Christ Church Lochgilphead strawberry tea hits the spot
CHRIST Church, Lochgilphead, held its annual Transfiguration festival at the start of the month.
On the evening of Friday August 4 the Patronal Festival service was led by Father Simon Mackenzie, assisted by the Rev Amanda Fairclough, who delivered the sermon. Rev Fairclough, the new priest in charge for the Highland region, now lives in Glencoe and this was her first visit to Christ Church.
Local and renowned organist John Marsden accompanied the congregation on the organ and played a beautiful voluntary.
Congregation members and guests then gathered at the end of the service for a glass of wine and canapes. The Feast of Dedication service on Sunday morning was led by Father Simon with guest preacher, retired minister Ann McIver from the Church of Scotland in Campbeltown.
After lunch, it was all hands to the pumps as preparations for the strawberry tea afternoon event began. Although the inclement weather meant it felt as though hot chocolate and crumpets rather than strawberry scones and tea should have been served, many intrepid visitors braved the rain to support the event.
As well as the usual church stalls and raffle, there was delicate glassware from A Touch of Glass for sale, colourful accessories for children from Little Sew and Sews, and vivid textile homewares from Highland Homewares. And the cream teas went down well and received much praise.
As the day was such a success and so well received, the organisers hope to make it an annual event.