We are delighted to announce that St John the Baptist Perth has been awarded an Eco- Congregation Scotland Silver Award in recognition of their work and commitment to caring for creation. Eco-Congregation Scotland is a movement of Scottish church congregations, of all denominations and none, committed to addressing environmental issues through their life and mission. (Please see our website or appendix one of this press release for more details about our vision, values and mission.)
For further information please click the link below:
We will be celebrating the feast of Candlemas with a Diocesan Evensong in Perth Cathedral, at 3pm on Sunday 4th February.
We will be joined at this service by Bishop Marinez Bassotto from the diocese of Amazonia. Bishop Marinez and Bishop Ian will reflect on the life and work of their respective dioceses, and an Honorary Canon will be licensed and installed.
Please pray for the Revd Aaron Moffatt-Jackman and his family, as he is instituted as Rector of St Saviour, Bridge of Allan and St Modoc, Doune. The event shall be held at St Saviour’s Church, Bridge of Allan at 6pm on the 18th January. Refreshments will be provided at the end of the service. Clergy are invited to robe (alb and white stole) and lay readers also.
Please pray also for the Revd Sarah Miller as she is instituted as Rector of St James, Cupar and St Mary, Ladybank. The service will be held at St James the Great, Cupar at 7.00pm on the 31st January. Refreshments will be provided at the end of the service.
Clergy and lay readers are invited to robe (alb and green stole) and lay readers also. There is not room to robe at the church itself, but robing can be done at the Corn Exchange Hall roughly 60 yards from the church.
If you wish to attend please notify Holly Scott, Bishop’s Secretary
T: 01738 443173 I M: 07485927984
We joined with the Presbytery of Fife recently to celebrate the beginning of a new ministry in Newburgh and Lindores, where the Revd Valerie Walker was commissioned as a Pioneer Ecumenical Community Chaplain.
Winning Entry from Hannah Buxel
Winning Entry from Joanna Drage
The Coming of the Christ
As we observe Advent and Christmas in the twenty-first century, it is worth reviewing a first-century Christian take on the coming of the Christ by rereading some of Christianity’s oldest texts, particularly the Gospels. If we lament Christianity’s waning in a post-Christian age, it is worth asking what Christians projected in a pre-Christian age.
What did our forebears in the faith think about the coming of the Christ before the disciples were called ‘Christians’ (Acts 11.26)?
This Series considers this question in three parts. First, what Jesus means when he says that he has come down to earth from heaven (Jn 6.38). On the one hand, the coming of the Christ had been anticipated in Judaism for centuries; on the other hand, the first Christians had to interpret the Old Testament to read the signs of their times. Second, Jesus tells us he came to save the world (Jn 3.17). The coming of the Christ, in what St Paul calls ‘the fullness of time’ (Gal. 4.4–7), inaugurates a series of events yet unfinished until the Christ comes again ‘that God may be all in all’ (1 Cor. 15.28). Third, Simeon prophesies bewilderingly about the Christ child. Whilst Simeon rejoices in the salvation wrought in the Christ, who is ‘revelation for the Gentiles’ and ‘glory for Israel’, he discloses that the baby Jesus is ‘a sign of contradiction’ (Lk. 2.25–36).
The Series is offered on the Mondays of Advent 2023 at 7pm (GMT) on YouTube as a resource for individuals or groups to use creatively during the Season of Advent.
Presenter: Rev Prof Michael Hull, Principal and Pantonian Professor of Divinity, Scottish Episcopal Institute.
The Series is free and open to all. Register here. Or get the links directly from Mike at dr.michael.hull@gmail.com.
Last chance to enter the competition to design an image which can be used within the Diocese as an e-Christmas Card or poster. The subject is “Christmas and the Climate Crisis”. The winners entry will be circulated to charges to use as they wish. There are 3 prizes, of vouchers of the winners choice. 1st place £50, 2nd place £25 and 3rd place £15.
Please encourage any young people within your charge to enter, the closing date for entries is 15th November, but entries will be accepted until 17th November. Further details and entry form can be found here:
Good luck everyone
Christine Fraser
Youth Committee Convenor
The Revd Canon Christine Fraser
Rector, St Peter’s Kirkcaldy and SS Mary and Leonard Kinghorn
1 Longbraes Gardens, Kirkcaldy KY2 5YJ
Tel 01592 204208; Mob 07751 299804
Email cnfraser@btinternet.com
© 2024 The Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane | A diocese of the Scottish Episcopal Church | Scottish Charity Number SCO17654 | The Scotttish Episcopal church is part of the world wide Anglican Communion
