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Around the Church Below we present a brief summary of the situation found around the Church following the events at the recent Commission. It is early days and the situation is changing all the time and it is therefore only possible to give a general impression of the situation. We are heartened by the support our stand has received, indicated by the numbers worshipping with us. However we stress again that this is NOT a matter of numbers: it is matter of truth and justice and integrity. A number of faithful men have found themselves in difficulties since the division and we urge the Lord's people to pray particularly for such. Jonathan's words are so full of encouragement to us all: "It may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few" (1 Sam.14:6). Included in each report is the name (usually of the minister) telephone number and e-mail address (where appropriate) of the person to contact for more information about Sabbath services, prayer meetings, etc. The address for general information about the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) is: Rev John Macleod, Free Church Manse, Portmahomack, Tain, Ross-shire, IV20 1YL, Tel./Fax: 01862 871467 E-mail: freechurch@zetnet.co.uk Presbytery of Caithness and Sutherland East Rev Allan Murray (01408 641243) allan@pitfure.freeserve.co.uk Services are now being held in the Primary School in Brora (12noon and 6pm), to provide for Free Church people scattered throughout this area. Between twenty and thirty attended on the first Sabbath, some travelling more than fifty miles. Mr Murray was greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm of all. West Mr John Mackenzie (01571 833258) MacKenzieAssynt@aol.com Folk from Scourie and Assynt have associated with us and services are being held in both places. Rev Allan Murray will preach there every third Sabbath DV. Presbytery of Inverness Duthil-Dores Rev John Macleod (01808 511294) johntomatin@netscapeonline.co.uk Services continue to be held at the usual times in all parts of the congregation. Numbers are not large but with excellent elders and other fine Christians to encourage him, the Rev John Macleod feels duty bound to continue the full Free Church witness in the area. Support from other congregations would be welcome. Inverness Rev Maurice Roberts (01463 220701) mjroberts@btinternet.com This Church has continued since the Rev Maurice Roberts was unjustly suspended in June. Services are held in the Inverness Royal Academy. The numbers have gradually grown with now almost a hundred worshipping on a Lord’s Day. Presbytery of Ross Kilmorack and Strathglass Rev Daniel Mackinnon (01463 782303) The congregation has been very supportive of its minister, who continues to conduct services in church. When a usurping interim-moderator tried to preach the congregation vacant on the first Sabbath after the Commission the whole congregation walked out. Tarbat Rev John MacLeod (01862 871467) RevJohn@Highlander.zetnet.co.uk The minister and congregation continue to hold worship in their buildings as previously. In his newsletter Mr MacLeod explains what happened in Edinburgh: "The ministers were brought to the bar of the Commission of Assembly, i.e. in the dock. But in a sense it was the Free Church itself that was in the dock, because the instruction which these men had refused to obey was an unlawful instruction, that is, it was not right in terms of the Bible or the constitution of the Church". There has been great support from the community Presbytery of Edinburgh and Perth Aberdeen Mr Tony Horne (01569 767393) tony.horne@lineone.net Attendances have increased considerably since the division. The group is small but there is a determination to continue and with God’s blessing to grow. St Columba's, Edinburgh Rev John J Murray (0131 667 4730) Murraystcol@compuserve.com The congregation now meets in the Magdalen Chapel, the very building which was the cradle of the Reformation in Scotland and of great importance in covenanting times, use of which has been kindly granted. Mr Murray reports: "We have about 70 attending our services with more than that as the total. We are just about managing in the Magdalen”. Perth Mr Alasdair Macleod (01738 622942) AMLPERTH@aol.com There are plans to begin a preaching station in the region of Tayside under the St Columba's session. Further details may be obtained from Mr Macleod Presbytery of Glasgow Arran Mr Duncan McAllister (01770 860241) duncan-magdi@dna-is.com Almost half the membership associate with us and worship with us. Partick (Crow Road) Rev Iain Smith (0141 959 5648) IainSmith@Woodend64.Freeserve.co.uk Although Mr Smith was not one of those libelled yet he was deeply concerned at the action taken by the Commission. A postal vote taken in his congregation revealed that 70% of the members and more than half the adherents supported the Free Church (Continuing). Services continue as before in the church. Shettleston Rev John Harding (0141 778 1836) John@myrddin12.freeserve.co.uk The services continue as usual and there have been no further attempts at intrusion. The congregation are keen to emphasise that they are, always have been, and intend to remain a congregation of the Free Church of Scotland. They welcome the support of all loyal Free Church people in their area. Thornwood Rev Harry Woods (0141 889 1524) harry@woodspaisley.freeserve.co.uk Mr. Woods reports: "We are meeting in Thornwood Primary School, Glasgow. On our first Sabbath we had 75 in the morning and 58 at night. We were able to start a Sabbath School on the first day as we had both children