By Rev Calum MacMillan
Rosskeen Free Church has marked its 125th Anniversary with a weekend of celebrations. The first service (in our current building) was held on the 14th June 1900 and the text chosen was “and on this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18) – how true that has been. We must admit a secret though – the congregation is actually older than that. Rosskeen was one of the congregations formed after the disruption under the then Minister Rev David Carment but it has been 125 years in its current location and building (which is built in the foundations of a previous building).
On the Friday evening there was a special service of thanksgiving and a video showing photos of the Church through the years. Many special memories were contained in it and many special people no longer with us. On the Saturday we had a congregational fun day – including bouncy castle, burger van, buffet, soft play, “creative corner” of playdough, lego and AirClay, scavenger hunt, face painting, rock painting and nerf battles. It turns out a 125 year old Church is a perfect place for a nerf battle for youngsters (and some not so young). On Sunday there was a Communion Sunday and it was a joy to welcome back Rev David Ferguson (North Uist & Grimsay). ‘Ferg’ as he is affectionately known in these parts was converted in Rosskeen and served as an Elder for many years before taking up the call to ministry. The evening service took the form of a praise night where we sang and heard testimony from Ferg on his journey to the Lord and into ministry.
The most encouraging part of the weekend was that it was crowned with the joy of welcoming seven new members to the congregation: five by certificate and two by profession of faith (including one of our youth fellowship). God is Good and to him be all the praise.
The theme of the weekend was the faithfulness of God. We did not want the weekend to be about us, or about a building, but about what the Lord has done – and for that to encourage us for the future. He is faithful and we want the Glory to be his.
There was such a sense of joy over the weekend – it was palpable. We are so thankful to all who joined us, sent well wishes, prayed for us, and to the amazing team at Rosskeen who worked so hard to pull everything together.
