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Violence Against Women

Advent 2021. The end of another strange and tumultuous year. My thoughts and prayers cover a lot of ground as I am acutely aware of the suffering and pain in so many households. The relentless nature of the global pandemic has not given us a chance to heal and grieve properly. It’s still lurking in …

University of Glasgow Research

Half of all deaths in Scotland do not involve lawyers or courts. Dr Reid, of the University of Glasgow’s Law School is carrying out research into how families deal with inheritance. This work has been through our ethics procedures and we are happy to recommend it to ministers. Dr Reid is conducting a short survey …

The Alexander J Macleod Gaelic fund Applications are now open for the 2022 fund and will close 10th January 2022

The Alexander J Macleod Gaelic fund Applications are now open for the 2022 fund and will close 10th January 2022 https://ascend.churchofscotland.org.uk/gaelic-fund/

Spiritual and Biblical View of Disabilities

by Katrona Templeton The main barriers that people with disabilities have in interacting with the church seem to stem from views which some Christians have of disabilities: Disability as a punishment for sin Society’s image of Disability Disability as a punishment for sin The Religious Model of Disability is the oldest model of disability, found …

Blue Christmas

William Boyle shares his experience of the value of offering a Christmas service for the bereaved. I first came across a Blue Christmas service during my time as a student minister. I liked it very much and felt it really supported those who attended. It gives time, place and space to remember loved ones we …

One Big Idea: Developing a theology and practice of lament

Fred Drummond, shares his thoughts on the theology of lament One of the most significant and important things that all communities of faith are going to have to think about, and put in place, over the next few months, is a clear theology of lament. Why do I think that? I think we will be faced …

ANTI-RACIST IN CHRIST?

Ecumenical Christian Repentance, Reflection and Action on Racial Discrimination and Xenophobia 14-17 June 2021 E-CONFERENCE REPORT Background The Council for World Mission (CWM) and World Council of Churches (WCC) – through its Mission from the Margins and its Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), co-organised the above-mentioned joint ecumenical online event from 14 to …

Faraday Institute Bursaries

The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion is a Cambridge-based interdisciplinary research institute improving public understanding of science and religion. Its main focus is on the relationship between science and the Christian faith, but it also engages with those of any faith or none. In a recent survey, 30% of non-Christians and 10% of Christians …

To make us smile – Reflection

To make us smile: There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. …

Working with our volunteers

Douglas Hamilton, Probationer Minister in Lothian Presbytery and previous Head of Scotland for Save the Children UK, reflects on some of the privileges and complexities of working with volunteers.   Ending the recruitment of ‘volunteers’ in the church A few years ago, I was chatting to a recruitment consultant interested in hearing about my sense …

Wonderfully made

Wonderfully Made I am…I know in trust and faith, but it’s not always so easy to believe. You inspire confidence in me, but always rooted in your wisdom. Wonderful – are you sure? But it’s a sign of maturity to accept a complement…. someone told me that long ago! Help me, in knowing the love …

Book Reviews

Some of our friends have recommend a few titles to keep us engaged through lockdown and we wanted to share these with you. Have a look – if any appeal to you, it’s not too late to add them to your list… We’re trying hard to shop local and independent. That might not always be …