Notices
Listed Places of Worship Scheme is Ending
On behalf of the General Trustees, I’m writing to confirm that the UK Government advised last week that the Listed Places of Worship Scheme is ending on 31 March 2026 and will not be extended.
A statement from the UK Government can be found here Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
This is going to come as a significant blow to our congregations who are currently undertaking or planning building work. I therefore encourage you to submit applications to reclaim VAT for any eligible works undertaken since April 2025. Please be aware that the current scheme has a capped budget of £23million, VAT is repaid on a first come first served basis and no further funds will be allocated.
THE GENERAL TRUSTEES URGE YOU TO THEREFORE SUBMIT YOUR CLAIMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Applications can be made online Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme
The UK Government has also announced that a forthcoming capital grant funding programme - the Places of Worship Renewal Fund which will be introduced to replace the scheme HOWEVER this will not be available to churches in Scotland, as heritage is a devolved matter. Further information is available here Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.
The General Trustees will be co-ordinating a Church-wide response to this this deeply disappointing development. This will include engaging with the Scottish and UK Governments, writing to MPs and MSPs, and raising public awareness of the significant impact these changes will have.
In the meantime, if you have any concerns about how these changes may affect your congregation, please do not hesitate to contact your Presbytery Building Officer or the General Trustees gentrustees@churchofscotland.org.uk
Presbytery Buildings Officer Cover
Rev Ian Murray, our Presbytery Buildings Officer, will be on leave on Thurs 8th returning Mon 23rd Feb.
He will be checking his emails during that time, but in the event something which requires input from GT’s or advice from a PBO, his colleague Paul Baker in Highlands and Islands has agreed to be on standby.
His contact details are:
Paul Baker BSc (Hons) MCIOB | Presbytery Building Officer, Clèir Eilean ì | General Trustees | The Church of Scotlandt: 0131 240 2225 m: 07881 950481 | e: paul.baker@churchofscotland.org.uk | 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YR
Presbytery Prayer Morning - February 14, 10 am
You are invited to a presbytery-wide Prayer Morning:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/presbytery-prayer-gathering-tickets-1980940125240?aff=oddtdtcreator
You can download the poster to advertise the event in your churches.
February Prayer Points
February Prayer Points are here.
Leave a Light on - 2026
Leave one candle or light in the window as a sign of hope, peace, joy, and love - shared all year long.
"I would ask as we take down our Christmas decorations, pack away the Christmas tree lights and candles until next year that we retain one candle (preferably a battery one for safety reasons) to place in our homes and churches in a prominent place visible to all such as a window to stay alight until next Advent as a symbol of our commitment to the Advent message of hope for a peaceful, joyful and loving local community and wider world.
We should invite all in our community, whatever their faith or none, to join us in this. I would also ask that we spread the word and ask all those in the north-east of Scotland, in Scotland, England, Europe and gradually everywhere to do the same. Whilst this does not require the agreement of religious faith leaders that support would be welcome spread the word, to tell the story of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love to anyone who will listen. Let us make this “spark become a flame”, a message from ordinary folk that we all desire communities of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love and an end to division, intolerance, hatred."
Read the full message here.
Regional Gathering - February 21, 11 am
Presbytery invites you to a pilot Regional Gathering on Saturday, February 21, at 11 am (set-up at 10:15), at Stonehaven Fetteresso.
These meetings serve to build connections between congregations, presbytery staff and committee conveners. This is our chance to get to know each other, share our experiences and work on our mission together.
Coffee and tea will be provided on the premises, but you are encouraged to bring your own packed lunch.
This meeting is primarily the gathering of the south congregations of our presbytery (Stonehaven Fetteresso, Stonehaven Carronside, Arbuthnott, Bervie and Kinneff, Aberluthnott, Laurencekirk, West Mearns, St Cyrus), but all are welcome to attend!
