Listen to our Palm Sunday service here.
Category: News Page 1 of 9
Mr Alistair Milne, of Park Road, Inverness, a retired elder of our congregation, died on 27 March 2020.
He was 92 years of age.
Mr Milne’s funeral, which will be private, will be held on Friday 3 April 2020.
The Funeral Director is Messrs D Chisholm & Sons (01463) 712255.
Below is a link to the OHSS online service on 22 March 2020. Please share it widely.
Please note that we can provide CDs or written transcripts for those without the internet. Contact the Church Administrator on (079 342 89524) to make arrangements.
We also have some information regarding donations to the Highland Foodbank:
Highland Foodbank I spoke with Lorna Dempster this week as I delivered our donations from last Sunday. I asked how we could help during this time when we were not meeting as a congregation in our churches. Lorna said that financial donations would be very gratefully received, which enables them to place orders with Cash and Carry wholesalers. Lorna also pointed out that it would save supporters having to visit and search supermarkets. It is possible to donate very easily through their website blythswood.org and click on the “Donate” button. You can also send cheques made out to Highland Foodbank at their premises at 1Glebe Street, Inverness IV1 1RF. If you wish to donate items to the Foodbank at 1 Glebe Street (Opposite Ogilvie’s Furniture) it is open from 12 noon until 2 pm on weekdays. Thank you again for your continued support. Margaret Neville.
E-mail Addresses If any of you know of anybody who has not been getting our e-mails, either because they don’t have e-mail, or because we don’t have their e-mail address, please contact the Church Administrator at invernesschurch<at>gmail.com
Due to the current concerns about the Coronavirus all recitals at the Old High Church have been postponed until at least mid-May. An updated programme for 2020 will be issued once health advice allows that.
Letter to all members and friends of Old High St Stephen’s Church
from the Rev Peter W Nimmo
20 March 2020
‘I will be with you always’
(from Jesus’ commission to his disciples: Matthew 28.20)
Dear friends,
We are all having to make sure we look after one another as the Coronavirus becomes a major public health issue. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us, ‘Let us not give up the habit of meeting together’, for our faith is strengthened when we to meet and worship together.
So it is very sad, but, I’m afraid, necessary that all our meetings, for worship and other purposes, have been suspended until further notice, following the advice we have been given from the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Government.
Some people have to stay at home because they think they might have symptoms that they don’t want to pass on, and that is the correct thing to do if you want to love your neighbour in this environment. Others will have to stay at home because they are vulnerable to infections, and it’s right that they should do so. I do urge you all to take seriously the medical and hygiene advice which we are all being offered.
In this situation, our congregation will have three priorities:
• Keeping in touch with one another
• Continuing our worship and prayer
• Continuing to care for our neighbours, in Christ’s name.
Keeping in touch
Let us make a special effort, as a church, to keep in contact with each other, especially those who need to stay at home for any reason and those with particular needs.
I am asking our elders to please telephone all the families in their districts, to make sure that they have all they need, and to offer reassurance.
All our church members and adherents can also be doing that with one another. It may well be that your telephone conversations could include a prayer.
You might not be able to visit someone at home, but do give them a phone call from time to time. Make use of email and social media when appropriate. If you’re not allowed to visit someone in hospital or a nursing home, send them a card or a letter.
Our pastoral assistant, Rev Arthur Sinclair, is now working from home, and keeping in touch via phone with the housebound folk he would normally be visiting.
And please continue to let Arthur and I know when people are ill, at home or in hospital, or if they are having to self-isolate, or about any other pastoral needs. We will be in touch, even if we can’t visit personally.
Prayer and worship
We are making use of technology to ensure that our worship and prayer continues. Extracts from our last two Sunday services are already online, and can be accessed via our website or social media. For those unable to access the internet, we can send out CDs or USB sticks – please let Pat Macleod, our Church Administrator, know of anyone who could benefit from those.
To keep everyone up to date, we will send out information on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. We will also make use of emails, so please ensure that Pat MacLeod has your correct email address, and encourage others to let her have their emails. Feel free to share emails widely, and to encourage others to sign up (via Pat) And if you know people who aren’t online, please do phone them to keep them up to date.
