Presbytery Meetings
Canadian: At Inverness on 1st June at 2 p.m.
Western: At Laide on 8th June at 6 p.m.
Southern: At Glasgow on 15th June at 6 p.m.
Skye: At Portree on 22nd June at 11 a.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 22nd June at 1 p.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on 22nd June at 2 p.m.
Meeting of Synod
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland will meet on Tuesday 1st June, 1993 (D.V.) at 6.30 p.m. in the Inverness Church when the Retiring Moderator, Rev. Donald MacLean, Glasgow will preach.
Synod Meetings
The usual public meetings of Synod will be held in addition to the opening meeting on the Tuesday evening. On Wednesday and Thursday public meetings will be held at 3 p.m. and at 6.30 p.m. (D.V.). The Wednesday evening meeting is devoted to Religion and Morals and Finance. The Thursday evening meeting will be taken up with Foreign Missions and Dominions and Overseas Reports. On this occasion, owing to the earlier Centenary Meeting held on 25th May, it is expected that there will be more ministers and elders present from overseas. We trust that the members of Synod will be guided by the Lord in all their deliberations and decisions.
Return of Church Deputies
Rev. Dr James Tallach returned from a two month visit to the Mission in Africa at the end of April. His visit took him to Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe. His visit to Kenya and Malawi enabled him to see the work which has been begun in these countries in recent times under the auspices of our Church. With the Mission in Zimbabwe he was already acquainted during his period of service on the Mission there. His report to the Synod of his visit will be awaited with interest.
Rev. Neil Ross spent two weeks in Italy at the end of April and beginning of May. He will also give in his report of his visit during the meeting of Synod at the beginning of June.
We have to acknowledge the Lord’s great goodness in His preserving care over the deputies while travelling such long distances and we trust that the Word preached may be blessed to those who heard it.
Threat to Protestant Constitution
Further evidence that the Roman Catholic Church intends to pursue its aim for the ‘conversion’ of England to the R.C. faith is seen in Parliament. On February 24th an ‘Ash Wednesday Mass’ was held at the crypt chapel of the House of Commons for the first time since the Reformation. While occasional Masses have previously been held there in recent years this was thought to be the first time since the reign of Mary Tudor that confessions had been heard in the chapel. Mr David Alton was one of three M.P.’s who organised the service, and it was reported in the ‘Catholic Herald’ on 26th February that he had appealed for a full time Roman Catholic chaplain at last year’s National Conference of priests in Birmingham. The press report stated that there were growing hopes ‘that at least an informal Catholic ecclesiastical presence at the House of Commons would be tolerated.’ We view such moves as a serious threat to our Protestant Constitution. The Lord Chancellor and the Speaker of the House of Commons gave joint approval for the Ash Wednesday Mass. — Protestant Comment in English Churchman.
Matron and Nursing Staff Appeal
A Matron and Nursing Staff are required for Sengera Hospital, Kenya. The Foreign Mission Committee would be pleased to hear from suitably qualified staff for the above posts.
(Rev.) James R. Tallach