Church-goers 3,000 miles apart will form a joint congregation this Sunday when they hold a special online service.
The Church of Scotland parishes at Killearnan and Knockbain in the Black Isle, along with Contin and Strathpeffer in Ross-shire, will celebrate Trinity Sunday virtually with St Andrew’s Church in Ottawa.
A video is being made of the historic occasion featuring music, prayers, readings and the reflections of two Highland ministers, Rev Susan Cord and her husband Rev James Bissett, as well as Rev Dr Karen Dimock, who leads the church in Ontario, originally part of the Church of Scotland.
The Highland ministers connected with the Canadian congregation after a chance encounter with one of its elders, Elizabeth Phillipson, on Twitter.
Rev Cord, who leads Killearnan and Knockbain Parish Church, said: “I am very pleased that James and I have made this connection with the church in Ottawa and we are both looking forward to the Trinity Sunday service.”
Rev Bissett, minister at Contin and Strathpeffer, who is editing the video which will be available on Killearnan and Knockbain church’s YouTube channel, said: “It is a dark and uncertain time that we are living in but it is a positive message to be able to come together with our brothers and sisters in Christ across the world.”
Dr Dimock, whose mother’s family came from Beauly, added: “The advent of online worship in particular has offered new opportunities including this exciting opportunity to share a service together, as brothers and sisters in Jesus, across the ocean.”