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 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
On Thursday 26th October, the Lord Lieutenant of Ross-shire unveiled a Blue Plaque on the House in Esther Place in Tain where the architect Andrew Maitland lived for 40 years whilst he designed a large number of civic and domestic buildings in Tain and around Sutherland and Ross-shire.
The proceedings in St Andrew’s Church started with a talk and film about Andrew Maitland and his sons by Hamish Mackenzie, the author of a book on the Maitlands work (A Highland Legacy: The Maitlands of Tain). Maitland designed the Sheriff Court, the Royal Hotel, the Parish Church, Tain Station, the Tain Picture House, Knockbreck Primary School and many of the larger domestic houses in the Tain district.
The talk was followed by refreshments and fellowship amongst the 40+ members of the audience, who then made their way down Hill Street to Esther Place for the unveiling.
It was a very uplifting event and the rain thankfully held off and umbrellas were not needed.
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!
A wonderful ‘Bring a Friend to Church‘ Harvest Festival in St Andrew’s this morning. The church was beautifully decorated by a very talented team with flowers and vegetables all around the church.
Jamie Campbell provided uplifting musical accompaniment and the large congregation were in fine voice.
Finally, after the service we all adjourned to the hall to share food and fellowship.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped and to all the friends and family members who joined us this morning.
To coincide with Doors Open Day in Tain this weekend, we have prepared a 12 page booklet about the Church, its furnishings, it’s stained glass and its memorials to help our visitors to appreciate the history of both the building and its congregation. Some of the material has been drawn from existing web pages about St Andrew’s, but a new page on the stained glass has been created to fill an obvious gap. If anyone has additional details or spots any errors, please get in touch.
Last Sunday Canon James and Anna joined a wonderful choral evensong at St John’s Forres to bid farewell to Canon Robin Forrest a former Rector of St John’s and former Dean of the Diocese. Canon Robin is moving south to live with family in either Cumbrae or Wrexham. It all depends on whether he is finally taken in by his daughter or his Son:-)
What is perhaps more interesting to members of the East Sutherland and Tain congregations is that in 1981 Canon Robin joined Anna and James in Holy Matrimony in St Finnbarr’s, Dornoch and as Canon Robin put it “they have been living with the consequences ever since“.
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 