• Discipline Tribunal hearing to be rescheduled

    The Clergy Discipline Tribunal hearing into allegations against Bishop Anne Dyer, scheduled for September 2024, has been postponed following an application on behalf of the Bishop for further preparation time. The request was granted by the Tribunal. The hearing was scheduled to begin on 10 September 2024 in Edinburgh, and work is now underway to […]

  • Bishop Dorsey to stand down as Acting Bishop of Diocese

    The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell will stand down as Acting Bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney at the end of July, to return to the family home in New Hampshire in the United States to support his wife Betsy as she undergoes surgery and for the subsequent period of her recovery. Bishop Ian […]

  • Ecumenical group shares St Magnus Day Pilgrimage

    Final-year ordinand Helen Randall reports on the St Magnus Day Pilgrimage which took place in Shetland earlier this year. An ecumenical group, developing pilgrimage in Shetland, has been meeting together for over four years, sharing historical information about early Christian sites, and reflecting on different aspects of pilgrimage, as well as sharing soup and sweet […]

  • Discipline Tribunal to hear complaints against Bishop

    In November 2023, the Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) of the Scottish Episcopal Church referred to the Church’s Procurator a number of complaints lodged under Canon 54 against the Rt Rev Anne Dyer, Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney. The complaints had been referred to the Procurator for further consideration following investigation by the PPC. The Procurator, […]

  • We Are Ambassadors – an Easter Day meditation

    On Easter Day, Bishop Dorsey McConnell offers the last in his series of six daily meditations during Holy Week. Easter Day – We Are Ambassadors Jesus said to [Mary], “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to […]

     

  • You are Clothed in Christ – a Holy Saturday meditation

    Holy Saturday marks the fifth of Acting Bishop Dorsey McConnell’s series of six daily meditations during Holy Week. “The meditations address a question that was posed at Synod, Who Are We?, and are based on six images used by Saint Paul to describe the Church in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 For. 2:14-5:21),” […]

     

  • We are God’s Vessel – a Good Friday meditation

    Good Friday marks the fourth of Acting Bishop Dorsey McConnell’s series of daily meditations during Holy Week. “The meditations address a question that was posed at Synod, Who Are We?, and are based on six images used by Saint Paul to describe the Church in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 For. 2:14-5:21),” says […]

     

  • We are God’s Glory – a Holy Week meditation

    Maundy Thursday marks the third of Acting Bishop Dorsey McConnell’s series of daily meditations during Holy Week. “The meditations address a question that was posed at Synod, Who Are We?, and are based on six images used by Saint Paul to describe the Church in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 For. 2:14-5:21),” says […]

     

  • You are God’s Letter – a Holy Week meditation

    During Holy Week, I am offering a series of meditations, writes Bishop Dorsey McConnell. They address a question that was posed at Synod, Who Are We?, and are based on six images used by Saint Paul to describe the Church in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 For. 2:14-5:21). Each is linked to a particular […]

     

  • We are God’s Prize – a Holy Week reflection

    As we enter Holy Week, I am preparing a series of meditations which you will receive beginning Tuesday, writes Bishop Dorsey. They address a question that was posed at Synod, Who Are We?, and are based on six images used by Saint Paul to describe the Church in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 […]

  • Bishop Dorsey’s Sermon and Charge at Diocesan Synod

    Sermon and Charge delivered by the Right Reverend Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop of the United Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, at the Opening Eucharist of the Diocesan Synod on 2 March, 2024  The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling […]

  • A message from Bishop Dorsey: “thank God for Passiontide”

    The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop, sent a message to all in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney for Passiontide: Beloved in the Lord; Every year, as we approach Lent, I am never quite ready for it. I never know what to expect. I think I know my habitual sins after all these years, […]

     

  • A message for Ash Wednesday: Look up to the glory of God

    The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop, sent a message to all in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney on Ash Wednesday: Beloved in the Lord; Today in the world’s calendar is that feast of love known as Saint Valentine’s Day.  Back in the States, this is a big deal, especially for the retail sector.  […]

