This morning the Rev Dr Michael Paterson presided and preached on his first Sunday as our newly-licenced Priest-in-charge, and we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King with a special liturgy for the day.

The occasion was also our first service as an independent congregation. As you can read in this service sheet, we also gathered round the font and Paschal candle, both symbolically placed in the centre of the congregation, to rededicate ourselves, using the deeply-moving words of a covenant for Shared Ministry.

Before choir and congregation sang the Old Hundredth we also managed to mark the occasion in typical St Margaret’s fashion, firstly by our sacristan, Pam Pryde, presenting an inscribed quaich to Michael, using some of the words lovingly written on the accompanying card by Lesley Yellowlees on behalf of the congregation.

Then Lesley herself presented a basket of flowers to our Vestry Secretary, Sandra Young, in recognition of the enormous amount of extra work Sandra had carried out in recent months, dealing with the consequences of both pandemic and interregnum.

This happy picture was taken after the end of the service on 18 November at which the Revd Dr Michael Paterson (right) was duly licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the Scottish Episcopal Church of St Margaret, Rosyth by the Right Revd Ian Paton, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane (left).

There was some formality – you can’t escape having the Very Revd Graham Taylor, in his role as Dean, read the words of the Licence – and much symbolism, in the presentations made to Michael of an icon of Christ, a Bible, holy oil, the bread and wine of communion, and the church keys. But above all, there was much joy at welcoming our new priest, much hearty offering of praise in music, and much unity on display, with representatives from our Methodist partners and other local churches as well as the wider Episcopal community.

There was also much challenge in what Bishop Ian had to say in both sermon and prayers. He ended his sermon, centred on the Gospel reading of three parables of the kingdom, by reading R S Thomas’s “The Bright Field” and reminding us of the need to give all that we have to possess that pearl of great price. Highly appropriate for a congregation whose patron is St Margaret, when we remember that her name derives from the Greek μαργαρίτης … pearl!

Thanks to David Salthouse, the service was recorded, so you can hear Bishop Ian’s words in full through the media player below.

Loving Creator, at this moment in earth’s history when humanity must take account of earth’s destiny, give to those leaders who gather in Glasgow a sense of urgency, a perception of necessity and the wisdom and will to secure the health and wellbeing of the world at whatever the cost to wealth, political advantage or prestige. and give to us all a vision of a world restored to full health that is worthy of all those yet to be born and worth all the work, sacrifice and commitment which is ours to offer.          Amen.

Professor Jason Leitch, NHS Scotland’s National Clinical Director outlines the state of the pandemic and offers a ‘thank you’ and encouragement to Scotland’s faith and belief communities.

The video was recorded at the request of the Faith and Belief Representatives Group who meets and have been working with the Scottish Government throughout the pandemic.

Information correct as of the recording date of Sunday 24 October 2021

We are delighted to announce that Bishop Ian has agreed to the appointment of the Rev Dr Michael Paterson as the part-time stipendiary priest of St Margaret’s. Bishop Ian will license Michael to the charge on Thursday 18 November (in the week of St Margaret’s Day) at 6.30pm and Michael’s appointment will begin on that date. Due to social distancing restrictions, regrettably the numbers attending the service will be limited, but all members of St Margaret’s and Rosyth Methodist Church have already been invited to attend.

This is an exciting time for St Margaret’s as we start out on our journey as an independent church and also look to strengthen our ties with Rosyth Methodist Church, through furthering our ecumenical partnership.