News from the Presbytery of Perth 2024
Presbytery: The office is Suite F3, Riverview House, Friarton Road, Perth, PH2 8DF. Tel: 07596 868064.
perth@churchofscotland.org.uk; www.perthpresbytery.org.uk.
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Updated 28 November
Festival of Christmas: Clackmannan Parish Church, where Rev Austin Wicks is now minister, is holding a Festival of Christmas with 25 displays, entertainment, stalls and refreshments on Thursday, 5th & Friday, 6th December 10am-8pm & Saturday, 7th 10am-7pm with carol singing 7-7.30pm.
Carols for Christian Aid: Christian Aid representatives from local churches have organised carol singing on Saturday, 14th December at Dobbies, Perth. All singers are welcome to join one or more of the sessions: 11-11.30, 12-12.30,1.30-2, 2.30-3. And if you don't sing, you can hold a bucket for the collection!
Updated 7 November
Ordination of Stephen Miller: On Tuesday, 12th November at 7pm at Auchterarder Parish Church the Presbytery is holding a service of Ordination of Stephen Miller as an Ordained Local Minister. All are welcome.
Thanks from Presbytery: Presbytery met on Saturday, 2nd November in our church. Our Session Clerk, Jaffrey Weir, has received this letter from Revd. John Ferguson, Clerk to the Presbytery: “This is just a note to thank you and all those from Kinross who assisted with the Presbytery meeting on Saturday. The hospitality was excellent, and we really appreciate the effort that those catering for us went to. In addition, your excellent premises themselves and the very smooth technical aspects helped make the day a success.”
Updated 31 October
New Minister: Presbytery met this week at a service to induct Rev Lorna Tunstall to Broughty Ferry Parish Church, which was formed from a union of three existing congregations earlier this year. Rev Alan Reid took part as Moderator of the Presbytery of Perth. Lorna is the first of a team ministry of two to be appointed.
Carse of Gowrie Kirks: The Kirk Sessions and Congregations of four congregations - Abernyte, Inchture and Kinnaird, Invergowrie and Longforgan - will have been voting this week about forming a single 'Carse Kirk' Congregation.
Updated 24 October
Christians and Climate Change: Our congregation was represented at last week's conference on Christians and Climate Change run by the Presbytery of Perth. Revd. Alan Reid led worship and Karena Jarvie talked to attendees about Fairtrade - and sold more than £400 of it! Jim Smith and Gordon McFarlane, two elders in our eco-congregation group, also attended. The principal speakers came from the Church of Scotland, Christian Aid Scotland and Eco-Congregation Scotland.
Updated 10 October
New Ministers: Progress continues implementing the Presbytery Mission Plan, allowing newly linked or united congregations to call ministers. Last week, the Revd. Mark Foster was inducted by Presbytery to the recent linkage of Blair Atholl and Struan linked with Pitlochry. Later this month, Revd. Lorna Tunstall will be inducted to the team ministry of Broughty Ferry Church, formed from five existing congregations which united on 1st January 2024.
Updated 26 September
Christians and Climate Change Conference: This Presbytery-wide Conference will be held on Saturday, 19 October, 10am to 1pm in St Matthew's Church, Perth. With input from the Church of Scotland’s Faith Action Team, Christian Aid Scotland and Eco Congregation Scotland', it will explore how Churches and individuals could best respond to the climate emergency. They will showcase good practice from around the Presbytery. There is no charge and those interested are encouraged to register on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e... Our church is an Eco-congregation, with a silver award, and one of our elders, Gordon McFarlane, is a member of the Presbytery’s Church and Community committee which is organising this conference. He says “This is similar to a number of short conferences already heldsuccessfully in other Presbyteries. We wanted to bring a Christian perspective to this major issue facing us all.”
Updated 13 September
The Presbytery of Perth met on Tuesday past. Our Ordained Local Minister Revd. Margaret Michie, our Probationer Alex Johnson and two of our elders, Gordon and Irene McFarlane attended. Here are some items of particular interest to us locally.
Prayers included for Alan Reid’s health. He is this year’s Moderator of the Presbytery.
Appointments and accreditations recognised at the meeting included:
• Ian Morrison, who did part of his training with us, as OLM at Aberdalgie & Forteviot linked with Dunbarney and Forgandenny
• Stephen Miller, son of Revd. Margaret Michie and a retired secondary school headmaster, as OLM for schools in the Perth Area
• Irene McFarlane as a Worship Leader in Presbytery.
