Nairn beach for Margaret

Nairn beach taken a few weeks ago.

Black Isle in the distance








I was encouraged to hear of three churches in Nairn that have been working to gether in the community.

The empty church building in the centre of Nairn would make a great focal point for the folks and for tourists. For what use could the churches use the building?

I dont mean for daily Services,- although it might at some times in the week.

Trike pictures up on blog

The pictures of the trike are up on


http://trikeforsale.blogspot.com

CALL FOR DEBATE AT NUCLEAR CROSSROADS

Churches should grapple afresh with Britain’s nuclear weapons policy, according to a new report following a Government announcement that its future may be decided within this Parliament. The Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) briefing urges greater government transparency on nuclear defence options and costs and appeals for a “wide public debate” on the replacement of Trident. The Trident missile system, which can be launched from four submarines, will become defunct in the next twenty years. Revd Graham Sparkes, head of the Baptist Union Faith and Unity department, said that churches could help to spread awareness and mobilise concern around the issue. “It’s a vital decision … because the issue of armed conflict and peacemaking is a central Christian concern”.

Sources: Baptist Times (22/6); Church of England Newspaper (23/6)

http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/news1.htm
http://www.churchnewspaper.com/news.php?read=on&number_key=5825&title=Trident%20challenged

Worship musicians in the Highlands...Drummers and all

Fortrose

I have been playing guitar on a Sunday morning over the last 4/5 weeks in a Church. It struck me that there might be a need for a register of musicians for worship so that when there were opportunities for praise nights in a particular area one could call on these people to assist.

I would be interested in folks in the highlands who play instruments regularly and would consider helping in worship from traditional accompaniment to modern rocky praise.

Please be in touch
name contact details instruments played etc.

Fortrose picture

Alan's trike for sale...

Alan has a trike for sale.-short message today.


http://trikeforsale.blogspot.com

UK problem...

CHURCHES ATTACK FLOUTING OF COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

Senior church figures have told the Education Secondary that secondary schools are restricting students’ spiritual and moral development by failing to organise regular collective worship. Representatives of the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Roman Catholic churches also asked Alan Johnson to introduce training in running religious assemblies and remind schools of their legal obligations. The joint statement said collective worship helped “equip young people to understand more about themselves, foster a sense of the aesthetic and to cope with life-changing moments”. Ofsted admits that only 17 per cent of secondary schools comply with the law in holding a daily “broadly Christian” assembly. Meanwhile, Oxford University has announced it is to revive its RE training to meet a national shortage of teachers of RE which has become the fastest-growing subject at GCSE and A-level.

Sources: The Guardian (13/6); Times Educational Supplement (16/6)
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,1796232,00.html


To get weekly update of stories like these see

Bible Society- -newswatch

Loch Airighe Mhor 746 feet

From a recent hill walk a photo of the loch south of Strath Fleet- Loch Airighe Mhor.

From here it was possible to see Acheilidh Club hill, (An-t-Sron) the light green patch in the distance.

Taken on the way back

"Sea town Rogart"

The flat light green area in this photo would have been blue 200 years ago. The sea came in to Rogart to the post office at boat hill but in the early 1800 the Causeway at the Mound blocked the tidal wash from coming in the 4/5 miles.

London city Blackfriars

Thought you would like a picture of London to show we are not parochial in the Highlands. Recent business trip . View of St Pauls cathedral from Blackfriars.

Typical the day I was in London it was two degrees warmer in the Highlands. If you are reflecting on London and city life What does the bible say about cities? That would make an interesting study.

Separately Citylife is working to eradicate unemployment in cities. See the website on the column. Based in Cambridge they are looking for investors to lend money for 5 years to projects that generate jobs. One forfeits the interest and gets the money back in 5 years. That's a different way of charity giving!

Caithness , Sutherland Revival 1922

From the recent research here is some stuff from the local paper.



