As it’s St Fillan’s 900th anniversary I’m looking at Rev. Rutherford’s children’s address, where he talks about the history of the church, there isn’t one for 19th Mar ’67, instead I’m looking at a sermon from 27 June ’65 on Dalgety Church.
It may have been more of a marriage of convenience, but there was a period of courting where the churches got to know each other. Eventually they became one but they still had their ups and downs and individual characteristics as a husband and wife do. I am now very proud to tell others who are contemplating a union how successful ours has been.
Now after 25 years one has been called to a different service for God. It is not a divorce, it can be compared to the separation between David Livingston and Mary Moffat when he went to Africa. There is to be a new town, a new church and a new manse. The new church in Dalgety will become important welcoming residents of all denominations into its fold and to the new town.
So after 25 years of happily married life we must separate, this is not a divorce, there should be no rivalry or competition. My prayer is that those things that join us together, or common faith, our common task in this beautiful coastal stretch of Fife may never be dissolved.
As is interesting looking back in 2023, to see that change in the church is always with us.