12/09/2026
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Warm greetings. On Sunday 13th Sunday there will be a Communion service at the Astley Hall in Arisaig at 11 am. The Bible readings will be Romans 12:9-21 and Matthew 16:21-28.
On Tuesday I was pleased to meet Nathalie MacCallum, the new Administrator of our Presbytery Clèir Eilean Ì. She supports our Presbytery Clerk the Rev James Bissett in his work. Clèir Eilean Ì covers the whole of the Highland Council and Argyll & Bute Council areas, plus West Moray and the Western Isles (apart from Lewis) - basically from the Mull of Kintyre to John o' Groats. Please pray for Nathalie and for James.
Elders - please note that there will be a meeting of the Kirk Session on Wednesday 16th September in Mallaig Church Hall, starting at 7 pm.
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.
Disaster in Nepal - fundraising soup and dessert lunch, Sunday 20th September:
Following the service (in Mallaig) on Sunday 20th September, there will be a soup (with bread and cheese) and dessert lunch as a fundraiser for the disaster in Nepal. Please do come along to Mallaig Church Hall at 12.30 pm - your donations will make a difference to people in Nepal.
Scam warning - fake lotteries:
The Church of Scotland has become aware of a number of fake websites promoting a "Church of Scotland fundraising lottery" – both at a national level and also purporting to be individual churches. These websites look very professional but are nothing to do with the Church – they are scams. The Church of Scotland does NOT run a fundraising lottery.
If anyone has concerns or information about these fake websites, please contact the Church of Scotland's Law Department via email to: [email protected]
If you know of anyone who has given money to this scam, please ask them to contact Police Scotland.
The Revival:
"The Revival" is an evangelical gathering at the SECC in Glasgow on Thursday 1st October. More details: https://therevival.scot/
News from the Church of Scotland and the wider Church:
News from the World Council of Churches: https://www.oikoumene.org/news
WCC General Secretary meets Korean Prime Minister: https://www.oikoumene.org/news/wcc-korean-prime-minister-explore-renewed-pathways-for-dialogue-and-peace-on-korean-peninsula
Church of Scotland website: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Magnitude 2026: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/magnitude-2026-the-future-of-the-church-is-now
Priority Areas: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/departments/faith-action-programme-committees-and-departments/priority-areas
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 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.
Sunday 20 September: Church service at St Columba's Church in Mallaig, 11 am.
Sunday 20 September: Fundraising lunch for the disaster in Nepal, Mallaig Church Hall, 12.30 pm (after the service).
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 meets 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.
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.
Tuesday 6 October: Prayer meeting (first Tuesday of the month), 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 meets 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).
Sunday 11 October: Music Group at Mallaig Church Hall, 4 pm.
Monday 12 October: Ladies Bible Study, Mallaig Church Hall, 7 pm.
Wednesday 14 October: Breakfast prayer meeting, Mallaig Church Hall, 7.45 am.
Sunday 18 October: Church service 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: Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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!
