Church’s ring of confidence

A RURAL church has carried out a re-marketing exercise in an attempt to buck the trend of dwindling congregations.

Cushnie and Tough Church redesigned its logo and sent letters to every house in the parish, inviting them to attend an event this weekend, aimed at promoting the church as the “hub of a rural wheel”.

A demonstration of hand bells kicked off the two-day gathering last night. Church leaders hope people will take the opportunity to meet others in the parish and speak with the Rev Margaret Garden.

A video about the parish made by one of the congregation, Gary Hunter, of Bogend, Alford, will also feature alongside pictures of the past and information on what is happening now.

Mrs Garden said the church was holding the event to show it is “constantly reaching out to the community”.

She added: “We don’t expect people to come every Sunday but we want them to know that we’re here.”

Lay preacher Ishbel Maclellan said the community was constantly changing as many people work in the international oil industry. “We’re looking for ways of how we can adapt to this,” she added.

The event will run today from 11am until 2pm in Craigievar Hall.