Support

About Support

Our Support Team offers a range of supportive opportunities and services to Church of Scotland ministers.

We can offer one-to-one engagement which can then lead to a variety of ascend provisions, as well as occupational health advice and ill health and absence management. We work with a variety of partners to offer the best support, depending on the personal circumstances, and you can be assured of confidentiality in approaching us.

We can also offer information and advice relevant to transitions in ministry, as well as retirement planning. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch.

Support for those in ministry takes many forms and each has its own particular focus

Pastoral supervision focuses on a person’s work or ministry and enables them to give the very best of themselves to those they serve.

Counselling focuses on difficulties a person may be experiencing within themselves or in their interpersonal relationships.

Coaching equips a person to make choices for their future.

Spiritual accompaniment focuses on a person’s spiritual wellbeing and their relationship with God.

Retreat can be hugely beneficial in the midst of ministry service.

Our Team

Lezley Stewart

Lezley Stewart is the Recruitment & Support Secretary for Faith Nurture Forum, providing leadership for vocational guidance of ministries in the Church and oversight of the pastoral support services of the Forum. Lezley is an ordained Minister.

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Ally Mooney

Ally is our Support Officer. Trained as a counsellor, Ally has worked with children and adults in a variety of settings since graduating from the University of Edinburgh with a Masters in Interpersonal Dialogue. Before joining the Church of Scotland, Ally was the HR Coordinator for L’Arche Edinburgh, a community-based organisation supporting adults with intellectual …

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Alison Stewart

Alison Stewart is the Senior Administrator for the Pastoral Support team. She is the first point of contact if you’re not sure who to talk to about receiving pastoral support, or if you have questions about any of the support services mentioned on the Ascend website. Alison organises pastoral conferences and events and does the …

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Services

New Opportunity for Funded Retreats in Scotland

Taking the opportunity for a Retreat can be hugely beneficial in the midst of ministry service. Ascend is now pleased to be able to offer the opportunity to benefit from Retreat funding.

Counselling for Ministers

We recognise the important role that timely and effective therapeutic support can provide at various times for every individual. Ministers and their families can access different counselling and therapeutic support.

Counselling (MDS)

Counselling offers a safe, confidential space to talk about anything that may be confusing, painful or uncomfortable in order to gain insight.

Pastoral Supervision

A relationship characterised by trust, confidentiality and openness that offers you freedom and safety to explore issues arising in your work.

Coaching

Coaching is a conversation that offers a partnership of discovery. It starts with the premise that the client is the expert in their own context.

Spiritual Advisors/directors/accompaniers

The process of accompanying someone on a journey of a deepening relationship with God. It involves listening, praying, discerning and affirming.

Blair Robertson explores how hard it can be to looking forward after experiencing loss or bereavement.

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Church Urban Fund offer a flexible set of resources on working with volunteers.

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7 Habits of Highly Emotionally Intelligent People

‘7 Habits of Highly Emotionally Intelligent People’ outlines some simple, life-changing habits which will grow our emotional intelligence.

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Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

Outreach Magazine’s article ‘Why Emotional Intelligence Matters’ gives a wide-ranging sense of the impact of investing in our emotional intelligence.

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Emotional Intelligence for Effective Ministry

Ministry’s Magazine’s article ‘Emotional Intelligence for Effective Ministry’ sets the subject firmly in the context of scripture, the life of Jesus and the reality of church leadership.

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Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to our ability to perceive, control, and evaluate emotions. Some researchers suggest that emotional intelligence can be learned and strengthened, while others claim it’s an inborn characteristic.

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Ministers sick leave

Current guidance on Ministers sick leave policy

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Ministers’ Handbook 2021

As part of the Ministries Council’s commitment to supporting all those involved in the ministries of the Church, we are pleased to provide for you the Ministers’ Handbook. You will be aware that, as ministers, you are legally considered to be ‘office holders’ rather than ‘employees’ – an important and historic distinction.

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Contact the Support Team

Should you wish to get in touch with Support in confidence, you can directly email pastoralsupport@churchofscotland.org.uk

Please be assured that the email will come to the Support Team directly.

Support

About Support

Support for those in ministry takes many forms and each has its own particular focus

Our Team

Lezley Stewart

Ally Mooney

Alison Stewart

Contact Info

Services

New Opportunity for Funded Retreats in Scotland

Counselling for Ministers

Counselling (MDS)

Pastoral Supervision

Coaching

Spiritual Advisors/directors/accompaniers

Support Resources

Blair Robertson explores how hard it can be to looking forward after experiencing loss or bereavement.

Church Urban Fund offer a flexible set of resources on working with volunteers.

7 Habits of Highly Emotionally Intelligent People

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

Emotional Intelligence for Effective Ministry

Emotional Intelligence

Ministers sick leave

Ministers’ Handbook 2021

Contact the Support Team