Northern Times
26/1/1922
30 converts from Helmsdale visited Brora and conducted service at the Fountain and the United Free Church
2/2/1922
Revival spread to Golspie. Positive article of Gods Goodness and YMCA helping young converts.
23/2/1922
Revival in Wick
“The revival in Wick is still progressing John Troupe's presence was an additional attraction, He is now almost well after his illness, but still to refrain from much exertion....one of the converts a young man died recently after a short illness,The hymns and prayers also bearing pathetic terms. A solo sung by Miss Lara Rosie was much appreciated.”
9/3/1922
Reference to Hymn singing conflict.
23/3/1922
Letter to editor of enquiry as to use of Pitgower Hall for meetings. Revivalist meetings (with hymn singing) got use of hall but not the Free Presbyterians
30/3/1922
Page 5 writer to paper recalls a “time of refreshing” in Rogart 50 years earlier 1870's when there were 70 converts. Wrote from Canada.
6/4/1922
3 weeks mission closes by Mr Dowie in Brora- moving to Golspie
20/4/1922
Page 4 col 3
Evangelistic meetings Golspie YMCA
Mr Dowie Aberdeen.
“Presentation to Mr Dowie at fisherman's Hall Brora presented with a roll of Treasury notes from the public of Brora. In reply and thanks “requested the revival meetings continue under Rev Thomson.”
See also additional sheet.
13/7/1922
Mr Mackenzie in Embo
People from Helmsdale going to take revival meetings in Balintore.
3/8/1922
Brora news: Rev Thomson Ill
Messrs Fraser Stewart and Robertson close two weeks mission in the Fishermen's Mission.

Observations

Several leading revivalists .
Troupe
Mackenzie
Dowie
Thomson: Rev Donald United Free Church settled previous year Feb 1921
In a few months revival has come right down the coast in to three counties...and we have never heard of this ...Why not???.

Oh and the tractor just a nice picture. You make up the link "Ssssleeping tractor... sleeping tractor like Scottish church hiding in the heather.. bracken. Rusty ineffective unit...

Revival Brora 1922

I was carrying out some research for an Historian yesterday in Brora
Here is some interesting stuff from the local paper of 1922.

Northern Times, 20 April, 1922 p8.
Col 2.
Brora News.

Presentation to Mr Dowie, Evangelist " at the usual Evangelistic Meeting held in the Fisherman's Hall, Lower Brora on Saturday evening. Mr Dowie of Aberdeen who is now leaving the District was presented with a roll of treasury notes from the public of Brora, as a token of esteem for the helpful addresses he delivered at the recent revival meetings in their midst. The Rev D Thomson in making the presentation on behalf of the subscribers thanked Mr Dowie for his valuable services both at the Open Air Meetings and elsewhere. Mr Dowie in reply said that this came unexpected but he hoped they had derived some lasting benefits through the Meetings held in the past and that they would continue to hold them under the guidance of the Rev Mr Thomson and helpers in the future.

Special Easter Communion As the result of the revival meetings held in their midst, a scene unparalleled in the history of the Parish, if not in the Highlands, was witnessed in the Clyne United Free Church, Brora at the morning service on Sunday last. A special Easter Communion was held at which the Rev Mr Thomson, Minister officiated. There were 195 persons partook of communion, the average communicants number about 100, but on Sunday there were 80 new members belonging to the United Free Church. 30 belonging to the Free Church who partook of it for the first time. As the revival only started after the New Year it speaks volumes for the good work done for the Master that so many young people belonging to different denominations should sit down together for the first time. The scene was a most inspiring and impressive one and will long live in the memory of all who witnessed it.

Lettie update 2

Lettie

Abhain Leataidh
58.02 degrees N
4.23degrees W
NC 680058

Pity there is no Earl of Lettie. But the Lethandy, Perthshire is a possibility, any connection??

Music

For all those getting bored with the Scottish scene ( Notice no tartan on this site try Scottish family history for tartan.) here is a photo to get you smiling.

Will the angels play Fender guitars in heaven when the harps are laid up?




Curtesy of Calvarychapel.com