Church's message to Rod
Parishioners celebrating the 400th anniversary of their church could be joined by Rod Stewart, it emerged yesterday.
The singer will be invited to join thousands of congregation members marking four centuries of worship at South Leith Parish Church in Edinburgh in October.
The 63-year-old chose the historic kirk for the 2006 baptism of his son, Alastair, with model wife Penny Lancaster, and vowed to return one day.
And in keeping with Stewart’s superstar lifestyle, Kirk leaders have decided the four-century milestone should be marked with Champagne instead of traditional communion wine.
South Leith’s minister, the Reverend Ian Gilmour, confirmed an invitation has been sent to Rod to join members of all of Leith’s churches quaffing bubbly to mark the special occasion.
Mr Gilmour said: “Champagne is the drink used around the world to celebrate. We are going to use it to emphasise the party aspect of being together.
Champagne is the drink used around the world to celebrate
“It’s something we have been working on for a long time after deciding that the churches should be having a communion together – I’m not sure what we would do if all 20,000 turned up, to be honest.”
He added: “Rod Stewart certainly will be contacted though, by letter. We wrote to him last year, sending him a celebratory book for his son and he wrote back to thank us. It would be good if he could come.”
A year of celebrations will see all Leithers baptised over the past 100 years invited to attend special services.
“Couples who tied the knot in the church and those who are buried in its graveyard will also be celebrated,” Mr Gilmour added. “We’ve gone on for 400 years. There are a lot of reasons to celebrate.”
