Moderator joins Port Glasgow churchs 200th celebrations

Rev William Boyle, the minister of Port Glasgow New Parish Church, said:

"It was such a special day, with such an upbeat and positive atmosphere around the place.

"Myself and the congregation really appreciated that the Moderator took time out of his busy schedule to be with us and to send us the best wishes of the Church of Scotland.

"He also preached a very powerful and important message to us all, saying: ‘Some people like to throw stones at the Christian Church and say, what a boring lot you must be… really? Following someone who was so entrancing and exciting as Jesus Christ, someone who was willing to give His life for us. Following someone who gives us a clear direction in life, in a world that is deeply confusing. Following someone that says, ‘I have come to give you eternal life, and not even death can rob you of that hope, that I am willing to plant in your heart if you come and follow me'."

"Our church here in Port Glasgow is growing, not just on a Sunday, with 28 new members in the last two years, but we are now open seven days a week hosting everything from youth and adult organisations, wellbeing support, walking football, ‘Walk, Talk and Breakfast' and our dementia cafe.

"What we have here is working – and working well. We continue to pray for our community and will continue to keep mission at the beating heart of all we do, serving in the name of Jesus who calls us."

You can find out more about Port Glasgow New Parish Church on their website and join them live on Facebook at 11am for their worship service every Sunday, with recordings available on YouTube each week.

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During the afternoon, Dr Greenshields cut the 200th anniversary cake, presented long service certificates to five elders for their 30 years' of service and spoke with their children's Sunday Club who kindly made him a card. He was also presented with a framed painting of the church, painted by one of the session clerks.

Over 180 people also joined together for a lunchtime celebratory buffet in the church hall.

"What a pleasure it was to be with the congregation and see the positive and good work they are doing," Dr Greenshields said.

"It is a warm, welcoming and growing church with an exceptionally positive outlook and a young minister with optimism, vision and hope for the future.

"I thank them for their generous hospitality and the opportunity to get to speak to a good number of people who truly value the ministry Rev William Boyle brings. Impressive, too, is the number of younger people in the church."

Port Glasgow New Parish Church were delighted to be joined by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, as they began their 200th-year celebrations on Sunday 22 January.