• Resources for Lent and Eastertide 2024

    Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on the 14th February, with Easter Sunday being the 31st March and Pentecost Sunday is 19th May. This is the Season where we walk towards the cross and Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection and continue celebrating for 50 days after Easter. The Diocese is offering ‘Words for the Way’ for […]

     
  • Diocesen Lent Course 2024 – The Way to the Cross

    The Diocesan Lent Course 2024 will run from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost covering the Lent and Easter Seasons. It is called the Way to the Cross and is based on the Sunday lectionary readings for each week. Throughout the week we’ll reflect on the readings, and resources from the tradition (words, art, music, poetry and […]

     
  • 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 […]

  • In the beginning… Sunday 7 January

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Baptism’, you’re invited to reflect on your own baptism and what it means to you. Sunday 7th January is the day the Church celebrates Jesus’ Baptism – the Baptism of the Lord, The Collect is Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing […]

     
  • In the beginning… Days to Epiphany Recap

    We have reached the end of the fifth week of the Diocesan Advent Course which runs from the First Sunday in Advent to Baptism of the Lord (7th January 2024). We have also reached the Feast of Epiphany marking the visit of the Magi to Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Some points to ponder in reviewing […]

     
  • In the beginning… Saturday 6th January

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Epiphany’. What does Epiphany mean to you? The Collect for today: Eternal God, who by a star led wise men to the worship of your Son, guide by your light the nations of the earth, that the whole world may know your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives […]

     
  • In the beginning… Friday 5 January

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Tree’. Jesus encounters Nathanael under a fig tree, you’re invited to reflect on trees in scripture and how these connect to your faith life. The reflection for today can be read below, or downloaded from here: AdventCourse_5Jan

     
  • In the beginning… Thursday 4 January

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Come’. You’re invited to reflect on the phrase “Come, Lord Jesus”. The reflection can be read below, or downloaded from here: Advent_4Jan

     
  • In the beginning… Wednesday 3 January

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Witness’. How do you witness to Jesus in the world. The reflection for today can be read below, or downloaded from here: AdventCourse_3Jan

     
  • In the beginning… Tuesday 2 January

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Fullness’. What does living life in all it’s fullness mean to you? The reflection for today can be read below, or downloaded from here: AdventCourse_2Jan

     
  • In the beginning… Monday 1 January 2024

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Name’. You are invited to reflect on what a name means and it’s purpose. The 1st of January is New Year’s Day and the Feast of the Holy Name also known as the Naming of Jesus, prayers for these occasions are below. Collect for the Naming of Jesus: Eternal Father, we […]

     
  • In the beginning… Sunday 31 December

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Word’. What are words that allow you to praise God? The Collect for the First Sunday of Christmas is Almighty God, you have shed upon us the new light of your incarnate Word.  May this light, enkindled in our hearts, shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, […]

     
  • In the beginning… Christmas Week 1 Recap

    We have reached the end of the fourth week of the Diocesan Advent Course which runs from the First Sunday in Advent to Baptism of the Lord (7th January 2024) it is also the end of the first week of Christmas. Some points to ponder in reviewing the week are suggested, with a prayer and […]

     
  • In the beginning… Saturday 30 December

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Speak’. You’re invited to consider your own personal rule of life that allows you to hear as God speaks in all manner of ways. The reflection can be read below, or downloaded from here: AdventCourse_30Dec

     
  • In the beginning… Friday 29 December

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Revelation’. You’re invited to reflect on Simeon’s revelation in the Song of Simeon, what is your song of revelation? The reflection for today can be read below, or downloaded from here: AdventCourse_29Dec  

     
  • In the beginning… Thursday 28 December

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Justice’. We pray today for those children who do not experience justice in their lives. The Collect for today is: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose children suffered at the hands of Herod: receive, we pray, all innocent victims into the arms of your mercy.  By your great might frustrate […]

     
  • In the beginning… Wednesday 27 December

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Enlighten’. How do the works of John, Apostle and Evangelist illuminate your life? The Collect for today is: Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may walk in the light of your truth […]

     
  • In the beginning… Tuesday 26 December

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Gift’. You’re invited to reflect on Wenceslaus. Today is the Feast of St Stephen, Deacon and Martyr. The collect for the day is: Grant, O Lord, that we may learn to love our enemies by the example of your martyr, Saint Stephen, who prayed to you for his persecutors; for […]

     
  • In the beginning… Christmas Day

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Light’. The collect for Early Christmas Day morning is: God our Father, whose Word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem, may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ the Lord, who lives and reigns […]

     
  • In the beginning… Sunday 24 December

    Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the word for reflection is ‘Covenant’. What does covenant mean to you as we turn from Advent to Christmas on this day which is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. The Collect for this Sunday is: Heavenly Father, who chose the Virgin Mary, full […]

     
  • In the beginning… Advent Week 3 recap

    We have reached the end of the third week of the Diocesan Advent Course which runs from the First Sunday in Advent to Baptism of the Lord (7th January 2024). Some points to ponder in reviewing the week are suggested, with a prayer and link to a playlist with music suggestions from the week. The […]

     
  • 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 […]

  • In the beginning… Saturday 23 December

    Today’s word for reflection is ‘Ponder’. What makes you ponder, wonder and reflect as we approach the end of Advent? The antiphon set for today (the last of the Advent Antiphons) is O Emmanuel: O Emmanuel our King and law-giver, for whom the nations wait, O Saviour of all people: Come, Lord our God, and […]

     

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