news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
June 2008

From the Manse

The warmer weather of recent days has been a real tonic. From 'the Office' in the manse, I can see the bird bath and it has recently been providing much refreshment to our many visitors, of the feathered variety! It is a delight to watch sparrows, starlings, crows and finches pausing to 'refuel' between sorties, attracted; "As cold water to a thirsty soul" (Proverbs 25;25.)

Water is vital to all life, so the barren and dusty nature of the planet Mars we have witnessed in the news recently, reminds us of the need to be thankful and prudent with our use of this life-perpetuating gift. It is hardly surprising that our Scriptures so frequently use water as a powerful symbol of God's providence especially in the often arid regions of the Holy. Isaiah could readily inspire with powerful words such as:

"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters"

(Isa 55;1)

Jesus also used the symbolism of water in his teaching -

"Whoever drinks the water I give him, will never thirst"

(John 4;13 - 15)

Indeed later this month water will feature in our church with the welcome and baptism of two youngsters from our community:

"Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them"

(Mark 10;14)

Duncan

Parish Register

Wedding
24th May 2008 : Miss Annabel Ross, The Moorings, Station Road, Burghead to Mr Simon Harrison.

Deaths

We extend our sincere condolences to members of the families.

4th May Mr S Robertson, Donnachaidh, Cummingston
9th May Mrs E Mackenzie, 22 Granary Street, Burghead

Boys Brigade

BB Prize giving will be held during the service on Sunday, 15th June.

Sunday Services - Scripture Readings

A NEW list of Bible Readings for each of the services for the next three months is on the Notice Board at the church entrance. Anyone who would like to read a lesson during the service, please append your name to the sheet.

Blythswood

The monthly collection will be on Tuesday, 24th June.

The Annals of Alves

(Researched and contributed by Brian Millar)

Minister's ordeal (cont)

I dare say Mr Hannay was not too keen to risk his neck in quarrels which he may have thought had little to do with him. At any rate his next time of trial came after the battle of Auldearn when the Marquess of Montrose and his royalist followers swept over the Laich of Moray.

The Covenanting authorities who ruled the land were horrified to discover that he had signed the Marquess of Huntly's Bond - a royalist manifesto produced in defiance of the Solemn League and Covenant.

The last straw

When called upon to answer for this misdeed he told a pathetic tale. He said that when the royalist army invaded the parish he fled to the House of Burgie for shelter and "after burning of the corn and slaughter made on both sides the house was surrendered." In the meantime the soldiers had plundered the manse and taken away his books.

This was the last straw. In order to get back his books and other goods he signed the Marquess of Huntly's Bond, went to see Montrose and recovered his goods. The Covenanting authorities did not think this excuse was good enough. They evidently suspected him of royalist sympathies and deposed him from his charge. It made no odds that he made a public repentance of his "crime" at Alves in November, 1648. In 1649 a new minister was appointed in his place, but Mr. Hannay refused to quit the manse.

At length, however, he handed over the keys and the new man, the Rev. William Campbell, was able to take over. In due course Mr Hannay was considered to have "tholed his assize" and was appointed minister of Inveraven.(to be continued)