Building Works:• Approval in principle was given for us to install solar panels on the roof of the Church Centre
• The congregation of Orwell and Portmoak was given permission for various maintenance works. Kinross Parish Church was congratulated for its “Fairtrade stall, run by Karena Jarvie, serving many neighbouring churches and organisations, while Karena herself works tirelessly to raise the profile of Fairtrade”.
We will host the next Presbytery meeting at Kinross Parish Church on Saturday, 2nd November at 10.30am
Updated 6 September
AMENDED DATES for course on Leading Worship: The Presbytery of Perth is re-running its course on 'Leading Worship as part of a Worship Team'. The dates have been changed to Saturdays 19 October and 9 & 30 November 2024 at St. Matthew's Church, Perth. It is run over these three sessions of 6 hours and involves some work between sessions. If you think this could be for you, please have a word with Rev. Alan Reid. You must have his written approval to attend. You also might want to chat with Irene who recently completed this course. For any further details and to submit your note of interest in attending please email Alex Rae: fourraes@btinternet.com
Christians and Climate Change: A Presbytery Conference, "Christians and Climate Change", is being organised for Saturday 19 October in St Matthew's Church in Perth, 10am to 1pm. There will be contributions from Christian Aid Scotland, Eco-Congregation Scotland and the Public Life and Social Justice Programme.
Updated 29 August
Seeds for Growth Roadshow comes to Perth Presbytery: An inspirational time of worship, prayer and vision on Wednesday, 3rd October at St. Matthews Church, Tay Street, Perth. Neil Glover, Convener of the Seeds for Growth Committee, would like the opportunity to share his heart with us and in turn hear our plans to grow and flourish in our local context: " Together we hope we can resource you in the next season. He will cover all aspects of applying for funding, including our new criteria." Tommy MacNeil, Convener of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team, would like to "come and spend some time with you, listening to your journeys so far and learning how the Church of Scotland can partner with you locally to realise your vision of the future. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=f4cZu3Ni40etmAGdjzlP78cTkJmBJBdDjVPbik4fRrxUQ0lNTFNMT1JOMzM4UDIwSTNGOExDSzg0TS4u
1400-1700: Afternoon worship and workshops led by Neil Glover and Tommy MacNeil. This FREE session is open to all involved in congregational life. (For tea break - catering is not available but you can remain in the venue with a packed tea or visit a local eatery.)
1900-2100: Evening of worship, prayer and praise led by Tommy MacNeil and Neil Glover. This FREE session is open to all. To book your attendance please fill in this very short form:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=f4cZu3Ni40etmAGdjzlP78cTkJmBJBdDjVPbik4fRrxUQ0lNTFNMT1JOMzM4UDIwSTNGOExDSzg0TS4u
Leading Worship as part of a worship team: The Presbytery of Perth is re-running its course on 'Leading Worship', on Saturdays 12th October and 2nd & 23rd November 2024 at St. Matthew's Church, Perth. The course goes through the preparation of a service of worship, the resources available to provide help and finishes with the groups preparing and delivering a short service. It is run over 3 sessions of 6 hours and involves some work between sessions. If you think this could be for you, please have a word with Rev. Alan Reid. You must have his written approval to attend. You also might want to chat with Irene who completed this course earlier this year. For any further details and to submit your note of interest in attending please email Alex Rae: fourraes@btinternet.comhttps://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=f4cZu3Ni40etmAGdjzlP78cTkJmBJBdDjVPbik4fRrxUQ0lNTFNMT1JOMzM4UDIwSTNGOExDSzg0TS4u
Date for Your Diary: Christians and Climate Change. A Presbytery Conference, "Christians and Climate Change" is being organised for Saturday 19th October in St Matthew's Church in Perth, 10am to 1pm. There will be contributions from Christian Aid Scotland, Eco-Congregation Scotland and the Public Life and Social Justice Programme.
Statement on Recent Protests and Riots: The Church and Community Committee of Presbytery has issued a statement following the recent protests and riots, recognising that many are 'feeling a sense of unease and even fear'. The full statement is on the Presbytery of Perth's Website, in News: Presbytery Roundup for 23 August, Item 7. It includes the words of Revd. Jan Mathieson, the Moderator of Glasgow Presbytery: "We affirm our God-given responsibility to care for others with compassion, kindness, respect and dignity and the particular duty to extend welcome to the stranger and the refugee, provide safe haven for those facing danger and persecution and meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable in society."
