December 2021

Well, here we are in December, and the final few weeks of 2021, and what a year it has been.

Many of us celebrated the highs of the Tokyo Olympics. Many sympathised with the Queen as she went through a very difficult time in her life.

In the church we started off deep in the clutches of lockdown, but gradually as the year progressed, restrictions eased and at Easter we were allowed to re-open our building for public worship allowing us to gather once again to worship together.

Then at General Assembly the long-expected cuts to ministerial numbers were confirmed and we along with every other church are going through our presbytery’s Mission Action Plan.

So, as with many years I doubt any of us would have thought we would be where we are as individuals and as a congregation as 2021 draws to a close.

But as it does, we once again find ourselves in the season of advent which is a time of looking back to reflect on what has been and look forward with hope to what’s to come.

For me this is the hope that we as a church will continue to seek out and follow God’s voice for each of us.

None of us know what shape the church will be in this time next year as Presbytery plans on the number of ministers and what buildings will remain open are finalised and confirmed.

But what I do know is that God has a plan for each one of us, and that we are loved by him so much that we will soon be celebrating the birth of his son whom he sent for us.

So, this advent let us look forward not only in hope but in faith that we follow a God whose plans are not to harm us but to prosper us.

And remember, however you are feeling, the church is here for you. To support you however we can, and that you are always welcome to join us for worship either face to face, online or on the telephone. The church is open, it is safe, and it is you!

So, if you haven’t been to church for a wee while, and you are able to come along, let me personally invite you back, it would be wonderful to see you.

So, let me finish by wishing you a Very Merry Christmas, and a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year and 2022.

All our love in Christ, Stuart, Fiona, Blair, Alisdair and Grace