St Aidan's Episcopal Church, Clarkston

17/09/2025

A historic declaration of friendship between the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Catholic Church in Scotland has been signed in Edinburgh, allowing them to work more closely together in future.

The Saint Ninian Declaration supports a deepening relationship between the two denominations, making greater co-operation possible while acknowledging that there are differences between the two churches.

The declaration was signed by Archbishop Leo Cushley on behalf of the Conference of Bishops of the Catholic Church in Scotland and by the Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Joint signings took place at Edinburgh’s two ‘St Mary’s’ cathedrals, first at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in York Place, and then at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Palmerston Place.

On the walk between the two cathedrals in glorious autumnal sunshine, the Declaration party was met by representatives of the Church of Scotland outside their offices in George Street, in a show of support and ever-strengthening ecumenical relationships.

Archbishop Leo Cushley said: “This declaration is not only for us, but for the people of Scotland whom we are called to serve. By deepening the friendship, we strengthen our common witness to the Gospel in a world that longs for hope and reconciliation. True friendship does not demand uniformity, but grows through honesty, trust, and love.

“As we sign this declaration, we are saying to our people: let us walk together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let our unity in Christ be a sign of God’s love for all. May this moment encourage us to look outward, shoulder to shoulder, as friends and partners in mission.”

Bishop Mark Strange said: “We sign this declaration on the feast day of St Ninian remembering the saint who first carried the Gospel to this land.

“Through this act we in the Scottish Episcopal and Roman Catholic Churches are committing to walk forward together as friends, on the same journey of faith that Ninian started over a thousand years ago.

“It gives us an opportunity to focus on what we share, and to trust that Christ calls us all to listen, to learn, and to serve this land as descendants of Ninian, side by side.”

The Saint Ninian Declaration and links to the recording of the service can be found here: https://www.scotland.anglican.org/churches-walk-together-at-signing-of-declaration/

Photographer: Andrew O'Brien

12/09/2025

06/09/2025

God Most High,
maker of heaven and earth,
you created humankind in your own image
and entrusted the whole world to human care:
give us grace to serve you faithfully,
that we might be trustworthy stewards of your creation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

31/08/2025

All seven Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church are among a group of faith leaders from across the UK who have written to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor asking them to “seize this moment to take decisive action to drive down child poverty.”

The letter, which was sent to Downing Street today, Sunday 31 August, calls for an abolition of the two child cap on social security. Recognising the economic pressure the government faces the letter goes on to make costed recommendations that increasing levies on gambling profits could be sufficient to raise half a million children out of poverty across the UK.

Commenting the Rt Rev David Railton, Bishop of Argyll and The Isles, said: “The Scottish Episcopal Church has long called for action to tackle child poverty. In congregations across Scotland Episcopalians are doing exceptional work: running food and clothing banks, holiday breakfast clubs, and offering warm and safe spaces to all who are in need. Nationally we offer grant funding to projects which address increasing poverty amongst families.

“These efforts, like those of many organisations who work to alleviate poverty, are made more difficult by a structure that leads to negative outcomes for so many families in Scotland and across the UK. The suggestions made in the letter would have an immediate and lasting impact, and we implore the Prime Minister and the Chancellor to take them seriously.

“Faith groups and charities across the country are doing our bit to tackle poverty, and it is time that the Government did the same.”

The letter, which was drafted by the The Joint Public Issues Team of the Baptist, Methodist, and United Reformed Church has been signed by 38 faith leaders representing the five major faith groups in the UK.

You can read the letter in full here: https://www.scotland.anglican.org/bishops-sign-letter-on-child-poverty/

30/08/2025

O loving God, who called your servant Aidan to Christian mission in Northumbria, and endowed him with gentleness, simplicity and strength: Grant, we ask you, that we, following his example, may use what you have given us for the relief of human need, and may persevere in commending the saving Gospel of our Redeemer Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

23/08/2025

Almighty and eternal God, by your generous love you grant to those who pray more than is desired or deserved: pour down your mercy upon us, forgiving what our conscience fears, and granting what we dare not ask; through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

18/08/2025

https://ceceurope.org/storage/app/media/2025-news/20250722season-of-creation-2025-en-final21.pdf

16/08/2025

O God, you make known your almighty power in your merciful compassion: increase your mercy towards us; that we, being eager for your promises, may inherit the treasures of heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

15/08/2025

https://www.sacristy.co.uk/products/advent-in-bethlehem

A series of Advent studies reflecting on people in the Bible associated with Bethlehem, relating their experiences to Bethlehem today, and inviting readers to consider their significance for their own Christian lives.

09/08/2025

Open your merciful ears, O Lord, to the prayers of your humble servants: and, that you would graciously grant what we ask, make us desire what is pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

02/08/2025

Grant to us, Lord, the spirit to think on those things that are right, and always to be ready to do them: that we, who without you cannot be alive, may have the strength to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

26/07/2025

O God, whose providence orders all things in heaven and earth: keep from us everything harmful, and lead us to all that is good; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.