CHURCH OF SCOTLAND The Argyll Parishes of Appin linked with Lismore Parish Profiles October 2014 October 2014 Page 1 of 14
Introduction Location The linked parishes of Appin and Lismore are in North Argyll on the west coast of Scotland. The Isle of Lismore in Loch Linnhe, is a short journey by passenger ferry from mainland Appin. Brief History Christianity was introduced to the area with the arrival of St Moluag c 563 and is well documented in the annals of Scottish history. Moluag, in Gaelic is interpreted as gleaming light. Lismore, or Lios Mòr, translates from the Gaelic as the Great Garden while Appin, or Apuin in Gaelic, is interpreted as the Abbey Lands, having connections with the ancient Cathedral of St Moluag on Lismore. And so, the Christian Faith bound these two places together long before the Church of Scotland formally linked the parishes in 1981. The Vacancy The Vacancy occurred when the minister was called to The Scots Kirk in Colombo, Sri Lanka after nearly six years with the Appin and Lismore congregations. The Call is without readjustment and is unrestricted. Permission to Call was granted by the Presbytery of Argyll in June 2014. Today The two kirks are linked in many ways through the actions of the congregations. Examples include; joint services, inter-guild activities, choir visits and of course, the occasional ceilidh! Sunday worship in Appin kirk is at 10.00 am each Sunday and completes in time for the Preacher to take the ferry to conduct the 12.30 pm service at the kirk on Lismore. October 2014 Page 2 of 14
The Manse The Manse, located between Appin and Port Appin, serves as the minister s home, while the Church House (or Wee Manse) near to Lismore Kirk, is used for overnighting on Lismore. The Manse maintenance is jointly funded by both parishes. Built in the 19 th Century, the manse has served many ministers and their families. It has three public rooms, four bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, toilet and shower. Oil-fired central heating has been installed with wood burning stoves in the study and lounge. It has been refurbished in recent years and was occupied by our previous minister. It is currently subject to some electrical upgrading, while the congregations are minded in the medium term to seek a new manse. THE MANSE Familial links have endured the passage of time and names common to Lismore and Appin are often encountered. Many people have settled in these lands from elsewhere attracted by the beauty, tranquillity of the landscape and the quiet friendliness of the people. A winter sunset looking over to Lismore from the Barr Mòr, Appin. ALL ARE WELCOME IN THIS PLACE October 2014 Page 3 of 14
APPIN PARISH PROFILE 1. Introduction Location Loch Linnhe to the west and Loch Creran to the south, being sea lochs, form the marine limits of Appin parish while hills and glens to the north and east form the land boundaries. The geography therefore supports a wide range of opportunities for business, sport and recreation for an active rural community and for visitors. The A828 trunk road runs north and south through the Strath of Appin connecting the Parish with neighbouring communities. The linked charge with the island parish of Lismore in Loch Linnhe is accessed by passenger ferry between Port Appin and the island. 2. The Church Brief History In the mid-17 th century a church was built at Annat, Tynribbie. An adjacent burial ground is still in use by the parish today. A Scottish Episcopal Church, Holy Cross, at Portnacroish was established in 1815. While Holy Cross has a small congregation, there are many ecumenical activities bringing the two congregations in frequent contact. The existing Church of Scotland was constructed in 1889 and continues to serve the Parish of Appin. It was built to replace the old church at Tynribbie which was in a poor state of repair and is now ruined. October 2014 Page 4 of 14
The Ministry The Congregation Preaching Within a parish population of around 500, there are 102 on the Communion Roll and 23 on the Adherents Roll. The 2011 Census states that in Appin Parish, 236 people (47%) registered an affiliation with the Church of Scotland. Compared to Presbytery and National statistics (41% and 32% respectively). This is a favourable position but it also demonstrates the scope for further development of the Church s role in the Parish. Average attendance at Sunday worship is around 50 but is often enhanced with visitors and attendances increase markedly at the times of the Christian Festivals. Some members of Holy Cross Episcopal church attend Sunday worship when there is no service at Holy Cross. A small number of The Society of Friends also attend services. The Kirk Session has 16 Elders, of which 4 are Elders Emeritus. The active Kirk Session is therefore 12 and comprises 6 of each gender. The Congregational Board has 3 members who are not Elders. The Session Clerk and the Property Convenor are Elders, while the Treasurer is a member of the Congregational Board. Sunday worship in