Midnight Mass!!!
Author: Simon Scott
Carols and Christingle at St Finnbarr’s Dornoch
Last Sunday afternoon we gathered at St Finnbarr’s Dornoch to celebrate Christingle. Readings, poetry and prayers were read by members of our church family and three lucky contestants got to take part in our own Generation Game. Carols sung by the congregation rocked the rafters and we collected over £250 for The Children’s Society. Special prayers were said for the children of Ukraine, Gaza and Israel. Thanks to everyone who came along and to all who read or sang – special Christmas memories!
Christmas Donations to Tain Food Bank
Following special collections for Tain Food Bank at St Finnbarr’s Dornoch and St Andrew’s Tain last Sunday a good amount of foodstuffs and a cash donation of £110 was offered by the congregations.
As one might expect, the food bank is increasingly busy (especially with fuel prices so high and people trying to factor in the Christmas season too). Further donations to the Food Bank are always welcome, but a big THANK YOU to all who have given so generously so far!
We Will Remember Them!
Over two hundred people gathered at the war memorial in Dornoch this morning to remember the fallen. As a testament to all that unites us, leaders from the four churches in Dornoch led the service together.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
A Warm Glow on a cold November evening!
A fantastic Autumn Concert at St Finnbarr’s Dornoch last night! A great band of musicians and a super audience made for a lovely warm glow on a cold November evening – we had to turn the heating off – in a church in northern Scotland – who knew? Thanks to all who took part and to those who came to watch – God bless you Xx
PRAYERS FOR THE SITUATION IN THE HOLY LAND
ST FINNBARR’S CHURCH, DORNOCH – Tuesday 17th October at 12 noon
The Scottish Episcopal College of Bishops has endorsed a call from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem for a day of prayer and fasting tomorrow for the situation in the Holy Land.
The College’s statement reads as follows:
The College of Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church today echoed a call from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, along with the Anglican Communion, for a global day of prayer and fasting on Tuesday 17 October.
The Primus, the Most Rev Mark Strange backed the call saying: “I know that across the Scottish Episcopal Church in recent days many have prayed for an end to violence, have prayed for healing for the wounded and traumatised, and have prayed for the dead in this conflict. I commend Archbishop Hosam’s request, alongside the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, for a global day of prayer and fasting tomorrow.
“I will be attending my local church to pray. And the College requests that those who feel able to do so also make space in their day to pray so that in the words of our brother in Christ Archbishop Hosam: ‘we can pray together with one heart and spirit.'”
ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME ALONG TO ST FINNBARR’s AT 12 NOON TOMORROW!
Harvest Thanksgiving at Dornoch
Last Sunday we gave thanks for the harvest at St Finnbarr’s in Dornoch. Classic harvest hymns including ‘We plough the fields and scatter’, a sermon featuring magic pumpkins and prayers of thanksgiving to our mighty creator God were all part of the fun!
Our thanksgiving collection included over 30kg of foodstuffs and £150 all of which was donated to Christian Community Action Support Team Highland who are based in Tain. The food of course goes to the Food Bank and the money goes to help those who are finding it financially challenging to afford the power to cook their food.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who has made heaven and earth. Amen!
Blessing the New Dornoch Lifeboat!
Father Simon and several members of St Finnbarr’s congregation were involved in blessing and naming the new East Sutherland Rescue Association (ESRA) lifeboat this afternoon in Dornoch. The “Wildland” is a whole new capability for ESRA and, together with considerable ancillary equipment, has been very generously funded by Mr Anders Povlson.
The boat was formally (and brilliantly) named by Ms Kim Tulloch DL with the Lord-Lieutenant in attendance. Prayers were led by the Revd John Chambers OBE who chairs the Friends of ESRA. A blessing was conducted by Father Simon Scott with the help of local children who anointed both boat and crew (perfectly).
The L-L thanked Mr Neil Dalton and his team for such a successful ceremony. He then spoke of Sir Francis Drake’s prayer which reminds us that “….in any great venture….it is not the beginning but the continuing to the end which yields the true glory” and thus the vital need for enduring support for ESRA both financially and in finding volunteers to man the boat and to support her.
Lord we pray for the safety of this vessel during her years of service. Protect and strengthen all those who will crew her, and bring all those she is sent out to rescue safely to shore. Amen.
Scottish Episcopal Church - Dornoch, Lairg, Brora, Tain & Tongue 