Ordination and Induction in North Harris
The ordination of the Rev. Roderick MacLeod BA, Probationer, and his induction to the North Harris congregation took place on Thursday, 8th December 1994. The Outer Isles Presbytery met in the Church at Tarbert at 7 p.m. and was constituted by the Moderator, the Rev. Donald Nicolson. Apart from the Rev. D. J. MacAskill, on whose behalf an apology was submitted, all the members of the Presbytery were present. The Rev. James Tallach, Raasay, and the Rev. Donald Boyd, Inverness, being present, were associated with the Presbytery. Mr Malcolm Gunn was appointed the Officer-of-Court and after the minute calling the meeting was read, and the Edict was returned attested as having been duly served, he was instructed to go to the most patent door of the Church and make proclamation three times, that if any person or persons had any objections to the life and doctrine of the Rev. Roderick MacLeod, Preacher of the Gospel, they might now repair to the Presbytery, presently met, and substantiate the same. The Officer-of-Court having returned from the door and having reported that no one had appeared to object, the Rev. Donald J. MacDonald went to the pulpit and preached a wholly appropriate discourse from Jeremiah 3, verse 15: “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.“
Public worship being ended, the Clerk gave a brief narrative of the proceedings in the Call and the Moderator then addressed to Mr MacLeod the Questions appointed to be put to Probationers at their ordination and induction to a pastoral charge. Having returned satisfactory answers to these questions and having signed the Formula in the presence of the congregation, Mr MacLeod then knelt down and the Moderator, with solemn prayer to God, and with the imposition of hands, in which all ministers present joined, ordained the Rev. Roderick MacLeod to the holy ministry. The ordination prayer having been concluded, the Moderator, in the name of the Presbytery, and by the authority of the Divine Head of the Church, admitted him to the pastoral charge of the North Harris congregation and along with the other members of Presbytery gave to him the right hand of fellowship. Thereafter, the Rev. Alexander Morrison suitably addressed the newly inducted minister and the Rev. Kenneth D. Macleod the congregation. The Rev. James Tallach and the Rev. Donald Boyd were given an opportunity of speaking and they in suitable terms expressed their good wishes to Mr MacLeod and the North Harris congregation. Several letters from well-wishers were read by the Clerk.
The Tarbert Church was full to capacity for the occasion. It is estimated that the congregation was over 300 strong with visitors present from as far afield as Glasgow, Inverness, Skye, Raasay, and many others from the congregations nearer at hand within the bounds of the Presbytery. The ladies of the North Harris congregation had prepared an abundance of food and the majority of those present at the service partook of it. The making of this provision had obviously involved much labour and we are very grateful to them. We are, also, grateful to Mr J. M. Morrison of the Harris Hotel for making available the Hotel’s function room.
The last minister settled in North Harris was the Rev. Angus MacKay, now resident in Lochcarron, and that was in August, 1953. For the past nine years the charge has been vacant and the settlement of the Rev. Roderick MacLeod gives much satisfaction to the Presbytery. A total of 95 persons signed the Call — 11 members and 84 adherents. It is our sincere desire and prayer that the ministry now begun will be a long and fruitful one, and that the minister, together with his wife and young family, will be preserved in health of body and mind and enjoy much of the Lord’s blessing in the days ahead.
John MacLeod,
Clerk of Presbytery.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Skye: At Portree on 14th February at 11 a.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on 14th February at 2 p.m.
Southern: At Glasgow on 21st February at 6 p.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 7th March at 1 p.m.
Zimbabwe: At Bulawayo on 14th March at 2 p.m.
Committee Meetings
The following Committees will meet in Inverness Church on Tuesday, 21st March (D.V.):—
| 09.00 am – 10.00 am | Magazine Committee |
|———————|————————–|
| 10.00 am – 11.30 am | Training of the Ministry |
| | Publications |
| 11.30 am – 01.00 pm | Sabbath Observance |
| | Outreach |
| 02.00 pm – 05.00 pm | Finance |
| 02.00 pm – 03.30 pm | Welfare of Youth |
| 03.30 pm – 05.00 pm | Bookroom |
| 05.00 pm – 06.00 pm | Dominions and Overseas |
| 07.00 pm – 09.00 pm | Foreign Missions |
| | Religion and Morals |
22nd March
09.30 am – 11.30 am Church Interests
Correction: The article in the January issue on the Eastern Europe Mission was by Rev. D. A. Ross. On page 26, line 12, 8 a.m. should read 8 p.m.