Have you already sent someone into the loft or ventured yourself, to bring down the Christmas decorations? Are you someone who carefully and sensibly stores the lights each year, so that they are easy to put up the next? Or,…
Beginnings and endings
A freshly baked loaf of bread. A pristine notepad. A freshly made bed. A new sheet of paper. The first day of a holiday. I don’t know about you, but I love new beginnings and the hope that comes with…
Paperwork
Do you ever wish there was less? Fewer papers to read? Fewer forms to fill in? Fewer files to organise? Despite our desire to move to a paperless society, we sometimes seem to be drowning in paperwork and it’s not…
The Messy Middle
*”Place for Hope accompanies and equips people and faith communities so that all might reach their potential to be peacemakers who navigate conflict well. Our vision is for a world where people embrace the transformational potential of conflict and nurture…
Decluttering
There’s no such things as too many books – just not enough bookcases! Said one minister to another… Except that sometimes, there are too many books and sometimes there is just too much stuff. Some of us have a great…
Budgets
Many years ago, before I entered into ministry, Budget Day was a significant event every year. Often what mattered most in my area of specialism would be hidden in Treasury notices that were only briefly alluded to during the Chancellor’s…
Connections
Two new arrivals in the space of a week. We are all very excited with the news about James’ baby daughter being born last week. We send our warmest congratulations to the whole family. And when James comes back to…
Learning from one another
My father is a retired farmer and in his younger days was always pretty good at fixing things. From welding machinery to nailing down corrugated iron roofs. He was an excellent problem solver – taking an initial idea and adapting…
Diversity and unity
This week, I thought I would share with you some photos from my time on Orkney and some initial reflections. It was a great experience to spend time in different communities and to join in the celebration of the union. …
We imagine…
How would you complete that sentence? How would your church finish it? And what are we imagining as a Presbytery? I came across this wonderful noticeboard at Aberdeen North church whilst spending time there with the minister, Rev Fiona Lister. …