It's now my fifth day in Africa. Yesterday we travelled by air to Livingstone then we had another two hour pot hole ride to Mwandi. This is a Mission Station built on the bank of the Zambezi River originally supported by the Paris Mission and the Freed Church, eventually bringing in the support of the Church of Scotland along with others in the 1930s. It's early Wednesday morning the fridge in the Mission Guest House continues to make that noise that only fridges...
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It's a beautiful Sunny morning here in Canterbury. I've just arrived on the high speed train from London. The last time I visited Canterbury was well over 35 years ago when I attended the ordination of my good friend. Canon Iain Ferguson in Canterbury Cathedral. I remember it being a splendid affair at that time. I imagine it will be even more colourful for the enthronement of an Archbishop. This has been a wonderful few days down here in the London. On Tuesday...
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So it's back on the road again heading for Westminster Abbey for a service of thanksgiving for the life of David Livingstone. The last two days have been busy meeting and greeting the Malawian Delegation including the President Dr Joyce Banda. They have made this special trip as a pilgrimage to remember the contribution that Livingstone made to the abolition of slavery. Sunday saw a packed church at Blantyre the birthplace of Livingstone. I was encouraged by the...
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Very shortly I’ll be back on the road moving from Blantyre to London to Lusaka. However the past week has been an interesting one. Having completed the visit to Kincardine and Deeside Presbytery last Sunday this past week has allowed me some time to reflect and consider the challenges that face our rural parishes. I attended a conference last Saturday on this very topic. It was well received with over 80 people in attendance. It was interesting to note that within the...
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Have a look at Banchory Hill Primary School. This fine group of young people put me through my paces this afternoon. Asking all kinds of questions about faith and the role of the Moderator. The biggest surprise of all was that I had to sign autographs. Unbelievable! the real talent can be seen in the faces of the children singing.
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Its now Wednesday evening and I find myself in Banchory, reflecting on my visit . Yesterday was an interesting day. We were visiting the churches in the town of Stonehaven. It was good to meet up with Rev Fyfe Blair. Fyfe is the minister of Fetteresso Parish. Martha and myself had visited his congregation in July last year to celebrate with them the 200th Anniversary of the present church building. This time he was going to introduce us to the amazing carers who work...
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We arrived in the Presbytery of Kincardine and Deeside on Saturday afternoon and were duly welcomed by the organising committee. I preached in two churches on Sunday. In the morning I was guest preacher at St Cyrus Church it was a joint service including the congregations of Johnshaven together they make up make up the coastal Parish of the Means. In the afternoon we met up with ministers in the Presbytery and had a join Presbytery wide service at Portlethen. In all it...
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