the Kirk is at 10.00 am each Sunday and completes in time for the Preacher to take the ferry to conduct the 12.30 pm service on Lismore. Additional services are usually held at Easter and Christmas. There are memorials to two World Wars within the church and the annual Remembrance Service for the village is conducted within the church. Services are conducted in English, Gaelic services being discontinued in 1947. A rota for readers is in operation which allows members to participate in the reading of the Word as selected by the preacher. While there is no choir in Appin, praise is led by volunteer organists, two on an agreed rota and one in reserve. The Sacrament of The Lord s Supper is held quarterly and on other occasions as determined by the Minister and Session. A goodly number of willing preachers are available within the area to conduct Sunday services when the Minister is on holiday or incapacitated. October 2014 Page 5 of 14
Teaching Outreach There is no formal Sunday School at present. The young in the community are encouraged to attend church services and some do. Meetings are taking place with a view to restarting the Sunday School. On the last Sunday of each month, the service in Appin is led by the young people of Appin and is followed by refreshments. The national scheme for The Protection of Vulnerable Groups is coordinated in the community by two Kirk members who process applications from volunteers. Some Elders have attended training for their role in the Kirk and a few members have attended short courses in conducting worship. The Kirk is very active in the Appin community. Many office bearers and members of the Kirk are involved in the administration and committee work of various groups and the opportunities to extend Christian fellowship are numerous and well developed. The Guild is a major asset to the Kirk, having 22 members. During the active seasons of the year there are also many links and joint activities with neighbouring Guilds. Speakers are organised for monthly meetings in accordance with the theme set out by Guild headquarters. Christian faith groups in the community work well together during Christian Aid Week and in organising The World Day of Prayer service. Buildings & Facilities The church building approaches the 125th Anniversary of dedication. A quinquennial visit was undertaken by presbytery representatives in June 2014. The seating in the church accommodates around 200 people. An audio system with loop functionality is installed. There is a small vestry which is also used for Church committee meetings. A recent development extended the facilities to allow disabled access to a suitable toilet while increasing the size of the kitchen which is now better equipped to provide refreshments for small meetings and selected services. There are no church halls but there is a village hall in Appin near to the church, and another October 2014 Page 6 of 14
in Port Appin. Both are Community halls having their own administration and support groups. The halls are well used and booking in advance is important. The Church has access to both halls, like other community organisations, and makes good use of these facilities when needed. 3. The Community People Approximately 500 people reside within the parish boundary. A statistical account is contained in The Church of Scotland Statistics for Mission Group Appin Parish which draws on the 2011 Census conducted by National Records of Scotland. This makes interesting reading for anyone wanting to understand the make-up of the parish. Education The Primary school at present has 34 pupils and 12 pre-fives. A Gaelic Unit is catered for within the school curriculum. A new Head teacher has recently been appointed following the retirement, after 31 years of service, by her predecessor. The pupils attend church for their end of term services. Employment An all weather sports facility has recently been created adjacent to the school. Secondary Education is at Oban High School. Pupils commute daily by bus to Oban. Opportunities for Further Education are published annually by Argyll & Bute Council. Over the years, like many rural parishes, Appin has moved away from the tradition of farming to a wider range of industrial activities. Accommodation and food service activities employ most people followed by construction. Today, agriculture, forestry and fishing together account for less than 10% of the industrial activity in the parish. People commute outside the parish to work at Glensanda Quarry in Morvern and a variety of jobs in and around Oban. More than 20% of working people are self-employed. Almost 30% of people residing in the parish are over 65 although not all are retired! October 2014 Page 7 of 14
