The new Rector of the East Perthshire Group of Churches (Alyth, Blairgowrie, Ballintuim and Coupar Angus), Rev’d Kim Lafferty was instituted on Sunday 20th June at 11.00 am at St Michael, Ballintuim, by Bishop Ian Paton.  Please pray for Kim and the congregations as she takes up her new ministry. Kim is very welcome as she joins the Diocese from Manchester.

One of the congregation said it was: ‘a wonderful “country” Institution , up there in the hills, a superb occasion for all of us who were able to witness Kim’s joining us.

A huge blessing to be a part of the quiet, dignified ceremony amongst the birdsong and the wilds of Perthshire. It is one of those events that will never be forgotten.’

On Pentecost Sunday Bishop Ian celebrated the Eucharist at St Serf’s in Burntisland and just before the service began took the opportunity to formally authorise Rev. Carol Latimer as Assistant Priest at St Serf’s, which is part of the All Souls linked charge (Priest-in-Charge Rev. Dean Norby).

After the service the congregation gathered – with appropriate social distancing!- in the small church garden where Bishop Ian dedicated a large mural painted by Susan Smith, a local artist who is a member of the congregation. The painting, which is called “Meditation on a Rainbow”, has been installed on the East end of the church and is clearly visible from the main road which runs past the building. It is part of St Serf’s programme of outreach to the local community during lockdown.

For further information please click the link below:

Protect the Environment

The new Rector of the East Perthshire Group of Churches (Alyth, Blairgowrie, Ballintuim and Coupar Angus) is the Revd Kim Lafferty. Kim will be Instituted on Sunday 20 June at 11.00am at St Michael, Ballintuim, but sadly, because of Covid restrictions, it is not possible to invite Diocesan clergy and readers. But please pray for Kim and the congregations as she arrives and takes up her new ministry. Kim is very welcome as she joins the Diocese from Manchester.

I’m writing to invite you to participate in Doors Open Days, with 2021’s (repeated from last year) theme to be the Scottish Year of Coasts & Waters. If you would like to open your doors to the public for free this September 18^th & 19^th (in Perth & Kinross) for the free publicity this can bring to your venue then please follow this link to find the application form;

https://forms.gle/Nio1QTiXhE4C6Mwc6

Please note the deadline for applications is Sat June 12^th

More info at https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/

Or please get in touch if you have any questions.

 

 

Rachael  Wright was licensed as a Eucharistic Minister by Bishop Ian, at Holy Trinity on Trinity Sunday, 30th May, 2021.

Please pray for St Ninian’s, Alyth; St Michael’s, Ballintuim; St Catharine’s, Blairgowrie; and St Anne’s, Coupar Angus; and for their new Rector Rev’d Kim Lafferty, as she is instituted by Bishop Ian on Sunday 20^th June, 2021.

Tuesday 15^th June 2021 2 – 5 p.m.

In 2019 the SEC began a new formal discernment process for ordained and lay reader ministry (with other authorised ministries discerned within this process). The PDO, Revd Canon Ian Barcroft will outline the practical steps for discernment, and offer some insight into the selection of future clergy and lay readers in the SEC. He will also introduce the pathways for formation and training at SEI for potential students. Join us for a Study Day on these new processes and join a conversation about vocation and how best to encourage discernment within the local church.

If you would like to be part of this Study Session please let me know at bishopsec@standrews.anglican.org

Pentecost blessings!

Thanks to all those who have responded to the digital mission and assessment surveys this month!  Just over half of the charges in the diocese have replied so far and a number of others have been in touch as they are actively considering their situations.  I am working through them as swiftly as possible, with particular focus on those who wish to make an application for the Renewal and Recovery Fund.  A reminder that applications should be submitted to Carol at the diocese by 16th July.

Thank you for your patience, I appreciate all your efforts to assess your digital presence and mission.  Surveys and digital communications do not replace the need for personal contact, but they do help to identify areas of priority for more effective and timely engagement, especially when it is not possible to be in so many places or to have so many conversations at once.

If you have not heard from me directly yet in response to your completed survey, you can expect me to be in touch with you over the next week.  But please don’t wait to contact me in the meantime if you have immediate needs.  Once the initial push for getting funding applications submitted is over, I also look forward to getting in touch with the rest of our congregations and visiting each of you when possible!

What I am hearing from you…

In addition to supporting those who wish to make an application for funding, the surveys are helping me to identify priority areas of focus beyond that.

Based on responses so far, the most important or pressing needs seem to be:

• Equipping for digital broadcast or livestream of public worship.
• Website setup or updating.
• People! Finding and training a team to assist.

I hear you, and am considering ways to best support you in these efforts, including building a network of resources that can be leveraged across the diocese, best practices guidelines and ‘webinar’ type training.  Watch for more details!

Many have also expressed a poignant desire to care for the members of your congregation and their needs before considering new or updated outreach efforts, digital or otherwise.  This serves as a reminder that behind the digital push to stay connected within and beyond our communities is our mission to love those whom God has given us – fellow-Christians, neighbours, co-workers, strangers.  At the heart of ‘digital mission’ is mission, and I am committed to support you in yours.

At the diocesan level, we are also undertaking similar assessments and considerations, keeping in mind OUR mission as

a thriving group of hopeful, caring and committed congregations whose shared life, worship and effective engagement with people and issues in their communities attracts growing numbers of people from diverse backgrounds to share the values and work of our church.’

May it be so.

With every blessing on your digital pilgrimage,

Karen

Karen McClain Kiefer

Diocesan Digital Missioner

ddm@standrews.anglican.org

www.standrews.anglican.org

For further information please click the link below:

Refugee week 2021