Cross Kirk Ceremony 2011
David O'Leary • Published 24 Jun 2011 09:30
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REVEREND Jim Wallace was installed as Warden of the Cross Kirk for a record sixth time last Sunday night.
The St Andrews Leckie Parish Church minister is retiring after 28 years in September and fittingly he will bow out as Warden.
Alas, the weather refused to play its part in this perfect ending with proceedings duly switched indoors to the Parish Church.
This didn't dampen spirits though, as Jim showed how much the honour meant to him in a moving and sincere address which had the assembled congregation rapt with interest.
Jim was duly installed by last year's Warden, Barry Hughes, who coincidentally is also a member of Jim's congregation at St Andrew's Leckie.
This year's Beltane Principals were welcomed by Jim - Cornet-Elect Ewen Young, Warden of Neidpath John Campbell OBE, Crowning Lady Margaret Abbott and Beltane Queen Amy Gilfillan.
In his address the Rev Wallace pointed out that the 750-year old Cross Kirk has always existed as a refuge for the poor, the pilgrim and for the proclamation of the Christian message.
He said: "Since the Cross Kirk is now a ruin we no longer have the refuge of that Kirk but we do have the Cross of Jesus Christ. His outstretched arms embrace the poor and command us to share what we have to meet their needs.
"He welcomes the pilgrims on their spiritual journey because on the Cross he bore our sin and in him we can be forgiven, washed clean and made new. It is also the place of proclamation because here is the light that shines in a darkened world.
"The Cross stands as a challenge to all of us to find in Jesus a Saviour who can set us free and bring us hope for a new and Eternal Life. It may not be the Cross Kirk any more but we can turn it around and speak of the Kirk of the Cross."
Eight Kingsland Primary primary 7 girls then delivered both an acrostic poem and a brief history of the Cross Kirk - Jim is also chaplain of the school.
It is said that on May 9, 1261, an ancient cross was found on the site of the Cross Kirk, along with a stone bearing the inscription 'the tomb of the bishop Saint Nicholas'.
And as a result of this discovery, King Alexander III declared the site to be holy and had a church erected there.
Earlier this year a special celebratory service was held to mark the 750th anniversary of the founding of the Cross Kirk.
Organised by Peebles Churches Together, all of the town's congregations took part.
Speaking after Sunday night's installation Reverend Jim said: "It is a great honour to be Warden of the Cross Kirk again in this my final year before retiring. It was also superb to be put in post by last year's Warden Barry Hughes, an elder at St Andrew's Leckie who is nearing the end of his training for the ministry.
"The children of Kingsland Primary also played their part wonderfully in what was a fine event."
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 24 Jun 11
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