There have been no Baptisms or Marriages in the church during 2008. Hesta Scott died aged 86 on Skye on 10th January, and there was a lovely funeral service here in St. Columba’s conducted by Reverend Peter Rice. The family participated greatly with lovely readings and poems with much to remind us of the charm of Hesta. A particular memory is the beautiful way she read the Lesson when it was her turn to do so.

Bishop Martin came twice in February. He chaired the Vestry Meeting on the 9th and the A.G.M. on the 10th, held in the Church after the Service. He came again on Sunday 22nd February.

Mary June Scott died on 13th October 2007. On Wednesday, 9th April 2008, on a lovely sunny day, James and his daughters, Catriona and Elsebeth brought her ashes to be buried in the graveyard here. James conducted a short, moving service by the graveside, after which Nichola and James gave a lunch at Gruline House. The Sunday before, on Sunday, 6th April, James led us in the Eucharist.

The Lent Course took place at Myrtle Cottage every Wednesday. The ‘I Am’ Sayings of Christ were studied.

Reverend Peter Rice came on Sunday, 20th May, for his Retirement Service. At the end of the Service he and Fiona were presented with gifts, one of which was a lovely painting by Angus Stewart, of Ben More, and a book, ‘Historical Monuments of Argyll’. We then had lunch at Gruline House, thanks to Nichola and James.

Bishop Douglas Cameron came back to St. Columba for two weeks in September, and led us in the Eucharist Services on Sunday, 22nd, and 29th, which was Harvest Thanksgiving. Lunch afterwards at Gruline House, again many thanks to Nichola and James. It was lovely to have Douglas and Pat amongst us, and they enjoyed their stay. They then went out to Zanzibar. Douglas taking with him the sum of £900. There has been a wonderful book of photographs and a letter from their time in Zanzibar left in the back of the church for anyone to look through. These can now be seen on the St. Columba web site.

Bishop Mark Strange came to us on the 12th and 19th October. On the 19th October the Bishop hallowed a new tunic1e and altar linen, given by an anonymous donor. On Sunday, 9th November we went to Salen Parish Church for Remembrance Sunday.

The Candlelit Advent Carol Service was held on the 30th November, preceded by lunch at Myrtle Cottage, thanks to Anne Walters. On the 21st December we had the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols beautifully organized by David Fuller. The Church looked really lovely decked for Christmas. Many thanks to Jan and everyone who helped her. The tree was, as always, provided by James and Nichola.

We welcomed back many old friends as visiting clergy and were grateful to new visitors.

We thank Nichola and James Harmer and Lila Clark for the use of their cottages to house visiting clergy during the summer. Thanks are due to Judy Jordan and Elma Tyson for their great service with tea and coffee after the Sunday services. Very many thanks to Jan Fuller, and Elma Tyson and everyone who helps with the lovely flower arrangements in the church. Our thanks to Anne Walters for choosing the hymns and playing the organ on Sundays and other occasions. Also many thanks to Alison Bartholomew who takes over playing the organ when Anne is away. Thanks to James Harmer, who as Treasurer keeps our accounts so marvellously. Thanks too, to Anne McGregor for auditing the accounts. We are very grateful to Hazel for looking after the vestry linen with such care and for volunteering to undertake making new alter kneelers.

We very much appreciate Margaret for leading us in Matins and preaching. Thank you, Margaret. We also very much enjoy John Bartholomew preaching to us from time to time, and hope we hope you will continue to do so John. After being approached by David Fuller, Jeff Fielding has accepted the invitation of the Vestry to lead Matins and did so on Sunday, 7th December. Thank you Jeff.

We extend grateful thanks to David Fuller for his tremendous care of the vestry and his general care of St Columba, for arranging the services with much thought. Grateful thanks, David, from us all.

Finally these are the Yearly Statistics-:

Holy Eucharist services 44
Reserved Sacrament services 17
Easter Sunday communicants 36
Sunday before Advent communicants 18
Sick Communicants 1
Choir Offices 13
Total Communicants for the Year 988
Total Attendance for the Year 1,445



Sue Blockey
Vestry Secretary
Saint Columba, Gruline