North West Lochaber

The new parish of North West Lochaber comprises several distinctive communities ranging from Mallaig and Arisaig to the Small Isles and Knoydart. Collectively known, in days gone by, as the Rough Bounds – Na Garbh Chriochan – it is the area of West Inverness-shire between Loch Hourn and Loch Shiel, comprising the districts of Knoydart, Mallaig, Morar, Arisaig and Moidart and includes the Small Isles of Canna, Eigg, Muck and Rum.

Congregation

This new Congregation has its roots in the Celtic Christianity of Columba. During the 7th Century, one of his successors, Donnan evangelised the island of Eigg. Before the arrival of the railway to Mallaig in 1901, the district was almost totally Catholic. The developing fishing industry brought with it fishermen and their families from Scotland’s east coast. This focussed the need for a church in Reformed tradition. Until this time, ministry for the parish of the Small Isles was based on Eigg where there is a fine church building. The first place of worship in Mallaig was the Bethel Church, now Mallaig church hall, which was built in 1902. St Columba’s church was completed in 1909. The two congregations united in January 1931. From 1614 the Parish of Arisaig was part of Ardnamurchan and became a separate parish in 1919. In October 1991 the Presbytery of Lochaber reorganised the parishes, moving responsibility for three of Small Isles from Mallaig to Arisaig. The two parishes were linked in May 2005 and the new Congregation was formed on 2 March 2008.

The new congregation serves a parish of c.2000 and has a roll of 175 with a worshipping congregation of c.80 each Sunday. The Kirk Session has 10 Elders, one of whom lives on the Isle of Muck.

Janet Anderson was appointed as Deacon in 2006 and since May 2007 there has been an interim minister who is helping to prepare for the next ministry.

Interim Ministry

Included here is a comment from Jim Reid, Minister of Kinghorn and Task Group Leader of Interim Ministry.

‘The new charge of North West Lochaber which has emerged during a time of Interim Ministry led by Revd John Christie brings together many different communities, traditions, backgrounds and expressions of faith into a challenging and I am sure, rewarding new expression of the church "on the Road to the Isles".

Having been involved in the journey of Interim Ministry from the former Linked Charge of Arisaig and the Small Isles linked with Mallaig St Columba's and Knoydart to the new charge of North West Lochaber it has been a winding, twisting road: but that is in the very nature of Interim Ministry in which difficulties are faced, history is addressed and new relationships are being formed.

Now the people of North West Lochaber, are ready to seek a minister to lead them into the next stage of life together, to build on the work done during the Interim Ministry process and seek God's will for future days.

As team leader of the Interim Ministry Task group I commend this charge to your thoughtful and prayerful consideration.’

Vision

Members of the new congregation bring significant theological insights offering a spectrum is evangelical and ecumenical in its life, service and witness. The constituent parts of the new congregation bring a willingness to grow and develop under the leadership of its next minister.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself St Luke 10.27 KJV

Inscribed on either side of the inside door of St Donnan's Church on Eigg, in Gaelic and in English are two familiar scripture texts. These familiar verses underpin the mood and aspirations of the new congregation of North West Lochaber. The verses serve as both a standard of life and a call to Christian service, mission, outreach, nurture and pastoral care. They remind everyone associated with the congregation of both the priorities of faith and the way in which they ought to be lived as a congregation of the Church serving the whole parish and all its communities to the best of its ability in the service of Jesus Christ the King and Head of the Church.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St John 3.16 KJV

Church Buildings

St Columba’s, Mallaig

Arisaig Church

Mallaig Church Hall

Mallaig church, completed in 1909, stands in a prominent position overlooking the Small Isles and the harbour. The church building is in good condition. Arisaig church dates from 1810-1811, is a category B listed building, by the architect J G Graham, and stands in a sheltered spot near the centre of the village. It was recently re-roofed and is in generally good condition. A project is under way to upgrade the existing vestry and provide meeting rooms, kitchen and toilets. The distance between the churches is seven miles and they are connected by a modern road which allows the journey to be undertaken in about 10 minutes by car. In the spirit of Church Without Walls, the church buildings offer very significant potential for mission and outreach to the community as well as for developing new forms of worship for nurturing all ages associated with the congregation.

