The two joint services for this year have taken place, the first on 19th June in Portnahaven and the second in St Kiaran’s on 23rd October. In June Rev Angus Morrison preached to a large congregation on Trinity Sunday and at the end we enjoyed the hospitality of the Portnahaven congregation. In October our Interim Moderator Rev David Carruthers came over from Ardrishaig to conduct the service and celebrate Communion again with a large congregation. Next year we will be having three joint services, the first to be held in Kilmeny Church followed by one in Portnahaven and the third in St Kiaran’s.

Soon we will each be holding our Remembrance Services. As in the past, there will be a special service at the Kilchoman war graves on Friday 11th November at 11.00am. On Sunday 13th Kilmeny Church will have Islay Lifeboat Crew present and a speaker talking about his years in the navy. Wreaths will be laid at the First and Second World War memorials Both Portnahaven and St Kiaran’s Churches will lay wreaths at the war memorials and continue on to church for the services.

This will lead us into the season of Advent and the special services held then. The first will be the Carol Evening in Kilmeny Church on Sunday 11th December at 7.00pm when members of the Islay Youth Band will be present. It is an evening of Readings, Carols and Poems with tea and cakes at the end. St Kiaran’s will be having their evening of Coffee, Cakes and Carols and Portnahaven their special Christmas Eve service at 4.00pm. There will be no Watchnight Service in Kilmeny this year but as Christmas Day is a Sunday, the morning service at 10.00am will be one of lessons and carols. Both Portnahaven and St Kiaran’s will have similar services at 10.00am and 11.30am respectively. We look forward to welcoming everyone to these services.