Social Activities There are many opportunities for involvement within the community of Appin. These include the Historical Society, S.W.R.I., Country dancing, Art Group, Rainbows and Brownies, Lunch Club (for the elderly), Appin Agricultural Show and the occasional Ploughing Match. Any special event is often marked by a ceilidh in one of the halls at the end of the day. Church Based Activities in the Community All activities in the parish are widely supported by the community at large who are extremely generous in applying their skills while giving of their time and money within their means. A Youth Club, which meets regularly, is affiliated to the Church. A fund raising committee organises coffee mornings and afternoon teas and other activities which raise important funds for the church. Many activities are maintained and organised by stalwarts who are well recognised for their willingness to contribute their time and skills for the benefit of others. The majority of stalwarts are in the mature age bracket. There is some concern that younger people are not coming forward to take part in these activities. It is a dilemma made up of some not willing to give up and those not available to take over. This is perhaps a problem of the times in which we live and not peculiar to Appin. The social commitments of people need to be looked at afresh and opportunities for incremental progressive change have to be sensitively managed. October 2014 Page 8 of 14
Visitor Accommodation There are two small award winning hotels in Port Appin. Many opportunities for B&B exist throughout the parish and chalet type facilities are also popular with visitors. These establishments are complimented by two prominent restaurant/cafés, one at Creagan and one overlooking Castle Stalker. During the summer months the church has been open to visitors. The visitor s book attests to a wide interest in the Kirk from a the airts. The Community Council The Community Council plays an active role in looking after the needs of the people of Appin. They are particularly good at bringing together the necessary skills and financial resources to achieve social improvements for the community. Shopping Facilities There are two community owned shops in Port Appin. The Co-operative (with Post Office), and a gift shop. The Co-operative provides a good range of every day needs for shoppers. Health There is also a garage and a volunteer Fire Service located in Appin village. A range of retail outlets, including four supermarkets, are located in Oban. In Port Appin there is a medical practice with regular consultative surgeries and a dispensary. The nearest hospital is in Oban. Dental practices are in Oban and Glencoe. There is a care home for the elderly in Benderloch and two in Oban. 4. Communications Publications & Noticeboards The local newspapers are The Press & Journal (daily) and The Oban Times (weekly). The Light is a church newsletter published quarterly for the linked charge of Appin & Lismore. From its origins, it has been developed to include community news and reports and is jointly funded by the churches and the Appin Community Trust. It is a free publication delivered by church members to all households in the parishes. A bulk subscription for Life & Work is ordered and distributed by a member of the congregation and made available to subscribing church members. There are many noticeboards spread across the parish and all are available for posting and advertising events in the community. October 2014 Page 9 of 14
Air, Sea, Rail & Road Links The nearest international airport is Glasgow. There is a small airport at Connel mainly used for private flights and connections to the west coast islands. Oban is the principal port servicing the Hebridean Islands. The Main line rail termini servicing Appin, are Oban and Fort William. There is an unmanned station at Connel Ferry on the Oban Glasgow main line. The A828 is the main road running north/south through the Strath of Appin and links Connel with Ballachulish. Glasgow, Perth and Inverness can be reached in around three hours driving time from Appin depending on weather conditions and traffic on the trunk roads. Postal Services The local Post Office is contained within the community shop in Port Appin. Deliveries and collections are daily, except Sundays. Post boxes are at strategic locations throughout the parish. Telephone & Network Links Land lines are available throughout the area. Mobile telephones are widely used but like many rural areas, there can be the odd dead spot depending on service provider. The Internet has brought great opportunities for the community and there is currently pressure on the service provider to ensure that Appin & Lismore are included in the upgrade to a high speed fibre network. 5. References & Contacts Church of Scotland Statistics for Mission Group (Argyll Presbytery/Appin Parish). www.oldappin.com www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/church/appin-parish-church www.appincommunitycouncil.co.uk Interim Moderator Revd. Dugald Cameron, Tel: 01631 562405. Email: obancofs@btinternet.com October 2014 Page 10 of 14
