05/09/2026
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Greetings! On Sunday 6th September the Sunday service will be in Mallaig at 11 am. We will have another look at the "Minor Prophets", this time focusing on the Book of Micah. The Bible readings will be Micah 4:1-5 and Micah 6:1-8.
On Sunday 13th Sunday there will be a Communion service at the Astley Hall in Arisaig.
The Ladies’ Bible Study group meets on Monday evenings at 7 pm. The Wednesday morning Prayer Breakfast meets at 7.45 am. Both meet in Mallaig Church Hall. The Thursday "drop in” is still suspended. The Poetry, Theology and Life group will recommence at 2 pm on Friday 11th September, meeting fortnightly.
The Music Group has also restarted. It meets on Sunday afternoons at 4 pm in Mallaig Church Hall. Can you play the piano? If so, would you be interested in playing the organ in Church? We need additional people who can play the organ during services - please do speak with me if you can help.
I have prepared a sheet of prayers for visitors to St Columba's Church in Mallaig. This is based on similar sheets at Dunblane Cathedral and Portree Parish Church. I have attached a copy if you are interested for your own use.
On Friday I went to Grantown-on-Spey to chair a meeting on behalf of the Presbytery's Land and Property Committee (of which I am Vice Convener). This meeting, looking at planned improvements to the local parish church, was very useful and informative - including giving ideas we can learn from. The importance of mutual learning between congregations is something which we should never overlook.
Please do let me know if you - or someone you know - would like a visit at home or in hospital. This includes ANY part of the parish, including the Small Isles and Knoydart. I’m also very happy to do home Communions for anyone who is frail or housebound. If you have any information to add to this weekly email please let me know by 7 pm on Friday at the latest.
Requests for baptism
Do you have friends or family looking to have their child baptised? I would be very happy to speak with them about the sacrament of baptism, what is involved and required, and to assure them of God’s welcome and blessing. In Luke 18:16 we read 'But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."'
Disruption to West Highland Line train services in November
Train services between Mallaig, Fort William and Crianlarich will be suspended from 9th November until 17th November to allow for engineering works. A rail replacement bus service will operate: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/service-alterations/buses-replace-trains-between-crianlarich-and-fort-william
News from the Church of Scotland and the wider Church:
News from the World Council of Churches: https://www.oikoumene.org/news
Church of Scotland website: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Memorial to Jane Haining at Auschwitz: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/kirk-school-matron-who-died-in-the-holocaust-recognised-at-auschwitz
Crossreach (Church of Scotland's Social Care arm) work on addiction at Cale House, Inverness: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/1-7m-investment-to-help-crossreach-expand-north-addiction-service
Church of Scotland - news updates: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news
Churches Together in Britain & Ireland (CTBI): https://ctbi.org.uk/
Clèir Eilean Ì: the Church of Scotland Presbytery for the Highlands and Hebrides: https://cei.presbytery.org.uk/
For your diary:
No "Drop in” on Thursdays at present.
Sunday 6 September: Church service at St Columba’s Church, Mallaig, 11 am
Sunday 6 September: Music Group at Mallaig Church Hall, 4 pm.
Monday 7 September: Ladies Bible Study, Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm.
Wednesday 9 September: No breakfast prayer meeting today.
Friday 11 September: Poetry, Theology and Life Group resumes today, Mallaig Church Hall, 2 pm. The group will meet every fortnight.
Sunday 13 September: Church service with Communion at the Astley Hall in Arisaig, 11 am.
Sunday 13 September: Music Group at Mallaig Church Hall, 4 pm.
Monday 14 September: Ladies Bible Study, Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm.
Wednesday 16 September: Breakfast prayer meeting, Mallaig Church Hall, 7.45 am.
Wednesday 16 September: Kirk Session meeting, Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm.
Friday 18 September: Poetry, Theology and Life Group does NOT meet today. Next meeting on 25 September.
Sunday 20 September: Church service at St Columba's Church in Mallaig, 11 am.
Sunday 20 September: Music Group at Mallaig Church Hall, 4 pm.
Monday 21 September: Ladies Bible Study, Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm.
Wednesday 23 September: Breakfast prayer meeting, Mallaig Church Hall, 7.45 am.
Friday 25 September: Poetry, Theology and Life Group, Mallaig Church Hall, 2 pm. The group will meet every fortnight.
Sunday 27 September: Church service at the Land, Sea & Islands Centre in Arisaig, 11 am. Please note the change in venue (not the Astley Hall today).
Sunday 27 September: Music Group at Mallaig Church Hall, 4 pm.
Monday 28 September: Ladies Bible Study, Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm.
Wednesday 30 September: Breakfast prayer meeting, Mallaig Church Hall, 7.45 am.
Friday 2 October: Poetry, Theology and Life Group does NOT meet today. Next meeting on 9 October.
Sunday 4 October: Church service with Communion at St Columba's Church in Mallaig, 11 am.
Sunday 4 October: Music Group at Mallaig Church Hall, 4 pm.
Monday 5 October: Ladies Bible Study, Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm.
Wednesday 7 October: Breakfast prayer meeting, Mallaig Church Hall, 7.45 am.
Friday 9 October: Poetry, Theology and Life Group, Mallaig Church Hall, 2 pm. The group will meet every fortnight.
Sunday 11 October: Church service at the Land, Sea & Islands Centre in Arisaig, 11 am. Please note the change in venue (not the Astley Hall today).
Please check the page for any changes: North West Lochaber Church of Scotland - see: https://www.facebook.com/NWLochaberChurch
Bible text: 3 John 11: "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."
Blessings to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord,
Matthew
The Rev Matthew Z Ross
Minister
North West Lochaber Church of Scotland
Iar-Thuath Loch Abar - Eaglais na h-Alba
Church services every Sunday at 11.00 am:
1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays of each month: St Columba's Church, Annie's Brae, Mallaig.
2nd & 4th Sundays of each month: Astley Hall, Arisaig.
Knoydart and Small Isles services: info will be shared here.
ALL WELCOME!