Around seventy five people gathered from all over the North of Scotland and beyond to attend the annual Spring Conference held in Culduthel Christian Centre, Inverness.

It was good to return to Culduthel Christian Centre for they have the ideal facilities for hosting such an event. People were able to leave the main auditorium and retire to the adjacent cafe and partake in refreshments and engage in fellowship in a congenial environment.

The theme of the conference was ‘The Sanctity of Life: A Biblical Perspective on Life and Death’. The speakers, Rev A James MacInnes and Mr Nigel Kenny, presented lively, thought provoking, and well-researched lectures under the theme to an appreciative gathering.

The Conference speakers Mr Nigel Kenny, left, and Rev A James MacInnes.

After worship conducted by the Chairman Rev Andrew R Allan, Partick, Mr MacInnes, minister of our Lochalsh & Strath congregation, began the morning session developing his appointed theme, :The Value of Life: A Christian Response to Abortion” by speaking about how abortion has dramatically affected our society. It was sad to hear that over 18,000 babies have been aborted by their parents last year in Scotland. And then he highlighted that it should be of no surprise that there is an absence of children, in our schools, churches and towns and villages.

Following his lecture there followed a lively Question and Answer session with some discussion over the points raised.

The morning session was closed by the singing of a psalm and prayer being offered up giving thanks for what was drawn to our attention and for our the lunch.

Following lunch an half-hour Psalmody Session was led by Mr Willie MacLeod, an elder from our Cross congregation in Ness, Isle of Lewis. He stepped in at very short notice to lead the request session which was much appreciated by all.

Cross elder Mr Willie MacLeod leads the Psalmody Session.

After a time of worship the afternoon lecture was delivered by Mr Kenny, who is the Christian Institute’s Scotland Officer. His theme was, “End-of-life Ethics: A Christian View on Assisted Dying”.

Initially he stressed the importance of clarity regarding the end-of-life proposals that have been brought before our Westminster and Holyrood parliaments and the need to discern the difference between the various terms used. It was noted with thanksgiving that the Scottish Parliament has recently rejected the dangerous assisted suicide Bill, but it would not be surprising that another attempt may be made in future.

As in the morning their followed a informative Question and Answer and discussion session.

Both men stimulated their hearers to remember that despite the smallness of the Christian cause in our land today, yet we can still play an important part in the ethical issues that affect our society.

The Chairman brought the Conference to a close by expressing thanks to the speakers; to the minister and office-bearers of Culduthel Christian Centre for the use of the building; to the ladies for attending to the catering; to Mr MacLeod for leading the Psalmody Session; , to the precentors, to those who were responsible for the children’s programme, and to Mr Lindsay MacCallum, the long-standing Conference Booking Secretary.

It was noted that after the close many people did not rush away but remained for refreshments and fellowship.

Some who attended the Spring Conference during the Psalmody Session.

It is hoped that the lectures will be published in the Witness magazine in due course.

In the meantime, audio recordings of the lectures can be found on the Partick’s SermonAudio site. Mr MacInnes’ lecture can also be found HERE.