ISLE OF LISMORE PARISH PROFILE The Island Lismore is a long, low island about twelve miles long and a mile and a half wide, set in Loch Linnhe and surrounded by the hills of Morvern, Mull, Benderloch and Appin. Lios Mòr being Gaelic, means great garden and as such is home to many varieties of plants and some rare birds, because of this the population increases during the summer months. The island retains its farming culture. We have two ferry services, one from Oban which runs at least three times a day carrying people who commute to work daily, cars and commercial vehicles and a passenger ferry from Port Appin which crosses almost every hour making it possible to work in Fort William and Oban and visit Inverness or Glasgow for the day. Although an island, we are very accessible and only occasionally cut off from the mainland. October 2014 Page 11 of 14
Cathedral Church of St. Moluag Christianity can be traced back to the 6th century when St Moluag first arrived on this island having lost a finger, so the story goes, in a race for the fertile pastures of our island. St Columba had to find himself another island to settle on and convert to Christianity. St. Moluag founded a monastic centre from where he spread The Word up the Great Glen to Cromarty on the Black Isle and beyond. His Staff can be seen at Bachuil where its hereditary keeper lives. The present Cathedral Church of St. Moluag dates back to the 14th century and retains many of the Cathedral s original features as can be seen in the picture below. The service is held here at 12:30 at the moment to allow the minister to catch the 12 o clock ferry from Port Appin. The Bible is read in both English and Gaelic during the service. We have six elders who form the Kirk Session also a Property Committee consisting of elders and members of the congregation. Although in reasonably good condition, renovation of the Church is envisaged as we feel we need to be proactive to preserve this wonderful heritage. The Church is also working in conjunction with An Comman Eachdraidh (The Heritage Centre) to preserve the many ancient grave slabs which date back to the 9th Century including that of Domhnall nan Ord Chief of the Clan Stewart of Invernahyle, Appin. The Glebe There are a few acres of land around the Church which supports 20 sheep. This, at the moment, is tenanted by one of our elders. St. Moluag s Church House There is a wee manse on the island consisting of two bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen and bathroom which is at the disposal of the minister (and family). A large meeting room, utility room and toilet make up the public rooms in the building which are separate from the minister s private rooms and are used by various groups in the community, Funday School, The Guild and Community Transport to name but a few. We hope this building would be used frequently by the minister while attending the many and varied events which take place on the island. October 2014 Page 12 of 14
Minister s Car A car is provided by the Church and located at the North end ferry for ease of travel around the island. Funday School We would love to have our Sunday School meet on the Lord s Day. However, due to the number of other distractions off the island, shinty, football practice and the call of the great cathedral of Tesco, we agreed with the children that we would meet on Wednesday after school to praise the Lord with fellowship, fun and feasting, (well, some crisps, biscuits and chocolate). Lismore s Children and Young People This year there will be ten children in the school, one in the Pre-fives and nine in Primary classes. It is hoped to restart playgroup as there are six babies and toddlers who could attend. It may not seem a lot but this is a very healthy number for the island. Our older children leave home at the age of 12yrs to go to Oban High School where they complete their education before moving off to university, college, or employment. It s now possible to commute each day but during the winter months most of the teenagers board in the hostel in Oban and return home for the weekend. The children must learn self-confidence and self-reliance from an early age. We would like to see our minister being able to relate to our young ones and to forge a link throughout their school lives and beyond. October 2014 Page 13 of 14
Islanders and their lives Lismore has an excellent mix of people from many parts of the world and all bring something individual and special to make it the unique place it is. Gaelic is still a living language here with many people using it in everyday life and the children learning it in both Primary and Secondary Schools. We have farmers and professors, scientists and shopkeepers coming together to ceilidh, at the dance of life and debate the meaning of life and God s love. There are around 200 people resident on the island, 56 of them are communicants with around 30 attending Church on a regular basis. The Guild meets in the wee manse on a regular basis. There are many other organisations on the island, badminton, bowls, country dancing, and the choir for example. References www.isleoflismore.com Facebook: Lismore Parish Church October 2014 Page 14 of 14