Video: Presbytery of Buchan – some congregational stories:
(Crimond and Lonmay represented by Mr Tim Barker)
Lonmay Newsletter
Welcome to this edition of the Lonmay Newsletter.
Now that Winter is with us, you can tell as the rain is white and hard, let us see what has changed at Lonmay Church since the previous edition.
Various forms of Cold, Flu and probably Covid have struck down various members of the Congregation. Please remember to wrap up warmly and try to avoid catching anything serious.
Although the plan from Presbytery was for Lonmay Church to close it’s doors by the end of 2024, that hasn’t happened. We plan to stay open for worship as long as we can, God willing. Services and fellowship continue as normal until further notice.
Please continue to come along to the weekly Sunday Service at 12:00 o’clock and be ready to sing along to the varied selection of hymns. These are either sung along to the wonderful organ accompaniment provided by Alice or by recordings provided by Tim.
Tim also produces the texts and ‘Thought for Sunday’ which is posted weekly below this newsletter. In addition, Tim sends them out to a distribution list every week. If you wish to be included in the distribution, let one of the session know or ask Tim directly.
It has been a difficult period of uncertainty, and your support, prayers and encouragement during this period has been really appreciated. Please continue to pray as we move into the next stage of the Presbytery Plan and ask the Lord to continue to lead and guide decisions which have to be made.
Just to let you know that Sunday School will NOT be re-opening due to the retirement of Lorna and Yvonne. Many thanks to Lorna and Yvonne for their dedication and commitment to the Sunday School over the last number of years. You are all invited to come along to the Sunday School Picnic (See events page for details).
Blessings.
Lonmay Thought for Sunday 8 February 2026
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4 v 2
A very warm welcome to the latest edition of Thought for Sunday.
In the centre of so much violence, war, rage, anger and hatred, it is sometimes very hard to live as Jesus has instructed us to do. Let us explore what the Lord inspired Paul to write to the church in Ephesus. Remember that the church had large numbers attending and there was much to thank the Lord for, as well as some division.
Paul wanted to encourage the Christians in Ephesus to set a clear example to others living around them. The same principles apply to us today.
Firstly, Paul encourages us to be humble and gentle. Sounds easy enough on paper, but we know how difficult it can be to put into practice. There is so much pressure on people today to be self-sufficient, and it is emerging that such behaviour can have a detrimental impact on lives. We need to be willing to reach out to the ‘unreachables’, to those we find it so hard to get alongside and to humble ourselves before them. There are many issues where people, often in ignorance, are defying God’s commands and we need to be gentle in our approach, so as not to put them off our Saviour and Lord, by being understanding and thoughtful.
Secondly, we need to be patient. We live in a world of instant responses to our needs. It seems that everything must be done as yesterday. Jesus wants us to be patient, as He is patient with us. Sometimes it is so hard to wait, especially when we desire the very best for those we love and care for. We are reminded that God is patient and His timing is always perfect, as we know from our own walk with Him.
Finally, we are to bear with one another in love. Just as our God is a God of love, so He wants us to impart His love, which He has freely given to us, to share with others. It is relatively easy for us to share God’s love with those we like, but so much harder to do the same to those who cause us pain and heartache. God does not differentiate between people, and however hard it is, He tells us to act the same way. May we do so!
