Updated 24th May 2020: Letter from Mr Bill Skene Interim Moderator

Dear all,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus, our Lord, our Saviour.

It is apparently 400 years since the pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower and landed in what is now the USA. And it was 400 years that the Hebrews spent in captivity in Egypt, it surely must have got to the stage for them that they just accepted that that was the way things were, and always would be.

And it would be so easy, in our own lives to think that the way we are just now is the way that it is always going to be, that it is impossible to make change in the way we are, we become used to the habits and routines that make us the way we. Sometimes we think that change is too difficult a mountain to scale.

In a measure we see that in these times too. Over the past weeks of lockdown we have become used to it, we have got into a routine, and in some respects it is easy to think this is the way it is always going to be. Not so. We can climb over this mountain, we can escape from the captivity that presently enslaves us, with patience and endurance that we have in us, we can make it out the other side.

In Exodus 12: 9 – 11 we have the Passover meal discussed – the food they are to eat, the way they are to dress, and be ready to go, to escape from the slavery to the promised land. The pilgrims on the Mayflower too, were setting off on a long, long journey to a place that they saw as having for them a whole new start.

And Jesus offers us that whole new start, from wherever we are, he wants us, in the words of the hymn – “Will you come and follow me”.

Are we ready to follow him, are we dressed and ready to go, when we eventually get out of this situation that we find ourselves in at the moment.

Every blessing to you all

Bill Skene

ps

Just to remind you –

Tom Gordon does a daily Thought for the Day, and these can be found at:

https://swallowsnestnet.wordpress.com/

Worship services can be found at

https://youtu.be/ZfA1dvyEY0E - this is Richard Baxter’s weekly service from Duncansburgh MacIntosh

Church of Scotland - https://churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/weekly-worship-video

and the BBC Scotland have a programme on Sunday morning called

Reflections From The Quay

RETIREMENT OF REV. DR. RICHARD CORBETT

On Sunday 23rd of June our Minister preached his last services in Kilmallie beginning as usual in the morning with Caol then followed by Corpach and finally, in the afternoon a Communion service in St Ciaran’s Achnacarry.

The Congregation later on the same afternoon had the opportunity of a more informal gathering, a farewell tea at Caol Community Centre.

Speeches were made which recalled memorable episodes from Reverend Corbett’s time at the manse, from the heavy work of gardening and drain cleaning through to his personal and thoughtful contribution to the workings of the Parish and the needs of his parishioners. Having been with us for 14 years, he has developed very strong bonds with the congregation who are very fond of him, it was clear from the speeches, and who will miss him after giving us such immense support.

The Reverend Corbett is a man of many talents, including music, which was reflected in his singing of the Grace to the tune of the Addams Family with finger-clicking accompanied by his wife May.

May was also presented with flowers by Sunday School member Eilidh Pullar.

Reverend Corbett was also presented with a framed photograph of the view to Ben Nevis from Corpach and a print of the surroundings of Perth, Reverend Corbett’s home city to which he will be retiring.

The Facebook link below shows the event at Caol Community Centre

Statement to be read and included on congregational websites on February 10^th 2019

General Introduction for all;

The GA 2018 instructed Presbyteries to review Presbytery Plans. This review will take into account the national shortage of ordained ministers as well as a nationally reduced financial capability while at the same time keeping the missional purpose of the church at its core.

In all plans the number, use and purpose of each building which is funded and serviced by the church must be reviewed.

Lochaber Presbytery is in the process of implementing this instruction.

We are aware that many Presbyteries around the country are taking rapid and radical action in response to the current situation. While we recognise the urgency of the issue, the Planning Group are concerned to take sufficient time to make sure our plans in Lochaber are workable and well-considered.

To this end the Presbytery has been divided into 3 separate groupings of congregations and in each mission and ministry is being reviewed as well as working practices.

Notice for Southern Group;

Nether Lochaber, Kinlochleven, Duror and St Munda’s.

In October 2018 Presbytery agreed that, at a future date, these four congregations will form one charge with one nationally ordained minister. All Kirk Sessions have been consulted and discussions will take place with office bearers to agree the terms of the basis of this charge.

There will be no alteration to the current arrangements while both ministers are in post.

Notice for Central Group

FWDM, Kilmonivaig, Kilmallie, Fort Augustus and Glengarry

Based on recent reviews of all these congregations and parishes, a plan for future ministry and mission will be proposed.

Having an accepted plan in place will enable recruitment of appropriate ministry personnel.

Notice for Western Group

Acharacle, Ardnamurchan, Ardgour, Morvern, Strontian, NW Lochaber

A review of the pattern of ministry is underway.

For all;

The Presbytery Planning Process is an open process. Reports are made at each Presbytery meeting and so should be reported to each congregation under the usual reporting procedure. Your Minister and Presbytery Elder can be contacted for details.

You are welcome to contact Ella Gill if you would like further information or have any queries.

Ellagill768@gmail.com

Our Church was suitable decorated for Harvest and during the Service and as in previous years the children gathered in the boxes for the Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal

Preparations in hand for Strawberry Tea held on 13th July when we raised the sum of £850 and counting !!- A big THANK YOU to all who worked so hard to make this, our biggest Fund raiser of the year, such a successful event.