St Paul's Episcopal Church Rothesay

29/05/2026

We hope that all who knew Canon Ian will be able to attend this service as we give thanks for his life and ministry.
Clergy who wish to robe, please contact Provost Margi via the Cathedral webpage: https://www.stjohnsoban.org.uk/

24/05/2026

🙏🏼

24/05/2026

PILGRIMAGE FOR TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS

This October, join us on Iona - Scotland's 'thin place' - for rest, spiritual refreshment, and time together with other young Scottish Episcopalians. Led by Provincial Youth Leaders, this promises to be a special time in a special place!

For further info and to sign up, click here - https://tinyurl.com/IONAyouth26

30/04/2026

Have you ever wondered about the “big” questions? Why are we here? Why do bad things happen to good people? Is there a God? Just why is it so hard to put a duvet cover on?

It was these questions (well possibly not the last one) that prompted two priests from the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Rev Lesley Penny and the Rev Philip (Pip) Blackledge, to begin a new podcast which will premiere on Sunday 3 May – called “Talking Faith”.

Lesley, from St Peter’s Galashiels and St John’s Selkirk, said “Pip and I come from very different backgrounds. He is from the liberal High Church end of things with a proper choir, and I’m from a charismatic church and I play the guitar. As priests we are different in every possibly way, but we found the differences are complimentary and we learn a lot from each other.”

Pip, Rector at Holy Trinity Melrose, added: “As clergy we get asked a lot of questions from people, really good questions, but often when it’s hard to sit down and talk through the issues. So every podcast begins with a question or statement we have heard from folk who don’t normally go to church. Also, it’s a really good excuse to communicate how lucky we feel about living in the Scottish Borders, which is as near to heaven as you get whilst being still alive.”

As well as in depth discussions, there will be reaction videos, where the priests introduce each other to their favourite (and very different styles) of music, and the occasional interview and review.

“We disagree about a good deal, but we laugh a lot,” said Lesley, “and the heart of the podcast is being able to talk through difficult things in a supportive and helpful way."

Pip adds: “Hopefully people feel like we are having a conversation with them about the questions they have, and hopefully they think we’re good company!”

You can find Talking Faith on YouTube, or search for “Talking Faith” on any of the main podcast providers.

https://media.rss.com/talking-faith/feed.xml

https://www.youtube.com/

or find them on Facebook at Talking Faith Pod

Email: [email protected]

18/04/2026

The amazing, Annual Summer Youth Week is now taking bookings! Young people from across Scotland get together for a packed week of activities, worship, and space to grow together. See the link for more information. Feel free to share this post!

Ready to set off?
Yeek 26 — On the way.

SIGN UP HERE - https://forms.office.com/e/FEbihZDSNs

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.

02/04/2026