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Dornoch Cathedral
Church of Scotland
Dornoch
IV25 3SH
Services
Sunday at 11:00am
Sunday at 11:00am
_____
Interim Moderator
Rev. Alistair Drummond
01349 852480
_____
Locum Minister
Carol Anne Porter
07400 313303
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Session Clerk
Mrs Liz Manson
Lamington, Invergordon
IV18 0PE
07845 970923
Dornoch Cathedral
Church Of Scotland,
Dornoch
IV25 3SH
Session Clerk
07845 970923
The Closing Service for Creich Church
The Closing Service for Creich Church is ready for you to watch via Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland Facebook page.
If you are not a Facebook user you can see it on the Worship Page as most services are presented there.
Or you can just watch it here…
SUBSCRIBING TO THE CALL
Notice is hereby given that the congregation of Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland has elected Reverend Carol Anne Porter to be our new minister and a Call to the said Reverend Carol Anne Porter has been prepared. This Call will lie in Dornoch Cathedral (in the Crossing) between the hours of 10am and 4pm or whenever the Cathedral is open.
Also:
During that time any person whose name is on the Electoral Register of the congregation may sign the Call in person or by means of a mandate. If a mandate is to be used, the relevant form may be obtained from one of the Session Clerks. A paper of Concurrence will also be available for signature by any person who is connected with the congregation but whose name is not on the Electoral Register of the congregation.
Children are also welcome to add their names to this paper.
Alistair Drummond
Reverend Alistair Drummond
Interim Moderator
DECLARATION OF ELECTION RESULT
Following yesterday’s service (12/1/25) when Rev Carol Anne Porter preached as our sole nominee I am pleased to share the following;
DECLARATION OF ELECTION RESULT – Section 24(6)
I hereby declare the results of the voting for the election and appointment of a minister to the vacant charge of Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland to be as follows.
FOR Electing Rev. Carol Anne Porter : 111
AGAINST Electing Rev. Carol Anne Porter: 5
Therefore, Rev. Carol Anne Porter has accordingly been elected and appointed as the new minister subject to the approval of Presbytery.
I am delighted to say that before the close of the congregational meeting at which the results of voting were announced, Rev. Carol Anne Porter gave her verbal acceptance of the call based on the election result.
Rev. Alistair John Drummond, Interim Moderator
Cathedral Tower Open Monday 30 December
Come and enjoy Dornoch at night from a height. Cathedral Tower Open Monday 30 December From 6.30pm to 8pm with £5 adults, £3 Secondary age children, primary children free but ratio of 1 adult per 2 children for safety regulations.
Concert in Cathedral – Thursday 2nd January – 7.00pm
The Junior Band have learnt a couple of new tunes and thoughts are now turning towards learning some carols. Join us at the concert in the Cathedral Christmas cheer!
The concert will have local artists and musicians plus other performers from near and far and music for all tastes, from pop to classical.. If you were lucky enough to attend last year this is a date not to miss.
What better way to welcome in the New Year than by a celebration of music in the Dornoch’s atmospheric cathedral.
Doors open at 6.15pm with entry by donation. Hope to see you there!
Graham McCarthy
Seasonal Thoughts from the Minister
Dear friends,
I don’t know about you but I haven’t taken well this year to the shorter days that come with winter.
Usually I enjoy the stay-at-home cosiness of it all. I mean, if you ask me, it’s never too early for jammies at the best of times! And so what if hibernation mode leads to an extra pound or three on the hips, there’s good reason those jammies are elasticated!
But… the season isn’t, this year, for me, the contented sigh it so often is. And hunkering in just doesn’t feel to be an option. Maybe because the world itself feels sometimes to be pressing in. Too much uncertainty. Too much violence. Too little trust and tenderness to pull us through.
If you feel like me, navigating Christmas could be even trickier. And getting in the Christmas spirit a bit of a tall order… if, I guess, what we mean by that is jollying ourselves up and getting on board with making of Christmas opportunity to up the consumer ante.
But what if getting in the Christmas spirit is actually to expect to find such elusive things as trust and tenderness. Because isn’t that how God came to us that first Christmas. Leaving behind power and knowledge such as we can only imagine. Entering the world the same way we all do, in the womb of a woman, trusting her to nurture and protect and grow God in tenderness.
There is the wonder of it, the mystery, the beauty.
I pray, as Christmas nears, we all might find a little of this wonder and mystery and beauty settle in our soul, opening us to trust and tenderness, making of us a shelter for God who comes to us still. And real joy and deep peace will surely become us all.
Go gently, friends, venture well. And a truly happy Christmas to you when it comes,
Carol Anne
Theatre Group | The Revolting Cinderella with The Rumble
The photo shows the Theatre Group youngsters holding a “pose” at the end of their “signature dance” “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble.”
You can see “The Rumble” live as part of “The Revolting Cinderella“, coming to the West Church Hall on Saturday 14th December.
King Foolhardy and Prince Love-a-lot plan to hold a disco where Love-a-lot will choose a bride from any of the women there-and live happily ever after …they imagine! Not realising times have changed, Foolhardy and Love-a-lot are in for a rude awakening!
Entry is by donation and we are looking forward to two packed houses! Hope to see you there!
Performances will be at 2:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Get Saturday 14th December in your diary.
Graham McCarthy
December Dates for Dornoch Firth Parish
Sunday 15th December 11.00am Family Service in the Cathedral
Sunday 22nd December 11.00am Cathedral Family Service/Nativity
Christmas Eve
Tuesday 24th December 11.00 for 11.30pm: Watchnight Service – Cathedral
Christmas Day
Sunday 29th December 11.00am: Family Service in West Church Hall
Towards Hogmanay and onwards
Monday 30th December Tower open 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Tuesday 31st December – Labyrinth in Dornoch Cathedral 4.0pm to 6.00pm
Wednesday 1st January – DORNOCH HOGMANAY STREET PARTY in The SQUARE
Thursday 2nd January – 7.00pm Concert with local talent in the Dornoch Cathedral.
