truth is god's truth paul the evangelist - Free Church of Scotland

NEWS
Portree Induction
Induction at Portree Free Church –
Rev Donald G MacDonald
On Saturday 15 th November 2003, the
congregation of the Free Church of Scotland
in Portree was greatly encouraged by the
presence of over 400 people from local
congregations in Skye, and throughout
Scotland, who attended the induction service
of their new minister. The Presbytery of Skye
and Wester Ross met to induct the Rev
Donald G MacDonald to the charge, and
were grateful to the local Church of Scotland
congregation for the use of their church
building. Its fine acoustics maximised the
heartfelt singing of the psalms, which is an
abiding memory of the afternoon.
The service was conducted by the Rev
Farquhar Renwick, of Knockbain Free
Church, who spoke of the passion of the
Saviour as illustrated in the Gethsemane
narrative, and how that ought to be the
inspiration for every pastor. The Rev John
McIntosh, Poolewe and Aultbea, then
addressed the new minister in terms of Paul’s
advice to the Thessalonians—that he would
comfort and exhort his congregation “as a
father does his own children”, and that he
himself would walk “worthy of God”. The
Rev Kenneth MacDonald, retiring Interim-
Moderator, addressed the congregation
regarding their responsibilities towards their
new pastor and the potential for
development in their community.
The reception which followed the service
took place in Portree Community Centre,
where over 300 people sat at tables
beautifully prepared by the ladies of the
congregation (and a man or two!). The
February 2004—page 12
chairman, Rev John Maclean (Kilmuir and
Stenscholl) invited Mr John Angus Gillies,
elder, to speak, and he gave a warm word of
welcome, along with gifts, to the new
minister and his wife. Mrs Mary Graham
presented Mrs Debbie MacDonald with a
bouquet of flowers, and some of the young
folk of the congregation gave gifts to the new
manse children (Stuart, Catriona, and
Fiona).
The new minister then invited various
speakers to contribute to the proceedings.
They in turn acknowledged the sterling
efforts of the Rev Kenneth MacDonald and
his wife Reta, who had carried out major
and innovative work over the previous threeand-a-half
years with much blessing
following. The congregation expressed its
gratitude to God for developments in that
100 years apart!
Mr Peter Robertson of the
Dumfries congregation is almost
exactly 100 years older than Eoin
Coinneach Cumming, grandson of
Norman and Sheila Cumming
(Norman is Session Clerk in
Dumfries).
Peter was born in May 1903
and Eoin Coinneach in February
2003.
Eoin Coinneach’s parents are
Iain and Maureen Cumming of St
Vincent Street Free Church.
Photograph by Clive Bailey
time that had brought them all to this happy
day with its sense of anticipation. Mr Martin
Cameron, session clerk at the new minister’s
previous parish of Resolis and Urquhart,
spoke movingly of his 11 years there, and of
how much he and his family were missed.
Rev Colin Macleod (Urray) and Rev Derek
Lamont (St Columba’s) spoke candidly
about the new minister, and gave the
congregation suitable advice! Greetings from
friends and congregations far and wide were
then read out, and the recently-inducted
Portree Church of Scotland minister (Rev
John Murdo Nicolson) also gave a word of
welcome. Throughout the afternoon, tribute
was made to Mr Peter MacDonald and Mrs
Rena MacLeod for their organizing prowess,
and the congregation was thanked for having
worked so hard to ensure that the day went
well.
Rev MacDonald thanked all who had
attended, and spoke of the great sense of
encouragement he felt, in returning to his
native isle. He had been very conscious of
the Lord’s leading. Although he felt daunted,
he looked forward to the new sphere of
service, and would value highly the ongoing
prayer support of all. He referred to Isaiah
61 vv 1-3 and outlined his sense of
reaffirmation of duty and privilege in the
Lord’s work. He then intimated that the Rev
Neil MacMillan (Kirkcaldy) would take the
morning service the following day, by way
of introducing the new minister to the
congregation. The happy occasion was
brought to a close with the singing of the
last three verses of Psalm 72 and the
benediction.
Charles Crichton