Notices
DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal
On Wednesday, June 24, two catastrophic earthquakes hit Venezuela within seconds of each other. The UN estimates that millions of people have been affected, with more than two million in the worst impacted areas. Families have lost loved ones, homes and the sense of safety and security they once knew.
Rescuers are searching for survivors, but the scale of loss is already significant and the people of Venezuela urgently need help. Together with the 14 other charities that make up the DEC, we’re launching a UK-wide appeal to meet the escalating needs of people affected by the earthquakes.
Christian Aid colleagues are already working hard with our partners to assess the needs of our neighbours in Venezuela and ensure that our emergency response is exactly what and where it needs to be. Our local partners are best placed to reach affected communities with urgent assistance; they are providing emergency medical treatment, delivering meals and food baskets, and ensuring people have access to clean drinking water.
We know there is always hope in the darkest of times and we encourage you to stand with us in solidarity, and ask all those who are able, to respond to this suffering with compassion and practical help.
Val Brown, the Head of Christian Aid in Scotland and spokesperson for the DEC Scotland Appeal said: “This is an unimaginably difficult time for the people of Venezuela affected by this disaster - from the terror and chaos of the earthquakes to the ongoing anguish of missing or injured loved ones. People are coming to terms with the fact that their whole lives have changed in seconds. Many have lost their homes and belongings, whole neighbourhoods have been destroyed with buildings reduced to rubble. The scale of the destruction is catastrophic.
“Many DEC member charities were already working in Venezuela so are able to collaborate with local and national experts. They responded immediately by delivering basic aid from the very beginning – food, water, emergency medical care. But so much more is needed now and in the coming days and weeks.
"Any donation you can make now will help save lives and help the most vulnerable people affected by this catastrophe.
"We’d like to thank the Scottish Government for their generous support for this latest appeal, the 80th in the DEC’s 60 year history. We hope the £250,000 they have just released from their Humanitarian Emergency Fund will encourage people from all over Scotland to dig deep and help make a difference right now."
Recovery will take time. In the weeks and months ahead, Christian Aid’s partners will continue to accompany these communities on the long road to rebuilding their lives.
Please keep the people of Venezuela, and all those responding to this crisis, in your prayers.
You can donate to the DEC Venezuela appeal via Christian Aid: https://caid.org.uk/HelpVenezuela
- £10 could provide essential hygiene supplies to a family to prevent illness
- £50 could help provide emergency food support to two families for a week
- £100 could provide shelter kits for six families whose homes have been destroyed
The UK Government will match donations to the Venezuela Earthquake Appeal pound-for-pound up to £2 million, through its UK Aid Match scheme.
Church resources can be found here.
National Church Awards - Nominations close on 11 August 2026
Congregations are encouraged to enter the National Church Awards to celebrate work that is making a real difference in the communities they serve.
The Kirk is a positive force for good in society and every day of the week members and volunteers have amazing stories to tell.
They are caring for historic buildings, welcoming visitors, supporting local communities, and creating spaces where people can connect, belong and thrive.
None of this happens without dedicated and passionate local people and entering the awards is a brilliant opportunity to recognise their hard work.
Nominations close on 11 August 2026 at midnight, with judging by an independent expert panel taking place in September.
There will be a winner from each UK nation, as well as an overall Church of the Year, with each winner receiving £750 prize money.
Click on the link to register for free.
The winner of the 2025 competition in Scotland was Ness Bank Church of Scotland in Inverness.
The judges praised the church for its “extraordinary” community outreach and the sheer scale of its impact.
Based in the church building, the Inverness Foodstuff project has become a vital centre of care, compassion, and inclusion – tackling food poverty, social isolation, and vulnerability with energy and heart.
Through the input of a small staff team and more than 80 dedicated volunteers, thousands of people are reached every year.
Prayer Points for the Summer Are Here
Prayer Points for June and July are here.
Special Gathering for CofS Ministers - Perth, 23 September
The Evangelical Alliance in Scotland warmly invites ministers serving in the Church of Scotland to a special gathering of encouragement, fellowship and prayer.
This is an opportunity to connect with fellow leaders from across the Church of Scotland, share the joys and challenges of ministry and be refreshed through worship, prayer and teaching. We are delighted that the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Reverend Gordon Kennedy, will be joining us and sharing from God’s word during our gathering.
Alongside worship and fellowship, we will also take time to reflect on how the Evangelical Alliance in Scotland can best serve and support ministers within the Church of Scotland in the years ahead. We are passionate about strengthening relationships, encouraging unity and helping to cultivate a confident, Christ-centred witness across Scotland.
