Notices - Sunday 27th October
Creche: 11.00am in the upper hall for children up to age 3.
Volunteers Today: Christine Smith, Catherine, Ruby and Alison.
Volunteers 3rd November: Annette, Kathleen, Ann Mackenzie and Tina.
Tweenies in the main hall for children aged 3-5.
Volunteers today: Johan, Evelyn and Marissa.
Volunteers 3rd November: ChrissAnne, Kay and Anne.
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 Eoghain and Dawn.
Monday 28th October from 1.00pm to 3.00pm – Toddler group meets in the M A Hall.
Tuesday 29th October from 7.15pm to 9.15pm – Craft group meets in the M A Hall. All ladies are welcome.
Wednesday 30th October at 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary and on Zoom led by Rev Calum M Smith.
Thursday 31st October at 7.30pm – Gaelic Prayer Meeting in the Seminary led by Mr Murdo Martin.
Thursday 31st October - Explorers meet in M.A. Hall:
6.00pm - 7.00pm: P1- P3
7.00pm - 8.15pm: P4 - P7
Thursday 31st October 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.
Friday 1st November from 12.00pm to 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 2nd November at 11.00am – Ladies Walking Group. Meet at the Castle Museum car park.
Saturday 2nd November at 7.30pm – English Prayer Meeting in the Seminary.
Services next Lord’s Day – 3rd November
11.00am – English Service (Church) conducted by Rev Calum M Smith.
6.30pm – English Service (Church) conducted by Rev Calum M Smith.
There will be no Gaelic service due to the sacrament of baptism being administered at the English morning service.
Safeguarding Training Course – Thursday 31st October at 7.30pm
The next online training course will be on Thursday 31st October at 7.30pm. This can be accessed on the Free Church of Scotland website. All those who have not yet completed the course must register and book their place in advance.
Sunday School Memory Verse
Sing Psalms 23:4
Though I walk in death’s valley, where darkness is near,
Because you are with me, no evil I’ll fear;
Your rod and your staff bring me comfort and cheer.
55+ Fellowship
The next meeting of the 55+ Fellowship will be held on Friday 8th November in the M A Hall between 2.30pm and 4.00pm. The speaker will be Charlie Nicolson, and the singing will be led by Ian Macrae. If you need transport to or from the event, please do not hesitate to call Duncan Norman on one of the following numbers:
860 418 or 07787 973802.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…” Romans 15 v 13.
Harris Conference 2025
There will be a fundraising lunch on Saturday 2nd November from 12.00pm to 2.00pm in the M A Hall to raise funds for the conference. All are welcome
Lord’s Day Observance Society Special Prayer Meeting
Following the recent sad announcement of Tesco Stornoway's plans to open on the Lord's Day, the Lewis branch of the LDOS have organised a special prayer meeting to take place on Lord's Day 3rd November at 9.00pm ( venue to be confirmed early next week) God willing. At such a time it is imperative that the Lord's people unite in prayer to seek His help and intervention.
Statement From Lord’s Day Observance Society
We read the statement from Tesco announcing their decision to open for trading on Sundays with almost as much surprise as sadness. Although they allude to the expressions of support which they received for their proposal (none of were visible to us), they make no allusion whatsoever to the unprecedented depth and breadth of opposition, across the island and elsewhere, to this decision – as evidenced in the press and other media.
As a committee, we have been thankful for the number of people with little or no church connection who have voiced their deeply held convictions on this matter simply because they value the distinctive nature and countless benefits of a common day of rest for themselves, their families, their communities, and for workers generally – as well as valuing what is effectively a cultural unique selling point for the whole community.
Although some shoppers have already ‘voted with their feet’, many have chosen to continue shopping in Tesco until the proposal became a decision. Sadly, this has now happened, and a much larger number will now take their custom elsewhere. It should be noted, too, that they will do so at possible financial cost to themselves – something which, clearly, is of little concern to Tesco, who are well aware that they are driving many people, some of whom are quite poor, into more expensive places. Is that not a cause for shame?
And, in the same vein, it is interesting to note in their statement that Tesco has chosen not to answer why, from all the options open to them for improving the customer shopping experience, they are choosing the only option which deeply wounds a large number of their customers?
Tesco still claims that this decision is ‘respectful’ of local traditions and culture. However, after all that has been said from a variety of sources in opposition to this proposal - which we assume Tesco has considered? - such a claim looks like a foolish attempt to gaslight the island population. If it is not that, then at least it shows everyone how hopelessly out of touch they are with the very traditions and culture they claim to respect.
For now, we wish to make plain that our opposition to this decision is not at all over. If Tesco believes it has ridden a brief storm, they are mistaken. Indeed, we propose to step up our opposition, as will many others who are not in our organization, to avert a spiritual and cultural disaster. However, the deed has not yet been done and we still appeal to Tesco to listen carefully to the depth and breadth of the opposition, and out of care for the whole community, to respect those who are deeply grieving, and reverse their decision.
