Join up the Dots

From The Editor

THIS month we reflect back on the hopes and dreams

A Prayer for the Church

who carried the faithful through the throes of Good

LETTERS

The Church of Scotland has had a presence in London

The Big Question

This month’s question is: ‘How has your church taken part in the Year of Young People?’

A con man and a cheat

Ron Ferguson considers the lessons to be learned from the life of Jacob.

‘We are there to walk with people of all faiths and none’

The Rt Rev Susan Brown questions claims that humanist ceremonies are ‘more personal’.

Christian celebrants

The Very Rev Albert Bogle calls on the Church to revisit a decision that allows only ministers to conduct weddings and funerals.

Building for the future

Thomas Baldwin reflects on the impact of the Year of Young People within the Church of Scotland.

‘I feel that my faith permeates everything I write’

Jackie Macadam uncovers the influences of the poet and author Kenneth Steven.

Journeying together with the Guild

Jackie Macadam examines the second set of new projects adopted by the Church of Scotland Guild in a three-year partnership.

The Big Picture

Digital photographs only should be sent to magazine@lifeandwork.org

A ‘homely building’

John R Hume considers a country church in Fife with a colourful history.

Gifts of the land

In the season of harvest, Jackie Macadam discovers a number of churches making creative use of property.

From end of life to ecumenical human libraries…

Seonaid Knox reports from the 2018 National Youth Assembly at Gartmore House.

Honest conversations

John Clark explains the importance of dialogue between Christians and Muslims, the focus of a conference in Dundee in November.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOCUSES ON CHURCH FUTURE

Church of Scotland congregations are being encouraged

SIX MINISTERS AWARDED DOCTORATES FROM PITTSBURGH

In June of this year six Church of Scotland ministers

CHURCHES URGE END TO ‘HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT’

The Church of Scotland has joined 19 other church leaders

GUILD CHARITY TOTAL PASSES £750,000

The Church of Scotland Guild has announced that the

THREE CENTENARIES

Three centenaries were commemorated on Tiree with a

FOSSIL FUEL DIVESTMENT

A Borders parish church has decided to withdraw its

CALENDAR

The Guild of Portpatrick Parish Church has produced

A MILLION DREAMS IN MOTHERWELL

Nearly 150 children enjoyed an annual summer club themed

PLAYING THEIR PART

Visitors from Iran were recently hosted by the congregation

SWISS TRAVELS

The Rev Barbara Ann Sweeting and members of Forfar

‘Space for the soul’

Janice Todd reports on an alternative worship opportunity at an Edinburgh church.

TRAILBLAZING PC (USA) MINISTER DIES

The Rev Dr Katie Geneva Cannon, the first African-American

SURPRISE COURT VICTORY FOR SUDAN CHURCH

A Sudanese court has surprisingly ruled against the

The Woman of Sarepta

The Rev Dr Margaret Forrester considers the message of 1 Kings 17:1–16.

REVIEWS

Self-help books are not usually the fodder of Life

REGISTERS

Rev Eric Craig, formerly of Edinburgh: Chalmers Lauriston

CROSSWORDS

24 Saint who was Archbishop of Canterbury 1093-1109

The black dog

The Very Rev Dr John Chalmers considers the impact of depression on the spirit.