06/06/2026
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Warm greetings to you. "The Jacobite" steam train service has (at last) started again - I hope that this will come as a relief to our local businesses who have lost trade due to the steam train's cancellation during April and May, as well as the issues affecting the ferry services. I hope and pray for stability, reliability and safety with our transport services over the coming months.
On Sunday 7th June there will be a Communion service at St Columba's Church in Mallaig, starting at 11.00 AM. The Bible readings will both be from Matthew's Gospel: [1] Matthew 9:9-13 – The call of Matthew and [2] Matthew 9:18-26 – The healing power of Jesus. All are welcome - irrespective of whether or not you wish to receive Communion.
On Sunday 14th June the service will be held at the Land, Sea & islands Centre in Arisaig, starting at 11.00 AM.
Last Saturday I gave a few words of greeting at the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church in Morar. I am very grateful for the warmth of the welcome. It is essential that we work together through cordial ecumenical relations in advancing the message of the love of God revealed in Christ.
Last Tuesday I did a safeguarding course in Glasgow (which is compulsory for Church of Scotland ministers). I found this very helpful and worthwhile. It is essential that the Church strives to ensure that all are safe from ANY type of abuse - with particular emphasis on safeguarding vulnerable people. Our Safeguarding Coordinator Pamela is the principal point of contact if you have concerns over a safeguarding issue. I will be taking the second part of this course on Tuesday 9th June.
The date of the next Kirk Session meeting has had to be changed to Wednesday 24th June at 7 pm, at Mallaig Church Hall. The agenda will be finalised in due course (which will then be circulated to elders and will also be available on request from Mr John Arnold, Session Clerk). The previous proposed date was 17th June, but this has not proved feasible.
I'm happy to do home or hospital visits. Please do let me know if you - or someone you know - would like a visit. Please send me an email. If possible, I try to do visits to the Belford Hospital in Fort William on a Wednesday (although I will not be able to do so this week).
If you have any information for inclusion in this weekly email, please let me know no later than 7 pm on Fridays.
Church of Scotland updates:
Fife Pilgrimage for Moderator and candidates for ministry: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/fife-pilgrimage-marks-next-step-on-journey-to-ministry-for-candidates
Church of Scotland website: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Church of Scotland - news updates: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news
Register of Ministries: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/register-of-ministries
Clèir Eilean Ì: the Church of Scotland Presbytery for the Highlands and Hebrides: https://cei.presbytery.org.uk/
For your diary:
Sunday 7 June: Church service at St Columba's Church in Mallaig, 11 am - with Communion.
Sunday 7 June: Music group, Mallaig Church Hall, 4 pm.
Monday 8 June: Ladies’ Bible study group, Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm.
Wednesday 10 June: No breakfast prayer meeting this week.
Thursday 11 June: Drop in at Mallaig Church Hall, from 2 pm - to be confirmed.
Sunday 14 June: Church service at the Land, Sea & Islands Centre in Arisaig, 11 am (please note the change in venue - not at the Astley Hall today).
Sunday 14 June: Music group, Mallaig Church Hall, 4 pm.
Monday 15 June: Ladies’ Bible study group, Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm.
Wednesday 17 June: No breakfast prayer meeting this week.
Thursday 18 June: Drop in at Mallaig Church Hall, from 2 pm - to be confirmed.
Friday 19 June: Poetry, Theology & Life group, Mallaig Church Hall, 2 pm. (This group meets fortnightly, with the following meeting on Friday 3 July).
Sunday 21 June: Church service at St Columba's Church in Mallaig, 11 am.
Wednesday 24 June: The Kirk Session will meet at Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm. An agenda will be sent to elders in due course (and will also be available on request from Mr John Arnold, Session Clerk).
Sunday 28 June: Church service at the Astley Hall in Arisaig, 11 am.
Sunday 5 July: Church service at St Columba's Church in Mallaig, 11 am.
Sunday 12 July: Church service at the Astley Hall in Arisaig, 11 am.
Sunday 19 July: Church service marking "Sea Sunday" at St Columba's Church in Mallaig, 11 am.
Please check the page for any changes: North West Lochaber Church of Scotland - see: https://www.facebook.com/NWLochaberChurch
Bible text - 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Every blessing,
Matthew
The Rev Matthew Z Ross
Minister
North West Lochaber Church of Scotland
Iar-Thuath Loch Abar - Eaglais na h-Alba
The Parish of North West Lochaber includes the communities of Mallaig, Morar, Arisaig, Lochailort, Glenuig, Glenfinnan, Knoydart and the Isles of Rùm, Eigg, Muck and Canna. Services in Knoydart and the Small Isles will be advertised locally.
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!
