News

Little Red Riding Hood Piped in to Tea

sheumais Charities Shop, Events, Local, News

This afternoon was the annual tea for the volunteers and supporters of the St Finnbarr’s Charities Shop.  40 people gathered in the Dornoch Social Club and were treated to a splendid afternoon tea prepared by a local Patisserie and Cafe.

The gathering was entertained by not one but two “well kent faces”, one who talked about the Northumbrian Small Pipes and played us a few lovely tunes:

The other demonstrated to us how familiar children’s stories have changed since we were all at school:

Needless to say a good time was had by all.  Thanks to everyone who made it such a lovely afternoon.

During proceedings, a presentation was made to Tom and Monica who have clocked up a large number of years between them ob St Finnbarr’s Vestry and who now will perhaps have more time for other activities:-)  We are all very grateful for what you have done over the years.

First Sunday Service at Brora

sheumais Local, News

Following hot on the heals of the Rededication Service on Saturday, St Columba’s, Brora saw its first Sunday Service in a long while last Sunday at which Deacon Don was welcomed and read his Licence as Curate in Brora. James preached and Simon played the keyboard and tea, biscuits and chat followed.

O hear in heaven your dwelling-place

sheumais Local, News

78 people from Brora, from many faith communities and from across Sutherland, Caithness, Ross-shire, Inverness, Moray and as far afield as Linlithgow and Kelso, were shoehorned into St Columba’s Brora today for a service of Rededication and the Licensing of James as Priest-in-Charge.  A very special occasion as it marks the start of a new chapter in St Columba’s 110 year history after more than two and a half years closure as a result of a fire in December 2016.

Bishop Mark spoke movingly of his struggle to discern the will of the Spirit in relation to St Columba’s and how he had been guided towards an exiting new witness with St Columba’s as a place where all are welcome, a place of Godliness.

At the end of the Service, Bishop Mark introduced the clergy team who will minister in and around St Columba’s:

Rev James Currall (Priest-in-Charge), Rev Don Grant (Assistant Curate) and Rev Simon Scott (Assistant Priest),.  He then invited everyone to stay and enjoy refreshments and fellowship, both of which are part of Godliness, as much as worship and praise.

Photos courtesy of Rev Ellie Charman

Introducing a newly minted Priest

sheumais Diocese, News, Reflections

Today, St Peter and the Holy Rood in Thurso was packed with people from Caithness, from across our Diocese, from elsewhere in Scotland, from England and from even further afield.

So many people gave of themselves to make Ellie’s ordination as Priest a splendid occasion: stunning flowers, splendid music and singing, generous welcome, sumptuous food and drink, fine preaching, and efficient choreography of a large number of servers, visiting clergy, and so on. So much planning and preparation by members of the congregations, so much planning and preparation by the Bishop and his chaplain, so much planning and travelling by the people from many areas of the life of our church, our community and Ellie’s family, friends and colleagues past and present.

But what was it all about? Obviously it was a significant event in the life of these congregations, who haven’t seen an ordination in either of their buildings for quite a while. It was a significant event in the life of the diocese which has nurtured Ellie’s vocation over the past five or six years. It was a significant event for Ellie’s family who were all assembled in a way that perhaps they rarely manage. And it was a significant event for Ellie herself after a period of years of journeying. But more importantly than all of these, it was an act of praise, worship and thanksgiving to God for his goodness to us, his work amongst us and our witness of that to each other.

That was the real focus. What it was not about was any individual, no matter what their role in the proceedings or in the Church more generally being any more important than any other. Everyone who was involved in the planning, in the preparation, as a guest or with a particular role to perform in the service or the celebrations afterwards, came to that service (as to the one in Inverness Cathedral last week) as an individual – a son or daughter of God. Each with a story of their own, each with their own sorrows and pain, each with their own hopes and joys. In that we are all equal and equally valued by God as beloved children.

A momentous day in their lives and the life of the Cathedral

sheumais Diocese, Local, News, SEI

Today saw the Ordination to the Diaconate of not one, not two, but three people.  Inverness Cathedral hasn’t seen that number of Ordinations in a single day for many many a long year.