See the schedule of the event:
10:15 – 10:55 — Arrival & Set-Up
11:00 – 11:20 — Guest Arrival & Early Exhibition Browsing
11:20 – 11:30 — Welcome & Opening
11:30 – 12:00 — Presbytery Staff & Committee Introductions
12:00 – 12:40 — Lunch & Exhibition Time
12:40 – 13:10 — Optional Short Congregational Presentations
13:10 – 13:50 — Regional Conversation Circles
13:50 – 14:10 — Whole Group Sharing
14:10 – 15:00 — Exhibition Round 2 & Informal Conversations
Elections webinar
The Church of Scotland's Parliamentary Officer will be holding an elections/hustings information webinar at 12:30pm – 1:30pm on 29th January and it is open to all.
It will have a distinctly Scottish flavour although will also cover local elections in England and also very briefly touch on the Welsh Senedd Elections too.
There is an image attached and a link for registration here:
Https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/e8H_Enx6SU2XjeKaT0hHpg
Devolved and local elections in Scotland, Wales and England are just around the corner. This webinar will give you all the information you need make sure members of your church are ready to vote on May 7 2026.
We’ll cover pre-election topics like how to hold hustings for your local candidates, as well as information about what you need to do to be able to vote on the day, and ideas for how your church can prayerfully support all those taking part in elections across the UK.
This webinar is being hosted by the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office and the Joint Public Issues Team
To share a page on social media there is a link here: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/events/getting-your-church-election-ready-a-guide-to-hustings-voting-and-prayer
Long Service Certificates Service - February 13, 7 pm, Cults
This is just a quick note to let you know about the Presbytery Service being held on the 13th of February for Long Service Certificates. The service will be hosted at Cults Parish Church at 7pm. The preacher for the service will be the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev Rosie Frew, who will be presenting the long service certificates.
As a reminder:
Long service certificates, signed by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, have to date been available for presentation to Elders and others in respect of not less than thirty years of service. At the General Assembly of 2015, it was agreed that further certificates could be issued at intervals of ten years thereafter. If should be noted that the certificates are to recognise period of service, which might not be the same as period of ordination (in the case of elders). In the case of Sunday School teachers and Bible Class leaders, the qualifying period is twenty-one years of service. Certificates are not issued posthumously.
There will be an opportunity for a church group photograph with the Moderator at the end of the service, as well as a tea to follow the service.
It would be appreciated if you could intimate this event to your congregation in due course, indicating that all are welcome to attend.
We would ordinarily include the names of the recipients in the Order of Service. Therefore, the deadline for providing us with names for the service is Monday the 9th of February.
Placement Supervisor Training 2026
Any Minister can apply to be considered for participation in Supervisor training, as long as they are serving in a context which enables them to work with a ministry Candidate as they carry out one of their mandatory placements with them. As such it is generally only open to those serving full time as ministers of word and sacrament.
Prospective Supervisors are required to contact the Faith Action Training Team via the email address, MinistriesTraining@churchofsoctland.org.uk , expressing their interest. They will then be invited to the Church of Scotland Learning platform space dedicated to Supervisors in order to view a short introductory video and access the application form. In order to seek presbytery approval, those applying are required to submit their completed application form to the committee in their presbytery which is responsible for oversight of ministry training. Fully signed off forms should be emailed to the Faith Action Training Team.
The attached document lists the competences that a placement Supervisor would be expected to have, some of which will be developed during the training. The attached document gives the proposed dates and also provides a summary of the training process.
Treasurers Hub Volunteers, we're looking for you!
We want to create a Treasurers Hub to support and advise congregations in our presbytery.
It is a free service to congregations within the Presbytery bounds under the auspices of the NENI Presbytery. The service will be provided by competent, experienced personnel on a voluntary basis and is intended to be available within normal ‘office’ hours and congregations seeking to use the services of the Hub must understand there is no mandatory obligation on the Hub to provide the service at any given time.
Purpose of the Treasurers Hub
- Knowledge base for inexperienced/new Church Treasurers
- Coaching, mentoring, guidance for inexperienced/new Church Treasurers
- Shared resource for Churches unable to fill Treasurer vacancies
- Minimize Church financial spend on outsourcing
- Increase consistency in preparation and presentation of accounts
If you are ready to help, feel free to approach mikeleys41@gmail.com with note of your interest to be involved. Thank you!