Updated 22 August
Dunkeld Walks: Tying in with Irene McFarlane's reflection on the 'Three Mile an Hour God' at last week's service is the information from Presbytery about two Reflective Walks organised by the congregation of Dunkeld Cathedral. They are around significant sites in the area, pausing along the way for prayer and reflection, following the style of the Celtic spirituality which first brought Christianity to Dunkeld. Walks start at the Cathedral at 10am. The longer walk on Saturday, 14th September, (2½-3 hours) goes up to St Colmes well and a Pictish Fort. The shorter walk, on Fridays 30th August and 27th September, (1½- 2 hours) is on the Birnam side of the Tay and goes to the Birnam Oak. To guarantee a place it is best if you email (rosiemackie2@gmail.com) but you can also turn up on the day if there is space.
Presbytery Mission Plan: Another presbytery service to mark a new union in accordance with the Presbytery Mission Plan takes place on Thursday, 29 August at Drymen Parish Church to mark the union of Buchanan and Drymen.
Updated 8 August
Ukrainian Independence Day Celebration: This event is being celebrated by the Ukrainian community in Perth on Saturday, 24th August 12-4pm, North Inch, Perth. Presbytery has said: "It would be great if some of the local churches were able to connect in and show their support". This year's event will be a national celebration and show of solidarity with Ukraine and those of its citizens who now call Scotland home, with acts performing between 12-4pm including Ukrainian singers, musicians and the traditional dance ensemble Kvity Ukrainy.
Presbytery Mission Plan: Two more presbytery services to mark new unions in accordance with the Presbytery Mission Plan take place soon: On Thursday, 15th August at Gartmore Parish Church for the service of union between Buchlyvie and Gartmore Parish Churches and on Thursday 29 August at Drymen Parish Church to mark the union of Buchanan and Drymen. The recently completed union to form Monifieth South Angus Parish Church has called the Revd. Douglas Monaghan and he will be inducted at a Presbytery Service there on Thursday 22 August.
Updated 18 July
Christian Aid - Dundee Kiltwalk: Sunday, 11 August marks Dundee's 2024 turn at hosting the famous sponsored walking event organised by Christian Aid Scotland.Thousands of walkers from across the new Presbytery of Perth are set to be donning their tartan and taking part. There are two distances available and a choice of starting times. The 21.5 mile Mighty Stride will follow the beautiful Fife coast to finish in Dundee, and the 5.5 mile Wee Wander will start by historic Broughty Ferry Castle.
Updated 4 July
Another Service of Union: Following last week's Service of Union between Chalmers Adler and Strathmartine in north Dundee, the Presbytery of Perth is meeting this week to mark another new Union between two Dundee churches: Coldside and Steeple. The Steeple Church was the charge of Revd. Robert Calvert before he 'retired' and joined our congregation. He is currently Locum Minister at Orwell & Portmoak.
Summary of Presbytery Meeting: If you wonder what happens at Presbytery, here is a link to a summary of the most recent meeting for 'ordinary business': 2024 06 11 Presbytery meeting summary.pdf
Updated 27 June
Visit Clackmannan Parish Church: This prominent and historic church, whose minister is Rev Austin Wicks, is now open to visitors, over the summer (Tue, Wed and Thu 2pm-4pm). We are invited to pop in and admire the impressive oak panelling, the historic graveyard, and the beautiful stained-glass windows, including the only one in Scotland installed to commemorate the Coronation in 1953.
Training for Elders: The Presbytery of Perth ran a training evening in three different locations this week for elders on Church law and the responsibilities of elders as Trustees of charities. A number of our elders attended the training in Perth on Tuesday, which was very well attended.
Service of Union: The Presbytery of Perth will hold a Service of Union on Tuesday, 2nd July at Chalmers Ardler Parish Church. This marks the new union between the congregations of Chalmers Ardler and Strathmartine Parish Churches, in north Dundee. It is a further example of the implementation of the Presbytery Mission Plan.
Updated 20 June
Visit Clackmannan Parish Church: This prominent and historic church, whose minister is Rev Austin Wicks, is now open to visitors, over the summer (Tue, Wed and Thu 2pm-4pm). We are invited to pop in and admire the impressive oak panelling, the historic graveyard, and the beautiful stained-glass windows, including the only one in Scotland installed to commemorate the Coronation in 1953.
Sanctuary Sunday: We are invited to a prayer gathering with and for refugees and asylum seekers this Sunday, 23 June at 3pm in the North Church, Mill Street, Perth to mark Sanctuary Sunday. All welcome. Refreshments.
Updated 14 June
Rev. Alan Reid: The Presbytery of Perth met this week and appointed Alan as its Moderator for the next year. The Presbytery recorded: 'Alan has a wide knowledge of the Church as a Parish Minister but also through his involvement in the General Assembly’s Legal Questions Committee, the Judicial Proceedings Panel and as a past Clerk of the old Perth Presbytery. We look forward to his year as Moderator and pray for God’s blessing on him in the year ahead'.
