Bulletins

Funded Retreats in Scotland

Taking the opportunity for a Retreat can be hugely beneficial in the midst of ministry service.  Ascend is pleased to be able to offer the opportunity to benefit from Retreat funding, for ministers and deacons who have more than 2 years’ service in ministry, and for the purposes of Retreat in Scotland. Funding of up …

Kilmalieu Retreat Centre is now open

About Kilmalieu   Retreats at Kilmalieu

New book is minister’s manifesto for a stronger Church

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I am second

  Our Story It all began as an experiment. We wanted to challenge the status-quo in people’s lives in one city, our hometown of Dallas. So in 2008, we launched as a local nonprofit aiming to reach our city with the stories of a different kind of life. At the time, the steep rise in …

Feeling a Call to Ministry?

So, you are feeling a call to ministry, or you might be but you’re really not sure! The Towards Ministry team is here to help.  

Explore upcoming events from BRF and its ministries.

Explore upcoming events from BRF and its ministries. https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/events  

Pilgrimage as Retreat

  “Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10   Kelly*, a parish minister, came on a personal retreat to the Bield.  She’d had a torrid time in her parish and was exhausted, her confidence at a really low ebb.  The day she arrived we met for spiritual accompaniment.  She tried to share …

How to lead leaders

For anyone who followed Jesus’ ministry the miracles captured their imagination. Feeding over 5000 people with a few loaves and fish, healing countless others, calming storms, you get the picture. This was a man around whom things happened; he would have been very exciting to follow around! Perhaps though the most impactful aspect of Jesus’ …

I am because we are

Growing up, I often heard the phrase “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” meaning “I am because we are.” This concept instilled in me the importance of partnering and working together for the Gospel. As a young minister, I’ve seen firsthand how this principle is crucial for the church’s growth. Though rooted in African culture, “Ubuntu” echoes the …

Meet New Mission Support Manager, Sarah Johnson

Talking Mission: “Please come prepared to share your vision for mission in a local Church of Scotland setting”. Read the email I was sent before my interview for the role of Mission Support Manager for the Church of Scotland. As I prepared, I felt such joy as I pictured the bride of Christ, uniquely placed …

All Things Must Change

We have been trying to solidify our perspective on change for a long time. Since the pre-socratic philosophers, a great deal of thinking has been done on change, permanence, whether all is in a state of flux or ultimately immutable. One of my favourite writings, the book of Ecclesiastes offers another somewhat symbiotic take – …

Nurturing Supportive Teams

In the complex and deeply interconnected realm of church leadership, there is a profound need for a nurturing and supportive framework. As we journey through the intricate challenges and blessings of our ministry, it becomes increasingly vital to not only recognise but actively seek ways to cultivate a network of support. This article starts to …

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

Growing through Change & Conflict: Further Skills For: CoS Years 1-5

Growing through Change and Conflict Further Skills – Years 1-5 CoS Ministers – April & May 2024 Church of Scotland Online Course for Years 1-5 Ministers Two half-day workshops: 30th April and 7th May from 0930-1300. If you have any issues completing this form, please contact: gillthomas@placeforhope.org.uk Application form

God Welcomes All – Launch Event

    The Church of Scotland is launching a new hymnary supplement called God Welcomes All during this year’s General Assembly. The launch event will take place at St Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh on Sunday May 19 from 7-9pm, and will feature special guests who have songs included in the collection. Tickets are free but expected to …

THE CHURCH TIMES GREEN CHURCH AWARDS 2024

THE CHURCH TIMES GREEN CHURCH AWARDS The Church Times Green Church Awards have two objectives: to celebrate the remarkable efforts made in recent years by individuals and congregations to offset the damage being done to the earth, and to set good examples before others who might be inspired to follow suit. The 2024 Church Times Green Church Awards are organised jointly …

Living Generously is a new book from the Church of Scotland’s Stewardship team

Living Generously is a new book from the Church of Scotland’s stewardship team, promoting a whole-life approach to Christian stewardship. Through twelve themed articles, case studies and prompts for discussion and reflection, it invites us to consider God’s goodness and our generous response. This accessible and practical book is suitable for individuals and groups, including …

Pilgrimage

When Faith and I first moved to Holy Island, the cottage garden had been neglected for some time. The result was a wilderness of weeds. However, with the help of friends we consistently started to uncover the structure that was already there. We were amazed to find a beautiful, framework of rockeries, shrubs and paths …

How do we share the tasks of leadership according to gift, experience and capacity

Discover the transformative journey of embracing and empowering Christian gifting in this short film by Rev Teri Peterson. Gain invaluable insights into nurturing and utilising spiritual talents, leading to a deeper understanding of their role in shaping one’s vocation and spiritual journey, and fostering a supportive environment for the diverse contributions essential to Christian ministry …

Wedding Photography in the Church

“Let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person” Colossians 4:6 Let’s have a conversation about wedding photography in the church. A friendly, open, helpful conversation… Imagine you haven’t been inside a church building in years. Perhaps you’ve never been inside a church building. You have …