‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?’ Luke 24:5 It’s a stark question for the women, as they come to anoint the body of their beloved Lord. And a wonderful proclamation. Jesus is not dead. You will…
‘Holy’ Week
Have you ever wondered why it is called ‘Holy’ Week? Or indeed, when the practice of marking the days between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday began? Some describe it as the Great Week because great deeds were done by God…
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…
Hosanna Rock
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…
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,…
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…