Lunna Kirk is the oldest working Kirk in Shetland, thought to have been built in the 11th century, and is of great historical, architectural and spiritual importance.  In 1925 it was given to the Church of Scotland to be held in trust for the local community, but as part of a plan that has deprived so many other communities of their local churches, the COS is planning to de-consecrate it and sell it off privately. 

Even supposing that this is legally acceptable, it seems to me to be totally ethically unsound.  The process has begun, however, and the only way it can be stopped is if enough people come together to voice their dissent.  

Lunna is so remote that there is only one other building there, the stunning Lunna House, built in the shape of a cross.  This house played a pivotal role in the wartime operation known as The Shetland Bus when it provided a discreet base from which the organisation was run.

This dangerous and highly successful operation ran for many years in the Second World War, covertly ferrying saboteurs and espionage equipment into occupied Norway, and bringing refugees back safely to Shetland, saving countless lives and tying up thousands of German troops in the process.   People still come from all over the the world to visit the house and to pay their respects at the kirk where several young Norwegian sailors who lost their lives working on the operation are buried. 

David Howarth was deeply involved in the running of the Shetland Bus and after the war he wrote the book of the same name.  He loved Lunna, and he has a memorial stone in the Kirk yard and, at his request, his ashes were interred in Lunna Voe.  He is the reason why I am so passionate about saving Lunna Kirk.  He was my much loved father.

 The CoS says it is willing to consider passing ownership of these kirks back to their communities if enough people show an interest.  Even though there is no community as such in Lunna, I am hopeful that there could be an international Lunna community that cares enough to save it, and to thereby acknowledge the unique part it played in saving so many lives during the Second World War.   I am hopeful that many people both here and abroad will feel as fervently as I do that Lunna Kirk must be saved from being sold into private ownership.

Even if you have never signed a petition before, I urge you, please, to sign this one. Be part of the international Lunna community.  If you know of anyone who may also be interested, please pass this on.  Share on Facebook - anything you can think of.  My family and I will be truly grateful.

Thank you.

Virginia Childs (nee Howarth)