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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 – …

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 …

Dunfermline East’s children’s ministry

Having begun life as a church plant (part of the New Charge Development programme) in a converted garage 20 years ago, Dunfermline East Church is now a thriving congregation.  The parish consists of a large housing development of around 14000 people and is predominantly home to young adults and families; in 2018, over 1000 of …

When the Menopause comes!

I know not to covet my neighbour’s donkey! Though working in my new role with our Probationer ministers, I have to confess that I do covet their energy and oomph. I still love ministry, and when I see our new ministers start out, I would love to be in their shoes, setting forth with their …

No Success without Successors

By Very Rev Dr Martin Fair I was thirteen years of age and a new minister came to lead our church. To us youngsters, he was a breath of fresh air. He was half the age of the former minister and had all kinds of new ideas. There was a sense among us that ‘there …

Through the Roof – Autism and neurodiversity videos

Autism and neurodiversity videos Read more about the work of Through the Roof – Home – Through the Roof    

The Roads to Iona: weaving a pilgrim journey of contemplation and action by Ruth Harvey

What is your bread for the pilgrim journey? What nourishes and sustains you as you weave your way through life? Having grown up on, or around Iona all of my life, having led and taken part in countless pilgrimages to and around that iconic pilgrim island, I have a confession: one of the most profound …

Guiding the way: leading as a first amongst equals

Is there a Godly way of working together? While there is no shortage of advice from the secular world when it comes to team work, as a Christian I find myself asking whether we have anything to add to the debate. Is there a way of working together that is effective, kindly and faithful to …

Embracing Faith: Living 24/7 not just an hour on Sunday

When Covid 19 hit the UK back in 2020, where did the Church go?  Did we lose our vision and our hope?  No, we adapted and we changed the way we were.    Our services appeared online and our presence in the towns, villages and cities were more apparent than ever.  We got innovative and ingenious! …

The Caim

The Caim at Luthermuir is a unique partnership between West Mearns and Aberluthnott Parish Churches. It was born out of deep relationships and numerous conversations, leading us to realize the importance of taking a vulnerable approach to mission in our community. Rather than simply working for the community, we sought to work with them, offering …

Nurturing the soul: The role of Pastoral Supervision

  I discovered pastoral supervision quite late in my ministerial career. I dearly wish I had had the benefit of it much earlier in my ministry.  The opportunity that it gives to step aside from the pressures and challenges of ministry to take time to reflect and renew your heart for ministry, revisit your sense …

Book review – A Thought-Provoking Journey into Finding Peace: “Non-Anxious Presence” by Mark Sayers

  In his insightful book, “Non-Anxious Presence,” Mark Sayers takes readers on a transformative journey towards discovering inner peace amidst the chaos of our modern world. With a blend of wisdom, personal anecdotes, and spiritual guidance, Sayers offers a refreshing perspective on how to navigate the anxieties that plague our lives. The book begins by …

Growing more anxious

  Reflecting on the passage of time, it’s evident that my identity has undergone profound transformation since I had my eldest daughter 6 years ago. This evolution, while natural, has brought with it an unexpected companion – heightened anxiety. Through my own experiences, I’ve come to realise that this journey of change not only impacts …

Book Review – Metanoia: How God Radically Transforms Individuals, Churches, and Organizations from the Inside Out by Alan Hirsch

Metanoia: How God Radically Transforms Individuals, Churches, and Organizations from the Inside Out by Alan Hirsch is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the transformative power of God within individuals, churches, and organisations. Hirsch is an esteemed and incredibly productive writer whose impactful works may have already have touched your ministry via APEST. Hirsch’s writing delves …

To be a pilgrim: transforming our journeys

It made me smile. According to my dictionary, the word ‘pilgrimage’ means ‘the journey of a pilgrim’! But that got me thinking … perhaps there’s something quite helpful there. Maybe what makes a journey a pilgrimage is neither its destination nor the route taken, but rather some quality of the person undertaking the journey. Perhaps …

Building for the Future: Embracing Change in Worship and Mission

The winds of change have swept through the halls of our Church, ushering in a new era under the 2021 Presbytery Mission Plan Act. This transformative process has brought to light a myriad of emotions and considerations surrounding our sacred spaces and their role in worship and mission. Presbytery Plans are not just bureaucratic scrolls; …

How many hats do you wear?

How many hats do you wear?  I am not thinking of actual hats that you put on your head depending on weather conditions, but rather about the different roles you play in your life and your work.  The church is not unique in asking its ‘workers’ to wear several different hats, but that is certainly …