Bulletins

New issue of Theology in Scotland

    The latest issue of the journal Theology in Scotland is available to read online.   The theme for the issue is Language and Faith. It features: a wide-ranging piece by Alastair McIntosh on theological aspects of language in a variety of contexts, primarily Israel, Palestine and Scotland a theological defence of linguistic diversity within …

New College Festival of Books and Belief 7-8th November 2025 Save the date!

Save the date! Our fifth New College Festival of Books and Belief will be held from 7-8th November 2025.   Confirmed speakers include Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (Ordinary Saints), Mustafa Briggs and Shannon Vallor. We will also be hosting a creative writing workshop with Liz MacWhirter and celebrating the launch of the new Oxford Handbook of …

The changing face of Ascend E-News

The changing face of Ascend E-News Since our last edition of the eNews there have been a number of changes within the staff team within the national offices. The People and Training team have had to take their share of staff redundancies and sadly this has included Clare Milrine, who has served as The Project …

Words are not what comes first

How do you preach to a congregation living in difficult and tragic times when each person’s views are shaped by their unique background, culture, and life experiences? Stewart Gillan our Mission Partner in Jerusalem, writes of his own worship preparation where Words are not what comes first. Writing for worship in Jerusalem – prayers, sermons, reflections, …

Sarah Brown writes of the positive impact of having spiritual direction throughout her ministry

Once a month I spend an hour with my spiritual director. I’m usually running late.  She expects this and gives me time to settle in with a drink of water or a cup of tea. We begin with a prayer. My feet firmly on the ground, I know that this is a space for me …

Here are some of our FAQ’s on Ascend

  Here are some of our FAQ’s on Ascend; 1) How do I find out if I am eligible for Study Leave? What my allowance is? and how do I apply? Email StudyLeave@churchofscotland.org.uk and we can advise what allowance you have. You can also request a follow up call to discuss a study idea. On …

The King of Kings resource suite from SU Scotland

SU Scotland is delighted to partner with KOVA International and Angel Studios to provide a free suite of inspiring, faith-based resources for families, schools, and churches. Whether you’re leading a Sunday School class, planning a church event, or looking to spark meaningful conversations at home, these resources are here to help children step into the story …

Short Courses – Trinity College Glasgow

  Short Courses | Trinity College Glasgow | Scotland

Church of Scotland Learning

Eleanor McMahon, the People and Training Manager gives a broad overview of the (still newish) Church of Scotland Learning resource and invites you to engage in the growing community interaction that is now evolving. Take four modules, add to that the architects behind them, give them a stir with a couple of facilitators, and what …

Spotlight on MDC!

Many drivers are familiar with the need to ensure that when a car is over 3-years old, there is a need to have an annual MOT. It serves as a safety check, a time when the owner can gain some comfort in knowing that their vehicle is in a satisfactory state and safe for the …

Behind the Pulpit: Stories of Faith and Service

As part of a new series, we are asking Presbyteries to nominate someone who they feel has a story of faith and service from which we can all learn. The Presbytery of Perth have nominated Barbara MacFarlane who has combined both her vocation for nursing with her role as an Elder, to develop this extraordinary …

Bread for the Journey

Being a Minister of Word and Sacrament is, to me, one of the best jobs in the world. It’s a deep joy to walk alongside people at all stages of life—be it leading worship on Sundays, speaking in schools, officiating weddings and funerals, opening Scripture beside someone who is dying, reading bedtime Bible stories with …

New College Festival of Books and Belief 7-8th November 2025 Save the date!

Save the date! Our fifth New College Festival of Books and Belief will be held from 7-8th November 2025.   Confirmed speakers include Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin (Ordinary Saints), Mustafa Briggs and Shannon Vallor. We will also be hosting a creative writing workshop with Liz MacWhirter and celebrating the launch of the new Oxford Handbook of …

Church in a Changing Landscape – A webinar from the Church of Scotland Learning. Thursday 19th June – 1.00-1.45 pm

“Change is the only constant,” “Change is here to stay.” Motivational speakers often quote these phrases, and they reflect much of what is happening around us in this current season. Since the beginning of 2025, Church of Scotland Learning has launched a number of modules, all of which share the common theme of responding to …

Let’s Celebrating 80 Years of Christian Aid: A Legacy of Compassion 

  As Carol Finlay takes her leave after 36 years of service within the Church of Scotland as both a missionary partner and more recently a staff member in FAPLT, she reflects on her involvement with Christian Aid, as they celebrate their 80th Anniversary this year. Jeremiah 29:11 says ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to …

Job advertisement: Director of Place for Hope.

Place for Hope Director recruitment Are you a leader who would like to make a real difference in faith-based peace and reconciliation? Would you love a role that allows you to support people and faith communities to flourish as they navigate change, conflict, and differences well? Then this exciting role might be for you… About …

Sign up to the monthly Ascend E-Newsletter here

The Church of Scotland website allows you to sign up to a number of newsletters including the Ascend monthly E-newsletter Sign up here Newsletters | The Church of Scotland

Kay Haggarty describes how flourishing community projects began with a commitment to prayer

My name is Kay Haggarty, and I am an OLM with South East Edinburgh Church of Scotland (SEECOS). We serve the communities of Gracemount, Southhouse, Burdiehouse, and an expanding area of new housing at Frogston. We are part of the union of Church of Scotland worshipping communities in South East Edinburgh, working together as a …

Rev Douglas Hamilton: Navigating the challenges of change with compassion and care.

Change is a stressful and emotionally taxing thing, yet it is also unavoidable. We will all encounter seasons of significant change in our lives and in the church. In this film, Douglas Hamilton, minister in the parish of Traprain, shares his experience of navigating change both personally and professionally and how he led others through …

Turn aside to see

There’s a detail in the story of Moses at the burning bush that I love. At this stage in his story, life is very different for Moses. Pharaoh’s palace would be a distant memory now as he tended sheep for his father-in-law, spending his days doing the same mundane, everyday tasks. Yet, amid these ordinary …