Resources
Worship Leading and Preaching Courses
The University of Aberdeen has launched two updated courses to help church members develop skills in worship leading and preaching.
The two courses will commence as follows:
- Leading Worship – 26 January 2026
- Preaching – 20 April 2026
Both courses are six-weeks in duration involving recorded lectures, live online tutorials and online material.
The system is set up so that the individual will be charged a £50 fee to be paid at time of registration by credit card, and then they also provide confirmation of what their church and then presbytery are contributing and their contact information so that the invoices are sent to those two organisations.
Feel free to download poster 1 and poster 2 for your churches.
Here is the link to register for both courses.
Grant Opportunity
Please click here for details of an invitation to bid for a grant of up to £25K in the field of "Christian Engagement with Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Scotland".
The deadline for bids is 31 Jan 2026. There is more about The Paristamen Charity on their website.
First Aid Course - 14th February 2026, 9.30 - 4pm
Old Machar Church will be running a First Aid Course on 14th February, from 9-30 till 4 pm. The cost is £120 plus VAT. Discuss with your Kirk Sessions if they are willing to finance it.
If you are interested, please email secretary@oldmacharchurch.org
Funded places available for church growth - LyCiG conference
The Seeds for Growth programme has been seeking to identify ways to support congregational revival. Evidence has demonstrated that one of the most effective approaches is from the “Leading your Church into Growth” (LyCiG) process.
LyCiG offers a non-denominational, accessible, inspiring, and enabling conference for everyone who wants to see numerical and spiritual growth in their congregation. Research has found that Church’s whose leaders attend a LyCiG course typically grow their congregation by 10% within one year, and meaningful contacts with young people by 18% in the same timeframe.
Seeds for Growth now has funding available (on a first come first served basis) to support fifteen congregations to attend the forthcoming conference taking place in Swanwick, Derbyshire from 2nd - 4th February 2026. More information is available here: www.leadingyourchurchintogrowth.org.uk/.
Places at LyCiG conferences fill quickly and if you are interested in attending, please contact Grants@churchofscotland.org.uk to confirm we still have funded places. When applying to us for funding please also email this address stating:
- your congregation and presbytery
- your booking confirmation from LyCiG
- the number of places you have booked on the course (min 3 max 5 and inclusive of your minister/Interim Moderator/Locum)
- confirmation from your Session Clerk that the Kirk Session have been consulted and give support for this application
- confirmation you have support of your Presbytery in making this application
- your estimated travel costs (at 25p per mile if travelling by car)
- the costs of any overnight accommodation, if required for the evening before the conference the congregational bank details for Seeds of Growth to make payment to
Seeds for Growth funds revitalisation in our own congregations and will cover all reasonable transport, accommodation, and course costs for the first fifteen congregations applying to us for funding.
Read Jamie Milliken's reflections on attending the conference here.
Hakuna Matata Children Choir from Kenya
We are excited to share an incredible opportunity for your church family this coming May. The Hakuna Matata Children’s Choir, a vibrant and talented group of 12 children from Connect with a Child Orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, will be touring the area, and would love the opportunity to bless your congregation with a performance.
These young singers and dancers, ages 9–15, are passionate about spreading the Gospel through music and testimonies. Over the past three years, their inspiring performances have touched hearts across several countries, combining joyful praise, powerful stories, and vibrant Kenyan culture. Their choir name, Hakuna Matata, means “No Worries” in Swahili—reflecting the hope and peace they carry in Christ.
Available Dates in May 2026:
| Wednesdays | Fridays: | Saturdays: | Sundays: |
| May 6th | May 1st | May 2nd | May 3rd |
| May 13th | May 8th | May 9th | May 10th |
| May 20th | May 15th | May 16th | May 17th |
| May 27th | May 22nd | May 23rd | May 24th |
| May 29th | May 30th | May 31st |
About the Choir & Visit:
The choir consists of 12 children and 5 adult chaperones.
