When I became the minister in Bernera 12 years ago I was ably, prayerfully and seriously supported by the elders in the church.
It was easy to remember their names for the three of them had the same name – Fionnlagh or Finlay. This ensured that I could not go too far wrong when trying to remember their names. With the passage of time and the natural change that results from the fragility of human life only one of these dear men now remain with us.
Finlay MacDonald, better known as ‘Fionnlagh Tharmoid Dhol’ was quite an ebullient character. One, whose conversation invariably took his hearers back to the time when a man called Jesus impacted his life. A lasting transformation of soul, hope and heart that took place during the time of the religious revival of the 1950’s.
Finlay MacLennan, better known as ‘Fionnlagh Beag Iain a’ Mheatsdair ‘was small in stature but mighty in prayer. With an ever-present smile and a gamboling gait, Finlay presented a welcome, warm and loving face to the congregation each time they entered the church midweek and Sunday. Finlay’s most impressive character trait, or at least one on them, was how little he would comment on others. Always supportive, always prayerful. Finlay incarnated the teaching of James where he says ‘So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God’, James 1:19 -20
Sometimes, as with Finlay, one learns more from another person’s silence than from many words.. This gracious restraint enables others to be built up in their lives and in their most holy faith in a way that many words cannot.
Which brings us to Finlay MacIver. Better known as ‘Fionnlagh Mac Iain Fhionnlagh. A man who appears to be related to more people in Bernera and elsewhere than anyone else I have ever met so I need to be careful what I say. Just really to thank you Finlay for all your service to the Lord’s work and to the people of our parish in Bernera down through the years and the decades since you returned from Glasgow.
A trinity of elders, joined together eternally by the love of God Jesus in Bernera and who will one day be reunited in glory through the redeeming, everlasting salvation God provides for us through faith in Jesus, the Great High Priest of our Profession.