Rev. Jan Steyn: Many of us remember Jan fondly from when he spent a year with us under Rev. Dr. John Munro while he familiarised himself with the Church of Scotland from the Dutch Reformed Church. Jan has since been minister in Cupar, Paris and Logie (Stirling). Presbytery 'thanked him for his services to Logie Kirk and wished him well in his new congregation of Bethelkerk, Barendrecht in the Netherlands'. Jan spoke online from the Netherlands, and it was nice to see his friendly face again as he paid tribute to the congregation at Logie while 'trying to remember not to speak Dutch!'.
Long Service: Part of the role of presbyteries is to recognise service to the church, in a wider context than can be given by individual congregations. At this week's meeting Presbytery recognised significant anniversaries of ordination for 13 ministers, ranging from 25 years to 65(!).
Updated 10 June
Hustings in Perth: In advance of the General Election, Perth Action of Churches Together (PACT) along with the Perth Amnesty Group is organising a Hustings meeting on Thursday June 13th at 7.30p.m. in St Matthew's Church, Tay Street, Perth. All the candidates have received an invitation to attend - (so far, four have accepted) - and it will be an opportunity for voters to hear from those who are standing, and to ask them questions about the burning issues of the election. All welcome.
Updated 6 June
Unions and Linkages: Movement continues on the implementation of the Presbytery Mission Plan. Last week the Presbytery held a service to mark the new linkage between Cowie and Plean, and Fallin. This coming week there will be a service to mark the new union between Dunblane Cathedral, Kilmadock and Kincardine -in - Menteith Parish Churches.
Updated 30 May
Trustee Training: The new larger Presbyteries now established throughout Scotland can provide more support to congregations, including through providing training. An important role of our elders is as Trustees to the congregation as a formal charity, with all that that means in terms of charity law. The Presbytery of Perth has organised three training evenings in June across the Presbytery on the responsibilities of Trustees and some of our elders will be attending.
Updated 17 May
Perth Presbytery at General Assembly: There are 43 'Commissioners' from the Presbytery of Perth at this year's General Assembly, including Rev Alan Reid and elder Gordon McFarlane from our congregation. A training evening for Commissioners was run by the Presbytery last week. The Assembly starts this Saturday 18th and statistics to be presented show that Perth Presbytery is the largest in Scotland in terms of membership (38,000) and congregations (152).
Updated 2 May
Service of Linkage: The implementation of the Perth Presbytery Mission Plan continues, with a Presbytery service last week to mark a new linkage between Killearn and Strathblane Parish Churches in Stirling-shire.
Safeguarding: Rhona Nicol, who is employed as Treasurer and Congregational Support Officer for the Presbytery, and already had a major Safeguarding remit, will now be the new Safeguarding Contact for the Presbytery of Perth - and is contactable on: SafePerth@churchofscotland.org.uk
Updated 25 April
The National Church's Towards Ministry Team is holding a Celebrating Calling event on Saturday 11 May 2024 at Torrance Parish Church, 10.30am-2.30pm. This is for anyone who has even the faintest interest in exploring calling to ministry within the Church of Scotland. Could it be you? Or could it besomeone you know who, with a quiet word of encouragement, might be ready to explore? Full details on the
Church of Scotland website and social media platforms. Further information and registration at: ministry@churchofscotland.org.uk
Updated 11 April
Presbytery Roundup: Kinross Parish Church was featured twice in last week's Presbytery Roundup. The Roundup drew the attention of other congregations to our Guild's forthcoming concert with the Earn Singers on Friday 26 April, 7.30pm. The joint Kinross-shire loch-side service on Easter morning, together with our wooden cross dressed for Good Friday, also featured in the video of 'Easter Highlights across the Presbytery': https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=946509367131102&ref=sharing
NEW: Sidlaw Parish Church: The Presbytery held a service of union on Thursday to mark the coming together of three existing congregations on 1 February to form Sidlaw Parish Church. The three rural congregations, in Angus to the north-east of Dundee, were Auchterhouse, Fowlis and Liff, and Lundie and Muirhead.
Updated 4 April
Maundy Money Recognition: Three elders within the Presbytery of Perth were among those honoured for their dedicated years of service to the Church when they received Maundy Money from Her Majesty the Queen, on behalf of the King, at Worcester Cathedral on Maundy Thursday. Congratulations to Moyra Stewart (Glamis), Elizabeth Bruce (Dull and Weem) and Clive Bridges (Logierait).
