Nov 2020 Congregational Newsletter
Stornoway High Church
CONGREGATIONAL NEWSLETTER: NOVEMBER 2020
Following Government and Church of Scotland Guidance regarding the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic, our Church buildings have been closed for Public Worship. The Church of Scotland has issued Guidance on the re-opening of church buildings and our Management Committee, in compliance with this Guidance, has put in place a team to consider what would be required to ensure a safe return to Public Worship. The following is an excerpt from the Government’s Guidance document:
“It is essential that congregations take some time to plan the re-opening of their Church buildings. Even though the Scottish Government may announce that Church buildings can re-open from a specific day, there is no requirement to do so. Only re-open your Church buildings if it is safe to do so and when you have considered all the requirements within this Guidance document”.
As part of the process of returning our buildings to use, several areas were identified where additional work was required. Extensive electrical work was required in order to bring the Sanctuary up to a safe standard. Fire safety is another area where extensive work had to be undertaken. These works have now been completed and an application has been made to Presbytery for authorisation to re-open. The Kirk session has requested that our Services of worship begin with our midweek meetings. Our intention is to re-open for congregational worship and prayer on Wednesday 4 November at 7.30pm.
Sunday worship will resume at a later date when the Kirk Session considers it safe and prudent to do so. We thank the congregation for their continued patience, understanding and support through these difficult times.
THANKS to you the congregation for your continued financial support. We are so encouraged by your generosity, particularly at a time of financial hardship for many. It is a time when our expenses have increased in order to livestream our Services and prepare the Church for re-opening so your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you to Annie Smith, our Treasurer, who has coordinated all this.
THANKS to our Property Convener, Duncan Macinnes, and his team who have put in a tremendous amount of work to get us ready for re-opening and thanks to all those who have assisted and with Church and Manse preparation, cleaning and maintenance inside and out, and continue to do so. If you want to help out in any of these areas please contact Duncan on 07748 332595. We would have been unable to get to a place of readiness to re-open without volunteers and there is still a clean up to do in the church after the extensive electrical work in the Sanctuary.
We also need volunteers for Door Duty and for the extra Church cleaning required to keep everyone safe when we re-open. Please contact Duncan if you can help out in these areas. Thanks also for all those who helped in the change over of tenancy in the Manse.
THANKS to James and John Cunningham for adapting to the new challenges presented by our new livestream and media set up. Thanks to those who have volunteered to help out with that and a big Thank You to Jack Wolf for setting the system up for us. Thanks also to my son Scott who set up our new website and provides worship resources that we have been able to use.
There are many more who we don’t have space to thank but continue to be and do church: Foodbank, administration, Flower Ministry, home ‘Phone Call’ team … All these things continue to happen but the biggest thanks of all goes to our Lord who is the reason for our hope and who continues to build his Kingdom regardless of COVID-19.
Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”.
WORSHIP RESOURCES Our Sunday and Wednesday Services are livestreamed from the Church and this will continue when we open for public worship. Our worship Services are available on the High church Facebook page, on our High Church YouTube channel and on our new website www.stornowayhighchurch.org.uk. The website has links to past Services, devotionals and a variety of worship resources. Back services are also available on Soundcloud - Rev Gordon Macleod, https://soundcloud.com/user-850524214 Those who have been blessed by the work and service of the church may also use our website for donating financially.
For those who like the simplicity of the good old telephone, you can dial-in to the Services live on Sunday at 11.00am and on Wednesday at 7.30pm. The free number is 03301 248483. You are muted at the start of the service so please don’t unmute yourselves as it causes interference.
PASTORAL CARE Our pastoral Visitation Teams continue to phone the housebound and vulnerable. If you would like a phone call or know of someone in our congregation that would benefit from a call, please contact the Minister on 07717 065739. If you need to meet the Minister this can be done through appointment on Wednesday mornings.
HIGH CHURCH FOOD BANK Thank you for your generous contributions which allow this service to continue. The best way to support this is through cash donations deposited in our secure mailbox on the outside wall of the small Sanctuary (Goathill Road entrance) or by arrangement through our Treasurer, Mrs Annie Smith, 07972 935105. If you are in need, or if you are aware of others in need, please contact Jann Skelly, 07985 710410 or Fiona Morrison, 07484 844485. Thanks to Jann and Fiona for their service.
CHURCH GIVINGS Thank you for your generosity and your devotion to the Lord and his Church. Freewill Offering Envelopes can be dropped off in our secure mailbox on the outside wall of the small Sanctuary (Goathill Road entrance) and we would encourage you also to consider a monthly Bank Standing Order as this is the most efficient method of supporting the Church. If you haven’t done so, please also consider signing up for Gift Aid which allows the church to reclaim an additional percentage of your offering from the Inland Revenue, at no cost to you. Contact Annie Smith on 07972 935105 for details.
COMING TO CHURCH A separate note is enclosed outlining what to expect when you come back to Church, your responsibilities and the precautions to be taken. Please note Scottish Government and Church of Scotland advice for those considered vulnerable is that they are to avoid crowded places. Kirk Session advice is that people in the vulnerable category should consider their own safety first and should not feel under any pressure to attend Church. The services will remain accessible to those that feel more comfortable worshipping at home.
A PRAYER FOR OUR PEOPLE God of grace, mercy and love, we continue to worship you and live our lives in such strange circumstances. We pray for your continued protection and care for this congregation and we look forward to a day where we can worship you unrestricted and in freedom. We pray particularly for those who have suffered loss and for those who have struggled to cope with these strange times and ask, Lord, that they would know your comfort and your peace. AMEN
With richest blessings in Christ
Rev Gordon Macleod
Minister
Mr John Cunningham
Session Clerk