Mabel looks to the bigger picture in challenging times

Fort William woman Mabel Wallace took up the office of National Convener of the Church of Scotland Guild for 2020/21 – a challenging year for her, but also time to set a challenge in which all members can take part, writes Fiona Scott.

Mabel joined Duncansburgh Church Guild in 1980 and also works at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau just across the road from the church.

In normal circumstances she would have been travelling around the country during her appointment, visiting, sharing and promoting the movement and meeting with members.

Travel restrictions and lockdowns have prevented this but Mabel has been doing her best to keep in touch through Zoom/Teams meetings to go online and share with other Guilds using technology.

‘It’s great to see faces, but nothing beats meeting in person and sharing a hug,’ she told the Lochaber Times.

‘For those who do not have IT we are doing our best to make sure that printed matter is delivered to keep folk involved, encouraged, updated

Mabel Wallace has set Guild members a photographic challenge to help raise funds.

and informed that the work of the Guild goes on.’

For the last few years, the National Convener is asked to provide a challenge that folk can take part in and Mabel has set a photographic challenge for her term in office.

Guild members are challenged to take a picture of a tree, a rainbow or ideally a tree and a rainbow together.

Each picture presented for judging has to have been taken and digitally saved by the person presenting it.

As in past challenges, each Guild wishing to take part is required to get one entry to their Guilds Together Convener for their area, who will then send it to Guild Office to be forwarded for judging.

Mabel added: ‘I know Guilds have not been able to meet together personally but, we still have rain, and the rainbows appear, and there are some amazing trees out there too, so get snapping, saving and sending.’

Guilds in Lochaber should send their entries, along with the personal details of who took the photograph, to thewallace@talk21.com.

The eventual winning entry will be printed onto a card to be used for any occasion. These will be made into packs and will be available for sale, with all proceeds going to general Guild funds.