As a newly-fledged 'Senior Citizen' (I can think of only two of our 'regulars' who are [marginally] older than myself) and, as a lifelong churchgoer ... Sunday School, Bible Class, Boys' Brigade Officer and *Elder *(for almost 35 years) ... I find myself becoming increasingly "scunnered" at the way the format of the Kirk in Scotland is heading.

Scunnered ... by Dictionary definition, implies feelings of disgust. But "disgust" is perhaps too strong a word for me to use in the context; disillusioned ... or simply "fed-up" would be more appropriate.

A few years ago, "the charge" to which I belong became vacant, and a 'Nominating Committee' (as it's now called) comprising mainly young(ish) members of the congregation was appointed to look for a successor. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the new incumbent inducted, turned out to be a 37-year-old with (in my opinion) fairly radical s as to how Sunday worship would henceforth be conducted.

For a start, he eschewed the Church of Scotland's centuries'-old practice of the clergy wearing robes - preferring instead to preach in suit and dog-collar. Next, he introduced a whole plethora of unfamiliar praise - resulting in congregational hymn-singing being reduced to something akin to an inept choir practice - with he, himself, on the odd occasion, leading on guitar ... in spite of our magnificent pipe organ!

Forbye, it caused more than a few "ripples" of discontent and unrest among the predominantly older congregation, when invitations were extended *exclusively to the [minority] under 40s age group to meet in the Wetherspoon's pub-cum-restaurant, next door for social get-togethers. Mind you, he's had to give *THAT one a miss himself in recent times since attaining his own fourth decade last month!

Don't get me wrong, folks. We all have to move with the times. And, as a member of the Kirk Session, I'm well aware of plans afoot to "rip out" the original 138-year-old inbuilt pews, in favour of "more servicable" seating ... and, to all intents and purposes, this motion has been carried.

Despite my various moans and groans, it has to be said that our [now] new(ish) minister is a likeable enough guy - even if he IS a bit cocky (which I find typical of a lot of wee men) - and (apart from his not wearing robes ... which probably alludes to his small stature) I enjoy his style and sense of humour. But I often DO yearn for the old, well-loved, rousing hymns that "raised the rafters" ...