Communions
January—Fourth Sabbath, Inverness. February—First Sabbath, Dingwall; third, Stornoway; fourth, North Uist, Kyle of Lochalsh. March—First Sabbath, Ullapool; second, Ness, Portree and Tarbert; third, Finsbay; fourth, Kinlochbervie; fifth, London and North Tolsta. April—First Sabbath, Achmore, Portnalong, Fort-William and Stoer; third, Greenock; fourth, Glasgow, Wick. May—First Sabbath, Kames and Oban; second, Scourie; third, Edinburgh and Broadford. June—First Sabbath, Applecross; second, Shieldaig; third, Lochcarron, Glendale, Helmsdale, Dornoch and Uig; fourth, Gairloch and Inverness. July—First Sabbath, Lairg, Raasay and Beauly; 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, Thurso, Vatten; fifth, Stornoway. September—First Sabbath, Ullapool, Breasclete; second, Strathy; third, Tarbert, Stoer and Vancouver (Canada); fourth, Applecross. October—First Sabbath, Tolsta, Lochcarron, Fort-William; second, Gairloch and Ness; third, Halkirk; fourth, Greenock, Lochinver and Wick. November—First Sabbath, Oban and Raasay; second, Glasgow; third, Edinburgh, Dornoch, Staffin and Uig. December—First Sabbath, London.
Day of Prayer
The Synod decided, “That a day of Prayer be held by the Congregations of the Church on Wednesday, the 29th July or Thursday, 30th July (D.V.) for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in view of increasing immorality and the widespread forsaking of the Word of God.” Will Ministers and Missionaries take note of the dates for the Day of Prayer.—Robert R. Sinclair, Clerk of Synod.
Ballifeary Home of Rest
When Ballifeary House, Inverness was finally acquired by the Free Presbyterian Church in September of last year the work of converting the house into a commodious and comfortable Home for our aged people was at once energetically taken in hand and is at present proceeding without avoidable delay. The house was in excellent condition when taken over by us. In some respects, however, alterations proved to be more extensive than was at first anticipated, but these difficulties have gradually been overcome (and the home is now nearing completion). It is confidently hoped that by the time this notice appears the home will be open and occupied and serve the purpose for which it was purchased, justifying the expense and labour expended upon this worthy cause.
The Committee have recently appointed as Matron Miss Sheila MacGeddie for an initial period of 6 months, with the prospects thereafter of making the appointment permanent. A native of Tarbert, Harris and a member of the church Miss MacGeddie appears to possess the necessary qualifications for the position of Matron, having been trained in Institutional Management as well as having some nursing experience. We believe that our praying people have been bearing this matter and the whole enterprise upon their spirits at a throne of grace. Some domestic staff is being engaged, but so far no application has been received for the position of assistant matron, and the Committee would be glad, therefore, to hear from anyone who might be led to give herself to this work.
It may be of some help to our people who may be contemplating the step of seeking admission to the Home, if something is said about the conditions of application which may need some explanation. When the idea of opening such a centre as a Home of Rest was first seriously considered by the Church, the manner in which many of our church people had to spend their old age played a large part in bringing this whole matter into urgent notice, making it most desirable that something should be done to meet their needs in the way of providing a comfortable home where they could find congenial company and the religious atmosphere to which they were accustomed. The question of the health of those to be admitted had to be carefully examined, leading to some general rules being adopted. It is only to be expected that sickness and failing health should sometimes occur, but provided that this is only of a temporary nature and the small staff in the Home can adequately deal with such sickness, there is no probability of those so afflicted being removed from the Home to hospital. Only when the doctor gives instructions to this effect in cases where skilled medical and nursing care are required, will anyone be removed for hospital treatment — this may happen to people even when living in their own homes. When this becomes necessary, the patient, on recovery, will return to the Home again. Where normal health is enjoyed, no fear need be entertained, therefore, that incidental sickness will require the removal of any of our people from the Home.
The question also of meeting the expenses of maintaining the Home had to be decided. For the purpose of appointing the charges to be met by those wishing to enter the Home, it was thought necessary to arrange these charges according to their respective incomes. There are those who in the Lord’s providence are in a position to pay the full charge themselves, without assistance, at present fixed at £5 5/- per week, and these will D.V. be admitted without further question, provided that they are found suitable in other respects. Others may have no other income except their old age or other pensions; a small sum will be allowed them for personal use, and what remains of their pension will be accepted as the whole charge they may be asked to pay. In these cases, grants are made available by the local authorities to make up the full weekly charge, and because of this, and in order to satisfy the enquiries of these authorities, information about their financial affairs will be required, but the assurance can be given that any information asked for will be treated as being most confidential. Those who are in this position will be freely admitted to the Home. The fear that our people who in the Lord’s providence are called to exist on their old age pension can not apply for admission is therefore groundless. However limited their income may be, no one need be deterred for this reason from entering the Home, which our Church has specially provided to accommodate our loyal people.
We look forward in the goodness of the Lord to seeing the Ballifary Home soon operating with an adequate staff to attend to the proper and efficient functioning of the Home, and a full complement of residents enjoying the accommodation of a well conducted and harmonious centre of rest.
The Matron will welcome any visitors who are interested in seeing the Home and will gladly conduct them through the building.
Applicants for residence can now be admitted. Information can now be had from Rev. A. F. MacKay or members of Committee and arrangements made by Matron MacGeddie. The official opening of the Home will (D.V.) be at a later date.
Wm. Grant,
Convener of the Home of Rest Committee.