  • A message at Epiphanytide: Look up to the glory of God

    The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop, sends a message to all in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney at Epiphanytide Dear Friends in Christ I do a good deal of walking in Aberdeen, and I notice the others who walk.  They are a remarkable variety of human beings – Africans and Scots, Slavs and […]

  • Passing of Rev Alan Bartlam

    The Reverend Alan Bartlam, a retired priest in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney, has sadly passed away. The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop of the Diocese, paid tribute to a “caring and faithful priest”. “I am sad to inform you that our brother, the Reverend Alan Bartlam, passed away suddenly last Thursday,” said […]

  • Passing of Agnes O’Sullivan

    Agnes O’Sullivan, wife of the Reverend Richard O’Sullivan, Rector of Peterhead, Longside and Old Deer, sadly passed away yesterday morning. The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop of the Diocese, paid tribute to her “grace and courage” in her battle with illness. He said: “Our dear sister in Christ Agnes O’Sullivan, wife of the Reverend […]

  • A Christmas message from Bishop Dorsey

    The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney, offers this Christmas message: Beloved in the Lord When my son was very small, sometimes on a bright afternoon, I would sit on the sofa with him beside me. He would often be in a reflective mood, chatting away in that […]

  • A message for Advent from Bishop Dorsey

    Bishop Dorsey McConnell has sent a message for the season of Advent to everyone in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney, where he is Acting Bishop. Recalling a childhood experience of repentance and his mother’s love, which he has carried in his heart throughout his life, Bishop Dorsey asks: “For the remaining days of Advent, […]

  • Joint announcement from Diocese and Westhill

    The Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney and Westhill Community Church near Aberdeen – formerly part of the Scottish Episcopal Church – have reached agreement on the way forward following a vote by the members of Westhill Community Church on the 17th January 2019 to leave the Scottish Episcopal Church and follow a different path. The […]

  • Reach out to one another and walk together, urges Bishop Dorsey

    Bishop Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney, has written to the diocese following last week’s development in the Canon 54 process. The letter appears below in full. Dear Friends in Christ It was announced last week that the PPC have forwarded to the Scottish Episcopal Church’s internal procurator complaints against Bishop Anne Dyer.  […]

  • PPC arrives at decision on Canon 54 complaints

    The Preliminary Proceedings Committee (PPC) of the Scottish Episcopal Church has investigated the complaints lodged under Canon 54 regarding Bishop Anne Dyer. Those complaints which the PPC has decided require further consideration have been referred to the Church’s internal procurator as the next stage of the canonical process. The remainder have been dismissed. The Church’s […]

  • Bishop Dorsey arrives in Aberdeen to start new role as Acting Bishop

    Bishop Dorsey McConnell has spoken of his hope that people will come together and take forward the mission of the Gospel in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. The former Bishop of Pittsburgh, who has been Assisting Bishop in Aberdeen & Orkney since last year, started in his new role as Acting Bishop on 1 […]

     

  • The College of Bishops appoints Bishop Dorsey McConnell as new Acting Bishop in Aberdeen and Orkney

    The College of Bishops has appointed Bishop Dorsey McConnell to take over from Bishop John Armes as Acting Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney. Bishop John has completed a year in the position of acting bishop of the Diocese having carried out his temporary duties there in tandem with his role as Bishop of Edinburgh. Bishop […]

     

  • Ordination of Godwin Chimara and Ferdinand von Prondzynski

    On Saturday (September 23) the Rt Rev Dr John Armes ordained Godwin Chimara and Ferdinand von Prondzynski as Deacons at a special service at St John’s, Aberdeen. Following their ordinations both Godwin and Ferdinand will continue in the Diocese, with Godwin to serve as Assistant Curate at St John’s and St James’s, Aberdeen; and Ferdinand […]

  • Bishop Keith Riglin RIP

    Yesterday (24 September) the College of Bishops announced the sad news that the Rt Rev Dr Keith Riglin, Bishop of Argyll & The Isles, passed away that morning. The Rt Rev Dr John Armes, Acting Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney, said: “This is a time of great sorrow as we mourn the death of Bishop […]