Trust in God’s Plan
This is part of a series of posts over the summer where members of the Presbytery Staff Team write posts for the website in place of Stella. This week: Daria (Dasha) Oskolkova (Communications Officer) I started working for our presbytery in August 2024. But did I get an introduction to my role two years prior to that? My mother and…
Summer Thoughts
This is part of a series of posts over the summer where members of the Presbytery Staff Team write posts for the website in place of Stella. This week: Ruth Mackenzie (Deputy Clerk) It started with a message on my answerphone 3 summers ago. The consequence of responding to that message was that I became Depute Clerk of the Presbytery…
Admin 101
This is part of a series of posts over the summer where members of the Presbytery Staff Team write posts for the website in place of Stella. This week: James Buckingham-Hyman (Admin Officer) I’m James, the Admin Officer for the Presbytery, currently I live in Newmachar with my wife and daughter, and I’ve been in my role for 4 years…
DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal
On Wednesday, June 24, two catastrophic earthquakes hit Venezuela within seconds of each other. The UN estimates that millions of people have been affected, with more than two million in the worst impacted areas. Families have lost loved ones, homes and the sense of safety and security they once knew. Rescuers are searching for survivors, but the scale of loss is…
New Moderator
We thanked Shuna and welcomed Brian! On the 20th of June 2026, The Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles thanked its Moderator, Rev Shuna Dicks, for her two years of service, and welcomed Rev Brian Smith as the new Moderator for the coming year. During her term in office, Shuna has travelled the length and breadth of…
Mary McGregor Awarded BEM
‘If You’re Asked to Help, You Never Say No’: Mary McGregor’s Lifetime of Service Recognised with BEM A retired teacher, whose relentless volunteering has touched communities across Moray and Banffshire, has been awarded with the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honours. Mary McGregor, a member of Keith North, Newmill, Boharm and Rothiemay Church of Scotland congregation, has…
Could this be a record?
Banchory West Church hosted a very special ‘Zero’ Birthday Party on Sunday March 29th. The aim was to raise funds for the Nansato Nursery Trust in Malawi which the church supports. The Trust was set up exactly 20 years ago to the date of the party, and it is still going strong having supported thousands of nursery children over the…
‘One Body, Many Parts’
‘One Body, Many Parts’: Independence or Interdependence? Disability Awareness Sunday 2026 ‘One Body, Many Parts’ (1 Corinthians 12) is the theme of this year’s Disability Awareness Sunday on 27th September 2026. Young autistic Christian author, Triona Brading, is encouraging all churches to ‘save the date’! Triona is one of the authors of a new book: ‘Belonging without Barriers’, a much-needed…
The Cathedral Body – Artwork by Carla Angus
St Machar’s Cathedral will be displaying artwork “The Cathedral Body” by Banff artist Carla Angus from February 23 till March 20, opening times: Monday to Saturday 10.00-16.00 Sunday 14.00-17.00 The Launch Event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, at 6 pm. This is your chance to meet the artist and to hear Carla talk about her project with drinks and…
Long Service Certificates 2026
On February 13, we gathered at Cults to celebrate people who have distinguished themselves in serving the Church. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Rosie Frew, presented Long Service Certificates to 25 elders, Sunday school teachers and Guild members along with a drama group from 9 congregations. Mrs Frew’s sermon was inspired by…