Communions.
January—Fourth Sabbath, Inverness. February—First Sabbath, Dingwall; third, Stornoway; fourth, North Uist. March—First Sabbath, Ullapool; second, Ness and Portree; third, Finsbay and Lochinver; fourth, Kinlochbervie; fifth, North Tolsta. April—First Sabbath, London, Portnalong and Breasclete; second, Fort William; third, Greenock; fourth, Glasgow and Wick. May—First Sabbath, Kames and Oban; second, Scourie and Broadford; third, Edinburgh. June—First Sabbath, Tarbert, Applecross, Coigach; second, Shieldaig; third, Lochcarron, Glendale, Helmsdale, Dornoch and Uig; fourth, Inverness and Gairloch. July—First Sabbath, Lairg, Raasay and Bealy; second, Staffin, Tomatin and Tain; third, Halkirk, Rogart, Flashadder and Daviot; fourth, Achmore, Bracadale, North Uist and Plockton. August—First Sabbath, Dingwall; second, Portree and Stratherrick; third, Bonar, Finsbay and Laide; fourth, Vatten and Thurso; fifth, Stornoway. September—First Sabbath, Ullapool and Breasclete; second, Strathy; third, Tarbert and Stoer. October—First Sabbath, Tolsta and Lochcarron; second, Gairloch and Ness; third, Applecross; fourth, Greenock, Lochinver and Wick. November—First Sabbath, Oban and Raasay; second, Glasgow and Halkirk; third, Edinburgh, Dornoch and Uig. December—First Sabbath, London.
We have published above all the Communion dates for the year, 1953. Will ministers kindly check the list and forward a note of omissions or corrections to the Editor.
Synod Message to European Staff in African Mission.
The Synod at its meeting in May approved the following message:—
TO MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN STAFF IN THE AFRICAN MISSION—
“That the Synod desire to record their deep sense of indebtedness to each member of the European staff labouring on the mission field at both Ingwenya and Shangani. Having regard to the period of trouble and anxiety they have recently passed through, the time seems opportune for giving expression to the Synod’s confidence in their faithfulness as missionaries and their conduct of all affairs
connected with the mission. The Synod is particularly happy to recall that this year Miss Nicolson completes 20 years’ service. During these years the Mission has progressed beyond recognition. The Synod gratefully recognises the large part contributed by Miss Nicolson toward such development.”
Appointment of a Day of Prayer.
The Synod, at its meeting in May, appointed a Day of Prayer as follows:—”That Wednesday or Thursday before the last Sabbath of September, namely, 23rd or 24th September, 1953, be appointed a Day of Humiliation and Prayer to be observed throughout the Church on account of our manifold departures from the Word of God as a people and the low state of religion throughout the Nation.”
Student Received.
The Synod, at its meeting on May, approved the recommendation of the Outer Isles Presbytery of the Church, that Mr. Alexander Morrison, be received as an irregular student studying for the ministry.
Opening of New Church at Evelix, Dornoch.
As our readers know, the severe gales which swept the North of Scotland some time ago destroyed the church building of our congregation at Evelix, Dornoch, Sutherland. The congregation under their pastor, Rev. Finlay MacLeod, applied themselves to the business of seeing another church built. They also appealed to church friends for financial help. This new church building was completed in June, 1953, and was opened on Friday evening, the 12th day of June, at 7 p.m., with a service conducted by Rev. D. A. Macfarlane, M.A., Dingwall, who preached a most acceptable sermon from the words, “The just shall live by faith” (Heb. x. 38). After the sermon Rev. Finlay MacLeod intimated to the congregation present that the collection that evening was £92, which would go to reduce the debt on the building, which was now only about £200. He cordially thanked all the friends who had so liberally subscribed at home and from abroad, and also the builders for the work they had done, and also Mr. Hamish Campbell, of our Inverness congregation, for his supervision of the building of the church. Thereafter Rev. W. Grant, Halkirk; Rev. Robert R. Sinclair, Wick; and Rev. A. F. Mackay, Inverness, were called upon to speak, which they did in terms appropriate to such an occasion. Then Rev. D. A. Macfarlane gave out the last three verses of the 72nd Psalm to sing, and concluded with the Benediction. There were friends at this service from Dornoch and many other quarters, there being a bus from Wick and Halkirk, one from Lochinver, and also Inverness. Many others came in private cars, and the church was
full to capacity, some having to sit in the vestry and on the steps of the pulpit. The church, which will seat about 300 persons, is a beautiful, spacious, and suitable building; and we trust and pray that it may be a “Bethel” indeed and in truth to many a needy sinner in the future, under, of course, the preaching of the Gospel of Christ and in connection with the worship of God.