The following is the text of a letter sent by our minister to members and adherents of both congregations, dated 26 November 2023. [NOTE: This post was originally published on 27 November 2023 and republished on 12 January 2024 so as to ‘bump’ the information to the top of the website].
Minister’s Letter – Sunday 26th November 2023 – Lossiemouth Church of Scotland
Dear Friends,
The union of St. Gerardine’s High and St. James’ Parish churches will become effective on 1st January 2024.
I would like to ensure that you are up to date with arrangements in advance of the new year.
As we look forward to the union of the parishes, it is important to understand that the two uniting parishes, their histories and heritages continue into the new relationship. This is a coming together of the parishes which is best understood as a marriage rather than a new birth.
The newly united parish will be known as Lossiemouth Church of Scotland.
Weekly Sunday services will be held in the current St. James’ building at 10am.
The united Kirk Session will consist of the elders currently serving on St. Gerardine’s High and St. James’ Kirk Sessions. Members of the united Kirk Session will be the local charity trustees of Lossiemouth Church of Scotland.
As Lossiemouth Church of Scotland will be operating under a Unitary Deed of Constitution there will be no Congregational Board.
The Kirk Session will be responsible for all matters; spiritual and temporal.