Inverkeithing Parish Church News

Minister’s Letter : January 2010

A good verse to reflect on at the start of a new year is “Do not be anxious about anything, but in all things, make your requests known to God with thanksgiving”. (Phil. 4;6) We certainly have much to be thankful to God for in 2009 and I want to take this opportunity to express our very sincere and profound gratitude to George McEwan who has decided to resign from the Kirk Session, having reached his 70th birthday.

George has been an elder in Inverkeithing for 36 years and throughout that time has been a caring and diligent visitor in his districts. Many members have told me how much his kindness and support have meant to them over the years. But it was as Session Clerk of St Peter’s that his contribution to the life of the church has been incalculable. Many folk probably don’t realise how much work and responsibility the position of Session Clerk can entail, much of it behind the scenes. George faithfully fulfilled this role for 27 years and has served the church well through many changes and challenges, with dedication, resolve and humour. (Who can forget his recitation of Holy Willie’s Prayer at our last Burn’s night!)

Since the union of St Peter’s and St John’s, George has continued to serve our congregation as depute Session Clerk, Gift Aid convener and editor of this monthly newsletter, as well as being heavily involved in the planned refurbishment of St Peter’s. I have appreciated him as a colleague and a friend and look forward to working with him still as he continues to wear some of these caps for the time being. On behalf of the whole congregation, let me say a big “thank you” to George and wish him and Norma every blessing in the years ahead.

As we look forward to the coming year, with its inevitable share of challenges and opportunities, let me encourage you as Paul says to “make your requests known to God”. Please remember to pray for the life and witness of our congregation and our sister churches in the area, not least for those in the many positions of leadership and service.

At New Year, as we wonder what the coming months might hold in store, I never tire of quoting the words of Minnie Haskins that conclude: “Put your hand in the hand of God, for that is better than a light and safer than a known way”. May God our Heavenly Father bless you with health and happiness throughout 2010.

Yours sincerely,

Christopher Park