Christian Fellowship of Healing news

Rev. Jim Rettie gives us some news from the Christian Fellowship of Healing (Highland) including a report from the recent visit to Inverness, Alness and Tain by May Nicolson from the Preshal Trust in Glasgow.

We had a lovely weekend with May Nicholson and her friends from Preshalt Trust in Glasgow.

On Friday evening, the theatre at Merkinch Community Centre was full to capacity to hear May tell her very moving and encouraging story. In response the ‘Ministry Teams’ were kept busy speaking and praying with people of all ages .

We know that at least three people gave their lives to the Lord, with many others experiencing the healing and restoring touch of the Lord Jesus Christ. I wish to thank the staff at the Centre for all their help. Also the Praise Group from the Grace of God Church, also Hendry who was responsible for much of the arrangements. Also the members who made up the ‘Ministry Teams, who worked so tirelessly in meeting the various needs of the people.

May also led a meeting at Inverness Prison on Sunday morning, and spoke at the Alness Baptist Church where many people were blessed by her message. For me, it was just so good to meet and share with May. Thank you May.

The CFH(Higlands) is very happy to respond to requests from churches who may wish to know more of the groups activities in terms of bring Christ's healing power to those who are suffering. CFH(H) hold regular Healing Prayer Meetings in St. Stephen's Church (Southside Road, Inverness) on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Have a look at the Events Calendar for details.

Jim Rettie can be contacted as follows:
Tel. 01463 798896 or
by E-mail

May Nicolson writes about the work in which she and her colleagues are involved within the Preshal Trust:

Preshal - the Gaelic for “precious” – and that is how we feel about everyone who comes through our doors - is a recognised Christian charity. In a friendly, caring, loving and supportive way Preshal seeks to tackle, head-on, the problem of social exclusion in the Linthouse area of Glasgow. This problem is manifested in poverty, alcohol and drug addiction, low literacy and numeracy levels, depression and low self-esteem.

The Trust, working with other agencies, provides a wide range of social, recreational and educational activities which enable these issues to be dealt with effectively.
We adopt an holistic approach whereby we seek to cater for the whole person, including meeting individual physical, mental and – as a Christian rooted organisation - spiritual needs.

Group of Youngsters

The Trust’s premises are open six days per week, including Sunday when the Preshal Fellowship meets, and, as of April, we are now open in the evening for youth work.

Each day there is a varied programme of activities (always beginning with tea and toast!), and in any one week folk engage in pastimes such as art and craft work, including card and model making, photography, board and table games, cooking, keep-fit, bowls, golf, fishing, and in literacy, numeracy and IT classes.

We also encourage our people to socialise and build relationships, and activities such as the twice weekly lunch club, regular outings in the minibus, and karaokes assist this process!
In future editions of this newsletter we’ll highlight individual activities and the benefits our folk derive from them – using their own words rather than mine!

Plans to replace Preshal’s temporary building with something permanent and purpose built are moving forward, albeit slowly, but we are pleased to announce Alex Ferguson - a Govan lad - has agreed to be the patron of this initiative. This is a major undertaking, which we are embarking on in faith

Ed footnote:
May is due to speak in Inverness in June. Details to be published in Christians Together soon.

She has a rivetting story to tell and has written it up in the first of her books 'Miracles from Mayhem'.
It is published by Christian Focus Publications and the synopsis reads:

May Nicholson was a notorious fighting drunk in Ferguslie Park, Paisley until her conversion when she was 34. The last 22 years have been spend tirelessly working for the Lord as an outreach worker in Ferguslie Park, Church of Scotland Project Worker in Mid Craigie (a deprived area of Dundee) and now in Govan where she founded the Preshal (Gaelic for precious) Trust.

May's biography reads as though she is telling her story and is interspersed by accounts and comments from other people. Her story is so incredible that it needs other people to verify what she says; one of May's doctors, a minister, those who come to the Preshal Trust and The Duchess of Montrose all help to tell this compelling story.

May has just recently published a second book entitled 'More Miracles from Mayhem' which gathers together stories from people from all sorts of backgrounds; from loving and Christian homes through to abusive and manipulative backgrounds to having no home at all. These books are stimulating accounts of God's love and healing care, and are an inspiration to the reader.

Christians Together, 06/05/2009