Caring for our neighbours
I am glad to say that we have had very good help and advice from the Church of Scotland and Inverness Presbytery. We will let you know about any further initiatives which might happen during the next few weeks. We should all do what we can for those in more difficult circumstances, eg by donating food to those in need, or helping those who can’t get out to shop. Our Mission Development Worker, Dot Getliffe, is taking on new roles, and she will be particularly looking out for initiatives which can help us and others.
A final word
We are grateful to all who contribute to the work of the church in so many ways, but we are aware that some of you still bring your Sunday offering in cash to our services. If you do not have a Standing Order for your church offering, would you please seriously consider doing so, so that we continue to have a source of income to maintain the work of the church at this time? Please contact Pat, our Church Administrator, or your elder, and we will arrange that.
These times perhaps reminds us what the Church is really about. Scripture reminds us to always place our ultimate trust in God. So let us continue with prayers, and reading the Bible, trusting God to be with us and to protect us. And may we also find good, practical ways to show how we love our neighbour, just as God loves us.
National Day of Prayer
This Sunday night, at 7pm, Christian churches across Scotland are encouraging people to place a lighted candle in their window, and to say the following prayer. Whether you light a candle or not, I encourage you to use the sentiments in this prayer to mould your own prayers in the days ahead:
For all that is good in life, thank you,
For the love of family and friends, thank you,
For the kindness of good neighbour and Samaritan stranger, thank you.
May those who are vulnerable, hungry or homeless, experience support,
May those who are sick, know healing,
May those who are anxious or bereaved, sense comfort.
Bless and guide political leaders and decision-makers, with wisdom,
Bless and guide health workers and key workers, with strength and well-being, Bless and guide each one of us, as we adapt to a new way of living.
And may the light shining from our windows,
across road and wynd, glen and ben, kyle and isle,
be reflected in our hearts and hands and hopes.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
May God bless us all,
Peter
If you know of someone in our church family who does not have access to the internet, please print this off and put it through their door, or contact us and we will get this letter to them by some means.
* * *
Contacts:
Minister: The Rev Peter W Nimmo 01463 250 802 PNimmo@churchofscotland.org.uk
Mission Development Worker: Dot Getliffe DCS 07766 910 171 getliffe@churchofscotland.org.uk
Pastoral Assistant: The Rev Arthur Sinclair 01463 716288
Church Administrator: Mrs Pat MacLeod 079 342 85924 invernesschurch@gmail.com
Website: www.oldhighststephens.com
Online worship: https://www.oldhighststephens.com/category/audio/
Twitter: @Invernesschurch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oldhighststephens
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Sunday 22 March 2020: Fourth Sunday in Lent
10am Morning Worship at St Stephen’s
11:15am Morning Worship at the Old High
NEWS FROM OUR CONGREGATION – contact details from the Church Administrator
MODERATOR’S SERVICE The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Moderator, Rt Rev Colin Sinclair and his wife Ruth, are visiting Inverness Presbytery from 27–31 March. A full programme of visits has been arranged during that time. He will preach at a special service, on the theme “Jesus’ love is for all”, on Tuesday evening, 31 March at 7.00 pm at the Old High Church of Inverness. Don’t miss this very special service, which will also feature music from a choir from across the Presbytery, and the presentation of long service certificates. There will be the chance to meet the Moderator over refreshments after the service. There will be a retiring offering for two CrossReach initiatives that the Moderator is supporting: Palmerston Place Perinatal Service (counselling and therapy services to provide support before or after having a baby) and Heart for Art (Creative Arts Groups for people across Scotland living with Dementia. Please attend if you can; we are hoping for a good attendance from Churches throughout the Presbytery. Details from Christine Mackenzie Christine Mackenzie.
Lent Study Group: time for prayer and discussion each Sunday evening in Lent, meeting in St Stephen’s vestry at 7pm. We will be following a series entitled ‘heart-burning’ passages from the Bible – words drawn from story of the Road to Emmaus. More details from Andrew Stevenson.
LENT MEDITATION Old High Church will be open for meditation on each Friday during Lent, from 28 February to 10 April from 2pm to 4pm, with some time for Prayer and Reflection at 3pm. Details from Sheila MacLeod.
CORONAVIRUS We have been asked to put up the information notices about the Covid-19 virus which you will see on the outside doors and around our premises. Please remember to observe good hygiene practices. It is probably a good idea to abstain from handshaking at the moment. The Church of Scotland’s advice is at https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/advice-for-churches-covid-19-coronavirus.
