Bulletins

Jesus said: Love the Lord your God with all your….soul….

“My role and my soul were eating one another alive.” That disturbing sense of disconnect led Barbara Brown Taylor to leave the priesthood and move into education after a period of detox from her professionalised spirituality. The externals of ministry can force the pace and demand us to function in ways that are at odds …

Exploring Calling is for Everyone!

Exploring Calling is for Everyone! How do I know I’m fulfilling God’s plan for my life? Figuring out this familiar question is part of the discipleship journey of continuing to discover more about ourselves. As Christians, we look to our Creator whom we believe formed us for a purpose; gives us a calling; and is …

Re-Framing Missional Planning

In the news recently was the wonderful story about an old Glasgow pub, designed in the Mackintosh ‘art nouveau’ style of the early 20th century, brought back to life as a ‘speakeasy’, social gathering space in the offices of a hi-tech global health firm in California. When ‘St Mungo Vinters’ closed in 1974, the whole …

Letting things go

Though Christmas isn’t here yet, we’re not that many weeks away so I’m risking a Christmas example to start! I suspect most families have Christmas traditions – things that they have always done, every year, and sometimes can’t even remember why they started! We certainly do, or did. Our three daughters all received a small …

Embracing Blue Sky Moments: Navigating Change and Finding Hope in Life and Ministry

If you take a walk down the high street of many of our towns, you will notice that numerous shops are closed and boarded up.  So many of the well known brands have shut down or moved to the retail parks.  It’s not that we don’t shop any more, it is that we don’t shop …

Invitation to Presbyteries – Living Well with Differences Course – Place For Hope

Invitation to Presbyteries Living Well with Differences Course 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th November (5.30pm – 9pm) online   Would you like to feel more confident when engaging on difficult issues? Have you struggled to have a meaningful conversation with someone who opposes your views? Would you like to respond more positively when a conversation gets …

CHAS: Bigger than a Box! Conference on Children’s Spirituality (with Keynote Speaker Rev Dr Paul Nash)

Do you work with children and families? Do you have children within your faith community? Are you a school chaplain? Would you like to learn more about children’s spirituality? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then this one day conference is for you! Bigger than a Box! Conference on Children’s Spirituality …

Trinity College Short Courses, January-June 2024

  More information Short courses are accessible learning opportunities in practical theology, church ministry and mission for a rapidly changing world. They are suitable for learners from a wide variety of backgrounds. They are designed for many kinds of leaders and members across churches who want to learn in their spare time. Learners can opt …

New College Festival of Books and Belief 2 – 4 November 2023 Programme is Live!

We are delighted to announce that the New College Festival of Books and Belief is running for its third year from 2-4 November. This year, we have invited award-winning writers, thinkers, scholars, journalists and historians to share their experiences and discuss their work, in the magnificent setting of New College, on the Mound, Edinburgh. Join …

‘What’s been tough for you and how have you kept walking with God over the last year?’

‘What’s been tough for you and how have you kept walking with God over the last year?’   This question, posed as a starter for this reflection, immediately summoned a quote in my mind’s eye: ‘We who are quicker to judge than to bless fall silent at the extravagance of your grace.’ Some may recognise …

Loving the Lord with all of my mind…

The American poet Emily Dickinson wrote that There is no frigate like a book To take us lands away, …How frugal is the chariot That bears a human soul![1] I can think of no better description of the power of literature to transport us, carry us and nurture us right to the depths of our …

The ‘L’ word

It’s been a couple of years since I needed pulpit supply. That’s because members of the congregation have learnt to take services.  Reflecting on how we got to this place I was struck by three things. First, I needed to get over myself. I have a high view of preaching and believe that quality in …

SHAPE

Sit at a street café or in an airport departure lounge for any length of time and you’ll quickly be reminded that people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes! And so it is when it comes to the way we are made spiritually. God shapes each of us uniquely. But though a glance …

Follow me

Events in recent months have taken me back to that most gracious and terrifying invitation of Jesus, ‘Follow me’. That’s where it all starts, isn’t it? It was the summons to his original disciples and it continues to be his compelling call to us all. The Wild Messiah urges us to step into an adventure …

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Theology in Scotland journal: Call for contributions for Spring 2024 issue

  Theology in Scotland journal: Call for contributions for Spring 2024 issue We are looking for contributions (articles, academic interviews, theological reflections, creative compositions) for the next issue of Theology in Scotland. As this will be an unthemed issue, contributions are welcomed on a variety of topics, as long as they relate, in one way …

Robin & Katie Hill have kindly shared their ‘Illuminating Christmas’ resource for anyone who wishes to use it.

Illuminating Christmas – Document – Robin Hill            

New College Launches 3 New Short Courses for 2023/2024

  https://www.ed.ac.uk/divinity/news-events/short-courses-for-church-people

Faith Will

This Harvest season, churches across the UK are being encouraged to raise the profile of legacy giving among members and supporters, helped by the Faith Will initiative of Christian Aid working in partnership with the Church of Scotland, Church of England and Quakers. Resources include a short film, posters, leaflets and pick and mix resources …