- 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 Summer is with us, you can tell as the rain is slightly warmer. Now, let us see what has changed at Lonmay Church since the previous edition.
Although the weather is meant to be warmer, please remember to dress appropriately for the conditions. Be prepared to cast a layer when coming into the sanctuary as the heating will be on.
Although the Presbytery Plan had Lonmay Church closing 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. We are currently working towards a single Parish made up of the old parishes of Aberdour, Strichen, Tyrie, New Pitsligo, Crimond and Lonmay.
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 mad
Blessings.
Crimond and Lonmay Thought for Sunday 13 September 2026.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus – 2 Timothy 1 v 13.
A very warm welcome to you for the latest edition of Thought for Sunday.
Our verse today comes from the last letter that Paul wrote from his prison cell before his execution. It is written to Timothy, the young man who Paul had chosen to take on his missionary journeys, and to develop the spiritual foundations which had been laid by his mother and grandmother. Timothy is described as Paul’s ‘son in the faith.’ Paul had a ‘soft spot’ for Timothy and was keen to encourage his growth in the Lord Jesus. Timothy had taken on the responsibility of the growing, but challenging church in Ephesus. It presented Timothy with issues which required sensitivity and clear instruction.
So, Paul writes to Timothy to encourage him to stick to ‘sound teaching’ and to do this with his faith and love in Jesus. This could well be written to church and spiritual leaders today. We live in times when there are major efforts being made to eradicate our Christian foundations, and to confide Christianity to the past and history.
The sad situation is that, while Christianity is abhorrent to some, there are too many people who are unaware of the teaching of Jesus. Their views are based on ignorance and inaccurate media comments. So, it is up to Christians today to live out their faith, so that others may see the transformation that only Jesus can bring. Our thoughts, words and actions will reflect His amazing peace, hope and love, which is based, not on fantasy, but on the living person of Jesus Christ.
So, we are being encouraged to remain true to the teaching of Jesus, strong in our faith in Him and to share the Good News of Jesus in faith and love. We are not to sit in judgement, nor to be arrogant or insensitive towards unbelievers. We are simply to live for Jesus, allowing His beauty to be seen in all we do. What people want to see and know is the outworking of our faith in practical ways. May we be channels of His blessings to others this week.