Fears for church services in north-west over proposals to reduce Sutherland ministers from seven to four
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FEARS for the future delivery of church services in north-west Sutherland have prompted community council members to submit their concerns to the Church of Scotland, after latest proposals revealed changes to parish areas.
Proposals to form a new Northern "super-Parish" area, based in Tongue, would see the areas of Kinlochbervie, Durness, Melness, Tongue, Bettyhill and Altnaharra combined into one.
It would not include Scourie, which would instead become part of a new Western Parish area, grouping together Assynt and Stoer with Eddrachillis, along with Lairg and Rosehall.
Kinlochbervie community council have stated that the plans, which would result in no minister resident in Kinlochbervie and the manse set to be sold, would have a "huge negative impact" on the north-west corner.
They have further expressed concern that the proposed area would not be reflective of the long-established links that exist between the three north-west communities of Scourie, Kinlochbervie and Durness. Among those activities to already bring the areas together are clubs, community transport, a medical practice and school activities.
Members submitted a letter to the Church on Tuesday, in support of retaining the services of Reverend Andrea Boyes and the Durness and Kinlochbervie Church of Scotland.
Community council chairman, Gary Sutherland, said: "We discussed the Draft Presbytery Proposal at our first meeting, last month. The risk of losing our current Church of Scotland minister, Andrea Boyes, is of great concern as she is very active throughout the community, both in church-related matters and otherwise.
"Essentially the intention is to reduce the number of ministers in Sutherland from seven to four, and redefining the areas each will be required to cover.
"Some of these areas are of considerable size with long journeys over difficult roads. One of the proposed areas stretches from Kinlochbervie all the way to Tongue and we feel insufficient thought has been given to the distances involved.
"Also, it would seem to make more sense if instead the Kinlochbervie area was to join with Scourie and Durness as this would match the current high school ASG area. How can they expect the minister to conduct services and pastoral visits at locations that are so widely separated?"
Reverend Boyes said: "The Presbytery Plan looks to rationalising the number of ministers and this would see a huge reduction of ministry time and allocation to the Parish of Durness and Kinlochbervie . It would mean the end of the full-time ministry post in this Parish. Then a Union of one super parish of Kinlochbervie , Durness, Melness, Tonuge, Bettyhill , Farr and Altnaharra with one minister based in the Tonuge area
"As the Minister to Durness and Kinlochbervie parish church and community, this plan brings no assurance for the ongoing ministry and mission in our community. Ministry is always about relationships, relationships with one another and with God.
"I speak of a ministry of presence, being there in the love of Christ in the joys and sorrows of my church and community. This would be a very difficult expectation for any man or woman to cover such a huge area with any depth of relation, connection and mission, or that of time spent out with driving the car and long journeys."
The community council have encouraged people in Kinlochbervie to submit letters of support to aboyes@churchofscotland.org.uk.
The Church of Scotland will hold a public meeting in Lairg on Tuesday October 18 at 10.30am in the Lairg Parish Church.
Kinlochbervie community council have arranged for two minibuses to take people to the meeting. Anyone wishing to book a space on the minibus should contact Margaret Meek via email on mmklb@clara.co.uk.
