News – The Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

The Miracle of Far & Wide

A charity shop in Stonehaven celebrates an outstanding achievement — over one million pounds in donations. When the first Stonehaven Churches charity shop opened on November 13, 1993, many thought it would last only as long as it took people…

Highlights from the Moderator’s Visit – Part 1

The Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, visited our Presbytery from February 12–16, marking the first leg of his NENI tour. During his time here, Dr Paterson connected with congregations and communities serving Christ across Aberdeen,…

Category: News