From The Editor

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PRAYER

Photo: Unsplash Spirit of God, In a world

The privilege of democracy

Thomas Baldwin explains why churches have a key role to play in this month’s elections to the Scottish Parliament

A PRAYER FOR THE ELECTIONS

Carol Wardman, the Bishops’ Adviser for Church and

WORLD NEWS

PRAYER BOOK REFLECTS ON PANDEMIC A new prayer

REVIEWS

FINDING THE PEACEMAKERS A journey of faith from

CROSSWORDS

May 2021 Crossword – Compiled by Jeannie Hollands Across

Visit Iona

Easter or summer, after months of lockdown, we

The Big Question

This month’s question is:  ‘After more than a year of Covid-19 restrictions, how has your online life changed?’

A season of awakening

The Very Rev Albert Bogle explains why playing it safe will not be the answer for the Church in future

‘A cherished part of the Church’s tradition’

The Rt Hon Baron Wallace of Tankerness QC looks ahead to his year as Moderator- Designate to the 2021 General Assembly with Lynne McNeil, as he encourages elders to serve more widely in the Church of Scotland

General Assembly Reports

Thomas Baldwin previews some of the reports to this year’s General Assembly, which takes place online from May 22-27

General Assembly 2021 Timetable*

SATURDAY 22 MAY 10am – 12noon 1 Constitution

The Big Picture

New Wellwynd Parish Church, Airdrie by Gordon Waddell

Technology and the 19th century church

Andrew Muirhead looks back to another period when access to worship was revolutionised by new technology

Kirk session records launched online

More than a million pages of local Church of Scotland records have been published online for the first time, reports Thomas Baldwin

New Guild partner projects unveiled

Lynne McNeil reports on the six new three-year projects adopted by the Church of Scotland Guild

‘Climate change is not just a trend’

Christine Meyer, a 17-year-old from Kintore Parish Church, explains why she is taking part in Tearfund’s ‘Emerging Influencers’ course

A village focal point

John R Hume reflects on the history and sacrifice behind a church in Stirlingshire

Pandemic debt rise reported by charity

Thomas Baldwin reports on a rise in the work of a charity helping people tackle debt

LISTENING PROJECT RELEASES ‘HEADLINES’

The Church of Scotland’s Listening Project has released

DUNDEE COMMUNITY ARTS PROJECT

This spring Scottish homelessness charity Bethany Christian Trust

NEW CAMPAIGN FOR TEENAGER FACING DEPORTATION

A Church of Scotland minister has made a

BILL SHAW TRIBUTE

A memorial service will be held this July

CHURCHES EXPRESS NUCLEAR CONCERN

The UK Government’s proposal to allow an increase

Our planet is changing

Val Brown, Community Relations and Fundraising Manager at Christian Aid Scotland considers the plight of Kenya and climate change ahead of Christian Aid Week

KNITTED CHICKS

To keep in touch with the local community,

SOUPER RESPONSE

Following an invitation in the Guild’s ‘Lockdown’ newsletter

HOMELESS JESUS STATUE UNVEILED

Picture by Colin Brockie. A statue depicting Jesus

Pensioner’s virtual cycle for church

Thomas Baldwin charts the progress of a Lanarkshire pensioner virtually pedalling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats to raise funds for his local parish church

God’s table

The Very Rev Dr Derek Browning offers the first in a series of bible studies considering a theme of hospitality beginning with Psalm 23

MINISTRIES

DEATHS Rev Eric WS Jeffrey, formerly of

A ‘Peter-type’ church

The Very Rev Dr John Chalmers explains why the Church should strive to be more like Peter in future