Dingwall Castle Street Church of Scotland

Dingwall Castle Street Church of Scotland (Home Page)
Scrap Book - 2009
Saturday 19th September - Monday 12th October 2009	During this period we hosted four visitors from Balaka congregation in southern Malawi in Africa. They were here as part of our partnership with that congregation. The visitors are Rev. Peter Kandulu, Justin Chabwera, Clifton Thyangathyanga, and Carol Chimuzu. During these three exciting weeks they: shared in worship; visited schools; visited hospitals; visited local authority; saw the caring services; supported Ross County; shared at the joint prayer meeting; attended Northern Convention, etc., etc. ...
Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd August 2009	As part of the Castle Street celebrations for the centenary of the Church building, we had a wonderful Flower Festival over the weekend. The sanctuary was magnificently decorated. There was an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia in the hall. And there were loads and loads of visitors who came, and saw, and had tea, coffee, bakes and biscuits. On the Sunday evening there was a joyous Songs of Praise service led by Dingwall Gaelic Choir and at which Andrew McGowan preached.
Thursday 21st May 2009	Anne Craig put on a superb 'Moroccan Evening'. Anne did the same at Dingwall Free Church a while ago. She and her mother have been out on Morocco to see Robert and Karen McNaughton plus Kirsty. Anne had some great pictures of people and places and Moroccan culture. There was a 'Morocco Quiz'. There was information about how the McNaughtons are getting on. And, of course, there was some very tasty Moroccan food.
Sunday 17th May 2009	Tonight we had the annual joint Christian Aid service: this year it was in St. Clements' Church of Scotland in Dingwall, our sister congregation. Russel Smith, the St. Clements minister, preached, and Russel used a vivid illustration from a vine to illustrate his point. Tea was enjoyed by everyone afterwards. Castle Street, St. Clements, St. James, and St. Lawrence's congregations all take part in the Christian Aid week in Dingwall.
Saturday 9th May 2009	Tonight we had the Friendship International 'New Song' choir at the Church. What a fantastic evening it was. We first met the folk from Friendship International in 2007, and since then the bonds have developed. Alan Crombie, along with George Reynolds of St. Clements church, has been helping with their orphanage and summer camps projects in Romania. Friends were back among us - Del, Matthew, Lorraine, Adi, Tabita, etc. The singing was marvellous. The blessing was great.
Friday 24th April 2009	Tonight we had a Quiz night. It was in aid of Christian Aid who provide a ready-made Quiz pack which we supplemented. 22 teams of 4 took part in Castle Street Church Hall, with a team from SEPA coming out on top. £250 was raised. We had teams from many churches in Dingwall: Castle Street; St. Clement's; the Free Kirk; St. James, St. Lawrence's; the Baptist Church; Dingwall Evangelical Church, plus teams from the Academy, St. Clement's School, Rotary, SEPA, etc.
Friday 10th April 2009	Today was Good Friday. Our preacher at the Good Friday service was Bill Wilson from Dingwall Baptist Church. Bill and his wife Myra were in Malawi for many years working with the Zambezi Mission, and Myra teaching at the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi. Our minister, Bruce, knew the Wilsons in Malawi, especially Myra whom he met at Academic meetings. Bill preached powerfully and clearly tonight. It was a blessing to have fellowship together.
Sunday 1st February 2009	Today was Communion Sunday for Castle Street Church, and it was a special one. Back in 1900 our congregation and what is now the Free Church congregation split and went their separate ways. But at the evening service today we had communion together in Castle Street Church with Angus McCrae preaching, followed by fellowship in the hall afterwards.
Friday 30th January 2009	Tonight a large number of Castle Street folk went to Andrew McGowan's Induction to Inverness East Church of Scotland. Andrew has been Principal of Highland Theological College since 1994, and he, June and the boys have been part of Castle Street congregation ever since the College moved to Dingwall. Their support and enthusiasm have been such a blessing to all of us, and we will miss them. The Induction Service was first-class, with Bart Buell leading and Hugh Watt preaching. The social and speeches afterwards were great fun. 11.00 finish!
Sunday 4th January 2009	This morning at the 11.00 service we had a service of dedication and blessing for the three children of Kevin and Eleanor. This was our first occasion of this type. The Church of Scotland approved the concept of such a service at its General Assembly in 2003. It provides an opportunity for parents who feel that at the moment they cannot take the full baptismal vows to bring their children to church for dedication.