INVERNESS FREE NORTH CHURCH NEWSLETTER February 2016
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INVERNESS FREE NORTH CHURCH NEWSLETTER February 2016 From the Manse Dear Friends, In this month’s newsletter are details of 2 older people who passed away recently- Christina J. Morrison and John D. Macleod. As I was thinking of them both and reflecting on their lives, I realised that they were so very different: Christina was very old (96), John relatively old (82); Christina died in a home, John died at home; Christina played a significant role in the war effort (1939- 1945), John was just a boy at this time; Christina has had a book published, John has not; Christina came from and had a large family herself, John was an only child and never had family himself. There are many and varied ways in which their lives were so very different, which is true for most of us when we compare our lives to others. But there are two things which they have in common. Firstly, they both died. Despite differences in life they share a common end. Though their paths in life may never have crossed, their pathways came together at the end. And so we also, in all our diversity and differences will share a common end. We too will die. The other commonality they share is that they are with Jesus in Glory. Christina’s death notice in the Herald states, ‘safe in the arms of Jesus’. So true for those who take him by the hand in life (John 10. 28-29), because death is that event when he does let our hand go…..but only to pick us up in his arms (Isaiah 40. 11) John ‘the gardener’ who loved his gardens, also loved the Lord and he is now with Jesus in Glory. Jesus promised one thief on the cross who trusted his life to him that he would be with him in Paradise (Luke 23. 43), and Paradise is that place that describes a ‘walled garden’- (Revelation 2:7 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God). John will be very much at home there! 1 What a great hope to have in common in life, despite all our diversities. Jesus, the One who unites us in a common purpose and direction. Jesus, the Hope of Glory. May we all put our hope in Him. Your friend and Pastor Colin Rev Colin MacLeod ................................................................. Please remember the following people in your prayers Illnesses or Hospital Mr David Lee Residential Homes Mr Archie MacArthur Ms Joan Reid – Aden House Mrs Annette MacLean Mrs Mary McCulloch – Aden House Mrs Chirsty Urquhart Miss Catriona Urquhart – Ballifeary Miss Betty MacRae - Ballifeary Miss Nan MacDonald - Ballifeary Housebound Miss Morag MacDonald – Cameron House Mrs Anna Cameron Mrs Joan Macleman – Fairfield Home Mrs Margaret Grant Mrs Margaret MacAulay - Highview Mrs Mary MacDonald Mrs Joan Lamont - Highview Mrs Effie MacIver Mrs Eila Macfarlane – Isobel Fraser Home Mr Iain MacLean Mrs Ishbel Graham - Kingsmills Home Mrs Christine MacRae Mr Angus Morrison – Kingsmills Home Congratulations Engagement Congratulations to Kirsteen Macleod and Alistair Gillespie who got engaged on the 18th January. The couple hope to get married this year some time. Condolences We were very saddened at the news of two deaths in connection within the congregation recently. 2 Christina J. Morrison passed away in Ach-an-Eas Care Home on Sunday 10th January aged 96 years. Christina, from the Isle of Skye and Inverness, became quite a celebrity when her role as a Codebreaker at Whitehall for Churchill, as well as other varied and interesting aspects of her life, were reported on a recent TV interview. Her book, ‘Yesterday’s Child’ which documents many interesting features of her life, is due to be published this month. The funeral service was held in Uig, Skye, on Thursday, 14th January, with the interment in Gravir on the Isle of Lewis on Friday 15th January. We extend our condolences and sympathies to Ishbel, Donald, Kirsteen, Marion and Laura, and to her grand and great grandchildren also. John D. Macleod passed away at home on Sunday 24th January, aged 82 years. He was a well-known character and figure in Inverness who, in the eulogy given at the funeral, was described as being known or recognised in some way as ‘the man with all the pockets’, or ‘the old guy on the bike and trailer’, or ‘one of the old Inverness worthies’ or ‘the man in the suit walking down Culduthel Road going to Church’. He was no stranger to the Free North, having attended ourselves and other churches in Inverness over the years. John’s passion was for gardening and he devoted his working life to this calling. The funeral service was on Saturday 30th January in D Chisholm and Sons with interment in Tomnahurich Cemetery