Theological Conference
This year’s Theological Conference will be held, God willing, in the Free Presbyterian Church, Inverness, on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 28-29. Rev D W B Somerset is to act as chairman. It is expected that the following papers will be read, all of which will be in public:
Christian Fellowship
Rev J R Tallach Tuesday 2.30 pm
The Mediation of Christ
Rev A W MacColl Tuesday 7.00 pm
The Theology of the Cross in Preaching
Rev Roderick MacLeod Wednesday 10.00 am
The Reformation in Spain
Rev K D Macleod Wednesday 2.30 pm
John Wycliffe
Rev K M Watkins Wednesday 7.00 pm
Rev J R Tallach, Convener, Training of the Ministry Committee
Ballifary House Fifty Years on
On Tuesday, 12 August 2014, some 90 invited guests gathered in a marquee on the lawn of Ballifary House Residential Care Home to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Home. The Convener conducted worship and read Luke 2:1-35. He spoke briefly on Christ as “the consolation of Israel”, who lay in Simeon’s arms.
The Matron, Mrs Ella MacDonald, chaired the rest of the meeting. There were brief speeches from Matron herself, Inverness Deputy Provost Mrs Bet McAllister and Mr A MacLean, Clerk of Ballifary Care Home Committee. Matron spoke of the small beginnings of the Home and referred to the matrons who had served over the years, including Mrs M MacSwan, from 1975 to 1984, who had passed away during the previous night. The Care Inspectorate, she said, had made requirements which had put other care homes out of business, but Ballifary had complied, survived and grown. Mrs C MacLean’s retiral as administrator at the end of August was a particular concern, but Matron trusted that the Lord would provide a successor. Matron was especially indebted to Mr A MacLean for support and advice.
Mrs McAllister stood in for the Provost and apologised for his absence. She warned that money from the Council for the support of residential homes would become even more difficult to obtain in the future. She stated that Ballifary was a model for other homes in the delivery of care and encouraged the Committee and staff to continue the good work.
Mr A MacLean recalled that in 1957 a Committee consisting of Revs W Grant, A F MacKay and D Campbell, Dr M Tallach and Mr J P H Mackay (now Lord Mackay) was set up by the Synod to investigate the feasibility of obtaining property for use as a care home for the Church. Lord Mackay, the only surviving member of that Committee, was present. Rev N M Ross and Mr S Grant were also associated with early developments in the Home, which opened in 1964.
Mr MacLean noted the Convener, Rev J R Tallach, had been a member of the Committee for 30 years. On behalf of the Committee, the Deputy Matron, Jackie MacKenzie, and the Administrator presented Rev J R Tallach with a watch and a Westminster Reference Bible.
Miss C J Tallach, a past Matron, cut a specially-commissioned cake and a buffet lunch was served. The Convener brought proceedings towards a close with a short speech in which he thanked the Committee for their generosity. He noted the difficulties of old age and the consolation and hope of the gospel. There followed prayer and the singing of the last four verses of Psalm 72. A pleasant atmosphere prevailed and several people expressed their indebtedness to the Lord for His providence to the Home over the years.
Rev J R Tallach
Depute Matron at Ballifary Care Home
Applications are invited for the above position. The successful applicant will support the Matron in the running of the Home. An essential aspect of the work is to support the Christian ethos of Ballifary Home. Applicants require to be suitably qualified to SVQ4 standard or have a suitable nursing qualification. Experience in the care sector is desirable. This is a full-time position with evening/night on-call on a rotational basis. Applications and requests for additional information should be sent to the Clerk of the Ballifary Home Committee: Mr A MacLean, 32 Urquhart Road, Dingwall, IV15 9PE.