OLD HIGH CHURCH REDEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION PROJECT A small exhibition about the architect’s ideas is now on display at the Old High. You can visit it following services at Old High, and we will have more opening times in the New Year. There are forms available for visitors to give feedback. Information https://www.oldhighststephens.com/2019/12/05/old–high–development–projectexhibition/, where you can also download the architect’s report.
Favourite Hymns List The Worship and Education Group is compiling a list of our congregation’s favourite psalms, hymns and worship songs. Once our list is completed we hope it will be used by ministers and worship leaders when planning future services. It is important to us that everybody has the opportunity to share their favourite hymn, we would also love to know why your choice is important for you: does it spark a special memory or hold a special meaning to you? Please complete the purple slip enclosed in your order of service and place in the collection bag. Rachel Hutchison.
WORD FOR TODAY daily bible readings (Feb-Apr) are available in both buildings.
OHSS Magazine editor Willie Morrison urgently requires articles and photos for the March 2020 issue. Please submit whatever you can, as early as possible. Deadline Friday 20 March.
POSSIBLE VACANCY Peter, our Minister, has been elected by the congregation of Cambuslang Parish Church to be their new minister. It is expected that Peter will take up his new post sometime in June, which will, at that point, cause a vacancy for Old High St Stephen’s. However, it is to be hoped that well before then arrangements will be made for the vacancy in our congregation, such as the appointment of an Interim Moderator (who would chair the Kirk Session in a vacancy). More information will be shared as soon as it becomes available. Christine Mackenzie, Session Clerk.
Highland Foodbank Lorna Dempster has e-mailed thanking us for our regular donation and notes that during 2019 the Highland Foodbank helped an astonishing 7,700 people across the Highlands, an increase of 11% from the previous year. She also advises that they have more than sufficient supplies of pasta, soup and beans and asks us not to donate those until they are required. For March and April the Foodbank would be grateful for Tins of Ham, Corned Beef, Potatoes; Weetabix/Cornflakes (small); Washing up liquid (small). Many thanks for your regular donations. Margaret Neville.
SUNDAY BULLETIN Please send items for this sheet to our Church Administrator Mrs Pat Macleod (079 342 85924) invernesschurch<at>gmail.com. Deadline Wednesday at 12 noon. Please keep items as brief as possible, and include contact details and/or e-mail.
OTHER NEWS
URGENT FOODSTUFFS REQUIRED FOR NESS BANK CHURCH milk, hard cheese, tins of ready meals (minced beef vegetable or equivalent…must be self-opening). If you can provide any of these things, please take them to Ness Bank lower hall on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday 12.30-2 pm. Thanks! Dot Getliffe.
INVERNESS SINGERS QUIZ SHEETS Margaret Young is selling quiz sheets (Classic novel titles and children’s books) on behalf of the Inverness Singers. They cost £1 each. A donation will be made from the Inverness Singers’ funds to Carr Gomm (the successor organisation to CrossRoads).The winner of the quiz will receive a Waterstone’s gift card to the value of £20. Contact Margaret Young.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Sunday 15 March 2020: Third Sunday in Lent
10am Morning Worship at St Stephen’s
11:15am Morning Worship at the Old High
NEWS FROM OUR CONGREGATION – contact details from the Church Administrator
MODERATOR’S SERVICE The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Moderator, Rt Rev Colin Sinclair and his wife Ruth, are visiting Inverness Presbytery from 27–31 March. A full programme of visits has been arranged during that time. He will preach at a special service, on the theme “Jesus’ love is for all”, on Tuesday evening, 31 March at 7.00 pm at the Old High Church of Inverness. Don’t miss this very special service, which will also feature music from a choir from across the Presbytery, and the presentation of long service certificates. There will be the change to meet the Moderator over refreshments after the service. There will be a retiring offering for two CrossReach initiatives that the Moderator is supporting: Palmerston Place Perinatal Service (counselling and therapy services to provide support before or after having a baby) and Heart for Art (Creative Arts Groups for people across Scotland living with Dementia. Please attend if you can; we are hoping for a good attendance from Churches throughout the Presbytery. Details from Christine Mackenzie Christine Mackenzie.
