​Message from CoS:

​As we start to look to the future and explore what our worship and congregation's life will be like in the post pandemic world, we would like to share with you the support that we are offering particularly in relation to children, youth and family ministry. Do share this with others in your congregation.
1. Webinars
Reimagining the Future – Wednesday May 5th 7.30-9.00 pm. This webinar will provide an opportunity to reimagine our worship, discipleship and church life in new ways, within the context of the wider changes that are occurring across our denomination. There will be a particular focus on how we can better include children, young people and families.
Date Saver for future webinars:
· Intergenerational Church – Biblical Perspectives – Monday 21 June 7.30-9.00 pm
· Family Ministry – Thursday November 4th 7.30-9.00 pm
Note: you can Follow the Faith Nurture Eventbrite page to be informed when events are open for booking.
2. Further information
We have a number of pages with information on the Children and Youth Pages of the Church of Scotland website. Recordings from our children and youth conferences can be found on the Church of Scotland Youtube channel. The recent Intergenerational Church recordings and the Community of Faith ones may be of particular interest.
3. Support for paid Children, Youth and Family workers
We are developing a supportive network for paid workers and have a range of topical conversations and a book group. We also hold an annual conference/retreat. Paid workers can connect through the Excalibur Facebook Group. Do link any paid workers to Suzi.
Keeping in touch
Do encourage someone from your congregation to subscribe for the Children and Youth Newsletter and join the Now You're Talking Facebook Group
Any further questions for us contact: childrenandyouth@churchofscotland.org.uk
Every blessing in all that you are developing, as we come out of lockdown and reshape ministry in your local context.
Isobel – Children's Development Worker ibooth-clibborn@churchofscotland.org.uk
Suzi – Youth and Young Adult Development Worker sfarrant@churchofscotland.org.uk

You are invited to an open (online) meeting organised by the Presbytery of Perth as part of the Moderator’s visit there next week

The Church of Scotland
The Presbytery of Perth
Registered Scottish Charity No SC01458
Moderator’s Visit 2021
Thursday 29th April: 8.00 pm ‘Out of Lockdown’ (Reflecting upon Community Justice and touching upon Covid-19)

The Moderator, the Right Revd Dr Martin Fair, and Guests

ONLINE DRAFT PROGRAMME
(Timings are provisional and subject to change)
Chairperson: Ruth Rankin (Perth: Riverside)
8.00 pm Welcome and Introductions
8.05 pm Exploring the theme ‘Out of Lockdown’
8.10 pm Chaplaincy and Prison Visitors’ Centre at HM Prison Perth
8.20 pm Harbour Counselling Service, Perth
8.30 pm Karyn McLuskey, Community Justice Scotland
8.40 pm Interview with Gareth Vannet
8.55 pm Closing Message from the Moderator
9.05 pm Wrap Up and Clos

There will be a short Zoom Session meeting on Wednesday 21st April 2021.  Joining passwords have already been sent out in the regular daily email from Margaret Pullar.

Worship will be in church Easter Sunday (4th April), but you must book a place because numbers are restricted. If you do not have a place booked, we must turn you away at the door. Contact Margaret Pullar if you have not already done so.
The filming this week will take place on the Sunday in church, so the video (duly edited) will not be on line until later, possibly as late as Tuesday, but before then if possible.  For those of you unable to attend the church, the video may offer some consolation.
Sorry, but there will be no Zoom chat over a cuppy on Easter Sunday.

​

Starting on Monday 29 March, the walk will include some sites which have been used in Christian worship for more than 1,000 years.
Dr Fair plans to provide updates on the Moderator's Facebook page as he goes, which will allow for people to join in with the journey.
He said: "Pilgrimage is something that Christians have done forever - for centuries.
"In uncertain times it's good to remember that we are part of a much longer, bigger story and it takes us along paths where Christians walked long before we showed up.
"Jesus says 'come follow me' and that by definition means to go somewhere. Walking symbolises that we are called to be pilgrims, to be disciples and by definition that means we are going somewhere - Jesus is always leading us, ahead of us and we follow.
The route will start and finish at Arbroath Abbey, which was first used as a place of worship in the 12th century, and each day Dr Fair will cover around 15 miles on foot.
"You begin to think 'I wonder what it has seen in 900 years'," he said.
"We think the last year has been all consuming, but what has happened in all those years? There's been wars, the Black Death and all kinds of things.
"When we go to ancient places we're reminded that we are part of a much bigger story, and that what we are enduring at the moment is a kind of passing phase but the long story is still there.
"On the first day I'll be going to Aberlemno, which has got standing stones of Celtic origins dating back to between 500AD and 800AD. It's this reminder that the story is long before we were here and that will continue after we are here."
For those who may feel unable to physically take part in a pilgrimage, Dr Fair is keen that they feel able to join via him.
"Some people might be at home thinking 'I can't do that kind of thing', but it it's about an inward journey too which why I'm doing it at Easter - so you can do a pilgrimage from your own front room.
"The early morning devotions at 8am in Holy Week, which will be on the Church of Scotland's online channels, will help people to do this.
"I'll be passing through a village called Eassie, there's a stone there which is considered to be one of the best preserved Pictish era standing stones anywhere with Christian symbols on it and it dates to the 600s.
"I'll also pass St Orland's stone, St Fergus' well - these are people who were bringing the Christian gospel to Scotland 1.400 years' ago."
Part of the appeal for Dr Fair will be the chance to spend time outdoors, when so much of the last year has been passed indoors and in front of computer screens.
"In very basic terms it's a very personal trip and a chance to spend a week experiencing and appreciating creation which will be a highlight.
"Many people have said that if you look at the Angus Glens they look like a handprint with five fingers, so that sense of enjoying the goodness of God's creation will be way up there in terms of what I'm looking forward to."
Dr Fair's itineraryMondayArbroath Abbey to Brechin Cathedral.
TuesdayAberlemno to Forfar via Resteneth Priory.
WednesdayBagavies Loch to Glamis to Eassie.
ThursdayThe Minister's Walk from Glen Prosen to Glen Clova to Loch Brandy.
FridayLoch Brandy to Tarfside, Glen Esk.
SaturdayDundee to Arbroath Abbey.

A video for each day throughout Holy Week has been produced by The Church of Scotland and will be posted on their media channels, but you will find them on the WORSHIP page of our website, our Facebook and our YouTube channel, after 8 a.m. each day.  Beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Good Friday, follow The Right Reverend Dr Martin Fair on his pilgrimage and listen to his reflections.

The next Session meeting will be on Zoom, on April 21st at 7 pm.