Presbytery of Lochaber

Presbytery Newsletter Summer 2011

Mallaig Church

Yes, this is summer although we seem to be subjected to a wide range of weather systems which can change on a daily basis. The terrific storm in May caused mayhem throughout Scotland and quite a lot of disruption for many Commissioners at the General Assembly because at the end of that Monday afternoon Waverley Street Station was closed, as was the M8. Those of us who were attending from a distance and were staying in Edinburgh were actually more fortunate because we could manage to get to where we were staying without too much difficulty.

General Assembly

We all knew that this year’s General Assembly was going to be difficult and it was. The Moderator issued a statement after the debate about Same Sex Relationships and Ministry which I forwarded to all Lochaber churches in time for distribution on the following Sunday. I hope you read his statement rather than the press articles which were looking for dramatic headlines. The debate is not over yet, in spite of what many might say. The theological considerations will be taken to the 2013 Assembly to be discussed again.

Panel of Review and Reform

The panel of review and reform had been given the remit to come back to the General Assembly of 2011 with proposals for a new Presbytery Structure. They did bring proposals for amalgamation of existing Presbyteries which would act as regional organisations with devolved functions from 121 but, after all their work the Assembly decided that their proposals were a step too far at the moment and turned them down. However, a suggestion from the floor of Presbytery was adopted in  which  the General Assembly was asked to ’encourage Presbyteries to engage imaginatively with their neighbours to develop and strengthen the life and work of Presbytery supported by the Councils of the Church’. This represented a stepping stage between what we have now and what the Panel had been suggesting. Lochaber is already going down this road –Rev David Kellas from Glenelg had been our Interim Moderator for Ardgour linked with Morvern linked with Strontian and Rev Roderick Campbell, from Argyll ,has agreed to be Interim Moderator for North West Lochaber on the translation of Rev Richard Begg to Strathblane.

Ministries Council:

Ministries council proposals for the revision of the number of ministers to each Presbytery was accepted. For Lochaber that means we have an allocation of 7.9 but as we have 15 congregations divided into 8 charges that presents us with a bit of a problem – we are still trying to resolve that one!

Ordained Local Ministry

The proposal was approved that ministers who are currently Auxiliary ministers could transfer to Ordained Local Ministry.  Readers could apply and, if selected, would  do an extra module of training to become Ordained Local Ministers. This would mean that Readers who are ministers of Word would then be Ministers of Word and Sacrament. This process would take place with immediate effect and then it would be open to people, who are not Readers, who felt they were called to this type of ministry. They could apply and go through a selection process and, if selected, would train for OLM. If anyone would like information about this please contact me.

Roll Away the Stone

On the Sunday of the General Assembly there was an event held in Princes Street Gardens which was absolutely magnificent. The weather was windy but fair – and considering what happened the following day we were so lucky. Princes Street Garden was transformed with a ‘street’ of tents and marquees in which you could find information about Biblefresh,  Souper Sunday, The Guild etc. There was a large stage on which Fischy Music and  a Gospel band performed. Commissioners had been asked to take a stone with their congregation’s name on it and these stones were built up in to a cairn in front of the stage. Commissioners were asked to take away a stone from another congregation and include them in their prayers. At worship during the General Assembly each day after that a stone from the cairn would be brought and the congregation named on the stone included in our prayers.

One can only imagine the amount organisation which went into this event .The fellowship of the thousands of people who attended made the day a real success. The unanimous view was that it was more inclusive than the previously held garden parties and reached out to those who were not part of the Church of Scotland but just happened to be going for a walk in the gardens and were drawn in.

Youth Work in Lochaber

In November we shall be holding a day where we are concentrating on Youth Work. The programme is being drawn up now but it will be held on Saturday November 12^th at Kilmallie Church, Caol. So put that date in your diary. Further details will be available soon.

Nether Lochaber celebrates

Nether Lochaber church celebrates its centenary with a week of activities beginning on Monday August 8^th and ending on Friday 12^th. There will be an exhibition of church life past and present, floral displays, refreshments and a brief act of worship each day at 4.00 pm.

Visit from the Moderator of the Church of Scotland

The Right Reverend David Arnott visited Lochaber with his wife, Rosemary, to conduct the service in Kingairloch Church on July 10^th. His visit to the area served to re- affirm for him the importance of ministry and the place of the Church in areas such as ours and  that the place of the church remains vital to the life of the community.

Best wishes for a lovely summer     

       Ella Gill   Presbytery Clerk cofscotland.org.uk     

01967 431 834