I was at Scottish Churches House yesterday for a day conference for those who have been in their first ministry position for about five years. It was good to be with others from a variety of churches, though the two largest churches in Scotland were noticeably absent.We were asked to talk about some of the…

Who teaches cats to do yoga anyway?

The thing about blogging is that most people still don't understand its power yet. It is power sufficient to make new networks or break a traditional organisation. The church that I work in has always been an early adopter of technology – electic light, organ etc all arrived here before they arrived anywhere else. Predictably,…

This morning I am going to concentrate on the first reading ? a snapshot in the life of Paul, on his travels with Silas. A snatched glance at what life was like for them as they preached the Gospel far from home. They freed a slave girl from the things which imprisoned her. The freed…

The pack of papers for the General Synod have arrived and I have spent a couple of hours reading them all through and trying to work out what the motions are all about. I had thought that we were going to get a light year at the synod, however there are already 54 substantive motions…

It seems to be European day here in the Rectory. There are two Ascension day services to do (major holiday in some parts of Europe) and I also have Elspeth Attwooll MEP visiting today. She is being photographed here in Bridge of Allan sitting next to a computer and a European flag. Then she is…

There is an excellent picture of me winning a sack race o­n the church website – www.saint-saviour.org Take a look. 

Lord High CommissionerThe Lord High Commissioner is the reigning monach's observer at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland when she herself cannot be present. He or she is effectively treated as the Sovereign for the week and ranks above everyone in Scotland except the Queen herself and the Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip)…

Crave       1   verb               to beg, to desire eg “Don't you just crave strawberries in May?”2   noun (rare)   the fundamental intent of a Petition or Overture in Scottish Presbyterianism eg “If the crave of the petition be granted, the General Assembly if so advised shall instruct the Presbytery to take the candidate o­n trials for licence.”