Congratulations to Don Grant, Katrina O’Neill and Kathryn Sanderson.

May God richly bless them and those that they serve in Ministry.

Another Night to Remember

sheumais Local, News

Another WOW of a concert from our friends the KYIV Classical Accordion Duo from the Ukraine.  A sizeable audience heard pieces by: Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach, Greig, Saint-Saëns, Borodin, Piazzolla and Anderson in a concert entitled “Round the World in 80 Minutes”.

The collection for the HIPPOKRAT Society of Mothers of Disabled Children who have suffered as a result of the explosion in 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Energy Plant, raised just over £592, with a further £90 in CD sales.

A wonderful night (as always) and a goodly number of people who had not heard Oleksii and Igor before, were introduced to their incredible musicianship in making their instruments sound like anything from a small squeezebox to a large church organ, to a string quartet or even a full orchestra.

Thanks boys and all who gave so generously.

Praise my Soul

sheumais Local, News

This week is Golspie Gala Week.  It started on Sunday, when there was a Songs of Praise in the Marque.  The proceedings were attended by the Gala Queen Faith Francis, a nursing student, and her two attendants Mia Ratter and Mellisa Kay and led by our own Rev Simon Scott who is also headteacher of Golspie Primary School.

The congregation were in splendid voice as we sang hymns old and new.  Simon gave us a little bit of the story surrounding each one, so we came away knowing more about them than we did when we arrived.  A wonderful uplifting act of ecumenical worship to start what is proving to be a glorious week.

 

 

Worship through Creativity

sheumais Crask, Events

Worship through Creativity

at

The Crask Inn

Come and enjoy a day’s retreat exploring how to pray with God through Creative Expression – led by:

Rev Ellie Charman and Rev Simon Scott

Curiosity is all that’s needed.  No prior artistic skills are required; just enthusiasm and a willingness to explore more of who you are in God.

Saturday 24th August 2019

10.30am – 3.30pm

£20 (Lunch Included)

Sharing Lunch Together

sheumais Local

The congregation of St Finnbarr’s and some also from St Maelrubha’s met together for a bring and share lunch after the services on Sunday.  Prior to that, Bishop Mark presided and preached in both congregations and so Jane and he were also able to be able to be part of the lunch party.  In spite of the weather forecast, the sun shone from time to time and it wasn’t as cold as we expected, but there were only a few hardy souls who trusted that their lettuce would not blow away in the strong breeze and lunched outside.  Suffice to say, a good time was had by all.

Charities Shop Distribution of Monies

sheumais Charities Shop, Local, News

The distribution of funds from St Finnbarr’s Charities Shop for this year is now complete.
£16,200 has been distributed among the following to 26 local groups:

  • Alzheimer Scotland (Dornoch Dementia Cafe),
  • Caithness and Sutherland Womens’ Aid,
  • CALA,
  • Citizens Advice Bureau,
  • Dornoch Academy Additional Support Team,
  • Dornoch Academy School Library,
  • Dornoch and District Community Association,
  • Dornoch BRIG (Dornoch Beach Regeneration Improvement Group),
  • Dornoch Brownies,
  • Dornoch Cathedral Boy’s Brigade/Shipmates,
  • Dornoch Firth Group,
  • Dornoch Flowers and Fairs,
  • Dornoch Primary School Additional Support Team,
  • Dornoch Youth Cafe,
  • East Sutherland Rescue Association,
  • Enlightening Youth Group (run by Free Church and Christian Fellowship),
  • Friends of Oversteps,
  • History Links,
  • Lawson Cambusavie Memorial Hospital Friends,
  • Little Lambs (Free Church Playgroup),
  • Maggies Highland,
  • Meadows Patient’s Comfort Fund,
  • Migdale Hospital Comfort Fund,
  • SSAFA, Sutherland Care Forum,
  • Support in Mind Scotland (Golspie Gatehouse),
  • Sutherland Schools Pipe Band.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped to raise the money by working in the shop or donating goods for sale – the above groups really appreciate your efforts, as do we in St Finnbarr’s.