Updated 15 March
Palm Sunday: Churches across the Presbytery of Perth are encouraging their members to invite a friend to church on Palm Sunday, 24th March: "Although we welcome everyone to our churches any Sunday a special invitation is given for this year’s Palm Sunday". Our Kirk Session has supported this initiative for our own congregation.NEW: Revd. Austin Wicks: The Presbytery of Perth was “delighted to induct the Revd. Austin Wicks to the charge of Clackmannan linked with Sauchie and Coalsnaughton on Thursday, 7th March. The Church was near to full capacity and a large number enjoyed refreshments after the service along with words of welcome for Austin and Alicia.”
Rev. Alan Reid: Our minister is the most recent of those in the new Presbytery of Perth to be filmed talking about some aspect of their church’s life – in our case, the importance of ministry by the whole the congregation. Watch it at: https://fb.watch/qJIsKBG-Sj/
Updated 22 February
World Day of Prayer - Palestine: The Church and Community Committee of the Presbytery of Perth has drawn special attention to this year's World Day of Prayer on 1 March and encouraged us all to take part. Each year the material is prepared by a different country, decided two years in advance. By what the Convener of the Committee called 'Godincidence', this year's material was drawn up by the women of Palestine. A presentation about the situation in Israel/Palestine was recently given to Presbytery by the Rev Muriel Pearson and commended by Alan Reid in his message for Sunday, 11 February. It can be accessed at: www.perthpresbytery.org.uk
Updated 15 February
Presbytery Services: The last of the Presbytery Mission Plans for our enlarged Presbytery of Perth were approved last year. As a result, churches can once more call new ministers and go ahead with reorganisation, if in accordance with the plan.
In this coming month alone, the Presbytery will be meeting to hold services for
• Induction of a new minister at Brechin and Farnell
• Linkage of Blair Atholl with Pitlochry
• Union of the Arbroath churches
• Induction of Rev. Austin Wicks at Clackmannan with Sauchie and Coalsnaughton
Updated 8 February
Presbytery Decisions: The Presbytery of Perth met on Saturday, 3rd February, in hybrid form for the first time. 135 attended in person and 76 on-line. Decisions of particular interest to us:
- Rev. Alan Reid was appointed Moderator of the Presbytery, starting in June for one year.
- Rev. Alan Reid and Gordon McFarlane, our Presbytery elder, were appointed as Commissioners to the May 2024 meeting of the General Assembly
- One space remains for a Youth Delegate to the General Assembly from Presbytery
- The call of Rev. Austin Wicks to Clackmannan linked with Sauchie and Coalsnaughton was sustained.
- Our fee to Presbytery for 2024 was assessed at £3,042.
Updated 25 January
The next meeting of the Presbytery of Perth for ordinary business is on Saturday 3 February at 10.30am in St Matthews Church, Tay Street, Perth. This is the Presbytery's first hybrid meeting, allowing presbyters to join online though it's hoped that many will still come in person, so that presbyters can continue to get to know one another better. The meeting will include a session focusing on the situation in Gaza with input from the Church of Scotland ministers at Jerusalem and Tiberias: St. Andrews. In the afternoon, there will be a conference session focusing on the Presbytery's first year and on where we are going in the future.
Updated 18 January
'Leading Worship' Course: The Presbytery Training Team has organised this course over three Saturdays (10 February, 24 February and 9 March) in St. Matthew's Perth from 10.00am - 4.00 pm each day. There are still spaces available. If you need further details about what is involved, please contact Alex Rae. fourraes@btinternet.com for information or to register.
Saturday 10 February: The Bible in worship, Speaking in Church, Prayer in worship.
Saturday 24 February: Music in worship, Preparing a service, how we bring all the elements together.
Saturday 9 March: Presentation of acts of worship.
Presbytery Buildings Officer: Click here to watch a video introducing the new presbytery buildings officer, Jamie McNamara. His job is to provide professional support to congregations to help them look after their buildings and is an example of the new help available because of the enlarged Presbytery.
11 January 2024
Unions and Linkages: One of the predictions for 2024 for the Presbytery of Perth by the Presbytery Clerk was 'that we look forward to a large number of Services of Linking and Services of Union.' These have now started, with Presbytery Services in the next month to mark: a new congregation of Carnoustie Trinity, formed from three existing congregations in the Carnoustie area; a linkage between four congregations just north of Kinross-shire of Dunbarney (Bridge of Earn), Forgandenny, Aberdalgie and Forteviot; a new congregation of Dundee North-East from four previous congregations. This union has decided on no separate church building but to use existing community facilities. And a new congregation of Broughty Ferry, formed from the union of four existing churches in Broughty Ferry and Barnhill.