News & Updates

Notices - Sunday 29th April

Ordination of Office-bearers
The ordination and induction of new elders and deacons will take place at the morning service today, hence there is no Gaelic service today. Existing and new office-bearers are reminded that photographs will be taken inside the church at the front pews immediately after the service.
 
Sunday 29th April
All young people are welcome to the Big YF tonight which meets in the hall after the evening service. Prof Bob Ackroyd is coming to teach us about our Christian identity and his talk is entitled “This Is Us”. He plans to cover the points raised by these 3 questions:
1. What do we believe as Christians regarding relationships?
2. How do we put our faith into practice?
3. How do we engage with people who think differently or act differently from us?
Pizza and refreshments will be served and we will finish by 9.45pm, God willing.

Tuesday 1st May
-The Craft Group meets in the hall at 7:30pm.
-Basic Christianity discussion group will meet from 7:30-9pm in the MA Hall. If you want to learn more about the Christian Faith, please join us in a relaxed and informal setting where we can consider some of life’s important questions. If you have not previously attended, why not come along and try it out? There is no weekly commitment expected, and you can just sit and listen to the discussion if that is your preference.
 
Ladies Visitation Group meets in the Session room at 7pm. Any women interested in helping out with visits in the congregation are very welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Chrisell on 705669.

Summer Opening
It is hoped to open the church to summer visitors again this year, particularly during the months of July and August, when Stornoway is busiest. We need both male and female volunteers, and you do not have to be a communicant to get involved. It is a very enjoyable experience, and an opportunity to speak to people from all over the world about our church, and about Christ. If you are interested in being involved in greeting visitors to the church, please speak to Catriona Murray, or drop her an email at [email protected].
 
Visit of Rev Patrick Jok
Arrangements were made some time ago by the Free Church’s Ecumenical Relations Committee to bring Rev Patrick Jok, a minister in the Sudanese Reformed Church, to Scotland. Five Deacons’ Courts, including Stornoway Free Church, were asked to share in funding his travel. We are delighted that Patrick is now coming, having had some delay in getting a visa, and will be with us in Stornoway next Wednesday evening (2nd May) in the MAMM Hall, at 7.30pm. This will replace the Bible Study which will carry over to June.

The minister met Patrick at the International Conference of Reformed Churches in 2013 where he gave an inspiring account of the Sudanese Reformed Church and how it has developed and grown in the massively difficult circumstances of civil war and persecution. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear Patrick and one not to be missed. You will be inspired, humbled and challenged!
 
Church Officer
Donnie will be on holiday from Thursday 26th April until Thursday 3rd May. Any inquiries should be made to Finlay Macleod (Elder) - Phone 01851 703726
 
Campaigners Camp
Friday 4th- Monday 7th May
Please remember our annual Campaigners Camp in prayer next weekend.  A group of 25 young people and leaders will travel away on Friday morning for a weekend camp in Kincraig, God willing.  Pray for safety in travel and activities, pray for the seed of the Word to be sown in our hearts and pray that we will have a sense of God’s presence with us. Thank you.
 
 
 
ADVANCE NOTICES

Friday 11th May
Mission Support Group AGM at 7.30pm in the MA hall.

Saturday 12th May
There will be a Fundraising Lunch from 12-2pm in the hall in aid of Providence Christian School. All welcome.

Saturday 19th May
Royal Wedding and WFM Link. All are welcome to come and watch the Royal Wedding in the MA Hall. Doors will open at 10.00am when you can watch the build-up over some “Royal” refreshments. At midday a light lunch of “Markle” soup and “Windsor” dessert will be served.
After the wedding you can join in the live WFM link with Glasgow City Church at 2.00pm. The speakers this year are Fiona Christie who is giving an update on her work in Columbia and Catriona Lamont who is showing a video on her recent trip to Nepal and the work of Suraj Kasula. Marsali Campbell will also be giving an update before she heads back to Uganda. There will also be a talk from Duncan Peters on the publishing of items in Hebrew for the work that he is involved in.
Friday 8th June- The Annual WFM Dinner takes place in the Cabarfeidh Hotel. The speaker is Moira McCarroll, who will be speaking on the theme “Dusty Roads and Bibles”.  Booking is essential. Please contact Donna Maciver on 702279 for a booking form.

Midweek Meetings: All at 7.30pm

Wednesday – English -Rev Patrick Jok (MA Macleod Memorial Hall).
Thursday – Gaelic – Rev Kenneth I Macleod (Seminary)    Saturday – English (Seminary)

Children and youth groups
Parent & Toddler meets on Tuesday (1.00–3.00pm) and Thursday (9.45-11.45am)
Campaigners:     C Club (6-7pm) and Crosstrax (7-8.30pm) on Monday in the hall. Kidz Zone meets at 6.15-7.30pm on Thursday in the hall

Please note there is no Sunday School next week due to the school holiday.