Their performances typically last 1 hour (or a shorter version of 25 minutes for condensed services).
They sing in both English and Swahili, accompanied by drums and traditional instruments.
Their mission includes raising awareness and support for a new dormitory in Western Kenya to house over 700 orphans.
There is no performance fee. We simply ask that your church take a love offering during the service to support this life-changing project.
How You Can Host:
We kindly ask host churches to:
Provide host families for the choir during their stay (usually one week before performance).
Assist with transportation (pick-up/drop-off).
Provide meals and packed lunches.
Optional: Organize local cultural activities or school visits.
Coordinate logistics on the performance day, ensuring choir members arrive one hour in advance.
To see the choir in action, please watch this brief video:
Hakuna Matata Children’s Choir Promo Video
We would be honored to schedule a performance at your church and begin what we hope will be a lasting relationship. Please let us know if any of the available dates work for you, or if you have any questions.
Vacancies
Premises Manager - Mannofield Church
Job Description:
Provide a Welcome + Support for Hall Users.
In conjunction with the Church Administrator, deal with all aspects of Hall Letting at the Church, including arranging Concierge cover for all use of Church Premises.
Maintain the fabric of the building, to include carrying out of minor repairs and arranging emergency repairs (in conjunction with the Church Officer).
Ensure that the Premises are secure and clean.
Litter, Leaf + Snow clearance of the Church Grounds as required.
Terms of Employment:
Minimum of 5 Hours per week on a flexible basis, with additional hours as may be required and authorised. (Anticipated maximum approved hours not greater than 30 hours per month).
Starting Salary £13.45/Hour. Additional hours paid at same rate.
For application please visit the Advert or send a CV and covering letter to Mannofield Church Office, Great Western Road, Aberdeen, AB10 6UZ or office@mannofieldchurch.org.uk
Our Accountants confirmed that no NIC would be due at this level. At the minimum of 5 hours/week (say 22 hours per month), would cost 22 x £13.45 = £295.90. Minimum wage cost per annum therefore £3,550. The maximum amount of 30 hours/month, just multiply £13.45 by 30 (£403.50/month). Maximum wage cost per annum therefore <£5,000.
Resettlement and Recovery Worker - Aberdeen
Community Support & Development North
Recovery and Resettlement Worker (Aberdeen)
Part-time 15 Hours per week (0.4 FTE)
Contract: Permanent
Starting Salary: £11,184 – £11,585pa (£27,962 – £28,963 pa pro rata)
The deadline for the application is Wednesday 28th January at 10am.
Interview Date: Thursday 5th February
For the past nine years, Bethany Christian Trust have been delivering a community-based addiction recovery program in Scotland. As the demand for this service grows, we are looking for a candidate who will lead, develop and deliver Bethany’s Bridge to Freedom program within a group setting. A significant part of the role will also be to facilitate and develop recovery and resettlement work in partnership with churches and other organisations around Aberdeen.
It is essential that you have experience in facilitating, planning and working with vulnerable people in a community setting. A qualification in Social Work, Social Care, Community Education or related discipline is essential, or a willingness to work towards such a qualification.
Follow the link for the full job details and application pack.
See additional job details here.
Ministry Assistant for the West Mainland
Ministry Assistant for the West Mainland (Charge 1)
Orkney Islands Church of Scotland
Part Time 9 hours 22 minutes per week (0.25FTE)
Salary £7,383 to £8,347 per annum
Ref: M01/25
Could you be part of something different? We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to use their gifts, skills and experience to make a difference to the lives of the people in our parishes and communities.
We are looking for a Ministry Assistant who will concentrate on the first Mark of Mission to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom, with the postholder largely focusing on Sunday work.
The successful candidate will have significant recent experience in leading worship and preaching with a good knowledge and understanding of congregational life of the Church of Scotland or be willing to learn. The candidate must be a committed Christian with an active Church connection (Genuine Occupational Requirement in terms of the Equality Act 2010) and have a relevant qualification in theology/pastoral care/counselling or similar, or significant, relevant and recent work experience in the area.
