From The Editor

THE ‘business’ and message of the Church can sometimes dominate

PRAYER

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see

LETTERS

In November it was Remembrance Day and we were celebrating

The Big Question

Would you like to take part in a future Big

A poetry present

Ron Ferguson reflects on a new spiritual gift for newly qualified doctors

The more we can do together, the better

The Moderator, the Rt Rev Dr Russell Barr reflects on a historic moment in the life of the Church of Scotland and the Church of England

‘A movement, not a programme’

Thomas Baldwin examines the work of the Church of Scotland's Path of Renewal project

A spiritual journey

Thomas Baldwin meets author and activist Alastair McIntosh, a Quaker rooted in Presbyterianism

MSPs and the Church

Irene MacKinnon reports on the work of a pioneering project bringing together local people (through churches) and Members of the Scottish Parliament

A Critical Lifeline

The Head of Oxfam Scotland Jamie Livingstone offers a first hand account of the ongoing food crisis in Malawi

Keeping watch over Loch Awe

The Very Rev Dr Ian Bradley reflects on a beloved architectural treasure in Argyll

Releasing gifts

Jackie Macadam examines how congregations in long term vacancy cope with maintaining their Christian witness and presence

The Big Picture

Digital photographs only should be sent to magazine@lifeandwork.org accompanied by

The ‘New Guild’

In the second part of our focus on the Church of Scotland Guild, the changing face of the group at Arbroath: St Andrew’s comes under the spotlight

The Danish influence

John R Hume highlights the link between Lauder Parish Church and a key part of Scotland’s ecclesial history

University pioneer

Thomas Baldwin reports on a new ministry established by the Church of Scotland in Stirling

BB SCOTLAND DIRECTOR APPOINTED TO UK-WIDE ROLE

The director of the Boys’ Brigade Scotland has been appointed

FORMER MODERATOR HONOURED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

A former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church

HONORARY DOCTORATE FOR PRINCIPAL CLERK

The Principal Clerk, and former Moderator of the General Assembly

PICTISH CROSS FRAGMENTS REDEDICATED

A service of rededication took place in St Andrew’s church,

GUILD WEEK PRESENTATIONS

Kenmure Church, Bishopbriggs celebrated the end of Guild Week and

70 YEARS AN ELDER

Alex Gowans celebrated 70 years as an elder of the

HONOURING FORMER MINISTERS

A Port Glasgow church has installed new stained glass windows

SURPRISE GUESTS

Six surprise guests attended the celebrations to mark the retirement

LONG SERVICE

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of

Facelift for historic Perth church

Thomas Baldwin reports on a church in Perth which was transformed during 2016

A miraculous escape

The Very Rev Dr Andrew McLellan considers the messages drawn from the Bible’s retelling of Peter’s times in prison

CREATIVE IDEAS FOR WILD CHURCH

Taking all-age worship and learning outdoors Written by: Mary Jackson

ENRICHING OUR VISION OF REALITY

The Andreos Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the

DETHRONING MAMMON

For the Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2017 Lent book, he has

Old partners

The Very Rev Dr James Simpson considers the importance of the church hymn book