Lent Study Group: time for prayer and discussion each Sunday evening in Lent, meeting in St Stephen’s vestry at 7pm. We will be following a series entitled ‘heart-burning’ passages from the Bible – words drawn from story of the Road to Emmaus. More details from Andrew Stevenson.
LENT MEDITATION Old High Church will be open for meditation on each Friday during Lent, from 28 February to 10 April from 2pm to 4pm, with some time for Prayer and Reflection at 3pm. Details from Sheila MacLeod.
CRAFT EVENING St Stephen’s Hall 7.30–9pm, this Wednesday, 11 March 2020. Crafters and non-crafters welcome (you may wish to learn a craft). Friendly atmosphere and refreshments provided Susan MacLeod.
MUSIC AT THE OLD HIGH on Friday 14 March at 1pm will be hosted by At 1 with Music. Monika Palsauskaite (piano) performs part of Messiaen’s exquisite meditations on the infancy of Jesus: a source of inspiration for those who may wish to stay on for some quiet time of reflection after the recital at 2pm. Donations of £7.50 requested at the door. Copies of the Old High Music Programme for 2020 will be available in the pews this Sunday, thereafter in the vestibules of both churches. Andrew Stevenson. Join the music mailing list: email ohssmusic<at>gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE – CANCELLATION OF BIG CLEAN of St Stephen’s Church and Halls this Saturday, 14 March, due to issues with coronavirus. Details from Joan Darcy.
OLD HIGH CHURCH REDEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION PROJECT A small exhibition about the architect’s ideas is now on display at the Old High. You can visit it following services at Old High, and we will have more opening times in the New Year. There are forms available for visitors to give feedback. Information https://www.oldhighststephens.com/2019/12/05/old–high–development–projectexhibition/, where you can also download the architect’s report.
Highland Foodbank Lorna Dempster has e-mailed thanking us for our regular donation and notes that during 2019 the Highland Foodbank helped an astonishing 7,700 people across the Highlands, an increase of 11% from the previous year. She also advises that they have more than sufficient supplies of pasta, soup and beans and asks us not to donate those until they are required. For March and April the Foodbank would be grateful for Tins of Ham, Corned Beef, Potatoes; Weetabix/Cornflakes (small); Washing up liquid (small). Many thanks for your regular donations. Margaret Neville
WARMTH FOR THE HOMELESS CAMPAIGN Gateway would like to thank all for their kind donations of warm winter clothes that will be distributed to our local homeless community. The Warmth for the Homeless Campaign donated a total of 26 Suitcases full of winter clothes, gratefully received from the Old High St Stephen’s Church and Crown Church, well done to all. Gary Ross
Favourite Hymns List The Worship and Education Group is working to compile a list of our congregation’s favourite psalms, hymns and worship songs. Once our list is completed we hope it will be used by ministers and worship leaders when planning future services. It is important to us that everybody has the opportunity to share their favourite hymn, we would also love to know why your choice is important for you: does it spark a special memory or hold a special meaning to you? If you would like your favourite hymn to be included on our list please complete the purple slip enclosed in your order of service and place in the collection bag as it comes round. Slips will be available in both The Old High and St Stephens throughout the month of March. Rachel Hutchison
WORD FOR TODAY daily bible readings (Feb-Apr) are available in both buildings.
OHSS Magazine editor Willie Morrison urgently requires articles and photos for the March 2020 issue. Please submit whatever you can, as early as possible. Deadline Friday 20 March.
POSSIBLE VACANCY Peter, our Minister, has been elected by the congregation of Cambuslang Parish Church to be their new minister. It is expected that Peter will take up his new post sometime in June, which will, at that point, cause a vacancy for Old High St Stephen’s. However, it is to be hoped that well before then arrangements will be made for the vacancy in our congregation, such as the appointment of an Interim Moderator (who would chair the Kirk Session in a vacancy). More information will be shared as soon as it becomes available. Christine Mackenzie, Session Clerk.
SESSION CLERKS The Kirk Session has elected Miss Christine Mackenzie to be our Session Clerk, and Dr Deborah Macrae to be the Deputy Session Clerk. We are very grateful to both of them for taking on these roles. Particularly as we move towards a ministerial vacancy, please give them, and the whole Kirk Session, your enthusiastic support and prayers – Peter.
