Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Skye: At Portree on 9th April at 11 a.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on 23rd April at 2 p.m.
Australia and New Zealand: At Auckland on 31st May at 2.30 p.m.
The Gisborne Congregation
Recently the Gisborne Congregation has suffered two grievous losses through the drowning of Matthew Geuze, the son of Mr Jacob Geuze, one of the elders there, and through the death from coronary trouble of Mr P. Van Dorp, a brother of Rev. J.A.T. Van Dorp. We extend to both families sincere sympathy in their great losses and hope that the Lord will graciously sustain and comfort them, especially the widows and families, in their time of sorrow.
Church Deputy to Australia and New Zealand
Rev. Angus Morrison, Oban left this country in the middle of March to visit Australia and New Zealand as the Church’s Deputy. He expects to be away for three months. It is our prayerful desire that his labours would be blessed in the different places he visits in both countries, and that the Lord’s protecting care will surround him in his travels.
Chesley Appeal
The Chesley Congregation is a very small congregation composed mainly of young families which in 1974 joined the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, to the doctrine and practice of which church they would always like to adhere.
They bought a disused church building which they have over the years renovated to bring it to a proper standard.
The house beside the church was bought for use as a manse and has been occupied since September 1982. Expenditure on property has been in the region of $100,000. The congregation acknowledges gratefully help given from various sources throughout the church. There is at present a debt of $10,000 outstanding. It is a matter for thankfulness that hitherto the Chesley congregation has been enabled to support the minister and his family, however this has curtailed our ability to pay our outstanding debt. They would like to eliminate this debt as soon as possible.
The Deacon’s Court makes an appeal to friends in Scotland and elsewhere to help them do so. Any financial assistance sent would be gratefully acknowledged by Mr David Kuiper Box 634, Chesley, Ontario, Canada. NOG ILO. (This Appeal has been approved by the Southern Presbytery. 7th March 1985 Rev. Donald MacLean, Clerk pro tem).
Gerrit Schuit,
Clerk of Deacons’ Court.
Post of Doctor at Mbuma Mission Hospital
The Committee feel concerned that no applications have been received for this important work on the Mission field, and with nursing staff at the hospital since May the work is being considerably curtailed in the absence of a doctor. The whole of the Nkai District with a population of 100,000 is presently without the services of any medical practitioner. In Mbuma itself there are some 22,000 persons so deprived.
Post of Teacher of Bible Knowledge at John Tallach Secondary School
A need continues for a teacher qualified at least to university level in some other subject to take up these important duties at Ingwenya. Enquiries to Rev. A. Murray, F.P. Manse, Lairg, Sutherland, IV27 4EH. Tel: Lairg (0549) 2176.