The induction of Rev Calum Smith as minister of North Uist Free Church will take
place next weekend.
For the past 18 months the island congregation has been vacant
after previous minister, Rev Ewen Matheson, accepted a call to Ness on Lewis.
Mr
Smith has been minister of Dumfries Free Church since 2011, and a special service
welcoming him to the Uist community will be held in the Carinish church on 18 June
at 11am.
Stornoway’s Rev James Maciver will preach and preside, Rev Malcolm Macdonald
from Callanish will address the newly inducted minister, and Rev Lachie Macdonald
from South Uist and Benbecula will speak to the congregation.
Rev Calum Smith said:
“We are looking forward to ministering in the congregation of North Uist, Grimsay
and Berneray and, with the Lord’s help, become acquainted with the congregation and
serve the communities here.
“It is not easy leaving a congregation and we remember with thanksgiving the people of Dumfries and that they may have a short time of vacancy.
“The Southern Isles is made up of many scattered communities and there is a vibrancy
here with much going on.
“We are looking forward to working alongside the congregation
of South Uist and Benbecula in being an integral part of the community and sharing
the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Mr Smith and his family, wife Johan and children
Joni, Marissa and Danny, are now settled into the manse adjoining the church.
Mr Smith
is originally from Shawbost on Lewis. After leaving school, he studied engineering
in Stornoway and Glasgow, and was in the Merchant Navy for eight years.
Latterly, he spent a couple of years working with the Stornoway Port Authority, before being led to the ministry.
Prior to beginning his studies at the Free Church College, he completed a rural development degree through the UHI in Stornoway.
North Uist congregation set to welcome new minister
11 June 2016