370. FOCHABERS - (Bellie Kirk, CofS)
Lynne's Church
When we arrived in Fochabers in 1981 we were invited by the then Minister (Revd Alick Hugh MacCaulay, to join the Kirk and he also managed to persuade Jeff to play the organ there.
Lynne is still a member of the Bellie Kirk and Jeff is an Adherent and attends when he can and his other duties allow -
thus we are ecumenical, supporting each other and our churches.
There is a wonderful community spirit in this church.
The Minister of Bellie & Speymouth Kirk, Revd Alison C. Mehigan
For further details and service timings see the website for Bellie & Speymouth Churches at: www.bellieandspeymouth.org.uk
Photographs below taken by Jeff Lowndes
BELLIE KIRK INTERIOR AFTER THE RE-ORDER IN 2010 (The 'old' interior is shown below the new)
BELLIE KIRK INTERIOR BEFORE THE RE-ORDER IN 2010 (The 'new' interior is shown above)
The Pulpit in Bellie Kirk
Preaching the Word is of Prime Importance in The Kirk
The Communion Table is flanked by the lectern and font.
Note that the entrance doors are either side of the pulpit so that members had to walk in under the gaze of the congregation (being late was very noticeable!!).
It didn't leave much of a distance to walk in procession for a bride etc.
View of the balcony on the right facing the pulpit, the side entrance to the Session Room and the Hall can be seen.
View of the balcony on the left facing the pulpit.
View to the back of the church showing the organ and choir stalls. The stained glass was partly hidden by the organ. This has changed, the organ has been replaced by an Allan Digital Organ sited below the balcony to the right.
The old organ position will be filled by the pulpit, lecturn, font and communion table
BELLIE KIRK STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
The stained glass windows can now be seen - the organ was removed in the first part of the 're-order'.
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CHURCH GROUPS & ACTIVITIES
The Sunday School in May 1996
Lynne & Jeff at the back near the left and the then minister Revd David Ferguson is near the centre back
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SPEYMOUTH CHURCH - Known as THE RED KIRK
' TAKE NOTE '
Lynne & Jeff with other helpers formed the group 'Take Note' as a young choir, meeting on Friday evenings. We sang, played games and put on musicals, entertained the elderly etc. The group is still going strong. The original children have all moved on now, many to university, some married with their own children. Some are now group leaders in Take Note.
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