The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland enjoyed a homecoming to Larkhall at the weekend.
Rt. Rev. Dr Iain Greenshields said it was a “joy and a privilege” to be the guest preacher at Larkhall New Parish Church – the name of a new united congregation.
It came into existence in July last year following a merger between St Machan’s Parish Church and Chalmers Parish Church.
Dr Greenshields was the minister of St Machan’s Parish Church for nine years until 2002 when he moved to the Isle of Skye to be the spiritual leader of Snizort Church.
The Moderator told Lanarkshire Live : “It was a wonderfully enriching experience to return to Larkhall with my wife Linda and our family and receive such a warm welcome from Rev Alastair McKillop and the congregation.
“It was lovely to reconnect with so many people who were an important part of our lives for nine years.
“The congregation is in good heart, well led and looking forward to the future with faith and expectation.
“It was a joy and privilege to share in worship and fellowship with the folks at Larkhall New Parish Church.”
Mr McKillop said the congregation was delighted to welcome Dr Greenshields and his family to what used to be St Machan’s Parish Church building.
“The Moderator served as the minister of this church over 20 years ago and this proved to be a wonderful opportunity to meet old friends and remember shared experiences during a social time held in the church hall,” he added.
“This involved him cutting a large cake made especially for the occasion.
“As sweet as the cake was, the most satisfying part of the day was the challenging sermon which the Moderator delivered which spoke strongly about the responsibility of all Christians to share the Good News which God has given to us in Jesus.
“It is our hope and our prayer that our congregation shall indeed be encouraged to do so.
“The congregation warmly thanked the Moderator for his visit and assured him of their prayerful support as he serves the Church during his very busy year in office.”
Ordained as a minister in 1984, St Machan Parish Church in Larkhall was the Moderator’s second charge and he oversaw major refurbishment of the sanctuary and halls and establishment of the Machan Trust, which works with children, young people and their families.
One of the significant features of his ministry was ecumenical relations whereby all local congregations worked positively together in mission work to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
After chairing the annual General Assembly in Edinburgh in May, the Moderator spends 12 months serving as the ambassador of the Church of Scotland at home and abroad.
Dr Greenshields has taken a sabbatical from his role as minister of St Margaret's Community Church in Dunfermline, Fife where he has served since 2007.
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