Irvine's Shoes brothers channel Abba with their new song

Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha and Frida (aka Fr Willie Boyd, Rev Neil Urquhart, Rev Ruth Kennedy and  Alison Muir) continue the long line of Irvine collaborations to break down barriers, build bridges and celebrate community and Christmas.

And they have been joined this year by pupils from across North Ayrshire.

The Shoes Bros formed years ago as a duo of Fullarton Parish Church's Rev Urquhart and Fr Boyd, of St Mary's and St John Ogilvie's.

This year, with their Good News Shoes on and usual layers of comic ‘cheese’, the warbling song and dance duo have released ‘Dance! Everybody Dance!’

The song is out now on Spotify and Apple Music, and the accompanying short movie viewable on ‘The Shoes Brothers Dance’ Facebook page and ‘Fullonart’ Youtube Channel, along with other media channels.

Joining the dance are pupils from Saltcoats’ St Matthew’s Academy and Irvine’s Loudoun Montgomery Primary School, plus attendees at Crossing Together’s Cafe, and St John Ogilvy’s Chapel Mass.

Once again, the hope and prayer is that the song and film will bring light, laughter, love and lift to many!

Rev Ruth Kennedy said: "I love an excuse to dress up and join in with local community fun.

"Nationally, and internationally, I’m involved with The Church of Scotland and Sanctuary First in maximizing our use of multi-media to connect with people and grow interest in and engagement with The Good News of Jesus Christ.

"It’s nice to be involved in a project so well grounded in Irvine’s community, which will attract national and international interest too. What great fun we had."

Alison Muir said: “At ‘Crossing Together’ we are planting a new Irvine church.

"We’re presently based next to St John Ogilvy’s chapel, so it was great to join in with our RC neighbours in this year’s Shoes Brothers project.

"Channelling my inner ‘Abba’ was not hard and seeing others join in with the dance from across the area was a great encouragement.”

Father Boyd added: "It’s a little sobering that, when Rev Neil and I eventually move on, we’ll not be remembered for our riveting sermons, eloquent prayers, or pastoral sensitivities, but ‘Thae Dafties’ who dressed up each Christmas to get us all jigging, singing, and dancing together.

"And I’m happy with that! Folk always ask how my sidekick Neil is doing, and what high jinks we’re up to this year?”

Rev Urquhart said: "Each year we wonder if we’ll manage to find a new vein of creativity and are always pleasantly surprised.

"This is in large part down to the tremendous creative powers of Alan Campbell, who wrote and produced the song, Stuart Forsyth who produced the film, and the readiness of people and groups to join in when asked.

"Dance! Everybody Dance! is once again a triumph of the true Christmas Spirit."