Saint Fillan's Church

05/04/2026

𝘼𝙣 𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙫 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚, 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙪𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙀𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝

As we rejoice at the dawning of Easter we do so with the knowledge that we are living in a world of conflict. The list of countries caught up in war and deprivation seems to grow longer each year. Yet the family of the Church still gathers in communities across the world to rejoice at the resurrection, despite the seemingly increasing attempts of some to cause division amongst those who believe in Christ.

It was a joy last week to travel across the Highlands, visiting congregations who had taken time to prepare prayer stations, vigils and services to offer prayer and support to the people of the Middle East.

I was challenged by one person who asked why we weren’t praying for our own people. My reply was “we are”. The Church is a family spread across the world, and the people in church this morning in Jerusalem, New York, Hong Kong and Inverness are part of one family. If others are hurting, then so are we and when we rejoice we want all our sisters and brothers to rejoice.

I have listened to politicians attempting to use Christianity as a weapon of exclusion and division. “The Church is ours not yours.” It is therefore important that we declare this Easter morning that Jesus Christ is risen having freed his earthly family from sin, the family which his Father gave him, the family which is the people of this world.

A glorious Easter to our family across the world, may peace overcome and joy return as we pray for you as I know you pray for us.

Alleluia.

24/01/2026

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal joined Scottish faith leaders including the Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, in a candle-lighting ceremony for peace on Wednesday 21 January at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The interfaith gathering, which was convened by Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi OBE, centred on the shared act of candle-lighting for peace, emphasised the enduring virtues of reconciliation, mutual responsibility, and social harmony. It took place at a time when communities across Scotland are reflecting on how best to nurture cohesion, safeguard one another’s dignity, and respond constructively to social pressures affecting public life.

Alongside Her Royal Highness, senior representatives of Scotland’s faith communities and civic life took part in a collective expression of unity, care for neighbour, and shared stewardship of society and the environment entrusted to future generations.

Candles were lit by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, The Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi OBE, The Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Most Rev Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Rabbi Moshe Rubin, Senior Rabbi of Scotland, Dr Srihari Vallabhajosula, Hindu Leader in Scotland, and Ms Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Member of the Religions for Peace European Council of Religious Leaders.

Commenting after the ceremony Bishop Mark said: “Once again we have gathered here in this ancient place of prayer to offer each other and our communities a light of hope. All around us powerful people are trying to sow division amongst nations and faiths, and the world feels a bit less secure every day. Yet here in this small corner of the world the faith communities are willing to come together in friendship and to stand together in prayer, rejoicing in those things we hold in common and committed to offer the light of love to a world that so needs it.”

You can read more at our website here: https://www.scotland.anglican.org/princess-royal-and-faith-leaders-light-candles-for-peace/

Image: The Church of Scotland

16/01/2026

Second Sunday after Epiphany
18th JANUARY 2026
SUNG EUCHARIST AT 10 AM
by Bishop Donal Allister

OT reading: Isaiah 49:1-7
NT reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Gospel: John 1:29-42

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Hymns
Introit: 304 I come with joy
Offertory: 12 Alleluia Sing to Jesus
Communion: 77 Blest are the pure in heart
Recessional: 733 When God almighty came to earth

14/12/2025

Our carol service is tonight at 6 pm, where we will be joined by Buckstone Community Choir. The service will be followed by mince pies and refreshments. All welcome.

20/11/2025

This Sunday we will celebrate the feast of Christ the King followed by our AGM
Sunday 23 November 2025 - Christ the King

The Origins of Christ the King
The Feast of Christ the King is a relatively recent addition to the Western liturgical calendar. Its roots trace back to the 20th century when Europe was grappling with the aftermath of World War I. The war had ravaged Europe, leaving destruction in its wake. The loss of life was more significant than in any previous war in history. It is estimated that 20 million people died, and 20 million more were wounded. Governments teetered on the edge of economic collapse, and unemployment soared. In some places, people were on the brink of starvation.