Sunday 5th January 2025 11.00am: Family Service in West Church Hall
Dotty the Donkey Trail | All through December to Nativity Sunday 22nd December 11am
Find five minutes to come and meet Dotty the Donkey and follow the Christmas Trail. This is perfect for little ones and parents and grandparents to come together to find out what Christmas is all about. As you follow the trail, you’ll find things, draw, give yourself a hug – or hug each other – and more besides. And, at the end, there’ll be a treat and a special invitation, just for you.
‘No Tree’ Christmas Trees Exhibition in Dornoch Cathedral
Once again, this year the Dornoch Firth Parish Womens Group are staging their “No Tree Christmas Trees Exhibition in Dornoch Cathedral. Designed by local businesses and organisations, both young and old, displays can be viewed from Saturday 7th to Sunday 20th December.
Be sure and visit and enjoy the wonderful imaginative creations.
Here’s a picture of one of the Christmas 2023 ‘no tree’ trees in the Cathedral.
Christmas 2023 example
December Dates for Dornoch Organist Roddy MacLean
Roddy MacLean, Dornoch Parish Organist and Golspie Choral Choirmaster will have a busy December.
Historic and emotional service to mark the closing of Kincardine Church
The Service to mark the closing of Kincardine Church had a full Church on Sunday 13th October. The local school, Gledfield Primary, had their own special Service on Friday before the pupils broke up for their October holidays. This was very fitting as the school was used for Services while the current Church was being built in 1909.
Regular Services were conducted until the end of December 2023 when Kincardine, Croick and Edderton and Creich Church and Dornoch Cathedral were united in a new Union, the Dornoch Firth Church of Scotland on, 1st January 2024.
The Service was be led by Interim Moderator for the Dornoch Firth Parish, Rev. Alistair Drummond, and supported by Rev. Carol Anne Porter, Locum Minister for the Parish, the Rev Mary Stobo, and Amanda Anderson, Highland & Islands Presbytery Support Officer, read the official closing statement at the end of the Service before Rev. Drummond gave the final blessing in Kincardine Church.
It was a historic and emotional occasion with some in attendance who were married, some were baptised and many whose parents had gifted various items to the Church. There was time after the service where the sizeable congregation shared memories with a display of photos as they enjoyed refreshments and the usual quality spread of goodies that Kincardine are noted for.
Top Chamber Choir Performed in Cathedral
University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir in the Cathedral on Saturday 19 October 2024 at 3pm
The Choir performed a concert in the wonderful acoustic and gorgeous setting of Dornoch Cathedral. They performed a range of contemporary choral music, as well as some choral classics.
Entry to the concert was free, donations welcomed.
University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir to perform in Dornoch Cathedral
The University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir is an auditioned choir comprising students and recent alumni of the University of Aberdeen. Conducted by Sam Paul, an alumnus of the University, the Choir specialises in contemporary choral music and also works with young composers and conductors.
GOLF raises over £15,000 to support the Parish
A GOLF event and dinner has raised more than £15,000 to support the Dornoch Firth Parish.
The organisers of the fundraiser welcomed the backing from nearly 50 competitors and supportive businesses.
Royal Dornoch Golf Club teed-up access to the Struie Course and Morrison Construction, who are building the eagerly awaited new clubhouse, were the main sponsors.
Each hole was sponsored by a local trader, with Glenmorangie providing team prizes and Royal Dornoch sponsoring the longest drive and nearest the pin.
A clubhouse dinner held after the golf was attended by 59 players and supporters, with the raffle generating £1700 and the auction raising a further £3240.
An out of town bidder enjoyed a successful internet bid for a three-night stay at Knockbreck House kindly donated by Town and Country Lettings.
New clubhouse project manager Brian Harper drives off with Morrison Construction team members Mark Cooper, Scott Birch and Calum MacKay joined by RDGC general manager Neil Hampton and Dornoch Firth Parish fundraiser John McMurray.
Other items in demand were a 100-year-old ladies set of hickory clubs, with bag, and a new to the market Octogrip putter featuring the Royal Dornoch name and logo on the base.
Fundraising convener John McMurray said: “It was a very successful event and hopefully it will become an annual fixture on the local calendar.
“The money raised will be used to continue the fine work of Dornoch Firth Parish.
“The 15-strong volunteer fundraising team, together with other helpers giving their time on the day, would like to thank all those who sponsored the event, participated, bought raffle tickets, and bid for auction items. A big ‘Thank You’ is due to them all.”
The winning Bandits team featured Derick McCaskill, Graeme Simpson, Keith Henry and Phil Prince.
The runners-up, Jeani’s team, included Jeani Hunter, Christine Cruden and Ian Roylance.
The Mairi Urquhart and Sons Funeral Group team of David Ross, Suzanne McClenaghan, Grant Geddes and Martin Geddes finished third.
The winning Bandits team pictured with Dornoch Firth Parish fundraising convener John McMurray
Former Royal Dornoch captain and Cathedral elder Willie McKay said: “It was a fitting result for the Dornoch Parish golf event to have a son and son-in-law of the late Rev Jim Simpson, the former Minister and past captain of RDGC in the team.”
Other prizewinners were – nearest the pin: John Nimmo, Balmore GC; Ladies longest drive: Fran Robertson, Royal Dornoch; Gents longest drive: Brian Harper, Strathpeffer GC.