As spring gradually emerges, the gardeners amongst us are busy getting beds cleared, seeds purchased and plans made for the coming year. When you drive through the Presbytery, the same thing is happening on a much bigger scale in the…
Calming storms
Psalm 107 is a wonderful catalogue of the loving actions of a good and gracious God. From rescuing people in the desert, to breaking them out of captivity. From helping those who are suffering to providing for those in need.…
Principal Clerk Update
This week I thought it would be helpful to share some exciting news about the role of Principal Clerk. Here is the press release issued earlier this week. Please pray for Alistair, his family and his congregation. Rev Stella New…
Ash Wednesday
“Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow…
Important updates
New Directions In January, I attended the New Directions Forum on behalf of the Presbytery. A summary of the day can be found here: New Directions Jan 2026 – Briefing Note for Wider Circulation As you will read, the discussions…
Light in the darkness
It is fair to say that in the last week I have moved from saying ‘Happy New Year’ to ‘the weather is really dismal isn’t it’. After the snow has come the rain and it feels like we are spending…
Office Bearers
The earliest known use of the term ‘office bearer’ is cited as being from the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland in 1593. An ‘office bearer’ is a person who holds a position of authority and responsibility in a…
Numbers
I have a deep love of numbers. And there is something deeply satisfying when they add up or, perhaps even more, when you find the error that explains why they don’t add up. As Finance Convener in Gordon Presbytery I…
How did we get here?
This time last week we began making contingency plans for Rev Alison Dickie’s Service of Induction. With a phenomenal amount of snow in both Aberdeen and on Orkney it seemed like our travel plans might come unstuck. Plan B involved…
A New Year
Happy New Year! This was the scene earlier this week in Aberdeen. By now, a thaw has set in and much of what was covered is beginning to reappear. Hopefully it means that things can begin to return to normal…