CORONAVIRUS We have been asked to put up the information notices about the Covid-19 virus which you will see on the outside doors and around our premises. Please remember to observe good hygiene practices. It is probably a good idea to abstain from handshaking at the moment. The Church of Scotland’s advice is at https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/advice-for-churches-covid-19-coronavirus.
SUNDAY BULLETIN Please send items for this sheet to our Church Administrator Mrs Pat Macleod (079 342 85924) invernesschurch<at>gmail.com. Deadline Wednesday at 12 noon. Please keep items as brief as possible, and include contact details and/or e-mail.
OTHER NEWS
Inverness Street Pastors Supporters day Saturday 14 March 2020, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at The Hub, 83 Castle Street, Inverness IV2 3EA. Contact Robyn Teago.
Blythswood Care Event Pamper Evening on Tuesday 17 March at The Body Shop, Eastgate, Inverness 6–8pm. Tickets £10. Come along and enjoy a relaxed evening. Ticket includes bubbles on arrival; hand treatment; mini makeover; personalised skin consultation; 30ml hand cream (RRP £5); 25% discount on all purchases on evening; discount vouchers and samples. It makes an ideal Mother’s Day gift, or get something a little special on the evening for that lady who has everything! For tickets contact Elma MacKay.
URGENT FOODSTUFFS REQUIRED FOR @NESSBANK CHURCH milk, hard cheese, tins of ready meals (minced beef vegetable or equivalent…must be self-opening). If you can provide any of these things, please take them to Ness Bank lower hall on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday 12.30-2 pm. Thanks! Dot Getliffe.
INVERNESS SINGERS QUIZ SHEETS Margaret Young is selling quiz sheets (Classic novel titles and children’s books) on behalf of the Inverness Singers. They cost £1 each. A donation will be made from the Inverness Singers’ funds to Carr Gomm (the successor organisation to CrossRoads).The winner of the quiz will receive a Waterstone’s gift card to the value of £20. Contact Margaret Young.
Scripture Readings: Genesis 2:15-17 and 2.25-3.15
(readings from Lent 1, Year A, RCL)
In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.
The Fall of Man by Peter Paul Rubens, 1628-29 (Wikipedia Commons)
The first story in the Bible is the story of the creation: God makes the world, and he sees that it is good. But then follows a darker story, the one we read today: the ancient tale of the first man and woman, and how they came to be thrown out of the Garden of Eden. For Adam and Eve are every man and every woman- their story is our story. It’s a story of good and evil, shame and embarrassment, about temptation, avoiding God, humanity and nature becoming enemies. This deep, dark, myth is the Bible’s account of the human condition.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Sunday 8 March 2020: Second Sunday in Lent
10am Morning Worship at St Stephen’s
11:15am Morning Worship at the Old High
NEWS FROM OUR CONGREGATION
CONGREGATIONAL SERVICE AT ST STEPHEN’S today, on the First Sunday of Lent, we will be focussing on how we as Christians, and our congregation, can be involved more fully in God’s mission in the world.This will be a Congregational Service at St Stephen’s at 10am (no service at Old High) so that we can all be together to think about this important topic. The service will be led by our Mission Development Worker, Dot, and our Minister. More details from Dot .
Our mission theme continues the evening at the first LENT STUDY GROUP: time for prayer and discussion each Sunday evening in Lent, meeting in St Stephen’s vestry at 7pm, starting this evening. The first occasion, led by Dot, will be an opportunity for further consideration of the Old and New Testament Readings from the morning service. That sets the scene for a series entitled ‘heart-burning’ passages from the Bible – words drawn from story of the Road to Emmaus. More details from Andrew Stevenson.
LENT MEDITATION Old High Church will be open for meditation on each Friday during Lent, from 28 February to 10 April from 2pm to 4pm, with some time for Prayer and Reflection at 3pm. Details from Sheila MacLeod.
SOUTHSIDE NURSING HOME There will be a short service, led by Isobel Allan, at Southside Nursing Home immediately after this morning’s service at St Stephen’s. If you are able to assist with the singing, or chatting to the residents, this would be much appreciated. Please speak to Isobel after the service. We still also seek members willing to lead these services on a rota basis; please contact Janet Robertson.
