From The Editor

CHANGE is something we have all necessarily had to become accustomed to in recent years.

So often people pay lip service to change but when the reality of change materialises, regret and loss can lead to hostility.

But part of the necessity of change is embracing (and acknowledging) failure. A year ago we profiled Lorenzo Lebrija, an Episcopalian priest who leads the US Episcopal church’s TryTank, a project where two-thirds of projects ultimately fail – but where the learning of failure is shared and ultimately contributes to the success of other initiatives.

He came to Scotland in the spring and ran workshops, encouraging those who attended to be confident and embrace and try change – to not be disheartened by failure.

Part of my summer reading list was the book Being Reverend by former journalist Matt Woodcock. Matt felt the call to the Anglican priesthood on his way to a Magistrates’ Court hearing and chronicled his journey from the newsroom to the pulpit in his first book Becoming Reverend. The second was published during the pandemic and escaped my radar, so it was a joy to read his diary of being in his first charge as a pioneer minister – in an established congregation in the centre of Hull on the brink of closure (he was nicknamed ‘Tigger’ by some members over his enthusiasm and impatience to change from a cold draughty church to a welcoming, inspiring and loving community of faith).

Part of a ministry team, his diary chronicles the human struggles of change – hostility, despondency, failure and – sometimes against the odds – success. His work as part of a team prepared to embrace new forms of ministry and outreach resulted in transformational success – but not without setbacks, fear and anxiety.

"At the heart of it all was a willingness to learn and embrace change in the name of sharing the love and peace of God.

At the heart of it all was a willingness to learn and embrace change in the name of sharing the love and peace of God.

As we move forward, Life and Work is similarly not immune to change. In 2023 we shall be relaunching and repositioning the magazine to connect, support, engage and resource the people of the Church of Scotland and beyond. The change will not compromise our editorial independence, but it will transform Life and Work to necessarily support the people of the Church of Scotland at a time of unprecedented change with unmissable reading every month.

My plea this month is for our readers to please continue to stay connected with and support us as we continue to proudly move forward anew on God’s path for the future.

 Lynne McNeil Editor