In his blog, Rev David Robertson, Free Church minister in Dundee, mentions that he recently spoke at a Roman Catholic church on the issue of abortion. “A Free Church moderator speaking at a Catholic church even 20 years ago would have been considered unthinkable”, he commented. Perhaps shrewd observers from 20 years ago are not entirely surprised at the changes which have taken place in the Free Church. The direction was foreseeable, although the changes may have come far more rapidly than anticipated. What changes will another 20 years bring to the Free Church? DWBS
Church Information
Meeting of Synod
The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland will meet in St Jude’s church, Glasgow, on Tuesday, 17 May 2016, at 6.30 pm, DV, when the retiring Moderator, Rev K M Watkins, will conduct public worship.
(Rev) John MacLeod, Clerk of Synod
Meetings of Presbytery (DV)
Western: At Lochcarron, on Tuesday, June 7, at 11 am.
Zimbabwe: At Bulawayo, on Tuesday, June 14, at 11 am.
Northern: At Dingwall, on Tuesday, June 14, at 2 pm.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway, on Tuesday, June 28, at 11 am.
Southern: At Glasgow, on Tuesday, June 28, at 2 pm.
Wellington Congregation Appeal
The congregation has purchased a former bank building which can be
readily adapted to form a place of worship. After the recent 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch (that killed 185, injured many thousands and devastated numerous buildings) the New Zealand Government requires extensive strengthening of older buildings. This ruling also affects our recently-acquired building and the congregation is worshipping in rented premises until this strengthening is complete. The Deacons’ Court would therefore appreciate donations from the wider Church for its Earthquake Strengthening Fund. Donations from the United Kingdom may be sent via the General Treasurer. The Australia and New Zealand Presbytery has authorised the publication of this notice.
Hank Optland, Clerk of Deacons’ Court.
Mr Norman Thomson
Mr Thomson was an elder in the Ness Congregation and passed away on March 27. We extend our sympathy to his relatives.
Home Mission Fund
By appointment of Synod, this year’s special collection for the Home Mission Fund, is due to be taken in congregations during May.
W Campbell, General Treasurer
Acknowledgement of Donations
The General Treasurer acknowledges with sincere thanks the following donations:
Legacy Reserve Fund: Estate of late Mr Alexander Fraser, Bishopton, £21 266.10.
Congregational Treasurers acknowledge with sincere thanks the following donations:
Barnoldswick: Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund: Anon, for Thembisio Children’s Home, “In Thee the fatherless findeth mercy”, £55.
Dingwall: Anon, £20; Late Mr W Fraser, £250 per Rev NMR. Communion Expenses: Anon, £40.
Glasgow: Anon, £100; Estate of late Miss Cathie MacLeod, £200 per Rev RML. Bus Fund: Anon, £12, £11, £100, £50, £20, £20. Eastern Europe Fund: Anon, £62, £62, £62, £52, £12, £20, £65.
Greenock: Anon, £100. Eastern Europe Fund: Anon, £100. Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund: Anon, £40, £70. TBS: Anon, £10.
Inverness: Bus Fund: Anon, £30, £60, £100, £20. Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund: Anon, for drought relief, £50; A Reynolds, £30.
Ness: Anon, for manse expenses, £20. Communion Expenses: Anon, £20, Ness Friend, £100. Sustentation Fund: Anon, in memory of AM & NT, £1000. Where Most Needed: Anon, £20. Anon, £100 per Rev AWM.
North Harris: Family of late Mr JF Morrison, “to be used in the church in Tarbert as required”, £500.
North Tolsta: Miller 19, in loving memory of my dear parents, £500; Anon, in memory of beloved parents, £20; Family of late Mrs MacIver, 3 North Tolsta, £140. Door Collection: Mrs MacLeod, 10 New Tolsta, £40. Outreach Fund: Anon, £10.
Portree: Friend, Portree, £700. Communion Expenses: Anon, £20. Sustentation Fund: CMP, £20, £20, £20 per Rev IDM.
Stornoway: North Uist Friend, £40 per Rev JRT; Anon, £40; Anon, for Sabbath School outing, £20; Mrs B, for Sabbath School outing, £20; 22 anonymous donations for church renovations, £1645; Anon, for Achmore church funds, £20. Communion Expenses: Anon, £20, £20. Eastern Europe Fund: Anon, £100. Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund: Anon, for Ingwenya School, £300; Anon, for Orphanage, £300.