Abduction!

Well, here we are in bonnie Scotland! We are delighted that Lucy's niece, Christine, is with us for the first month. She has been such a wonderfully tremendous help. We are attempting to persuade her to stay longer though we wouldn't want her folks to know that we have been doing so.

On Friday, 19th September, John was inducted into the ministry at the Associated Presbyterian Churches' Tain/Fearn Joint Congregation. Around 220 attended the induction service. (The top building below is the Fearn Church overlooking the sea at Hilton and the bottom building is the Church at Tain.)

Following the induction service a reception was had. The children were surprised when they were presented with a wonderful 14ft trampoline. The kids have thoroughly enjoyed it so far and Lucy has noticed an increased appetite.

John and Lucy received a beautiful clock/barometer/hygrometer/thermometer with a plaque commemorating John's induction and lovely flowers. When John commented that the barometer was pointed to 'very dry' and wondered if that was an accurate representation of the weather here someone from the crowd pointed out that it was actually referring to the speaker!

There were many things that delighted us about the ocassion: the preaching, the charges, the fellowship, the welcome. We were particularly moved and thrilled that two elders from our former congregation came for the induction. Greig Park and Simon Oosterhof, with his son, Jonathan, attended and it was a wonderful display of support both for us and for the congregations here. More than one person commented on how delighted they were with the display of the partnership Christians share in the gospel. In a real way Riverside Church, though saddened by our leaving, sent us with their joyful blessing. It is so heart-warming to think about that. Riverside holds a special place in our hearts. We praise God for them. It would have been great if Riverside's other elder, Jon Van Dyk, could have been here too but we will save space for him to come some other time. Greig Park spoke wonderfully at the induction service and Simon spoke beautifully at the Congregational Luncheon on John's first Lord's Day here.

 

Above are two of John's former elders and below are John's two new co-labourers in the gospel here.

Finally, we had another link with Canada at the induction. Our dear friends, Allister and Jean Lucas, who often worshipped with us in Canada and who are now back in Northern Ireland, spent the weekend with us. It was strange, as Jean said, to be eating Tesco (supermarket here) ice cream with the van Eyks.