Perth Communion (D.V.)
The Communion at Perth will be held as usual on Sabbath 24th August, — the fourth Sabbath of August (D.V.). As on previous occasions the services will be held at the Forteviot Hall, Pomarium, off St Leonard’s Street. The times of the services will be as follows:- Thursday 7.30 p.m.; Friday 7.30 p.m.; Saturday 3 p.m.; Sabbath 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.; Monday 7.30 p.m.
It is expected that Rev. Donald A. MacLennan, Uig (Lewis) will assist on this occasion.
Induction at Kinlochbervie
On the evening of Tuesday, 3rd June 1980 the Northern Presbytery met in the church at Kinlochbervie to induct Rev. Fraser Tallach to the joint charge of Kinlochbervie & Scourie at which was present a large representative gathering of about 200 people. The Moderator, Rev. D. B. MacLeod, presided and preached from the words contained in the message to the Church at Philadelphia: “Behold, I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it” — Rev. 3, verse 8. In the course of his remarks, the Moderator pointed out that in the ministry which they receive from the Lord Jesus Christ, the ambassadors of Zion’s King are directed to the field of labour which is appointed them, and that under the Lord’s blessing doors of opportunity would open to them, entrance into the hearts of sinners gained and success assured in the face of many adversaries, opposed to their work. In the settlement of a minister over the congregation that evening the Lord was saying afresh; “I have set before thee an open door” and that, although the preaching of the Gospel was in itself a weak instrument in the Lord’s work, yet the weakness of God was stronger than men. He wished the minister success in the new field of labour on which he was entering. Sermon over, the Narrative was read, the stated Questions were put to the minister and satisfactorily answered, and the Formula signed. The Moderator then with solemn prayer inducted Mr Tallach to the pastorate of the congregation and the right hand of fellowship was given by members of the Presbytery.
Rev. R. R. Sinclair addressed the minister on the duties of the ministry, particularly taking notice of the need of maintaining a Christian character, attending to private study and secret prayer, expounding simply the great doctrines of the bible, and the regular visitation of his flock and in doing this, “Thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ” — 1 Tim. 4, verse 6. Rev. J. Ross then addressed the congregation, emphasising the people’s duty of waiting upon their minister’s public services with attention and prayerful desire to profit by his labours, for “They watch for your souls as they that must give account” — Heb. 8, verse 17. Ministers from other Presbyteries of the Church were associated with the Presbytery and were called upon to speak. Rev. J. W. Ross, Rev. N. Ross and the former minister of the congregation, Rev. J. Tallach, expressed their good wishes and prayed for Mr Tallach’s success in his ministry. The Clerk read messages of good will from Rev. F. MacDonald, Clerk of Mr Tallach’s former Presbytery of Skye, Rev. D. A. MacLean and Rev. A. Morrison, Oban. The meeting was then closed with the singing of a psalm and the benediction.
In a day in which the professing Church suffers from a declining ministry and congregations lie neglected for several years, it is remarkable that the Kinlochbervie and Scourie people had not to face a long vacancy. Rev. F. Tallach came from Broadford to continue the ministerial labours of his brother, Rev. J. Tallach, who was called to Aberdeen in June of last year. The people were therefore pastorless for less than a year. The Presbytery feel grateful for this fresh accession to their strength, so quickly obtained. May the ministry of Mr Tallach be richly blessed by the Great Head of the Church.
A.F.M.
Barnoldswick Congregation
The communion was held in this Congregation on the 2nd Sabbath of June. Rev. D. J. MacDonald, Perth, assisted the interim-moderator with the services. Some friends from Glasgow and Edinburgh came for the occasion. The sacrament of baptism was administered on the Saturday.
On Friday, two elders and two deacons were ordained and admitted to office in the congregation. Messrs Roy Middleton and Terry Cooper are the new elders and Messrs Chris Metcalf and Tom De Lacy are the new deacons. This was a big step forward in the history of the congregation and we hope that it will be accompanied with the blessing of the Lord, so that the new office-bearers may get grace to be faithful to their ordination vows and useful to the Cause of Christ in these parts.
Considerable progress has been made in the preparing of the new Church for public worship. While there still remains quite a few items to complete, it was agreed that the new Church should be opened for public worship on Saturday, 13th September, 1980, the service to begin at 2.30 p.m. (DV)
The debt on the Church building at the date of completion is expected to be in the region of £11,000.
It may be possible to arrange for a bus to travel from Glasgow to Barnoldswick for this occasion and it would certainly be a great encouragement for this small congregation to have such support from Scotland. If arrangements can be made, interested friends will be informed nearer the date. (DV).
(Rev.) Donald MacLean,
Interim-moderator