A new magazine aimed at connecting, encouraging and inspiring everyone involved in the ministries of the Church of Scotland has been officially launched.

More than 1,000 copies of Ascend have been sent out to people such as parish ministers, deacons, probationer ministers and military chaplains.

The Rev Neil Glover, convener of the Ministries Council, said: “Ascend is our new central point to bring together services for support and development.

“The launch of our new magazine is to help connect and communicate more meaningfully with those in ministry.

“It brings together a range of voices from ministry – both reflecting on the challenges we face, and looking at different ways we can support one another.”

The free magazine will be published quarterly, initially for a year.