Perfect end to kirk festivities

THERE was a very special guest at Portknockie Church of Scotland on Sunday when the congregation gathered for their weekly service. Taking to the pulpit to congratulate the kirk on the success of their 150th anniversary year in 2018 was none other than the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Susan Brown. She had been invited to preach at the church by locum minister Murray Campbell to mark the milestone occasion in the kirk’s history. It was a case of Pakistan – where she was the previous week – to Portknockie for Mrs Brown, who was making her first visit to the village. She told the Advertiser: “It’s a real privilege to be here to help celebrate Portknockie kirk’s 150th anniversary. “This is what it’s really about, catching up with local congregations. Today is about giving thanks for the past and looking to the future. “Some say the kirk is dying but when you look at the likes of Portknockie, its 150 successful years and bright future, you have to wonder how true that is.” Mr Campbell, who has known the
oderator for many years, said: “It’s wonderful to have the moderator here today to round off our 150th anniversary celebrations, a real privilege. “She’s a very busy person so to have her here is fantastic. It’s the perfect end to our anniversary celebrations.” Festivities to mark the anniversary got under way last May with a Junior Songs of Praise then in August a festival was held which saw the kirk fling open its doors to showcase how it has served local people over the last century and a half. A commemorative display formed part of the four-day event and featured snapshots from the years since 1868 when the lease was first granted by the Earl of Seafeld. Completing the festival programme was a songs of praise, followed by an open air service at the village flagstaff.