Sunday Service, Sunday 2 August 2020
Church Services are cancelled as are most of our other regular activities. However, that does not mean Church has stopped. We just have to work out new ways of doing it. We still have a pastoral concern for our people. The elders and the Contact Group are not able to function as normal. A good number of them are older and more vulnerable and need to be more careful, but can still communicate by phone or email. Some of our folk who can’t get out will be well provide for by family, but some will have no family nearby, or perhaps they too will be required to be isolated. I was pleased to overhear someone at Riccarton on Sunday offering to bring shopping to one of our older members. He will be doing it for his father anyway, so it’s no bother. A member at Fenwick who is in her 90s phoned me to say that if anyone is stuck in and wants a chat she’ll be happy to phone them. How can we as a church support each other at this time?
Sunday worship as normal is still not possible, but there are still many good resources available online. (I know not everyone has internet access, and it is not as good as being together). I have provided a link on our Facebook Page for the online Congregation of the Church of Scotland https://www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk/ and there are many other resources. I will try to record and post some messages appropriate for our own congregations. (Perhaps others might like to contribute to this too).
I am reminded of Psalm 137, “By the rivers of Babylon we sat ant wept when we remembered Zion… How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYK9iCRb7S4 But they did learn to do that. Their situation was drastically changed but they discovered God had not abandoned them.
Through the exile they discovered God in a new way We need some thought and reflection, and of course prayer, but I believe that we can do the same.
Think of Fenwick and you may think first of our attractive and historical white washed Kirk with its crow stepped gables. Built in 1643 it has been described by visitors in various terms as quaint, a beautiful wee Kirk, and as a place of God’s presence and peace. As a building it points to the wonderful heritage of the Parish. But, we are more than that!
Fenwick Parish Church is a lively, active and busy congregation. We serve a semi rural population, centred on the village of Fenwick but including the hamlets of Waterside and Moscow as well as a large rural hinterland. The make-up of the congregation is mixed from the very young to the not so young. The Kirk Session and congregation are rising to the challenge of melding the traditional with the contemporary. Sunday morning worship is a mix of organ led and band led praise and seeks to be inclusive of the generations. Members of the congregation are involved in scripture readings, prayer and occasional dramas. We seek to be outward looking as a congregation running regular Alpha courses to introduce members of the community to the Christian faith and are actively involved in supporting a number of overseas projects.
CHURCH SERVICES – SUNDAYS 10.00am
JUNIOR CHURCH and Ycam – 10.00am
Hi We visited Church back in 2000. I just can’t remember the history of the chain by the door. Could you help me please.
I’m a HOWE and are doing my Family Tree.
Regards
Raewyn NEILSON
Hi. My Great Grandparents were married in Fenwick about 1847 and I would like to know if your parish records are still held at the kirk, or at some other repository. We are hoping to visit from Australia during 2016, but this is contingent upon on health as we are getting on.
If you could reply to Email I would very much appreciate it.
Regards
Eric Edwards
My 5th great grandfather was married there too . 20th of December 1781 John watt and Jean Brown Any records to see if I come visit from Canada ?
I was a member of Fenwick church from 1971 to 1984 and sang in the choir, I can’t remember the ministers name.
My great grandfather was the minister at the church and my grandmother played the pump organ. Exact dates I don’t have but the surname was Burns. Are there records kept at the church? I will be in the area this summmer.
Thanks
Bill
Hi Bill, Your Great Grandfather, Andrew Burns saw the last tragic event in the life of the Old Fenwick Parish Church. It happened on the evening before the November Communion of 1929. A spark from the Church’s boiler set alight to the roof and the Church was totally destroyed. Only the walls remained standing and all that was saved internally was the Sand Glass and its stand. In a short space of time the Church was rebuilt and restored to its former glory. We have very few records in the church but his name is on our Ministers Board displayed in the church and there is a picture of him in our vestry. Contact us when you are going to be in the area and we can arraign a tour.
Would love to come visit .
I am visiting Scotland for the first time and am enjoying some time researching ancestry. I believe one of my ancestors was buried in your cemetery in the 1800s. Is the cemetery open to public to visit?
Hi,
Yes it is always open.
Hello-
Find a Grave lists my greatX4 grandmother Ann Craig Dunlop (1760-1791) as being buried in the Fenwick Parish Churchyard. There is no photo of her grave on the memorial here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185288627
Is there a way to confirm that she is in fact buried there?
Thanks for your help- it is MUCH appreciated.
Hi Michelle, Ann Craig Dunlop is memorialised in our graveyard. I have sent you an email with details and pictures.
hi, trying to find out if Robert Buntine is buried in your church grounds? He was born in Fenwick about 1630 and was executed on 19th Dec 1666 in Glasgow as a result of the Pentland Rising of that year. i have a photo of what looks like a gravestone of his. He is my 9th Great Grandad.
thank you and God bless
Martin