Meeting of Synod
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland will meet, the Lord willing, within the Free Presbyterian Church, Glasgow, on Tuesday, the 21st day of May, 1996, at 6.30 p.m., when the Retiring Moderator, the Rev. Alexander McPherson, Perth, will conduct public worship.
Meetings of Presbytery (D.V.)
NORTHERN: At Dingwall on Tuesday, 18th June at 2.00 pm.
SOUTHERN: At Glasgow on Tuesday, 25th June at 6.00 pm.
WESTERN: At Laide on Tuesday, 11th June at 6.00 pm.
SKYE: At Portree on Tuesday, 18th June at 11.00 am.
OUTER ISLES: At Stornoway on Tuesday, 18th June at 1.00 pm.
Induction of the Rev. Donald John MacDonald, M.A., to the Dornoch Congregation
ON Friday, 29th March, 1996, the Northern Presbytery met in the Dornoch Free Presbyterian Church for the induction of the Rev. Donald John MacDonald to the pastoral charge of the Tain, Fearn, Lairg, Creich, Dornoch, Rogart and Helmsdale Congregation.
More than 200 people from the Outer Isles, Skye, the west, the north and the south, as well as some local visitors, filled the church to capacity. Ministers present from other Presbyteries of the Church were associated with the Presbytery, namely, the Revs Donald MacLean, James R. Tallach, George G. Hutton and Kenneth D. Macleod. The Moderator of Presbytery, the Rev. John
L. Goldby, conducted public worship, preaching from Exodus, chapter 6, verse 13, about the Lord’s charge to Moses and Aaron.
Public worship being ended, the Clerk read the Narrative of the proceedings in the Call to Mr MacDonald. The Moderator addressed to Mr MacDonald the questions appointed to be put to ministers on their induction to a pastoral charge, and he, having returned satisfactory answers to the same, signed the Formula in the presence of the congregation. The Moderator engaged in solemn prayer and did, in the name of the Presbytery, and by the authority of the Divine Head of the Church, induct Mr MacDonald as Minister of the pastoral charge of the Tain, Fearn, Lairg, Creich, Dornoch, Rogart and Helmsdale Congregation. The Moderator and members of the Presbytery then gave Mr MacDonald the right hand of fellowship.
Thereafter Mr MacDonald was suitably addressed by the Rev Neil M. Ross, and the Congregation was addressed by the former interim Moderator, the Rev. Donald M. Boyd. The Clerk gave messages of prayerful goodwill from the Kirk-Session of the Uig Congregation, from the Rev. Alexander McPherson, Perth, a former minister of Dornoch Congregation, and from the Rev. Keith M. Watkins and the London Congregation. The Moderator invited other ministers to speak on the behalf of their respective Presbyteries; the Rev. Donald MacLean for the Southern Presbytery, the Rev. James R. Tallach for the Skye Presbytery, and the Rev. Kenneth D. Macleod for the Outer Isles Presbytery. After the benediction, the people were made welcome to partake of the plentiful provisions which had been laid on by the ladies of the congregation in the Dornoch Academy canteen.
Mr MacDonald is a native of Lewis and was educated in the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway. Before entering the ministry, he gained his M.A. degree with Honours in History at Aberdeen University and subsequently taught history at the Nicolson Institute. Thereafter he was appointed principal teacher of history at Back Junior High School, Lewis, and at a later period at Portree High School. After studying for the ministry, he was ordained and inducted to the Bracadale Congregation in 1970. He moved to the Perth Congregation in 1979, and to the Uig Congregation, Lewis, in 1989. In 1991 he was appointed Moderator of the Synod. Mr MacDonald is married with three adult children. He is the Convener of the Training of the Ministry Committee and of the Bookroom Committee.
This extensive charge has been without a minister since the A.P.C. secession in 1989. At that time it was two congregations, but the extent of the secession necessitated the union in 1991 of the Tain and Fearn Congregation with the Lairg, Creich, Dornoch, Rogart and Helmsdale Congregation. Not
only did the A.P.C. misappropriate Northern Presbytery Records, but it left these now depleted congregations with the burden of outstanding loans to the Forsyth Bequest Fund. Notwithstanding this, the manse in Evelix has been refurbished with Forsyth funding and the congregation is in a satisfactory state. It is a closely knit congregation which has remained faithful and which attends regularly the public worship. Since 1989 the congregation has grown to more than 30 people, and nine adults have moved into it during the last five years. There is a wide spread of age-groups in the congregation, and some young children growing up now have a settled minister for the first time. The Dornoch Bridge has increased the strategic importance of Dornoch. There are schools, a hospital and hospices within the area. The congregation is greatly favoured in obtaining a pastor and it is the Presbytery’s hope and prayer that this newly begun ministry will be greatly blessed among them and bear fruit for years to come.
Rev. D. M. Boyd, Clerk of Presbytery
Perth Communion
There will be no communion in Dundee on the first Sabbath of June, as in the past. Instead, the communion will be held in Perth, God willing. The times of the services will be as follows:
| Thursday, 30th May: | 7.30 pm |
|—|—|
| Friday, 31st May: | 7.30 pm |
| Saturday, 1st June: | 3.00 pm |
| Sabbath, 2nd June: | 11.00 am and 6.30 pm |
| Monday, 3rd June: | 7.30 pm |
It is expected that Rev. D.M. Boyd, Inverness, will be the assisting minister.
Larne Communion
By decision of the Kirk Session, there will no longer be a communion in Larne in June. Instead, the communion will be held on the second Sabbath of September, D.V.
Rev. K.M. Watkins, Interim Moderator
Deputy to Chesley
Rev. G. G. Hutton is at present visiting Chesley and has been conducting the communion season services in the congregation there. He is due to return to this country at the beginning of this month, God willing. We pray that his work there may be blessed.
London Communion
By decision of the Kirk Session, the meetings and times of London communion services will be as follows, God willing:
| Thursday service | 7.00 pm |
|—|—|
| Friday service | 7.00 pm |
| Saturday prayer meeting | 2.30 pm |
| Saturday service | 3.30 pm |
| Sabbath morning service | 11.00 am |
| Sabbath evening service | 6.30 pm |
| Monday service | 7.00 pm |
It will be seen that the arrangements for the Saturday have been changed, and tea will not be served in the church any longer. The Kirk Session would like to take this opportunity to record its grateful appreciation to the ladies of the congregation for their kindness and labours over the years in providing teas.
If the Lord will, these new arrangements will begin at the next communion, the second Sabbath of May 1996, when it is hoped that Rev. D. A. Ross, Laide, will be assisting.
Rev. K.M. Watkins, Moderator