Event details
- Wednesday 23 September
- 9.30am – 2pm (lunch included)
- Letham St Mark’s Church, Perth
Arrival and coffee will be from 9:30am, with the programme running from 10am until 2pm, which includes lunch. For catering purposes, please sign in via this link, letting us know of any allergies or dietary requirements before the 18th September.
Action Briefing for Congregations with Listed Places of Worship
Contact your MSPs about support in Scotland following the end of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
| Key facts | |
| What has changed? | The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has closed, and the replacement fund applies only in England. |
| Who should be contacted? | All of your MSPs — 1 constituency MSP and 7 regional MSPs. |
| What should MSPs be asked to do? | Press Scottish Ministers for clarity on support in Scotland and back a practical Scottish funding route. |
| Why now? | A new Parliament is in place, and this is the right moment to raise the issue clearly and early. |
The UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has closed. For many congregations in Scotland, this means essential repairs and improvement projects for listed church buildings will become more expensive, placing further pressure on already stretched budgets.
Why now? The immediate question is what response the Scottish Government will make. A new Parliament is now in place, MSPs are taking up constituency and regional casework, and this is a good moment for congregations to raise the issue early and clearly with all of their representatives.
The UK Government has replaced the former scheme with the Places of Worship Renewal Fund for England only. It has also said that decisions about support in Scotland are now for the Scottish Government. Congregations are therefore encouraged to write to their MSPs — ideally to all eight of them.
As many people as possible should write. Individual messages from constituents usually carry more weight than a standard text, so office-bearers, members and church users are encouraged to write in their own words. If you have a local church meeting or a presbytery, diocesan, district or synod meeting coming up, you may wish to agree a short statement of concern and use it as the basis for individual messages.
If you are writing in a regional role, such as a Presbytery Clerk, Bishop, Superintendent, or as a member of a property or finance committee, consider writing to all MSPs whose constituencies and regions fall within the area you cover.
How to contact your MSPs:
Use the Scottish Parliament’s Find your MSP tool and enter your postcode, or the postcode of your church building. Everyone in Scotland is represented by 8 MSPs — 1 constituency MSP and 7 regional MSPs — and you are encouraged to write to all of them.
Email is usually the quickest and easiest route. If you prefer to write, the postal address for MSPs is: The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP. If an MSP holds a local surgery and you are able to attend, that can also be a useful way to raise the issue in person.
What to say:
We are not offering a template letter. MSPs are more likely to engage with messages that are personal, local and specific. Please explain the issue in your own words and include details about your congregation and building.
Three things to ask your MSPs to do:
- Ask Scottish Ministers what support will be made available in Scotland following the closure of the UK-wide scheme.
- Support the development of a practical Scottish funding route that recognises the heritage and community value of listed places of worship.
- Visit your church building, or meet representatives of your congregation, to understand the local impact.
A short sample email opener:
I am writing as a constituent and as someone involved in [name of congregation/church] to ask for your support following the closure of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. This change will increase the cost of caring for our listed church building, which is both a place of worship and an important community space used by local people and organisations.
- Explain that the scheme has closed and that Scotland does not currently have an equivalent replacement.
- Describe your church building and why it matters locally, including its history, heritage value, and the worship and community activity it supports.
- Set out the practical impact. If you have current, recent or planned works, explain what the loss of VAT recovery means for cost and timing.
- If community groups, schools, charities or local organisations use your premises, mention this and give examples of the wider public benefit.
- Stress that listed churches are not only heritage assets but living spaces that serve communities through worship, hospitality, social action, support services and local partnerships.
- If appropriate, invite your MSP to visit your church building to see both its repair needs and its value to the wider community.
Follow up:
Please let the national office know if you have contacted your MSPs, and what response you receive. Write to the Parliamentary Officer, David Bradwell – dbradwell@churchofscotland.org.uk
If you do not receive a response after a reasonable interval, follow up politely. MSPs often receive a high volume of correspondence, and a brief reminder can be effective.
If other community groups or organisations use your church building, ask them if they will also write to their MSPs to explain how they value the space and how important it is to their work.
Further information:
As of June 2026, no replacement support for Scotland has been confirmed. The key issue now is what action the Scottish Government will take, which is why engagement with MSPs matters at this stage.
Churches and other faith groups in Scotland are in close contact with each other, and with partners in Wales who face a similar situation. There is broad agreement that church buildings are not only heritage assets but important spaces for community wellbeing and local service.
If you are currently undertaking works to a building, or have a project planned that will be affected by the end of the scheme, please contact your Presbytery Building Officer in the first instance for advice on options, timing and next steps.
The previous scheme has closed and there will be no further funding rounds. In Scotland, congregations may still wish to explore other funding routes where appropriate, but no direct replacement for the former VAT recovery scheme has yet been announced.
