Exploring Faith and Spirituality
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b)
Listening, exploring, developing new things, and building on established practices, seeking to allow all to live their Christian life in all its abundant fullness. Christians respond to God’s call in their life through Baptism and continue to love God and their neighbours through word and deed, as churches and as individuals in and outside church activities.
The Diocese has an Advisor for Christian Life – Very Revd Dr Jenny Holden who works with individuals and congregations to delve deeper into the Christian Life, providing resources, affirming and encouraging them and providing information in a variety of different media relevant to their church background and maturity of faith to engage.
Resources
Resources are offered by the Diocesan Advisor for Christian Life who works alongside others where there is a need. Resources are offered for Seasons of the Year (link to Advent 2023 and Lent 2024 resources], and other areas of church life.
Online courses are offered at certain times of the Christian year – around Christmas (Advent) and Easter (Lent to Pentecost) {link to examples – Way to the Cross (Lent-Pentecost 2024), Advent (2023).
Abide in me as I abide in you.
(John 15:4a, 9)
As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you; abide in my love.
What we Believe
We believe in a generous God who made, sustains and loves all that is. We believe that God is – in and of God’s eternal being – Love itself.
Prayer
Prayer is a way we can communicate with God. We can give thanks, ask for help for ourselves, people in trouble as well as places and communities.
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage is an ancient practice of a journey with intention, seeking to deepen our connection with God, creation and ourselves.
Food For thought
This section contains a variety of material, some for individual or group use for particular times of the year (e.g. Christmas, Easter).
Children and Young people
A range of activities for children, youth and families are offered by congregations across the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney.
Quite Days and Retreats
Quiet Days and Retreats allow individuals and groups the opportunities to spend time with God and to listen to what He is saying to us away from the busyness of everyday life.
Vocations
Everyone has a vocation as we are called to be human, to love God and to love others. Each of us has gifts, skills and abilities and we are invited to explore how to best use them.
For some people God is calling them to particular roles – licensed and ordained ministry. You may feel God calling you to this, you might be curious and want to know more or others may have mentioned it to you.
The first person to speak to you is your Priest but you can find out more about authorised ministries and how vocations to these ministries are discerned in the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Church Stories – The Diocese oF Aberdeen and Orkney
The chalking of the door
In Scottish Episcopal Churches, as well as in various other Christian traditions, the practice of writing letters and symbols in chalk above or on the church door is typically associated with the Epiphany blessing. This tradition occurs around the time of the Feast of the Epiphany, which is celebrated on January 6th, marking the visit of the Magi (the three wise men) to the Christ child.
The letters and symbols written in chalk include the current year and the initials C, M, and B, separated by crosses. For example, for the year 2024, it would look like this: 20 † C † M † B † 24.
Here’s what these symbols represent:
- The Year: The first and last numbers represent the year (e.g., 20 and 24 for the year 2024).
- The Crosses: The crosses (†) symbolize Christ.
- The Initials (C, M, B): These have a dual significance:
- They are traditionally understood to stand for the names of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.
- They also represent the Latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat,” which means “May Christ bless this house.”
This blessing is a way to ask for God’s protection and presence over the church and its congregation throughout the coming year. The practice is a visual reminder of the Epiphany season and the manifestation of Christ to the world, symbolized by the visit of the Magi.