Palmerston

A dreich wet day so spent a lot of time doing church related emails.

Late afternoon we were involved in a trial by our energy provider to see if we could reduce our useage over an hour compared to previous days. The more we succeeded the more points we will get. And points mean pounds. So we sat almost in darkness!!

This evening I was an observer at a Presbytery meeting, held in Palmerston Place church. The meeting was discussing the final draft of the plan to restructure the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh and West Lothian. It proposes major reductions in paid ministry posts, the union of many congregations and the likely eventual disposal of many church buildings.

Given the strength of attachment among congregations to their buildings and the changes unions will bring, feelings have been running high in some areas. In the event, the meeting progressed well and overall the plan was approved. But not without some (unsuccessful) attempts to amend some details.

The process is not yet completed as the national bodies of the Church have to review but the direction of travel is becoming increasingly firmed up.

The blip is of the organ and upper gallery. The church was opened in 1875, the same year as our own church. The styles are very different!