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 warmer, let us see what has changed at Lonmay Church since the previous edition.
Covid is no longer the driving force in our lives and has now the same status as a head cold. Not man-flu as that is really serious.
Although the plan from Presbytery was for Lonmay Church to close it’s doors by the end of last year, that hasn’t happened. We plan to stay open for worship as long as we can, God willing.
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 19 October 2025
Seedtime and harvest will never cease – Genesis 8 v 22
A very warm welcome to the latest edition of Thought for Sunday.
As we give thanks to the Lord for another harvest safely gathered in, we also testify to God’s promise to Noah, many years ago, that there ‘will always be a harvest’ Sufficient food for everyone – no-one need starve. However, we know that in parts of the world, there are many people with insufficient food. This may be due to lack of rain, raids on crops, government corruption to deny food to starving people, or government policy to destroy surplus food stocks rather than donate to those in need.
We are very fortunate in the fact that many of our supermarket shelves are full of a wide variety of food, and it can be easy to take this for granted. It is amazing how people think of harvest as a ‘thank you’ to farmers and fishermen, without accepting that it is God who provides the weather for the growth of our food.
When God flooded the then known world in order to destroy the disobedience of people to His commands and instructions. Then when the waters subsided and the ‘big boat’ safely landed God spoke to Noah. He told Noah that never again would He flood the world and that the sign of the rainbow would be a clear indication of this promise. Although we still suffer from flooding in a small or large scale across the world, God has kept His promise.
Therefore, our Harvest Festivals are not just a celebration of another successful harvest, but a witness to God’s promise to Noah many years ago. We rejoice in the full shelves in our shops, and the wide range of choice we have to eat but let us never forget that it is God who provides the weather conditions for the crops, fruit and vegetables to grow.
As we come together to celebrate another harvest, may we live our voices in praise and thanks to God for His provision for each one of us.