afterwards. Colin Congregational News and ACtivities Youth Fellowship The YF has been moved to a Friday night in the Madras Street Hall from 6.30 to 8pm, and all S1-S6 young folk are welcome to come along for games, food, Bible teaching and fun together. The Ignite club has been discontinued, the last meeting being on the 29th January, but the youngsters attending have been encouraged to go along to Campaigners on Thursday nights instead. Colin 20’s/30’s The 20's / 30's Group continues to meet in the Manse on the Lord's Day after the evening service, except when there is a monthly Congregational Fellowship. If you are in this age group, you are warmly invited to join us for food, 3 fellowship, prayer and discussion. This term we have been watching the Wisdom House DVD series, presented by Rob Parsons, CEO of Care for the Family. Each short video deals with a different topic under the general heading of "life lessons". We've had some lively and engaging discussions so far and we pray that this will continue as we progress through the 8-part series. Please do join us - even if you're visiting. We'd love to see you there! Robin Gray Women’s Meeting -February High Tea The Culcabock Golf Club was once again the welcome venue for the high tea – an occasion enjoyed by 40 ladies of the congregation and friends. Selecting from the different choices on the menu was difficult as was sampling the ample home baking but we managed! The evening passed all too quickly leaving pleasant memories of warm conversations and renewed friendships that will stay with us for a time. Kathleen Fraser OutreaCh event 9th February Coming into the hall last Tuesday I was struck by how welcoming it looked with the tables all set ready for a meal. By 12.30 a good number of people had gathered to enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch and watch the Billy Graham DVD ‘The Cross’. This provided a powerful presentation of the meaning of the cross, using testimonies, flashbacks from Billy Graham’s preaching and also featured an elderly Billy Graham. During the playing of the DVD there seemed to be a good level of attention and afterwards we were served with tea and coffee and had opportunity for further conversation. Those present were mainly from the Free North and Madras Street with a few others known to some in the hall. Let us pray that something of the message would continue to speak to everyone who heard it; giving hope to those who have not yet come to faith and strengthening believers to witness whatever their age or stage. We have been reminded recently that the work of the church is mission; whether through organised activities that we are involved with together or through the way we live out our everyday lives. Those who distributed leaflets 4 in the area recently were conscious of the number and diversity of people who live just a short distance from the church. Often we don’t know how to establish links with people beyond our current circle but we can pray that as we come to the Free North for regular events we would become more aware of those living in the vicinity and actively explore ways by which we could naturally create more contacts or deeper contacts with some of them. Effie Finlay Annual Tear Fund Congregational Lunch The lunch will be on Sunday 13th March . This is a good opportunity to have fellowship together and to support the work of Tear Fund as it ministers to needy people aroud the world. Jesus often had a meal with his followers so why not put this date in your diary and come along especially if you are fairly new to the congregation. Contributions to Tear Fund can be made on the day. There is no charge for the lunch. Sandy Finlay The Elsie Normington Foundation There have been two events recently focussed around Elsie Normington. Firstly, on the 19th of January she was the speaker at the monthly church lunch. Elsie spoke very movingly about her son Andrew who developed a rare form of epilepsy in his childhood which has resulted with him having lifelong learning difficulties. She spoke honestly about the way she struggled to come to terms with it all. ‘Would she become bitter or better?’ was the question impressed upon her one day and her decision, with God’s help was ‘better’. Elsie got involved in setting up after-school care and support at Drummond School as well as getting involved in fund raising and support ventures in Merkinch, and then progressed to setting up the Elsie Normington Foundation. The latest project the foundation is focussing on is the building of a respite centre in Inverness (The Haven) for children and young adults with learning disabilities which is going to cost £4m.