which will be available at the meeting.
Our own office-bearers will be responsible for the seating arrangements and the Presbytery will ensure that every effort is made to ensure that the Call is signed in an orderly and safe manner - the procedure for doing so will be clearly explained at the service.
Please pray for Mr Smith and for the congregation in North Uist, as well as for ourselves, that God will make His will clear.
Death - Mr Duncan Maclean. We were all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our highly esteemed elder Mr Duncan Maclean. The sincere sympathy of the congregation is extended to his widow Annabelle, their son Alasdair and his wife Corinne, along with their daughters Eilidh, Hannah and Ava; also their son Hamish and his wife Jenny, along with their daughter Lauren and their son Alex; their daughter Catherine and her husband David and their son Duncan. We also remember Duncan’s surviving sisters Margaret in South Africa and Isabel in Buckinghamshire.
WfM Ladies Annual Event – Friday 20th May in Cabarfeidh Hotel
Booking forms are available now from Lizzie (07900 586 930) or Donna (07810 386 774) or by email to [email protected]. This is a booking only event and bookings need to be in by 30th April. We have reduced the numbers to 150 maximum for safety and comfort. Donations of baking, jams, marmalades, crafts, rhubarb, and plants would be gratefully accepted to sell at the event. All money raised will go to this year’s projects.
Blythswood Care Appeal
The Blythswood Ukraine Crisis Appeal will remain open, and contributions can be made by calling 01349 830777 or at any time online at:
www.blythswood.org/donate-to-ukraine-appeal
Alternatively, you can put your contribution in an envelope clearly marked ‘Ukraine Appeal’ and place it in the collection plates at the church or the Seminary. If paying by cheque please make it payable to ‘Stornoway Free Church’.
End to the Mandatory Wearing of Face Coverings
Many of you will be aware by now that the wearing of face-coverings is no longer mandatory in places of worship.
For many, this relaxation will be a welcome milestone in the return to normality after over two years of difficult restrictions. For others, there will be an understandable element of unease and the fear that by not wearing a face-covering they will be more exposed to the risk of becoming infected with Covid.
The decision on whether or not wear a face covering at church services is for each person to decide for themselves and everyone is encouraged to do what they feel most comfortable with.
The current socially distanced seating arrangements in the church and Seminary will continue for a while longer, and hand sanitising gel will be available at all entry and exit points.