The war ushered in significant political and social changes. Secularism was on the rise, and traditional institutions, including both monarchies and the Church, were facing challenges from emerging political ideologies like communism and fascism.
The old world, with its established social and political orders, was disintegrating. Pessimism and a sense of helplessness infected the people, exacerbated by the bitterness between nations. In this fertile ground for tyranny, figures like Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hi**er, and Joseph Stalin began to rise. In their distress, the people gravitated to anyone who could offer them hope.
In this climate of despair, Pope Pius XI saw people turning away from Christ, seeking hope, guidance, and sustenance from emerging dictators. Amid this shift, there was a growing inclination to relegate morality and the Church’s teachings to the annals of history, deeming them irrelevant in the modern age. In this modern worldview, Christ might be accepted as a historical figure but had no place in modern life.

Establishing the Feast
Recognizing that people were turning their backs on Christ in favor of secularism, materialism, and the false promises of tyrants, Pope Pius XI knew he had to act. In 1925, he issued his encyclical letter “Quas Primas” and established the Feast of Christ the King. His motivation was clear: to reaffirm the kingship of Christ, emphasizing that Jesus holds ultimate authority over all aspects of human life, including the political and economic realm. Pius intended the feast to counteract the secularization and atheism of the time, boldly proclaiming that Christ’s kingdom transcends worldly powers. Through it, he called on the faithful to consecrate themselves to the lordship of Jesus, reminding them that Christ must reign in our minds, wills, and hearts and that they must love God above all things and cleave to him alone.

Christ the King of Today
Our world today is not so very different from the world of Pope Pius XI. Peace remains elusive, political, social, and economic orders continue to falter, and most nations reject the kingship of Christ in their lives. The Feast of Christ the King remains as relevant today as it was in 1925.
As we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, let us embrace the reign of Jesus in every part of our lives, and let us hold fast to the promise that he will come again in power and great glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
And so we make our prayer,

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
By Ashley Tumlin Wallace

17/11/2025

07/11/2025

9th NOVEMBER 2025

SUNG EUCHARIST AT 10AM – REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

Readings:
OT reading: Job 19.21-27​​​​
NT reading: 1 Corinthians 15.51-57 ​​
Gospel: John 6.37-40​​


“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away”

Hymns
Introit: 494 – O God, our help in ages past
Offertory: 186 – For the healing of the nations
Communion: - 691 Thy Kingdom come O God (omit vs 4 & 5)
Recessional: 219 – God is our strength and refuge

St Fillan’s Church is a charity registered in Scotland (SC012371).
ST FILLAN’S, BUCKSTONE
DIOCESE OF EDINBURGH
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Welcome to our website! St Fillan's is an inclusive and friendly Episcopal church in the Diocese of Edinburgh, part of the Scottish Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. We are here to serve God and our local community, and we hope to be here for all who need us. Through ou ...

01/11/2025

We encourage the whole Diocese to pray together each day: for and with each other.

Today we pray for Bishop Mark, the children and young people across our Diocese, and all who minister with, to, and among them.

01/11/2025

We're running another Children's Come and Sing this year! If your child (P3-7) loves singing - or specifically Christmas carols - or just Little Donkey - this is the event for them. Totally free, Sat 6th December morning, with an informal performance at 11:30am.

www.cathedral.net/event-details-registration/childrens-come-sing-carols-2025

19/10/2025

We encourage the whole Diocese to pray together each day: for and with each other.

Today we pray for Bishop Mark and St Matthew's Episcopal Church - Rosslyn Chapel: for Gill, Harry, the vestry, and the congregation. We also pray for a few of their activities and events: lunchtime prayer; ecumenical holiday club; and their music group.

07/10/2025

In need of some calm? 😌🙏

It's Night Church tomorrow night (7 October) at St Peter's Church, Linlithgow, with poetry, music and silence. Come along at 7.30pm.

St James the Less Episcopal Church, Penicuik will also be holding a Night Church this week: on Saturday (11 October) at 7.30pm. There will be art, poetry, prayers, and chairs to relax in. Drop in for as long or as short a time as you want. Or pop into the Night Church at St Mungo's Church West Linton, next Tuesday (14 October) from 7.30pm. 😌🙏