THE CONGREGATION of St Kiaran’s Episcopal Church has embarked on a new chapter in its history, which began on the Sunday after Easter.
For the immediate future, a team of three Lay people will lead the church.
rthur, Judith Macrae and David McEwan. David will be the co-ordinator of the team and arrange for the week to week running of services, but also take part with the others in leading services.
This type of ministry is not new to St Kiaran’s and it has been operating for nearly 10 years under the leadership of Andrew Williamson, who has now retired. The Bishop of the Diocese, Martin Shaw, will retain overall control of the Team and the congregation, but at local level, the Team and the congregation will collaborate, to ensure that services are maintained as before.
On Easter Sunday at St Kiaran’s Episcopal Church, the congregation marked the retirement of Andrew and Gwynath Williamson from active service in the church, by giving them a presentation of several gifts - a specially commissioned picture of a view of Campbeltown from Askomel Walk, a handsome carriage clock and book tokens.
The church was seated to capacity for the special service and in the presentation speech, mention was made of the outstanding contribution which Andrew had made to the life of the congregation and in particular for being there to see through the establishment of Local Collaborative Ministry, whereby members of the congregation learn to take responsibility for leading services themselves.
At the close of the service the congregation gathered over tea and cake to wish Andrew and Gwynath well on their retirement.
