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…
Faithfulness
Over recent weeks I have been privileged to travel across Presbytery meeting up with Kirk Sessions and congregations. As someone brought up on a farm, I have a great fondness for this time of year. The countryside is looking glorious,…
Being stretched
At one of the training conferences during probation, a speaker gave each of us an elastic band. He spoke about how we rely on such bands maintaining their elasticity. We want them to stretch and then to return to their…
Dealing with disappointment
“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” (Robert Burns: To a Mouse) No matter how carefully we make plans or how much effort we collectively put into implementing them, there are times when things do not…
Back to school
This week thousands of children and young people, across our Presbytery, have headed back to school – with their new schoolbags and new uniform. After a six week holiday it will no doubt be a bit of shock to the…
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…
Shortfalls
One of the significant changes in legislation coming from this year’s General Assembly relates to ‘insolvent’ congregations. Within the newly amended Presbytery Mission Plan Act, you will now find a section entitled Financial Sustainability Review. Such a review, which will…
Farewell to the Tall Ships
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 is an international sailing event where tall ships from around the world compete and showcase their vessels. From last Saturday until yesterday, the harbour was packed full of tall ships and people, with…
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…
Vacancies – allowances and action plans
As promised, this week we are picking up on another new piece of legislation with financial implications for congregations in our Presbytery. The CALL, ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS OF WORD AND SACRAMENT ACT revises the way in which we…