CHURCH NOTES

Educational Cruises

It may not serve the interests of equity were I to keep entirely silent on this subject as my knowledge is first-hand and not derived merely from the operating Company’s brochure. The following points should be considered.

1. That in respect of many cruises the ship is chartered by Education Authorities so that the responsibility for the day to day arrangements are theirs and executed by the Authority’s officials who are on board.
2. Pupils, whether ashore or afloat, are under the constant supervision of their own teachers, i.e. from their own schools.
3. As to religion, the Chaplains are local ministers from the same county as the pupils — a situation comparable to the ordinary scheme for religious education in schools.
4. Other Education Authorities may have similar arrangements, but I can state categorically that the Ross and Cromarty Education Committee have secured an undertaking from the British India Company that special provision will be made to ensure that the Lord’s Day be kept according to the parents’ wishes provided that the Company be notified in advance. The Education Office have made enquiries from all parents so that these children are known. Also, in the past the Authority has been in the happy position of having teachers of Christian conviction on board to make this arrangement workable.

Rev. Alexander Murray, Applecross.

1st February 1968.

London Communion Services

The Communion services will be held as follows (D.V.):— Thursday, 11th April, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Friday, 12th April, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. (Fellowship Meeting); Saturday, 13th April, 2.30 p.m. (Gaelic), 3.30 p.m. (English) and 6.30 p.m. (Prayer Meeting); Sabbath, 14th April, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.; Monday, 15th April, 7 p.m.

The weekday services will be held in the Bridewell Hall (London City Mission), Eccleston Place, S.W.1, and the Sabbath services in St. Michael’s Hall, Eccleston Place (opposite Victoria Coach Station), S.W.1.

Rev. D. MacLean, Glasgow, and Rev. J. Nicolson, Ness, are expected to assist at the Communion (D.V.).

Synod Committee Reports

All who have responsibility for submitting Committee Reports to Synod in May (D.V.) are asked to have these Reports ready for Committees and thereafter for printing, not later than the latter part of March.

— Robert R. Sinclair, Clerk of Synod.