There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
‘For whom am I toiling,’ he asked,
‘and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?’
This too is meaningless –
a miserable business!
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labour:
10 if either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 (New International Version) was one of the Bible readings which formed the basis of Rev. Alastair Gray’s (Keith: North, Newmill, Boharm, & Rothiemay) sermon at the Service of Introduction of Rev. Geoff McKee to the Congregation of Lossiemouth St James’ in the Pastoral Charge of Lossiemouth St Gerardine’s High linked with Lossiemouth St James’.

The service which saw Rev Geoff McKee introduced, took place on Friday 26 February 2016 at 7:00 pm in St James’ Church.

The other officiating Ministers were Presbytery Clerk (Rev. Robert Anderson) and Moderator (Miss Margaret King).

Sermon

Rev. Gray said he thought of St Gerardine’s and St James’ as twins: two saints. And he considered other saints in the course of his sermon, explaining the central place they had in God’s work.

“Two are better than one: if either falls down, one can help the other up”.

“A cord of 3 strands is not quickly broken” and that could be two Christian congregations plus the Lord Jesus – which Alastair had found to be his own experience of linkages.

Addressing Geoff’s position, while hoping Geoff would find blessing and uplift in his interactions with both partners in the linkage (possibly tongue-in-cheek, though perhaps speaking from direct experience), he said that if one congregation were hard on Geoff, the other would surely love him. If he was down on his luck in one place, he would surely find uplift in the other.

He went on to consider several “twins” from the Bible, including:

• the twin sons of Isaac, Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25: 19 – 34);
• the twin sons of Judah, Perez and Zerah, who form part of the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1: 3) and feature in one of the Bible’s raciest stories (Genesis 38);
• the double features of (1) acting justly and (2) loving mercy – the combination meaning that you “walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6: 8)

Justice and mercy can be seen throughout Jesus’ ministry.

Recalling an occasion at university, in handing in a piece of written work, Rev. Gray had told his Professor that he “hoped he would get justice” for it.

The response? “Alastair, you’re gonna hope you get mercy for it!”

Rev. Gray also mentioned “Thomas” the Apostle or “Didymus”.  Both these names mean “twin”  – in Aramaic and Greek, respectively. Thomas is the most well-known Didymus, due to his role in early Christian history. He believed in the risen Jesus only when he was able to put his hands in the wounds inflicted on the Cross.

Rev. Gray pointed out that Thomas’s twin is un-named in the Bible.  However, he considered that we are all Thomas’s twin in many ways. We can all see ourselves in him: sometimes hesitant to believe, but then becoming fully convinced and fully dedicated (John 20: 24 – 29).

For us, in many ways, Jesus is our twin.  Jesus is the one who understands all our thoughts and fears.

Charge to the Minister

Later in the service, Margaret King delivered a short ‘charge’ to the new Minister of the linkage between St Gerardine’s and St James’.

She said that the Presbytery rejoiced in the fact that Geoff had now become the Minister in this no-longer-deferred linked charge – not least because they did not have to run around looking for an Interim Moderator and pulpit supply (!). Geoff had come to St Gerardine’s knowing that the linkage would come about at some point but perhaps not thinking it would be quite so soon. Geoff’s workload will now double – but his pay won’t. She urged him to be disciplined in the refreshing of his body, taking proper rest and recreation, so that, together with the people in both congregations, he might be effective in building up the body of Christ, and reaching out to the lost, in Lossiemouth. She wished him strength and courage, for the Lord will be with him.

Charge to the 2 congregations

And, to the the members of the 2 congregations, Margaret King had the following to say:

“Today, a new ministry has begun for both congregations and for Geoff. Yours has been an arranged marriage and you have not had a particularly long engagement, but we are all commanded to love one another, as Christ loves us. And so it is a matter of our will and choice whether we get on together.

Geoff will not be half a Minister to one and half a Minister to the other. Nor will be be two Ministers.

He is one whole Minister for one charge.

Help him to hold you together by holding him and each other together in your hearts.

Be patient.

Uphold and encourage him with your friendship and prayers, asking, for him and yourselves, that the Holy Spirit may be poured out richly upon you and you may all know and do the will of God in relation to these communities of faith.

St James’ folk – don’t be upset if he asks your name for a third time. You’ve only got one name to remember and you already know Geoff to a certain extent. Give him time.

St Gerardine’s people – don’t be upset if he is unable to do as much within your congregation. You have received gifts by which you may share in the ministry of the Church. All of you: develop these gifts and use them in the building up of the body of Christ in love, unity and peace.

Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you a spirit of unity amongst yourselves as you follow Jesus Christ so that, together, you may, with one voice, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death –
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11 (New International Version)

Header image: Lossiemouth skyline viewed from the West Beach, with the spire of St James’ to the left and the tower of St Gerardine’s High to the right of the photo.