Induction at Grafton, Australia
On the evening of the 24th November, 1976, the Australia and New Zealand Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland met at Grafton, N.S.W. Australia, to induct the Rev. E. A. Rayner, B.A., formerly of Aberdeen, to the pastoral charge of the Brushgrove – Grafton Congregation.
The Moderator of Presbytery, the Rev. J. A. T. van Dorp presided and preached from Isaiah 52:7.
Public worship being ended, the Moderator gave a brief narrative of the proceedings in the Call to Mr Rayner and addressed to him the usual questions put to ministers on their induction. Mr Rayner having returned satisfactory answers to the questions and having signed the formula in the presence of the congregation was then, by the Moderator, in the name of the Presbytery, inducted to the pastoral charge of the Brushgrove – Grafton Congregation. The Moderator, with the other members of the Presbytery, gave to Mr Rayner the right hand of fellowship.
Thereafter Mr Rayner was addressed by the Clerk, and the Moderator, in suitable terms, exhorted the congregation.
Messages of goodwill received from the Northern Presbytery, of which Mr Rayner had been a member, and from the Rev. William Maclean the former minister of the congregation, were then read by the Moderator.
The proceedings, which were entirely harmonious and were followed with great interest, were concluded by the singing of Psalm 23 and the Benediction.
The congregation then had an opportunity of welcoming their pastor on retiring from the Church.
The few friends from New Zealand, who were able to attend, received a warm welcome.
It is gratifying to record that at this our first meeting, as a Presbytery, in Australia, a pastor was inducted to the Bushgrove – Grafton Congregation and the occasion was also marked by the Court’s grateful recognition of the valuable services of Mr Donald J. Shaw, Elder, to the Cause of Christ in Grafton for over forty years, and a Bible, suitably inscribed, was later presented to him.
The Lord’s Supper was observed in the Congregation on the Sabbath following the induction.
We would pray that Mr Rayner’s ministry in Grafton would be richly blessed by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Divine King and Head of His Church.
D. M. M.
Presbytery Clerk.
Church Notes
Dumbarton Communion
The Dumbarton Kirk Session has decided to hold an additional communion on the 2nd Sabbath of April.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Skye: At Portree on 1st February, 1977 at 11 a.m.
Southern: At Glasgow on 22nd February, 1977 at 6 p.m.
Western: At Laide on 8th March, 1977 at 12 noon.
Northern: At Dingwall on 5th April 1977, at 2.30 p.m.
Committee Meetings (D.V.)
The following Committees will meet at Inverness on 22nd and 23rd March, 1977.
Tuesday 22nd March, 1977
- 10 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. — Publications
- 11.30 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Religion and Morals
- 2.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. — Finance
- 4.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. — Dominions and Overseas
- 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. — Foreign Missions
- 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. — Home of Rest
Wednesday 23rd March, 1977
- 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. — Church Extension
- 11 a.m. – 12 noon — Church Magazines
- 12 noon — Church Interests