Manse The manse is located in Mallaig, close to Mallaig High School. The situation gives stunning views across the Sound of Sleat to Skye and the Small Isles. There is easy access to the harbour with Caledonian MacBrayne services to the Small Isles and Skye. Ferry services to Knoydart are operated by Bruce Watt. There is a ferry service to the Small Isles from Arisaig during the summer season. The condition of the manse is excellent as it was modernised in 2007 and a vehicle access was provided. Accommodation comprises: Downstairs – a large modern dining kitchen, adjacent family room, two public rooms, bedroom and bathroom. Upstairs – three bedrooms, two of which are ensuite, the third bedroom is smaller. There is oil-fired central heating and fitted carpets throughout, apart from the kitchen and family rooms which have vinyl floor-coverings. There is good-sized garden.

Services

A pattern of worship for the Sunday services in Arisaig and Mallaig is being developed which allows the minister to enjoy some family time on a Sunday. Services in the Small Isles take place regularly. A monthly service is held in Glenfinnan House Church and in Knoydart. There is also a service once a month, by arrangement, held in the MacKintosh Care Centre.

An annual all-congregation service is held on one of the Small Isles. On Muck the service takes place in the Craft Shop, the School or occasionally outside depending on the weather. On Eigg the service is in the Church or the School, and on Rum the Service is in the School or the Castle. In addition there are regular visits to the Small Isles for worship and celebration of Holy Communion.

Until recently visits by the deacon and minister to the Small Isles and Knoydart depended on public ferry services. However, funding is now being obtained to charter a boat and skipper for such visits. This means the visits should, in most circumstances, be completed in a day.

Constitution

The opportunity afforded by the Unitary Constitution has seen the development of teams to facilitate all aspects of Congregational Life.

Congregational Organisations

Junior church

Both Arisaig and Mallaig have small but enthusiastic Sunday Schools.

Church of Scotland Guild

The members (currently 17) meet monthly in Arisaig.

5-Alive

For Primary 5 upwards based in Arisaig.

Shipshapes club is held in Mallaig once a month for children of primary school age of all denominations.

Summer Mission

Held in Mallaig during the school summer holiday with the help of a team from Youth for Christ and a team from Faith Mission for the children’s mission.

Newsletter

A regular Church newsletter ‘The Link’ is produced by a dedicated band of volunteers.

Members of the congregation have in the past, occasionally taken responsibility for the organisation and delivery of services.

A drop-in style Saturday youth-club offering an opportunity for contemporary worship and various outings for young people has operated in the past but is currently not active due to disclosure regulations.

Prayer Meetings and Bible Study

Meetings are held in both villages.

Relationships with other Churches

In this part of the West Highlands, the denominations work together. There are many mixed marriages and ecumenical events which are attended on an individual basis. It is commonplace to attend weddings and funerals in each other’s churches. Joint activities with St Mary’s, St Cumin’s and St Patrick’s Catholic Churches, have included joint services for Advent and Palm Sunday, the World Day of Prayer and a Procession of Witness on Good Friday. There have also been joint Lenten Bible Study Meetings.

Working for others

Christian Aid is well supported, during Christian Aid Week and also at Christmas. Various events have been organised in support of missionary partners and more local causes as well as supporting Church funds. Emergency fund-raising is also carried out when there are specific disaster appeals .

Annual sales of work, Christmas bazaars, plant sales and junior sponsored knits contribute and involve various different parts of the community.

Ministries Group

The group meets regularly and comprises, at the present time, the Interim Minister, Deacon, the parish priest for Arisaig and the parish priest for Mallaig and Morar and the former locum at Arisaig.

Schools

Mallaig primary and secondary schools are within easy walking distance of the manse.

Chaplaincy

Each village has a Primary School, as do each of the Small Isles and Inverie. There is a Gaelic Medium Primary unit in Mallaig Primary School. There are also Nursery units. Mallaig has a six year High School with a roll of around 130 pupils and a full curriculum.

