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…
Seeking
This week I received an email from someone within our Presbytery who has recently found themselves drawn towards faith. They write about their experience of trying to find a space in which to pray and encounter God. They acknowledge that…
JOYFUL ANTICIPATION
We are approaching the third Sunday of Advent, the theme of which can often be JOY. Mary may be the focus of our attentions, as we reflect on her words, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in…
Qualities of leadership
At last night’s Presbytery there was a good discussion about whether or not to change the term of office for our Moderator following a proposal from the Connections and Nominations Committee to reduce said term to one year. It was…
All things property
On Monday a number of us from Presbytery attended a workshop run by the General Trustees. It was a very helpful day, with discussions about funds, building works, attestation of records, inspection of buildings, renting out manses and the disposal…
Making connections
As you may be aware the Presbytery is currently going through a period of review. A small working group has been established to look at the structure of Presbytery, the remits of committees, the pattern of meetings and the how…
Membership of Presbytery
Recently we’ve been doing our best to gather information required to be submitted to OSCR with our annual accounts and return. Lots of questions have been asked about why the information is needed and what membership of Presbytery really means. …