Finally, if you have any queries, please contact us using the details below.
Queries relating to contacting your MSPs: Parliamentary Officer, David Bradwell – dbradwell@churchofscotland.org.uk, queries relating to specific projects and buildings: gentrustees@churchofscotland.org.uk.
CH4 Large Print Words Available
At Royal Cornhill Spiritual Care Department, we have a box of CH4 Large print words with plastic covers which are like new.
These are available now for a small donation to benefit our patients
If you would like these please get in touch to arrange pick up:
Pamela Adam, Healthcare Chaplain pam.adam@nhs.scot
Spare Chairs Needed
The Hampton hotel at Westhill are looking for spare preferably stackable chairs for the asylum seekers to be able to sit outside as Hilton will not let theirs be taken out of the hotel.
Can any church help please?
Please contact Laura from Mears (Laura.Morrison@mearshousing.co.uk) if you can.
The Poppy Factory
The Poppy Factory provides a dedicated Families Employment Service for the family members of veterans who are living with a health condition, including physical disabilities, long‑term health issues, and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
We support a wide range of family members to find employment, including: • spouses and partners • ex‑partners • adult children (18+) • parents of veterans • chosen family members • bereaved family members.
Our service offers personalised, one‑to‑one employment support to help people build confidence, explore new opportunities, develop CVs, access training, and move into meaningful and sustainable work. Support is free, flexible, and available nationwide.
On Wednesday 8th July at 11am, we are hosting an online information session about how we support family members here at The Poppy Factory - you can register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/1418697d-6404-42a5-a2bd-e36c220befe3@ff1d9f31-ac48-4825-b263-0a3d3d22a1c6
Poetry Competition - Entries Welcome till 17 July
The competition of poetry and illustrations is open to all ages - this is your chance to receive a prize and see your piece displayed at St Machar's Cathedral.
For Orkney - The Book Farmacy - Farmers' Mental Health Improvement
Farmers urged to take 'six minutes to switch off' and read a book
The Book Farmacy pilot - led by volunteers and supported by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) and local authorities in Orkney, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders - aims to increase reading uptake by those working in the agriculture sector, as a means to provide a simple, non-clinical tool to improve mental health within the industry.
“We’d urge anyone in the farming or crofting community in the three pilot areas who is thinking about taking part to get in touch, if you are a lapsed or non-reader we’d love to hear from you. We’re also looking to build our team of Book Farm-Assists across Orkney, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders - particularly farmers who enjoy reading and want to support others to give it a go.”
Those interested in taking part or becoming a volunteer Book Farm-assist are encouraged to get in touch via email to TheBookFarmacy@rhass.org.uk
Read more here.
Pastoral Care Volunteer Training Programme – 18 July 2026
Pilot Training Day, Saturday 18 July 2026
10.00am – 4.00pm (registration and refreshments from 9.30am)
Garden Lounge at the Stocket, Harcourt Road, Aberdeen AB15 5NZ
Do you feel called to care for others? Are you involved in pastoral visiting, supporting members of your congregation, or exploring a ministry of care?
Join us for this practical and interactive Pilot Training Day for the Pastoral Care Volunteer Training Programme, developed by the Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles. The training is designed to equip volunteers with the confidence, skills and understanding needed to provide compassionate pastoral care within local congregations and communities.
During the day we will explore:
- Understanding pastoral care
- Active listening skills
- Pastoral boundaries and safeguarding
- Supporting people through bereavement, illness and loneliness
- Self-care for pastoral carers
- Prayer and spiritual encouragement
The training is suitable for existing pastoral visitors, members of pastoral care teams, elders involved in pastoral support, and anyone who feels called to care for others.
Please bring a packed lunch. Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
Places are free but booking is essential.
https://www.eventbookings.com/b/event/pastoral-care-training-pilot
If anyone would like further information, please contact me at NHepburn@churchofscotland.org.uk.
Here is the poster, if you want to advertise it in your church.
Support Refuel!
Amy Bender (ABender@churchofscotland.org.uk) and Fiona Lister (flister@churchofscotland.org.uk) are looking for support with the sessions in the Church of Scotland tent.
Safeguarding Training - Change of Date (July 2!)
| Date and Time: | 02.07.2026 7 pm - 9.30 pm |
| Type of training: | Trustee |
| Venue: | Strathbogie and Drumblade Church Hall Bogie Street, Huntly AB54 8DX |
| Presbytery Contact: | In person training. For places please email anne.shirran@btinternet.com |
Resources
Disability Awareness Sunday Pack
The theme this year is 'One body, many parts', based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, showing that we are all part of the body of Christ, the Church.
