This edition of the Diocesan newsletter contains images of Easter around the Diocese – the celebrations on the Orkney Islands are covered in detail at The Orkney Episcopal Churches: Triduum and Easter 2025. There is also notice of upcoming events in and around the Diocese, including the first week of Credo gatherings – the sign-up form can be found here.
Churches around the Diocese marked Holy Week with ecumenical gatherings, including participating in walks of witness on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. Stations of the Cross were followed in churches, including the new Community Stations at St John’s Aberdeen (which can be viewed here).
Easter Vigils across the Diocese (after sunset on Easter Eve, or early on Easter Sunday) are times where we hear scriptures, have new Pascal Candles blessed, renew Baptism vows and more. For the last few years St Thomas’ Aboyne has been holding an Easter Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday. ‘The service is ecumenical and is becoming increasingly popular, especially with families. We light the Paschal Candle and our own tapers from the bonfire then process into the church, proclaiming the light of Christ. Then there’s a short service – followed by tea, sausages and fellowship.’ At St John’s in Aberden members of the congregations of St John’s, St James and St Mary’s Aberdeen came together (following joint services through Holy Week), including the lighting of the new Paschal Candle in the Cloister Garden.
On Easter Sunday, many churches were richly decorated, making the most of a late Easter and the bounty it provides in nature. At St Mary-on-the-Rock, Ellon Jessie was baptised and made her own baptism cake, decorated with pomegranates and other Christian symbols. On the Saturday after Easter St Peter’s Peterhead had one of their very popular Buttery mornings – continuing the celebrations.
Looking ahead we have the first week of Credo gatherings – a ‘One God Lunch’ on Monday 19th May in Aberdeen followed by gatherings in Alford on Wednesday 21st (12-2pm) and Banchory (7.30-9.30pm) on Thursday 22nd.
On Saturday 3rd May at St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow the new Bishop of Glasgow was consecrated. The Right Reverend Dr Nicholas Bundock, who was elected last year, and previously was a Rector of a church in the Diocese of Manchester. Bishop Anne vested Bishop Nick with the stole at the consecration.
In a message to the Diocese following the election of Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Anne said “It is with joy that we welcome Pope Leo XIV, following his election yesterday. We join our prayers to those of our ecumenical partners around the world. Please include prayer for the Pope Leo in your intercessions, especially on Sunday.”. A prayer offered for use is: Almighty God, shepherd and guardian of all, We pray for your servant Pope Leo. Grant him grace to follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, to preach the Gospel with boldness, to build up your people in unity and peace, and to serve them with humility and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Royal School of Church Music Scottish Voices choir are singing Evensong at St Machar’s Cathedral on Saturday 10th May at 4pm. The choir director is Frikki Walker (who is Director of Music at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow).
During the third and fourth weeks in May Prof Miroslav Volf of Yale Divinity School is giving the Gifford Lectures in Aberdeen on ‘God and the Character of our relation to the world.’ The lectures will be streamed online and available to watch afterwards, as well as being able to attend in person. More information is available on the University of Aberdeen’s website.
Save the Date: The Provincial Net Zero team will be hosting a Net Zero Roadshow at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Aberdeen on Saturday 27th September 2025. More details closer to the time.