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 18 January 2026
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do – 1 Peter 1 v 15.
Welcome to the latest edition of Thought for Sunday and thank you for taking the time to read this ‘Thought.’
January 2026 has already been a challenging month, weather-wise, with schools closed for an unprecedented period and travel extremely difficult. We are grateful to all who have sought to keep our roads open and to enable essential food to reach our shops.
We are reminded that we have limited control over the future. We can make genuine and sensible plans, but it is not always possible to see them through. Life can become frustrating and demanding.
How do we manage these uncertainties and challenges?
Peter, writing to people facing some horrific persecution, which meant facing the possibility of death at any time, along with other problems, sought to encourage them to keep their eyes and hearts fixed on Jesus. How can they do that? By seeking to live their lives in accordance with God’s will and directions.
Peter reminds his readers that it is God’s command to ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ In other words, we are challenged to live Christ-like lives, so that will see ‘the beauty of Jesus’ in us.
This is not as easy as the words suggest – as humans with a bias to disobey God – it is impossible to live that kind of life without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
So, the challenge for us today, is to ensure that we are ‘right with God’ in all we think, say and do, and to allow the Holy Spirit to complete His work in our lives. That means total submission to God and His Word, and to walk with Jesus step by step all the time. Not easy, but as the Lord has promised to with us, He will provide for all we need to fulfil His command to us. Let us live for Jesus and allow others to see the amazing transformation that He alone can make in people’s lives.
