Moderator to visit South West Presbytery
Published on 20 September 2024 3 minutes read
The Moderator of the General Assembly is travelling to South West Presbytery to see the work done by the Church of Scotland within local communities.
The trip, which takes place from 20-24 September, will include visits to food banks, youth foundations, and local church congregations.
Rt Rev Dr Shaw J Paterson said he is looking forward to finding out more about the work of local church communities and charities.
Presbytery visits provide the Moderator with an opportunity to offer encouragement and support to church members and the communities they serve.
Dr Paterson said: "I am really excited about the trip when I will get the opportunity to see first-hand some wonderful church and community projects.
"As I said at the Assembly, I am eager to meet as many people as possible and have the opportunity to convey the good wishes of the General Assembly and remind them that they are valued and appreciated."
Church communities
The Moderator will begin his trip by travelling to the Isle of Arran and a visit to St Donans Whiting Bay Warm Room, which provides a warm community space to help people save on energy and food costs. It offers companionship to aid with mental-wellbeing and isolation and offers free food and drinks, and various activities.
The next day, Dr Paterson will travel to the village of Shiskine and the Old Clachan Preaching House, a ruin which dates back to the 18th century. In the building there will be a short act of worship led by Presbytery Clerk Christine Murray. Afterwards, he will travel to St Molios Church.
Later on Saturday, the Moderator will visit the Sannox Christian Centre, a cross-denominational site which hosts spiritual retreats.
On Sunday the Moderator will preach at a united worship service at Brodick Church, St Bride's Church of Scotland before departing Arran to visit Crossreach's South Beach House at Ardrossan, a residential care home.
On Tuesday Dr Paterson will travel to Millport to meet with primary school children who work alongside Church members to hear about Plant2Plate, a campaign to support pupils growing food sustainably, and local renewables. Cumbrae Parish Church has worked to introduce solar panels, an electric charging point, and a ground heat source pump.
The Moderator will meet with elders and members of Cumbrae Parish Church and Fairlie and Largs Parish Church.
Community support
The Moderator will visit Arran Youth Foundations, a multi-award winning charity that works to increase the self-confidence of young people and assist them in reaching their potential. The organisation provides a range of opportunities including guitar tuition, cooking lessons, art psychotherapy, and football.
Dr Paterson will continue on the next day to the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), a charity which works to protect and restore the marine environment on Arran. The charity has campaigned, over the past 20 years, to stop harmful mobile fishing which damages the seabed, achieve protection for a no take zone in Lamlash Bay where no fishing is permitted, and extend the zone area to exclude scallop dredging.
Following this, Dr Paterson will go to the 24/7 foodbank in Brodick Church, St Bride's Church of Scotland managed by volunteers from Arran Churches Together. The food bank is open 24/7 and has no need for a referral to access support but is open for anyone in need in the island community.
On Monday the Moderator will see the work done by the Music Man Project at the George Steven Centre, Kilbirnie, to teach children and adults with learning disabilities to sing, sign and play original music and arrangements. Afterwards, he will visit Moorpark Place, which provides supportive, therapeutic care to adults with learning disabilities.
