Pastoral Message from our Ministers
Beloved friends,
Your continued support of the gospel and of our ministry is much appreciated. We are most encouraged by the steady return to gospel services and related activities in the congregation since the return from restrictions and measures relating to the Covid pandemic.
Although Covid has not gone away entirely, we are thankful to God for the vaccines that have given us such a large measure of protection, enabling us to come to our church services and activities with a large measure of confidence. While we are committed to providing online services, which are much appreciated by those unable to attend in person, we continue to encourage all who can to gather for public worship. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 13 v 23-25).
We are all keenly aware of the alarming increases in food, clothing and energy prices and how these are adversely affecting many individuals and families in our communities. The recently introduced price cap on energy will hopefully go some way towards easing the fears many have, particularly as we move into the colder months of autumn and winter. For businesses, charities, and churches there is currently no price cap. Although the government has pledged to give some support, there is still no clear indication of what form it will take, when it will begin, or how long it will last. At the most recent meeting of our Deacons’ Court, it was noted that the energy costs for heating the church, the hall and the Seminary has risen by a staggering 400% since April of this year. Even after taking all the steps we can to keep costs to a minimum, our congregation is still facing energy costs in excess of £50,000 by the year end, an increase of £30,000 on 2021.
Our main reason for bringing these facts to your notice is to highlight the need for prayer. We need to bring this matter before God. No issue is too mundane to pray to him about. We always need wisdom from him to examine our circumstances and reach right conclusions, particularly in such a challenging situation as we presently face. The Kirk Session has already decided that we will not curtail our current gospel services and related activities, having already had to do this for nearly two years due to the Covid pandemic. We remain committed to gospel witness and outreach and are currently formulating a development plan with a focus on this. It is vital that as a congregation we “strive side by side for the faith of the gospel,” even if we may need to make some adjustments in the use of buildings.
Both the Session and Deacons’ Court want to thank you most sincerely for your ongoing commitment to the support of the gospel practically, financially, and prayerfully, and we do assure you of our prayers for you as you deal with the various sharp increases in costs which will inevitably affect you as individuals and as families.
As your ministers, we wish to assure you all of our ongoing commitment to serve you in the gospel, and we lovingly encourage you, in the words of Psalm 37 verses 4-5 - “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act.”
God’s grace and peace be with you all.
James Maciver, and Calum Murdo Smith.
