Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) minister inducted to Brora charge
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The seven-year vacancy at Brora Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) came to an end on Friday with the ordination and induction of Rev Thomas Buchanan to the charge which covers a vast area stretching from Lairg through to include Caithness.
The congregation were delighted to be able to call Rev Thomas Buchanan, who comes from Northern Ireland and had recently completed his theological studies in the denomination’s Free Church Seminary.
His arrival in Brora, however, was held up for some considerable time, first by the need for time for one of his children to recover from major surgery and then by movement restrictions due to lockdown.
During lockdown the Brora congregation joined for services with the online services of the “neighbouring” Tarbat and Assynt and Edrachillis congregations.
As soon as government-imposed movement restrictions allowed, Mr Buchanan, his wife Louise and children Jacob, Lydia, Eliza, Ruth and Josiah moved into the manse newly acquired by the congregation and located in the centre of Brora.
Due to ongoing government restrictions it proved impossible to hold the service of ordination and induction within the bounds of the charge.
The actual service therefore took place in the Portmahomack church of Tarbat congregation with a congregation restricted to 50 but with a much greater number present by means of the internet via computers, smartphones and on ordinary telephones, using Zoom.
Preacher for the evening was Rev John W. Keddie, who also addressed the new minister, while Rev. John MacLeod (Tarbat) addressed the congregation of Brora.
Presentations followed, under the chairmanship of Mr Graham Sinclair, one of the Brora elders. The evening was brought to a close by Mr Buchanan.
