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
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!
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!
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.
Calling all Singers!
GOLSPIE GALA WEEK – SONGS OF PRAISE
Sunday 30th July – 7pm
in the Gala Week Marquee
James and Simon are involved in leading Songs of Praise next Sunday evening. It would be great if you could come and support Golspie Gala week by raising your beautiful voices in song! We are singing good old favourites like ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer’ – all the tunes will be familiar to you! How fantastic it would be to let Golspie hear that the message of the gospel is very much alive in our area!
Our church family celebrated with Eric Dawson as he reached his 100th birthday this week. With a special cake following the service last Sunday and another cake at a special gathering on Monday (Eric’s actual birthday) we marked this very special birthday of a very special man who we all hold dearly in our hearts. The Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland came along to our gathering on Monday to present Eric with his card from the King and Queen Consort and the gathering sang to Eric and shared tea and cakes. Happy Birthday Eric!
(From INSPIRES ONLINE 2023 – SEC)
The Reverend Simon Scott has taken up the role of Convener of the Church in Society Committee. Fr Simon is Priest-in-Charge at St Finnbarr’s SEC, Dornoch in the United Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness. He is a self-supporting minister who has a career in primary education. Having been a primary head teacher for almost twenty years, Fr Simon now works as a senior education officer for Highland Council.
On taking up the position of Convener, Fr Simon said: “As a priest who is employed in a ‘secular position’’ I have a particular passion for the role that the church has in walking alongside others to shape and guide the structures in our society in a way that promotes peace, equity and justice for all.
“I believe ‘the church’ can be a key player in helping to make sure these principles are considered and upheld by those who make the important decisions that affect the lives of everyone in our country, and in particular those decisions which affect the lives of the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalised.”
Fr Simon has a background in expressive arts and enjoys singing with choirs and taking part in other musical activities.
He is also a regular contributor to the Northern Times newspaper, via the title’s ‘Food For Thought’ column.
Just a reminder that St Finnbarr’s Annual Church Meeting will take place following the 11am Morning Service tomorrow in church.
A huge thank you to all who came along to support The Children’s Society at our Christingle Service at St Finnbarr’s last Sunday. The sight of everyone’s faces aglow in the candlelight was extremely special. Our four part guest choir sang unaccompanied so beautifully, as did our trio of boys who sang Away in a Manger for us.
The special collection for The Children’s Society totaled £301.86. Thanks to all our readers, congregants, our organist and those who gave but could not make it to the service. Our contribution will I am sure make a difference!
In related news – we received the following in an email from Tain Food Bank – again, thanks to all you generous, lovely people.
Just a short email to say ‘thankyou’ to you and all at St Finnbarrs for the very generous donation of food and money for the food bank today.
The weight of the food came to 27.2kg and the £100 will be used to either buy food that we get short of or to help people out who find themselves in fuel poverty.
I cannot tell you in simple words the difference this donation will make to many lives this Christmas time and into the New Year.
Please pass on our sincerest thanks to all concerned.
Every Blessing
Mandy & the food bank team
Scottish Episcopal Church - Dornoch, Lairg, Brora, Tain & Tongue 