There have been several emails from the Church of Scotland regarding conferences or other things and these can be found in four separate posts on this website on this NEWS page.  Scroll down until you find the (4) items that have been posted on 18th September.

The St Vigeans Church order of service for the 23rd September is now on the St Vigeans Website.
​Visit the WORSHIP page

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
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At the start of a new academic year I thought it timely to make you aware of a few conferences we have coming up around the area of children and youth ministry.  Our Faith Formation in a Secular Age Conference on Thursday October 4th is for Church Leaders (Ministers, MDS, Children/Youth/Family Workers, Elders, Readers, Deacons etc.), our Relational Ministry Re-imagined Conference on Saturday October 6th is for children/youth ministry practioners (Sunday School Teachers, Messy Church Leaders, Uniformed Organisation helpers etc.) and our Community of Faith Conference for Paid Workers in February 2019 is specifically for Children/Youth/Family Workers.  Details of all of these conferences are below with links to where to book.  As you can see there is something for everyone so please encourage all those in your congregations to attend as appropriate.  It would be particularly great to have a team of folk from your congregation attend the Faith Formation in a Secular Age Conference together.
 
 
 
 
 
Faith Formation in a Secular Age
 
A conference for church leaders
 
Thursday 4th October 2018, 10am-4pm
 
Wellington Church, Glasgow
 
£20pp including lunch
 
https://faithformationinasecularage.eventbrite.co.uk
 
Booking closes on September 16th.

This key conference for church leaders will explore the theological thinking behind faith formation and discipleship for all.  There will be reflections on the theology relating to the church's ministry with children and young people, learning from the work in this area across the reformed tradition.
 
Professor Andy Root from Luther Seminary in the USA will deliver the keynote sessions and the day will be chaired by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
 
This conference is for all church leaders; Ministers, MDS, Children/Youth/Family workers, Elders, Readers, Deacons.  The conference is eligible for Ministers Study Leave and FFY CMD Allowance.  Those from other denominations are very welcome. 
 
 
Keynote 1 - What is a theological turn in ministry?
 
What exactly does it mean to make a theological turn in ministry?  It is turning away from a technological perspective that sees ministry providing solutions or as a means to a goal, but it doesn't necessarily mean turning to ‘theology'.  Rather, the theological turn in ministry turns to the ‘theological'.  It seeks for the act of God in the lives and concrete experience of people.  We will explore why and how this ‘turn' matters immensely, particularly with regard to the young.
 
Keynote 2 - Ministry, the church and the melting of identity
 
One of the greatest pursuits for people in today's secular age (especially those of younger generations) is to construct an identity for themselves.  But as we have seen recently, the fluidity of our culture does not allow for our identities to be carved in stone.  Instead our identities are always transitioning.  This makes a faith commitment made in high school for instance, always open to being reconsidered.  This fluidity of identity makes a ‘theological turn' in ministry all the more necessary, especially in our ministry with children and young people.
 
Keynote 3 - Examining the changes impacting ministry
 
How does the church and the minister's role change with our secular age?  Ministers and church leaders are regularly told, "The world is changing".  This comment usually refers to either technological changes like a digital landscape, or philosophical changes like postmodernity.  While these perspectives have their place, this session will make a different assertion; that our most fundamental challenge is that God is no longer an assumed reality.  Following historical transitions, we will explore how ministry, the church, and the role of leaders shift when belief in God and transcendence is optional.  What is this new age we are in? And what does this means for the practice of ministry and future of Christianity?
 
For more information contact Suzi Farrant.
 
Relational Ministry Re-Imagined
For all involved in with ministry with children and young people, especially volunteers
 
Saturday 6th October 2018, 9.30am-4pm
Live streamed from Motherwell to Ayr, Arbroath, Dalkeith,  Dingwall, Dunblane, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Eskdale, Gorebridge, Largs, Livingston, Orkney, Peebles, Shetland and others
£10pp including lunch
 
All of us engaged in ministry with children and young people (Sunday School teachers, Messy Church helpers, BB / GB Officers, paid workers etc.) are engaged in relational ministry. At its most simple, all ministry is about relationship. Over the last few decades our culture and approach to relationships has changed. What does this mean for us?
 
During this conference Andy Root will lead 3 sessions guiding us through:

• The importance and cultural shifts around relationships
• The focus and purpose of our relationships with children and young people
• Developing relational and incarnational ministry

 
After each session, participants will have an opportunity to explore these ideas further through discussion with others gathered in your local venue.
 
Andy Root is a sought-after speaker at conferences, colleges, and churches. He is known for an engaging style that laces together stories, theological thinking, and humour, in a very accessible way.
 
All venues can be booked at https://relationalministryreimagined.eventbrite.co.uk
Closing date September 27th.
 
For more information contact Isobel Booth-Clibborn
 
 
Community of Faith Conference for Paid Workers 2019
A brilliant opportunity to connect, be resourced and inspired - designed specifically for those who are paid to work with and minister to children and young people in the church. 
 
Over the course of 48 hours we will consider our theme of Discipleship, with time set aside to share good practice in small learning communities. In particular we will think about partnering with families, engaging with the Bible, gender, sharing resources, and our aspirations for ministry with children and young people.  There will also be time set aside to enjoy the hotel facilities and to worship together. 
 