and a teacher, we also started a tape ministry. We have an abundance of precentors and elders and are extremely grateful to the Lord for all the encouragement He has given us. We are conscious of those who have had to put up with hostility and opposition and they are in our prayers". Presbytery of Lewis All the congregations of Lewis have been affected by the split. As in 1900 the ministers in the main have been hostile but the people have been led by wise and godly elders. Services still have to be arranged in different areas, for example Point, where there are many who support us. Shawbost Mr John Maclean 13 North Bragar, HS2 9DA. Tel: 01851 710402. About 20 attend prayer meetings held in the Bragar church on Tuesday evenings. It is hoped that in due course Sabbath services will begin. Harris (Leverburgh) Rev M A N Macleod (01859 520205) HARRISFCS@aol.com Services are now held in the School with some 20 or 30 attending. Cross (Ness) Rev James Gracie (Interim Moderator) (01876 510305) jgracie@tesco.net Regular supply has been provided for the congregation, which continues to grow. It meets in the Community Hall, South Dell. Sabbath services are at 12 noon and 6pm. 60 to 80 folk attending. The services are usually taped. Scalpay Rev M A N Macleod (Interim Moderator) (01859 520205) HARRISFCS@aol.com The majority of the members and adherents have followed their elders who were very angry at the suspension of their interim-moderator, the Rev M A N Macleod, by the Lewis Presbytery. They withdrew from the residual body after the Commission. Services continue to be held in the church as usual. Stornoway Relief Free Church Mr Angus Macmillan (01851 701818) macmillan@tinyworld.co.uk Having constituted themselves separately this congregation is now applying to be admitted into the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). They are very keen to be received as quickly as possible. The congregation continues to receive regular supply from Free Church ministers and has been growing with up to 200 attending on the Lord’s Day. The Rev. David Silversides of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland preached recently. Tape recordings of the services are available. Presbytery of Lochcarron North Interest has been expressed in the North of the Presbytery (Aultbea, Ullapool and Gairloch) and it is hoped in due course to organise services for these folk. Lochalsh and Glenshiel Rev Graeme Craig (01599 555372) lochalsh@clara.co.uk Almost the whole congregation support the minister and the regular services are being held. A number now attend from Lochcarron. Presbytery of Skye and Uist Bracadale Rev John Keddie (Interim Moderator) (01470 572330) jwkeddie@aol.com Services are held at Struan (12 noon) and Carbost (6 pm). The prayer meeting is now held on Wednesday at 7pm and alternates between the churches. Although the majority of the congregation supported the minister there was an unseemly demonstration from the opposition on the first Sabbath at Struan. There are difficulties locally with some very unChristian threats being made against the minister and his family and prayer is requested for wisdom. Duirinish Rev John Keddie (01470 572330) jwkeddie@aol.com The minister here has remained with the residual body. However there are a number in the congregation who support the Free Church (Continuing), including the majority in Waternish. The possibility of holding services is being explored. Kilmuir and Stenscholl Rev John Morrison (01470 552249) Just less than half the membership support the minister and services are now being conducted in the Staffin Community Hall and in the Manse in Kilmuir. The minister intends building a house for himself in Staffin and is encouraged by the enthusiasm of those who remain with him. North Uist and Grimsay Rev James Gracie (01876 510305) jgracie@tesco.net All the office-bearers and more than half the membership voted to support Mr Gracie in his stand. It was sad to see the actions of violent men at the church building in Grimsay on the Sabbath after the Commission. These have been widely reported, although not always accurately. Mr Donald Morrison, a deacon in the congregation, has written an eye-witness account and it is given below. Services are being continued at the Bayhead Church morning and evening. Portree Rev William Macleod (01478 612678) w@wmacleod.freeserve.co.uk Here two thirds of the congregation have supported their minister. Sabbath services have shown a drop in attendance but the prayer meeting attendance is much as usual. For the first two weeks the givings amounted to well over £6000 which is an indication of the commitment of the congregation. Snizort Rev Kenneth Macdonald (01470 532725) KMACD@sniz.freeserve.co.uk On the first Lord's Day after the Commission the church building at Uig was broken into during the afternoon – this despite assurances from the usurping interim-moderator, the Rev Colin Morrison, and his delegation, that, after having read their statement outside the buildings in the morning, they would not be back. The services are now all held at Skeabost and good numbers are continuing to attend. The vast majority of this congregation support their minister. Strath Rev Allan MacIver (01471 822341) Services are being held in Broadford at the usual times but the Kyleakin service has been discontinued for the present. The minister receives good support.
For a consantly updated version of this please go to http://www.freechurchcontinuing.co.uk/churches/around.html
Any
comments or questions please E-Mail
me or Rev William Macleod
the Editor.
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