Finding new songs and new ways of celebrating the events running up to Easter Sunday was a part of parish ministry that I really enjoyed. A number of years ago I came across Hosanna Rock, which became a firm favourite…
Leading worship in Presbytery
At our Presbytery meeting in February, we agreed to undertake an exercise to establish a list of everyone who was conducting worship on a regular basis throughout our Presbytery. You may be one of those people! Our particular focus is…
Wandering in the wilderness
Lent is a time when we can reflect on the theme of wilderness, which appears often within scripture. From Abraham setting out for Canaan to Hagar being rescued by God with a well. From Moses leaving Egypt and the burning…
Transforming Conflict
Last week I participated in the second residential of Place for Hope’s Faith in Change and Conflict programme in the beautiful setting of Kinnoull monastery, Perth. It is the course used to train mediators, but it is open to all…
Ash Wednesday
God of all seasons, in your pattern of things there is a time for keeping and a time for losing, a time for building up and a time for pulling down. In this holy season of Lent, as we journey…
The need for prayer
This Saturday we have a special prayer event happening throughout the Presbytery and we will be reflecting on different ways to pray during Lent (and beyond). But why is prayer so important? If you ever hear me humming, it is…
Advocacy
On Saturday I was delighted to bring the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, and his wife, Christine, to Trinity Church in Westhill, to an event designed to celebrate the work of churches/volunteers in relation to…
Safeguarding Training
Over the next wee while, many of us will undertake Leadership Safeguarding training. It is the highest level of training on the pathway and it is described in this fashion: “Learning will be reflective and collaborative and will seek to…
What do clerks get up to?
It is a good question. And what do they get up to when they come together for the annual overnight conference of the Clerks’ Forum? Well, let me tell you… This year, the format was apparently slightly different from usual,…
Foundations
Grand Designs used to be a favourite programme of mine to watch. I appreciated the narrative that would be crafted over many months as homes were built or restored. And it was amazing to watch the various elements of the…