Book a place now at https://coffpaidworkers2019.eventbrite.co.uk
 
Theme: Discipleship
Dates: 2pm on Wednesday 20th to 2pm on Friday 22nd February 2019
Venue: Green Hotel Golf & Leisure Resort, Kinross, KY13 8AS
Cost: £140 before 7th October 2018; £170 thereafter. Concessions: £90 for Priority Areas workers. 
This includes single en-suite accommodation, full board, use of the hotel leisure facilities and all conference programming.
Ticket numbers are limited and available on a first come first served basis.
 
Closing date for bookings: Friday 7th December 2018.  Places are non-refundable after 7th October but are transferable.
 
For more information contact Suzi Farrant.
 
Many thanks,
Suzi Farrant 

MESSAGE FROM CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
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​We just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayer for our upcoming Pastoral Care Conference 2018 - ‘Nurturing Pastoral Care Together' scheduled on Saturday 10 November 2018 in Dunfermline, and to encourage you to forward the details below on to others in your congregation and parish.
 
Booking closes on 25 October 2018. We'd be very grateful if you could keep praying for this conference so that it would equip many people in local congregations to acknowledge the significance of pastoral care, and provide a good understanding of the roles within this branch.
 
If you have any questions about this conference, please contact the project manager, Hongsuk Um.
 
With every blessing
 
The Learn Team

MESSAGE FROM CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

​Opportunities for Service through the Councils and Committees of the Church
 
Every year, opportunities arise for people from congregations of the Church of Scotland to engage in service through involvement on the national Councils and Committees of the Church.  On an annual cycle, around 100 people are needed to respond to this call to service.  Being involved is an excellent way to get to know the Church better and a real opportunity for Christian service and witness.  It is demanding yet rewarding work and I am writing to seek your active support in the process of finding the right people for the right jobs.
 
Please think carefully about approaching people whose skills and experience will be of particular use to a given area of work and encourage them to allow their names to be submitted.  We are very keen to ensure a broad representation, but we depend on people in congregations and presbyteries to help us identify who might be suitable.  Your help in this process is essential and warmly welcomed.
 
Nominees do require to be members of the Church of Scotland.  If you are nominating someone, please approach the individual(s) concerned and complete the form together; the personal statement and data consent section should be prepared by the proposed nominee.  Self-nomination is welcomed provided that the nomination is supported by a third party as listed on the form.  All nominations will be considered carefully and treated confidentially.
 
Fuller details can be found on our page of the Church's website at www.churchofscotland.org.uk/nomination_committee.  There you will find information about all of the Councils and Committees along with the nomination form.  This should be completed and sent by e-mail to vjenkins@churchofscotland.org.uk or by hard copy to the Secretary of the Nomination Committee, Department of the General Assembly, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN.  All submissions need to be with us by 30 November 2018.
 
The Nomination Committee meets in January to consider the submitted forms.  Those selected will receive a written invitation early in the new year seeking their permission to allow their names to go forward to the General Assembly for final approval.  Inevitably, not all proposed nominees will be asked to serve, though it is possible that they may be approached in connection with a different Council/Committee.  It would be helpful if you could explain this to those whom you nominate.
 
A separate process exists for the nomination of Charity Trustees to the Council of Assembly, but as there are no scheduled vacancies this year this will not be invoked this time.
 
With grateful thanks for your kind consideration.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Lynsey Kimmitt
 
Convener
Nomination Committee

MESSAGE FROM CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
 
I know there are so many really good causes we are asked to support, but for the second year in a row, myself personally and the Church of Scotland are getting behind Social Bite and their events – "Sleep in the Park" and "The Wee Sleep Out", to build a collaborative movement to eradicate homelessness altogether in Scotland. And we would love for you to join us!
 
Sleep in the Park – Saturday December 8th 2018
 
I know how little I am looking forward to spending, what could potentially be a freezing cold night out in the open – and that is just the one night.  I cannot imagine how people who have to do it night after night after night, must feel or how they cope with it.
 
If you want to help warm my spirits on December 8th then please join me in Princes Street gardens, or pop along to the other venues in Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen and help to raise funds and even more importantly, awareness of the plight of homeless people.
 
It will be an amazing event with musical performances from Amy Macdonald, KT Tunstall, Lulu, Eddi Reader and many more. But after the performances we will all be bedding down under the stars to raise money to tackle homelessness. You can sign up as a team from your congregation and join me on the night. You can sign up your team at:  www.sleepinthepark.co.uk. I have also attached the booklet.
 
Wee Sleep Out – Friday November 9th 2018
 
For those aged 8 - 16 years old, it may be that your local schools or youth organisations might want to take part.  If so then rather than participating in the main events, they could hold a "Wee Sleep Out" which is geared to youngsters and again centres on raising awareness as well as funds.
 
For more details please see www.weesleepout.co.uk. I have also attached the booklet.
 
It was the dream of two young people wanting to make a difference to life in our land, that gave birth to Social Bite.  Still only in their 20's that dream has not faded.  At a time of year when we are about to celebrate a Love that gives birth to Hope, let's dare to share it, by caring for those who find themselves down on their luck and left out in the cold.
 
Thank you for reading.
 
Sending you wishes for a warm and blessed Christmas when it comes, along with prayers for a world where all might know they are loved.