As I mentioned in blogs past, the Reformed Presbyterian church in Scotland has been growing. The church in Stornoway has grown to the point where it was ready to call a minister and induct Elders and Deacons. In order to encourage the sister church, groups from the Airdrie and Glasgow made the journey up north. Stornoway is located on the Isle of Lewis which is the most northern island on the western side of Scotland. It is the closest I have ever been to the top of the world (thus far).
Knowing that this adventure would take us five hours in the mini-bus in addition to a three hour ferry ride, I signed up to go along. Even though multiple twenty hour bus journeys of the past had prepared me for this trek, I had only crossed on a ferry once before on the way to Ireland. The plan was to get to Ullapool, sail our on the 5:30 ferry to Stornoway, stay in a hostile (for us youngins), attend the service the following morning, enjoy lunch together and sail back in the afternoon. So Friday morning at 10:30 all of us from Airdrie set out. This included twelve of us in the mini-bus, three car fulls and some more who came over via the air. Pastor Andrew led our group despite his terrible back pain that plagued him the whole weekend. About half way through our ride up, we got a call from the group from Glasgow, who had already boarded an earlier ferry, telling us that there was a distance possibility that our ferry would be cancelled. The caravan stopped for lunch and discussed what the plan of action was: go home or press on. Unanimously, we decided to at least get to Ullapool, the town where the ferry would depart from, and see what the situation was. At this point we had about three hours in the mini-bus left but I cannot complain about the duration of this part of the journey. By this time of the year, God has Scotland's Highlands all decked out in the fall colors. We passed through some of the most astounding scenery. The grass covering the mountain sides was the a burnt orange velvet against the grey of the rocks that jutted out here and there. Fittingly, against the Autumn background, we happened upon some highland cows (or hiland coos). These lucky creatures have the best seat in the house to witness God's splendor in his creation.
At last, we arrived in Ullapool to find out that the ferry was indeed cancelled and the next ferry to go out was at 5 a.m. the next morning. We only had to look at each other to know that none of us were going home that night. The bulk of us got tickets to sleep on the ferry while a few stayed in a B&B in the town. After our tickets were purchased and our luggage was loaded on the ferry, all of us ate dinner at a pub close by. This time, I had proper fish & chips. At my table it was myself, Graci, Pastor Andrew, his wife Heather and an older couple named Harry and Anne. Graci and I were shocked to find out that none of them had had an ice cream sunday before. Logically then we ordered one for the table to share. Back on the ferry, we banned together and held family worship. I do not think the other passengers minded our singing Psalms too much. Jimmy told us just to tell everyone that we got upgraded to an overnight cruise. I finally got to sleep around 1 that morning but was awoken quickly at 4:30 by the increasing movement of the boat. I was instantly nauseous and spent the remainder of the morning either in the bathroom or passed out with Graci on one of the chairs in the main hall of the boat. Some passersby seized the opportunity to take pictures of us as well as Beth, who was in the other chair, and Fraiser, who was sleeping on the floor between the chairs, in this state.
We landed in Stornoway at about 8 Saturday morning. Some of the members of the church there met us and were kind enough to take us back to their houses for breakfast and showers. At last we arrived at the induction service at 9:30. This was the first time in seventeen years a pastor had been officially called to a Reformed Presbyterian church (Pastor Andrew being the last). The service began with public worship led by the Reverend Kenneth Stuart (the teacher of my theology class). He read from Colossians 4:15-18 and reminded those about to take office, as well as the rest of us, that God remembers those who serve him. Likewise, we should remember who we are serving in the office we are given. He defined Elders as those who oversee the distribution of the gospel and Deacons as those who oversee the distribution of materials and resources. He called them to consider the nature of their offices and to see them as part of their relationship with the Lord. Three men from the congregation then took their oaths and were inducted into the office of Elder. In a similar manner, three other men came forward, took oaths and were inducted into the office of Deacon. Lastly, the congregation called Reverend David Karoon to be their minister. David Karoon was a man from Singapore who had originally come to the Glasgow church to assist Rev Stuart there. Upon journeying north to Stornoway, however, it was laid on his hear that this was the church that God would have him lead. He took his oaths of office and was welcomed in by his new church family.
There were eighty people at the service that day. We all joined for lunch at one of the local hotels. You have not lived until you have had pudding with a bunch of RP's after a worship service. Shortly afterwards though, we from the mainland reboarded the ferry and set sail again at 3 that afternoon. This sailing went much smoother than the first and I was able to make up some of the sleep I had missed the night before. By the time we got back to land and reloaded the mini-bus it was 6 p.m. and already dark. Thankfully we all made it back to Airdrie in one piece...even though Pastor Andrew's car did get a flat tire. We were dropped of in front of the church at 11 that night. Thankfully Scotland observes day light savings and we were able to get an extra hour of sleep to be ready for church today. A similar service is taking place in Glasgow this Friday night. Reverend Kenneth Stuart is officially being called to pastor that congregation and Elders will be inducted as well. God is so great to move among his people and stir the hearts of men who are willing to lead his faithful people.
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