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Findochty Easter message takes community on Journey to Hope


By Alan Beresford

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AN Easter journey to hope through Findochty is due to be unveiled during Holy Week.

Salvation Army Majors Bruce and Isobel Smith with some of the 15 Journey to Hope sketches next to the bowling club, one of the locations. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Salvation Army Majors Bruce and Isobel Smith with some of the 15 Journey to Hope sketches next to the bowling club, one of the locations. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

At the time of writing churches will not be allowed to reopen until March 26, although should there be a sharp spike in the virus before then this intention could be revised by the Scottish Government.

However, this has not stymied the ingenuity of two local Salvation Army officers, Majors Bruce and Isobel Smith, who are looking to get the Easter message out by other, Covid-compliant, means.

Major Bruce Smith explained: "We felt that the whole community could be offered the opportunity to share an experience of the Easter story, whilst getting some well-needed exercise.

"The Journey to Hope is a series of 15 sketches with accompanying Bible verses and will be placed around the village between Monday, March 29 and Monday, April 12 to mark some of the events of Holy Week.

"The sketches will invite the traveller to view the scene in front of them with shadow pictures of Jesus and other characters from the story superimposed on the image.

"Beginning in Church Street, each scene, then gives the location of the next scene to be visited.

"It's something we've been thinking about for a while and we've both been inspired by the art group which, up until lockdown, usually meets in the hall on a Wdnesday morning."

Major Smith created the sketches himself.

The route takes in many of the sights in the villages, including the kirk and Methodist Church, the war memorial and harbour.

On Easter morning at some point, the couple are hoping to make the climb up to the war memorial to play some Easter tunes which will hopefully drift across the village.

More details, including timings, are set to be posted on the Salvation Army Findochty Corps Facebook page.

As to when actual service will resume at the Findochty Salvation Army hall still remains unclear.

Major Isobel Smith said: "We're still at the stage it's not realistic to open.

"Our top priority is keeping everyone safe."

While churches will be able to reopen many restrictions will remain in place until later in the year. Congregations, for example, must remain socially distanced and no singing is allowed.

During lockdown the Facebook pages for both the Findochty and Buckie Corps – which the Smiths also run – has provided a platform for services and other items to be streamed to members of the congregation.


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