Please find below a number of relevant pieces of information for distribution and consideration by Presbyters.
We are currently advertising for a Full-Time Presbytery Clerk, details on how to apply can be found here.
For informal enquiries about the role, please contact the Revd. Peter Johnston on 07834 281176 or
PJohnston@churchofscotland.org.uk.
Closing date: 12 noon on Monday, 25 March 2024
It is with sadness that we pass on the news that Graham Douglas, the Presbytery elder for Aberdeen: Stockethill passed away on Monday. A brief tribute from Rev Ian Aitken, minister of Stockethill is below.
Graham Douglas was part of an original group of 12 from which Stockethill New Charge Development grew. When the charge went to full status in 2013, Graham was ordained as one of its first elders and appointed as Presbytery Elder; a role he continued to fulfil until his death on the 11th March, having been diagnosed with Motor Neurones Disease just 2 months previously. Graham served on a number of Presbytery committees, twice attended the General Assembly, was diligent at meetings, and took a great interest in the work of Presbytery. He was especially proud to be representing Stockethill Church which was so close to his heart and where he is greatly loved and will be sorely missed.
It is with sadness that we pass on the news that Rev Martin Prentice, OLM working across Orkney passed away on Wednesday. A brief tribute from Rev Fraser Macnaughton, minister of St Magnus Cathedral and Martin's supervisor, is below, and the funeral will be held on Wednesday 20th March in St Magnus Cathedral.
Martin Prentice was a very hard working and conscientious OLM who worked all over Orkney. Previously a government vet he was ordained in 2014 following training and placement at St Magnus Cathedral where has was also assistant organist. Indeed he used to joke that he could do all of the service if required! He served as interim moderator in several of the isles parishes and was well regarded by all.
He was very thorough and diligent in his preparation of worship and took time to ’study and approve’ himself developing an inclusive theology borne from his ministry experiecnes of meeting and working with all sorts of people.
He was a joy to know and he loved to chew the fat over the latest ecclesiastical controversy and was very stimulating company. His ministry was resolutely supported by his wife Alison, to whom, with the rest of his family, we extend our sympathies but also share our privilege at having known Martin.
The session clerk of Inverurie West would like to know about any local firms who tune and service church organs as the local ones they have used previously seem to have retired. You can get in contact with them at sessionclerk@inveruriewestchurch.org.
ACT are planning their Walk of Witness for Good Friday and have asked that it be shared to advertise. There is a poster along with various images that can be added to PowerPoints.
Please see info below for This Is Alpha Conference on the 8th of June.
I’ve gathered some info below for you and you can also check out the webpage here too for info https://alpha.org.uk/this-is-alpha
Conference info is - “This is Alpha 24” is being held in Perth on Saturday June 8th with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel as our special guests. Please join us, as we gather together in the center of Scotland to share in community, feel inspired and be equipped to create spaces for people to encounter Jesus on Alpha. We are passionate about seeing churches across the country run Alpha well so that people can invite their friends, their colleagues, their neighbors and their family to hear about Jesus.
We would love you to book on with your team or maybe even bring others who you feel would be brilliant at running Alpha in your church context. Whether you have ran Alpha multiple times, infrequently or never, we know that there will be something for everyone. From small group dynamics, to running the Alpha weekend/day away or how to you take your Alpha course to the next level. There is going to be loads of content that's relevant for everybody at all stages of running Alpha. Tickets cost £10 and the booking link is below.
I do hope you and your team can join us on the 8th of June in Perth.
https://tiascotland.eventbrite.co.uk/
Vicky
Church leaders, teachers, children and their families are once again being offered the opportunity to download an accessible and fun retelling of the Easter story in English and Gaelic.
Christian media ministry Go Chatter is again making its Easter video, which uses Lego figures to show the story of Christ’s death and resurrection in an all-ages accessible way, freely available for download by education authorities, Gaelic medium units, schools, homes and churches, as well as families and individuals.
The video comes with an accompanying resource pack including instructions to enable children to build their own version of the empty tomb from commonly available Lego pieces, as well as bi-lingual guidance notes for teachers.
New for 2024, Go Chatter has also introduced an augmented reality Easter trail. This is an interactive hunt that could be placed around the inside or outside of a church, hall or local area, with each location unlocking hidden videos which recreate the Easter story.
The Easter video is part of a series of short films using Lego to bring familiar Bible stories to a young audience.
On its release last year, Roddy John MacLeod, Lord MacLeod of Minginish, convenor of the Church of Scotland Gaelic group, commented: "This video tells the Easter story in a highly imaginative way and it is our prayer that it is watched and enjoyed, whether in school or home, by Gaelic children throughout Scotland."
Both the Gaelic version of the video, which has been made possible thanks to the support of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and a Scottish accented English language version, can be downloaded at https://gochattervideos.com/lego-easter-story-cos/ along with schema in English and Gaelic enabling children to build a Lego set from the video themselves.
Care for the Family are hosting an event in Aberdeen on the 18th of June regarding children and mental health.
They also have a video version of the content available that might be useful if the event sounds interesting, but getting to something in Aberdeen isn’t possible.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-mind-of-their-own-aberdeen-tickets-776824471907aff=MTOabEmails#msdynttrid=eE9WlNqbH5s5jas1pbD8Xq525806Dn_KQnTR9uHeGvg