We have two short videos available for churches featuring Triona Brading, a young autistic Christian, giving a greater understanding of autism and neurodiversity and how we all have an essential part to play in the body of Christ.
A free pack is available including the videos, Bible reading, prayers, activity ideas, suggested hymns and songs, and notes for speakers.
The date for Disability Awareness Sunday is 27th September, but churches can use this material on any Sunday at all. The important thing is to spread the message of welcome and inclusion for disabled people in our churches.
Follow the link to request the free pack: https://throughtheroof.org/forchurches/disability-awareness-sunday/
Vacancies
Children and Youth Outreach Worker - Aberdeen Hillside
Title of Post: Children and Youth Outreach Worker
Purpose of Post: To develop and lead children’s and youth ministry within Aberdeen Hillside Parish Church actively supporting efforts in internal and external church communications.
Main Duties
• As a member of the Ministry Team and working in co-operation with the minister and team colleagues:
• Children’s and Youth Ministry
• Develop and lead engaging programmes for children and young people, including Sunday activities,midweek gatherings, and seasonal events.
• Build relationships with families and young people, encouraging participation and spiritual growth.
• Support and train volunteers involved in children’s and youth ministry.
• Collaborate with local schools and chaplaincy teams to extend outreach.
• Explore creative initiatives such as mindfulness sessions, sports-based outreach, and international cuisine nights.
Terms and Conditions
• Salary is based on the MDS scale of £30,274 - £34,224 per annum. This is the full-time salary scale and actual salary will be pro rata to 0.5 FTE.
• Normal hours of work will be 18.75 hours per week.
For full job description go here.
Intergenerational Mission Worker - Mannofield Church, Aberdeen
Mannofield Church, Aberdeen is hiring for the position of an Intergenerational Mission Worker (Initial Fixed Term – 2 years).
Are you passionate about community, faith, and helping all ages flourish together?
Mannofield Church, Aberdeen is looking for a creative, relational Intergenerational Mission Worker to help us grow as a vibrant, welcoming, multi generational congregation at the heart of Aberdeen’s West End.
What you’ll do:
• Build connections with families, young people & older adults
• Support worship & faith formation
• Strengthen community engagement
• Help us grow digital ministry
• Be part of a warm, outward looking church family
What we are looking for:
A committed Christian with experience in children/youth/intergenerational ministry, a heart for mission, and the creativity to help us grow.
Hours: 37.5 (or as agreed)
Salary: Competitive (aligned with similar church/community roles)
More details, and details of how to apply can be found here:
Vacancy: Intergenerational Mission Worker – Mannofield Parish Church
Locum for Banchory Ternan East
Banchory Ternan East are looking for a locum for their charge who will assist with worship, pastoral visiting and funerals.
Please email Mike Jamieson (Session Clerk) or Tony Stephen (Interim Moderator) for details.
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
Live at Five - a series of concerts in Aberlour Parish Church
Meditation Day - 22 August, 10:30-15:30, Inverurie West
Hymn Sings - August 21, October 2
Mark your calendars! Skene Kirk is playing host to an exciting two-part event celebrating the riches of hymnody ancient and modern. Generously supported by the Church Hymnary Trust, we will begin with a time of praise in the church, followed by more-than-light refreshments in the village hall next door. There are rumours of summer wines and perhaps—perhaps—even a barbecue, though details on the catering front are still being worked out.
The first evening will be an organ-led exploration of neglected classics, along with a selection of some of old-time favourites. The second evening will feature a contemporary praise band to lead us in worship. In addition to praising God, eating good food, and enjoying Christian fellowship, the aim of these two nights is to acquaint ourselves with new hymns to take back to our own congregations—all in keeping with the Church Hymnary Trust’s central mission:
The advancement of the Christian Faith through the promotion and development of hymnody in Scotland…by assisting in the development, promotion, provision and understanding of hymns, psalms and paraphrases suitable for use in public worship.
These are two events you won’t want to miss! In fact, the minister of Kingshill Parish Church solemnly promises to doubly refund the price of your ticket if you don’t have a good time. And that’s because these events are FREE, open to all and sundry at no cost.
The Traditional Hymn Sing will be on Friday, 21 August, and Contemporary Worship will be on Friday, 2 October. Doors will be open from 5pm, but singing will commence at 6:00 pm. Following proceedings in the church, we will make our way to the Milne Hall next door for food and fellowship.
All donations on the night will go directly to Skene Kirk utilisation and upkeep. Come out, invite your friends, and enjoy a night (or two) of hymnody!
Kirkton of Skene, Aberdeenshire, AB32 6XE
Guild
LiFT Meeting - 22 August
Don't forget to send your news to doskolkova@churchofscotland.org.uk