When Lochaber Presbytery meets on June 14, it will be meeting to install the moderator for the year 2016-17 as well as giving thanks that for the first time for many years all the parishes will have a minister.
Lochaber is one of the smallest populated presbyteries in the Church of Scotland with 15 congregations but it is spread over a huge area, from Fort Augustus to Duror, Ardnamurchan to Ardgour and Glen Etive to Mallaig plus the small isles.
For many years there have always been some of those parishes without a parish minister – and usually that situation has continued for a period of several years. During these times of vacancy, the parish, communities and congregations have been served by retired ministers, ordained local ministers and readers as well as the elders and members of the church. The unstinting work done by these people has enabled ministry in these communities to continue.