Mallaig and Morar Community Centre in Mallaig provides further education courses in conjunction with Lochaber College in Fort William and the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Health Care

Both Mallaig and Arisaig have modern Health Centres and there is a Pharmacy in Mallaig. Mallaig also has the MacKintosh Day and Respite Care Centre. Hospital care is provided in the Belford Hospital, Fort William or Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Recreation

There is a good 9-hole golf course at Traigh, which is reputed to have some of the finest views from a golf course in Scotland. Mallaig has a Swimming Pool and fitness centre. This is situated beside the High School, which also has an all weather games pitch. There is a Public Library in the Mallaig and Morar Community Centre. Mallaig also has a Heritage Centre and Arisaig has the Land, Sea and Islands Centre as well as the Astley Hall, a venue for community and cultural events. There is an active sailing marina in Arisaig harbour. There is a wide choice of activities for the young and not so young in the area including music, sport and canoeing.

Shopping

Arisaig and Mallaig each have a post office and small, but well-stocked supermarkets. There is a butcher’s shop inside the Spar shop in Mallaig. Mallaig has two banks and a petrol station; Morar has a petrol station attached to Morar Motors which is a repair garage. Both villages have a number of restaurants (some of them seasonal). Mallaig is an active fishing port and fresh fish is readily available.

Public Transport

Mallaig is 45 miles from Fort William and 100 from Inverness. Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig lie on the West Highland Railway Line. There are regular daily train services to Fort William and Glasgow. There is also a regular daily bus service to Fort William and Inverness and Glasgow. The CalMac car ferries operate to Skye and the Small Isles.

The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen There is an active Fishermen’s Mission in Mallaig, which holds a service on the first Sunday of each month. R.N.L.I. There is a busy lifeboat station in Mallaig.

Community Involvement

Several members of the congregation are actively involved in the local community, serving on the Community Council, working with Brownies, local youth, lunch clubs and the elderly.

The local Youth Club, based in Mallaig Community Hall is led by church members.

The congregation is open to its buildings being used by community organisations for events like band practice and youth activities.

Financial Statement

The financial position at Arisaig is as follows :

There is approximately £50,000 held in two bank accounts while the biggest single asset is the manse which was surveyed early in 2007 and valued at £235,000.

There is an outstanding loan of £80,000 from the General Trustees which was taken out to pay for the renovations to the Mallaig manse.

In 2008 a new parish hall with kitchen facilities and toilets, a vestry and an office/meeting room are to be built adjacent to the church. Further loans and grants from the General Trustees have been secured to finance this project.

The manse will be sold hopefully in 2008 and the proceeds from that sale will be used to pay off all the outstanding loans.

It is therefore difficult to give an estimated budget for 2008 but we are hopeful that by the end of the year there will still be financial resources in place.

The financial position at Mallaig is as follows :

There are approximately £2000 of unrestricted funds and £400 of restricted funds held in the main bank account, with a further £495 of restricted funds held in two separate accounts. We are awaiting repayment of £1,140 from the Inland Revenue, which relates to Gift Aid for the second half of 2007.

The only large item of expenditure which is necessary at present is the repainting of the Church hall exterior.

The Church's average income for the last two years is £21,700. Expenditure in 2007 exceeded income by £87.00

The Path Forward

The Nominating Committee sees the future of this new congregation as one built on love and obedience to Christ as we undertake the work he has for us. The congregation offers its support as well as the complementary strengths of the former congregations. These strengths are perceived to be a readiness by members and adherents to undertake practical tasks in support of the church and community, and to commit themselves to the worship, witness and work of the church.

We look forward to working with a minister who will lead us with energy and enthusiasm, encouraging deeper commitment to Jesus Christ, nurturing faith and enabling care and compassion to further God’s work in our area. We seek someone whose preaching will be both biblical and contemporary and who has an interest in the wider work of the church both at home and overseas. There is also a great opportunity to build on the existing work of taking the Gospel to the young people of this area as well as some of the many holiday makers who visit the area during the summer months.

While the parish is a large one it is also a most beautiful one. We believe that the first minister of North West Lochaber will enjoy a fulfilling ministry to which we look forward with anticipation and hope as we journey to the future to which Christ leads.