By the time this issue is in the hands of readers it is expected that Rev. A.F. Mackay, Inverness will have completed his three months as Church Deputy to Australia and New Zealand and have returned to this country again. Mr Mackay is due the thanks of the Church for undertaking these labours and we pray that the Word preached in those countries may be blessed to many.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 7th December at 2 p.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on 25th January 1983 at 2 p.m.
Australia and New Zealand: At Auckland on 28th January 1983 at 2.30 p.m.
Skye: At Portree on 15th February 1983 at 11 a.m.
Resignation of Rev. D.A. MacLean, M.A., Halkirk
After receipt by the Clerk pro. tem. of the Northern Presbytery of a letter of resignation from Rev. D.A. MacLean, Halkirk, a pro-re-nata Meeting of the Northern Presbytery was called on the motion of the Moderator of Presbytery, Rev. R.R. Sinclair, Wick, to meet at Dingwall on 19th October 1982. When the Presbytery met the Moderator’s action in calling the meeting was approved.
The Presbytery went on to consider Rev. D.A. MacLean’s letter of resignation from the pastoral charge of the Halkirk, Helmsdale and Thurso Joint Congregation and from the ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. As Mr MacLean had indicated that he would not be present, the Presbytery proceeded to deal with it in his absence. The main reasons given for his resignation were the failure of his nomination as Moderator of Synod in May 1982 to secure the approval of Synod with which decision he was deeply hurt and the failure of his Presbytery to express sympathy with him in this matter. After discussion and the rejection of counter proposals the following became the finding of the Presbytery:—
That the Presbytery accept with sorrow the resignation of Rev. D.A. MacLean from the pastoral charge of the Halkirk, Helmsdale and Thurso Free Presbyterian Joint Congregation and from the ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland as from 31st October 1982.
Thereafter Rev. F. Tallach was appointed as Interim-Moderator of the Congregation and to declare the charge vacant, which was done on 7th November 1982.
Robert R. Sinclair, Moderator
D.B. MacLeod, Clerk pro. tem.