It is essential you have the right to work in the UK before applying to work with us. You will be asked to provide proof of your eligibility to work and remain in the UK if you are invited to attend for an interview.
For a full job description and details on how to apply, please click here.
Closing date: At present there is no closing date set and the post will remain open until further notice.
Events
Virtual Burns Supper - January 30, 7 pm
LiFT are hosting a Virtual Burns Supper event on Friday 30th January at 7pm. This event will include some dancing, music, poems and of course a toast!
Follow the link for more details!
The Skills Lab: Preparing for Easter - February 14, 9:30
To register for the event, scan the QR code, or visit https://NENIskillslab.eventbrite.co.uk
Sue Thomson (Scottish Bible Society) and Matt Sinar (Presbytery’s Youth Development Officer) are running a training workshop to explore creative and interactive ways to share the Easter story with children and young people.
You’ll explore some useful resources, reflect on the Easter story for yourself, and have some time to think through how you might be able to share the Easter story with children and young people in your local church or school this year.
Registration & refreshments at 9:15am for a 9:30am start!
The Fishermen’s Mission Fish & Chip Night - February 16, 7 pm
The Fishermen’s Mission’s popular Fish & Chip Night takes place at the Ashvale, Great Western Road, on Monday 16 February from 7 pm.
The excellent entertainment will be provided by Jim and Marisha Addison and of course a tasty Ashvale supper is included in the ticket price of £13.
Tickets can be obtained by calling 07436 335957
Christian Aid - The Gathering 2026 - 24 February at 10.30am online
We're pleased to let you know that registration for The Gathering is now open. We'd love for you to join us for our annual supporter event on Tuesday 24 February at 10.30am.
Supporters and churches from across Scotland will come together to renew our shared commitment to global justice.
We’ll be celebrating the difference we’ve made together over the last year and launching Christian Aid Week 2026. We’ll also hear directly from Christian Aid partners in Kenya as they share about their work.
You’re invited to join us to consider how we can take bold action on poverty and climate justice in the year ahead.
If you have any questions, email edinburgh@christian-aid.org
Thinking Christianly - A Seminar Series at Kingshill
Kingshill Parish Church are pleased to be hosting Thinking Christianly, an informal seminar series that invites Christians from all walks of life to come together to think about and discuss some of the deepest questions that relate to our faith in the contemporary world.
Perhaps you have wondered what exactly it means when we say the Bible is the ‘inspired word of God’ or is ‘authoritative’. Perhaps you have been challenged to consider what the discovery of extra-terrestrial life might mean for Christianity. Maybe you harbor have doubts about some of Christ’s claims in light of non-Christian religious experience. (These are just a few of the issues we’ll be exploring.)
If such questions are of interest to you, or if, more generally, you enjoy taking a deep-dive into the intellectual substance of the Christian faith—Thinking Christianly is for you. (And if you decidedly dislike asking these tough questions, allow me very gently to suggest it is for you, too!)
Join us at Trinity Church (Kingshill Parish) in Westhill—all are most welcome!
Final Saturday, February through June 2026, 10am – 12noon (see flyer for further details)
Questions or queries, contact Rev. Dr. Daniel Spencer: 07554392895 | dspencer@churchofscotland.org.uk
Download the flyer here.
New Lecture Series
The next series of sessions for the Aberdeen Academy of Theology is starting soon. The topic this time will be 'To See, or Not to See Ourselves in Scripture' in which Dr Melissa Tan will lead us through reflections on what it means to be self-critical readers of scripture.
We will be meeting on 24 January, 21 February, and 28 March from 9:30am-12:30pm at the Fountainhall Church Centre.
Dr Tan is a New Testament scholar with nearly two decades worth of teaching experience in a variety of cultural and church contexts, so it will be great to draw on her wisdom for these three sessions.
Don't forget to send your news to doskolkova@churchofscotland.org.uk