Bulletins

Discover an inspiring journey of change and growth as we hear from a minister who navigated various pivotal life moments while serving in ministry

  I began the journey into ministry single, met my husband along the way, began probation, newly married, embarked on full-time ministry with a one-year-old,  and then had another baby (the first newborn of the manse). The most important milestones in my life have happened in ministry, and as such, I have gained various perspectives …

Why Spiritual Accompaniment?

Twenty-one years as a parish minister, and I’d probably not stopped “doing” for most of that time. I was exhausted. A colleague suggested I go on a silent retreat. As an extrovert who loves community and conversation, the thought of one horrified me. However, something had to change. I meet with a spiritual director for …

Disability Awareness Sunday is Sunday 22nd September

Disability Awareness Week launches on Sunday 15 September Don’t miss Revd Helen Cameron, President of the Methodist Conference, Moderator of the Free Churches Group, and President of Churches Together in England, preaching to launch Disability Awareness Week: 15-22 Sept ’24, calling for justice, equality and access.   Watch the Disability Awareness Week launch service, available …

Bethany’s Befriending Service – Passing the Baton Training

You are invited to join Bethany Christian Trust’s ‘Passing the Baton’ befriending training to equip you to build meaningful connections with people who have previously been homeless or who are at risk of homelessness in Edinburgh. This free training event is open to Church members who want to befriend people back into their community by …

Eco Congregation share their free resources for the Season of Creation

Eco Congregation share their free resources for the Season of Creation (Users are encouraged to adapt them to local circumstances) Included are notes on every lectionary passage for the six Sundays that the Season covers this year. Suitable for: worship leaders, small groups, ands churches looking for an interesting and challenging resource for the sermon …

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

The Impossible Job Description

  Ministry is a role that comes with immense pressure and often unrealistically high expectations. In a survey by the New York Times, it was revealed that 45% of pastors have experienced depression, 57% express a desire to leave Ministry, 75% report severe stress, and 33% feel that Ministry is a hazard to their families. …

Place for Hope

Are you leading a major change and finding tensions rising in your congregation? Are you dreading a meeting you need to lead or participate in that will discuss a divisive issue? Can’t sleep because you find someone you work with particularly challenging? Place for Hope is here to provide the support and guidance you need, …

Unveiling Hope after Struggle

Explore a powerful story of grappling with sex addiction and finding redemption, demonstrating that there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel for those facing similar challenges. Join in this journey of healing, understanding, and ultimate transformation, embracing the fruit of self-control as a guiding force amidst the struggle.   I’m a …

Mission Directors: Part 1 – Rev Ken Brown

My father was not a toolmaker. He was a bridge builder – spending most of his working life in one of the many back offices of Sir William Arrol & Co.  History buffs will know that the second Tay Bridge, the original and the second Forth Bridges, along with Edinburgh’s North Bridge, are all “Arrol …

Me and ADHD by Gayle Miller

My name is Gayle, and I am a 53-year-old Candidate in training for the Ministry of Full-Time Word and Sacrament. I have been a nurse for 34 years and initially felt my Calling to Ministry in December 2013. Life has been interesting in the intervening years, none so much as when I was diagnosed with …

Reaching out

A reflection from conversations with people in ministry, who have contacted the central pastoral support team, is a regret they did not access support provisions earlier. A common question we are asked by providers of support is “how do we encourage people who need support to access it?” There are lots of opportunities for support …

What is Sight Loss Friendly Church?

  Torch is enabling churches across the UK to include people with sight loss in every aspect of church life. Join our network of churches to access training, advice, resources and to be added to our sight loss friendly church finder. Best of all, it’s all free of charge! Find out more

Live No Lies – Book Review 

“Live No Lies” by John Mark Comer is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of living an authentic and truthful life in today’s complex and often deceptive world. Comer delves into the significance of embracing honesty, transparency, and integrity in every facet of life, emphasising the liberating power of truth and the damaging impact of deception …

Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit

Embarking on a journey into the profound depths of the ‘Fruit of the Spirit ‘, this article serves as a gateway to a series of companion pieces. These will delve deeper into the individual fruits of self-control, joy, kindness, and goodness in the coming months. We pray our exploration of these characteristics will encourage us …

Distant Echoes 

Three vignettes. As a teenager on a Church of Scotland Sunday School Teacher Training Course at Carberry Towers I vividly remember being presented with the image of the teacher planting a seed but doing so with no guarantee that they would see any fruit produced. We do what we can in our time and it …

Faithful to God – Fruitful in ministry (Exodus 17v1-6)

Faithful to God – Fruitful in ministry (Exodus 17v1-6) ‘Between a rock and a hard place’ is a familiar phrase. It speaks of a challenging season in life; and it can be a regular experience in ministry. If this is true for you, I want to offer some hope and encouragement. Our greatest fruitfulness in …

KYRIA COLLAB 18-25 YEAR OLD ONE YEAR LEADERSHIP COHORT

KYRIA COLLAB 18-25 YEAR OLD ONE YEAR LEADERSHIP COHORT Kyria Collab, an exclusive gathering of exceptional young female leaders from various denominations and spheres of influence across the UK. Our mission is to embark on a transformative 12-month journey together, establishing the REAL WAY of leadership: Recognise & Relate | Encounter & Equip | Advise & Advocate | Listen …

Discover Church of Scotland Learning – Watch the recording of the first live session

https://assets.circle.so/discover-church-of-scotland-learning-church-of-scotland-learning-1719406560.mp4   Are you ready to unlock the power of digital learning? Watch the recording of the 30-minute webinar, where we will take you on a virtual tour of our innovative online learning platform. ℹ️ What to Expect: – Introduction to Church of Scotland Learning – Tour of the online site, highlighting functionality and available …

Through the Roof – Disability Awareness Sunday (22nd September)

Disability Awareness Sunday Join the Journey with Jesus In 2024, the date for Disability Awareness Sunday is Sunday 22nd September. But any Sunday can be Disability Awareness Sunday! This year there’s a whole Disability Awareness Week, starting on 15th September. Join the hundreds of churches across the UK – and the world! – to share about …