Here are a few of the things that caught my attention this week.
The first are the multiple articles about church buildings being re-purposed for other uses. Here is one in Scotland to be a residence:
Historic church building to be converted into home – from Kirriemuir Herald
From Northern Ireland a new restaurant:
Former Ulsterville Presbyterian Church ready for new lease of life as upmarket eatery on Belfast’s Lisburn Road – from Belfast Telegraph
And from Maryland, a deal that would convert a Presbyterian church into the new town hall:
University Park negotiating for heavenly home – from Maryland Community News Online
In one of the bigger headlines of the week, the Catholic Church of Scotland has begun releasing information about abuse allegations in the church. Associated with this, they have asked Dr. Andrew McLellan, the former chief inspector of prisons for Scotland and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland 2000 General Assembly, to conduct an external review.
Roman Catholic Church in Scotland reveals abuse case details – from BBC News
There seems to be a number of crime reports associated with Presbyterian churches this week including embezzlement in Ghana:
Ghana: Stealing in the House of God Two Billion Presby Cash Looted – from allAfrica
Missing handbells in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin man accused of stealing, pawning bells from Sheboygan church where he was elder – from Minneapolis Star Tribune
And an unknown woman trying to pick up children from a church Sunday School:
River Forest cops investigating attempted abduction at First Presbyterian Church – from Forest Leaves
Continuing stories from the Mizoram, India, elections, which were held this week:
Presbyterian Church holds key to campaign in Mizoram – from Hindustan Times
On Sunday, politics in Mizoram mingles with spirituality – from DNA India
Lalzirliana rapped for church ‘ploy’ – from The Times of India; complaints by the opposition that a candidate received endorsement by the church
There were two obituaries of note for pastors in the PC(USA):
Rev. Ben Martin dies at 82; worked to heal Kirkwood’s racial divides – from St. Louis Post-Dispatch (who attended a presbytery meeting the day before his death of a stroke)
Central Presbyterian pastor dies – from Merced Sun-Star (The Rev. Henry B. Greene III, who died of a heart attack while hiking in Yosemite.)
Finally, while I could note that a “son of the manse,” actor David Tennant, was voted “the nations’ favourite Dr. Who” in the UK as part of the 50th anniversary of that Sci-Fi series (and I would note that I am personally partial to the fourth Doctor), Mr. Tennant made news in another area this week as he is lending his support to fighting cystic fibrosis. He endorsed the book The Magic of Words: Humorous and Serious written by Dr. James A. Simpson and dedicated to the author’s granddaughter who died of the disease shortly before publication. Dr. Simpson served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland three years before David Tennant’s father, the Rt. Rev. Sandy McDonald, held that same position.
And so for my American readers, I wish you the best of Thanksgivings tomorrow. To all the liturgical out there a “happy new church year” and wonderful First Sunday in Advent this weekend. And to all, a good rest of the week and blessings this coming Lord’s Day.