23 October 2025

Sunday is going to be a day of reckoning. There are  seven crucial votes taking place in two corners of the Presbytery. The first  two are in the North Fife Cluster where I have been working as Facilitator. Balmerino and Wormit and Creich, Flisk and Kilmany are voting to unite.

Balmerino and Wormit have already united. Once this union takes place, there is a third to negotiate with Newport.  Newport has a minister in post and so any union will be dependent on more than the agreement of the two Kirk Sessions.

The second five votes are taking place in three congregations – Crail, Pittenweem and St. Ayle (Cellardyke and Anstruther). St. Ayle is already a union and it is voting to unite with neighbouring Pittenweem where I am Interim-moderator. If the union goes ahead, they will each be voting to link with Crail.

The linked charge will be an appealing  prospect for a minister. It is a hugely attractive parish – four villages  set on an exquisite coastline with vibrant communities, three Primaries and a Secondary, arts, music and  community festivals, a fine manse, funds from the sale of buildings  to pay for additional ministry.

In order to put things into perspective, it is to be noted that these seven votes are reshaping the administrative structures of the five parishes. It is being done to secure the church’s future in this area of Scotland because of pressures on the Kirk’s finances, the poverty of vocations and aging congregations.

However, it doesn’t change what is fundamental to our faith – the living Word, the Sacraments, the care and compassion ministered to parish, nation and beyond and the abiding love of God who inspires greater unity through His Son, Jesus Christ, and, subsequently,  a more effective witness to our divided world!