Life and Work December 2020 Articles
From The Editor
Follow the Editor on Twitter @LifeWorkEditor CHRISTMAS 2020
SUBSCRIBE to Life and Work and SUPPORT the vital and vibrant work of the Church of Scotland
Packed every month across 52-pages with news, features
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, Morsel of salvation, Held in
Evolution debate
Cartoon: Bill McArthur I am grateful to the
The Big Question
This month’s question is: ‘How will this Christmas be different for you?’
Needs and wants
Ron Ferguson highlights the magic of Christmas and explains why the most important gifts cannot be bought
Today, tomorrow and for eternity
The Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair explains why the message of the Christ Child is not just for Christmas
A Covid Christmas
Jackie Macadam describes some of the challenges of marking Christmas in 2020
From Stevenston to shorthand
Jackie Macadam meets church member John Dawson whose shorthand skills have taken him from Ayrshire to the Houses of Parliament
The Big Picture
Harlaw reservoir by Wendy Sodergren Christmas tree at
A lochside parish
John R Hume charts the history of a church on the shores of Loch Leven
October Assembly business
Thomas Baldwin rounds up the business which took place at the online General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on October 2 and 3
Personal faith and politics
Politics student Sophia Johnston shares personal reflections about her faith and how it has shaped her world view
Call to stand in solidarity with Ethiopia
Leanne Clelland reports on a new resource for churches at Christmas
DRIVE-IN SERVICE
Bo’ness Old Kirk in West Lothian held a
BARN HARVEST
The rural Perthshire parish of Mid Strathearn held
DISPLAY WITH A DIFFERENCE
With a limit to the number of people
40 YEARS LONG SERVICE
Christine Mountain is pictured with her certificate for
ONLINE MEETING FOR INTERNATIONAL PRESBYTERY
Following the cancellation of its scheduled meeting in
Seed for life
Maggie Thorpe introduces a charity set up by church members which is helping to feed school children in Malawi
Unlocking the Magnificat
Ruth Harvey considers the message of Luke 1: 46 – 55
LOVE IS THE WAY
Holding onto Hope in Troubling Times
EVERYDAY BLESSINGS
Inspirational words of comfort and hope
FROM SRI LANKA WITH LOVE
Published by: TSL Publications Price: £15.34 Written by
J I PACKER
Published by Hodder & Stoughton Price: £14.99 Whilst
December 2020 Cryptic Crossword – Compiled by Peter Chamberlain
Across 1 ‘This --babe was born’, (carol) (7)
December 2020 Cryptic Crossword – Compiled by Peter Chamberlain
Across 1 ‘This --babe was born’, (carol) (7)
Christmas can’t be stolen
The Very Rev Dr John Chalmers reflects on the message at the heart of a children’s Christmas tale amid the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on this year’s celebration