Minister’s Message 15 March
Dear Friends
This coming week holds a very special event for us as a united congregation as the first
new minister to join our team ministry since the union is inducted. It is doubly special
not only because we know Alex well already and know that he will bring much to our life
as a congregation but because this is his first charge and he will be ordained on
Thursday evening by the laying on of hands by the Presbytery, something that is always
a deeply moving thing. I do hope that as many of you as possible will be able to be
present in person or via the live stream on YouTube or Facebook.
Alex will be taking solemn vows and we will have the privilege of being witnesses of his
act of commitment after all his years of training and preparation. He will reaffirm the
profession of faith that all of us made when we joined the church, affirming our belief in
one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and confessing Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
He will affirm his commitment to the creeds of the universal Church and of the Church
of Scotland in particular and He will promise to take his part in building up the church
locally and further afield. The final vows are a declaration of his motives in entering the
office of the holy ministry and a commitment 'to live a godly and circumspect life and
faithfully, diligently and cheerfully to discharge the duties of his ministry seeking in all
things the advancement of the Kingdom of God.' Please pray for him as he takes this
life-changing step standing before the Congregation and the Presbytery.
But this is perhaps a good opportunity to remind you that we as a congregation will also
be asked to make promises on Thursday night. Here is what will be asked of us:
Do you, the people of this congregation, in receiving the Rev Alex Johnson whom you
have called to be your minister, offer him your welcome and promise him your
encouragement and support?
Do you each now agree to share with your minister the responsibility for Christian
witness and Christian service?
And will you give of your time, talents and money for the work of the Church in the
world?
Let's take some time between now and Thursday to reflect on what making these
promises might mean for each of us practically speaking in serving alongside Alex in
the ministry and mission of the Church in Kinross-shire and wherever we may be sent.
With all prayerful good wishes,
Alan
Rev A D Reid