The Princess Royal Visits Bennachie Parish Church
The Princess Royal Visits Bennachie Parish Church, Aberdeenshire On 10 October, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal arrived in the village of Kemnay to the sounds of the Kintore Pipe Band. Her Royal Highness was greeted at the church gate by Mrs Lorna Smith, the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for Aberdeenshire. Mrs Smith accompanied The Princess Royal to the church entrance, where…
Mission Officer back in Post, Yay!
Dear Presbyters, I am over the moon to be able to share that, after an extended period away due to illness, I am now back in post! While I did endeavour to look in from time to time on what was happening all over the presbytery, I was soon to discover that there is a lot I didn’t know about.…
CrossReach: A Humble Charity
Very Rev Dr Shaw Paterson Visiting CrossReach Counselling: Moray, L-R: Lynda Clark (Trainee Volunteer Counsellor), Ann Farquhar (Senior Perinatal Counsellor), Clair Rochester (Counselling Manager), Very Rev Dr Shaw Paterson (the Moderator of the General Assembly, 2024-25), Alison Wood (Senior Perinatal Counsellor), Ian Hunter (CrossReach Board Member). The history of CrossReach stretches back 150 years ago, yet, it is often referred…
God Welcomes All in Orkney
On Saturday 20 September people gathered from across Orkney in Firth Church for an engaging day of music and prayer. Phill Mellstrom (centre with the guitar), the Worship Development Worker for the Church of Scotland and one of the editors for God Welcomes All, led a day of exploring the new hymnary supplement. This included a morning learning some new…
Island Games Chaplaincy Welcomes All
by Emma McMillan “…some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last” (Luke 13:30) The Chaplaincy stand, at the recent International Island Games 2025, held in Orkney, welcomed all – first and last, competitors and spectators, visitors, and locals! Kirkwall Council of Churches (KCC) began brainstorming ideas, well in advance of the event, and…
Sea Sunday
“Sea Sunday” is a worldwide day to honour, recognise, raise awareness of, and support the many men and women who keep our world moving through their work at sea. Often in dangerous and lonely conditions and spending months away from their families. Churches across the UK and beyond came together to plan events on Sunday 13th July, marking this day…
A different week in the life of a parish minister
By Rev Shuna Dicks “Rev Keith Blackwood and I are Padres (Chaplains) with the Army Cadets, as is Rev Sean Swindells. This week we are supporting our respective Battalions at their annual camps, which are taking place side by side at Barry Buddon near Monifieth. Keith & I support the 2nd Highlanders Battalion and Sean the 1st Highlanders Battalion. It…
GA thoughts from Natasha Hepburn
My First Time at the General Assembly – A Few Reflections This year I had the chance to attend the Church of Scotland General Assembly in Edinburgh – not as a commissioner or delegate, but as a visitor. It was my first time, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I left feeling incredibly moved, encouraged, and grateful.…
Labyrinth Launch in Burra, Shetland
Article and photo: Michele Simms, Shetland Parish Development Worker, Church of Scotland This Saturday at 1pm people will walk an ancient path at Bridge End Kirk, Burra at the launch of a labyrinth in the community garden. The event coincides with World Labyrinth Day, an annual event sponsored by The Labyrinth Society to “walk as one at 1” local time…
Shapinsay Kirk’s very first overnight pilgrims!
Shapinsay Kirk, Orkney Islands Church of Scotland, is part of the Sanctuary network with the British Pilgrimage Trust, offering Shapinsay’s place of worship as low-cost accommodation to pilgrims. The church has basic sanitary facilities and a kitchen. Pilgrims are expected to bring their own bedding with them (sleeping bags, roller mats etc.) but Shapinsay kirk has 2 new basic camp…