MUSIC AT THE OLD HIGH on Friday 14 March at 1pm will be hosted by At 1 with Music. Monika Palsauskaite (piano) performs part of Messiaen’s exquisite meditations on the infancy of Jesus: a source of inspiration for those who may wish to stay on for some quiet time of reflection after the recital at 2pm. Donations of £7.50 requested at the door. Copies of the Old High Music Programme for 2020 will be available in the pews this Sunday, thereafter in the vestibules of both churches. Andrew Stevenson. Join the music mailing list: email ohssmusic<at>gmail.com
BIG CLEAN of St Stephen’s Church and Halls will take place on Saturday 14 March from 10am to 12 noon. Tea and coffee provided! Details from Joan Darcy.
OLD HIGH CHURCH REDEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION PROJECT A small exhibition about the architect’s ideas is now on display at the Old High. You can visit it following services at Old High, and we will have more opening times in the New Year. There are forms available for visitors to give feedback. Information https://www.oldhighststephens.com/2019/12/05/old-high-development-projectexhibition/, where you can also download the architect’s report.
WARMTH FOR THE HOMELESS CAMPAIGN Gateway would like to thank all for their kind donations of warm winter clothes that will be distributed to our local homeless community. The Warmth for the Homeless Campaign donated a total of 26 Suitcases full of winter clothes, gratefully received from the Old High St Stephen’s Church and Crown Church, well done to all.
THANK YOU I would like to thank the minister and congregation of Old High St Stephen’s for the beautiful flowers I received after my second visit to hospital. They have certainly cheered me up. Thanks also to the Pastoral Group for their card with get well wishes. It was very much appreciated. Iris Burns
WORD FOR TODAY daily bible readings (Feb-Apr) are available in both buildings.
OHSS MAGAZINE editor Willie Morrison urgently requires articles and photos for the March 2020 issue. Please submit whatever you can, as early as possible. Deadline Friday 20 March.
POSSIBLE VACANCY Peter, our Minister, preached at Cambuslang Parish Church last Sunday, and has been elected by that congregation to be their new minister. It is expected that Peter will take up his new post sometime in June, which will, at that point, cause a vacancy for Old High St Stephen’s. However, it is to be hoped that well before then arrangements will be made for the vacancy in our congregation, such as the appointment of an Interim Moderator (who would chair the Kirk Session in a vacancy). More information will be shared as soon as it becomes available. Christine Mackenzie, Session Clerk .
SESSION CLERK At the Session meeting this week, the Kirk Session elected Miss Christine Mackenzie to be our Session Clerk, and Dr Deborah Macrae to be the Deputy Session Clerk. We are very grateful to both of them for taking on these roles. Particularly as we move towards a ministerial vacancy, please give them, and the whole Kirk Session, your enthusiastic support and prayers- Peter.
SUNDAY BULLETIN Please send items for this sheet to our Church Administrator Mrs Pat Macleod (079 342 85924) invernesschurch<at>gmail.com. Deadline Wednesday at 12 noon. Please keep items as brief as possible, and include contact details and/or e-mail.
OTHER NEWS
URGENT FOODSTUFFS REQUIRED FOR @NESSBANK CHURCH milk, hard cheese, tins of ready meals (minced beef vegetable or equivalent…must be self-opening). If you can provide any of these things, please take them to Ness Bank lower hall on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday 12.30-2 pm, or bring them to joint service Sunday 1 March when I will take them. Thanks! Dot Getliffe
BLYTHSWOOD CARE EVENT Pamper Evening on Tuesday 17 March at The Body Shop, Eastgate, Inverness 6–8pm. Tickets £10. Come along and enjoy a relaxed evening. Ticket includes bubbles on arrival; hand treatment; mini makeover; personalised skin consultation; 30ml hand cream (RRP £5); 25% discount on all purchases on evening; discount vouchers and samples. It makes an ideal Mother’s Day gift, or get something a little special on the evening for that lady who has everything! For tickets contact Elma MacKay.
Scripture Readings: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (NB not the Lectionary reading for this Sunday)
In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.
Sometimes you’ll hear the phrase ‘a broad church’ to describe a political party, or some other organisation or movement, which encompasses different kinds of people and with different ideas. The phrase originated in the mid-nineteenth century, when the Church of England had two very vocal wings, a High Church party and a Low Church party. Between them stood the Broad Churchmen, who wanted a middle way, inclusive way between the extremes[1]. In fact, religious communities like are a bit like political parties in that respect. Churches are a coalition of interests, even in the same denomination, even in the same congregation. It was ever so.
