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Welcome to December's Newsletter!

Information on courses, awareness dates, etc, are available via our Adventures in Faith pages:

News and Highlights

Church Photographs. It is that time of year again when we are updating the images to be used on our prayer diary socials... and we like to have a fresh image each year. Please send us a lovely shot of your church/es (without people), and if there is blue sky in the background, even better! Cathy is collating and updating; please email her via [email protected].

YEEK 2026 Leader Applications. If you, or someone you know, would like to be a Provincial Youth Leader at next year's Youth Week in Glenalmond College, fill in an application before 12noon on Friday 12 December. Each year sees a fresh round of applications, so even if you have not been before, you can still apply. More information and required dates are available on the front page of the form, which can be accessed here.

A Day for Those Recently Confirmed.

On Saturday 7 March 2026, we will be holding a day for those who have been confirmed since January 2024. This will be a day to reflect, pray, learn, and share with others who have been confirmed (or re-affirmed faith) in the last couple of years. The main part of the day starts at 12:30pm with lunch at St Mark's Portobello, and finishes with a chippy-tea in the evening (to which associated Rectors/Priests-in-Charge are invited). There is also an opportunity to explore St Mary's Cathedral in the morning, from 10:30am, before heading out to Portobello.

Physical invitations will be sent to congregations, to be passed onto individuals, very soon.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18–25 January). Resources for the 2026 theme "One Body, One Spirit" are now available on the CTBI website. These have been prepared by the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches.

Lent 2026. There will be no Diocesan Lent course produced for 2026. Early in the new year, there will be suggestions to enable the diocese to still journey through Lent together, should congregations wish to join in. Previous Lent courses are available on the diocesan website, along with signposts to other resources. These can all be accessed here.

Understanding Scottish Places. This online tool, using 2011 and 2022 census data, might be useful in understanding your geographical context, and so aid in mission planning. It will not be great for congregations in Edinburgh (which is reported as the whole city) but for those ministering in discreet towns/villages, the information may prove useful. https://usp.scot/

Awareness Days in December

We list Awareness Days that may be relevant for congregations to consider on our website here. Most entries have links to external websites that provide information and resources for the particular cause or event.

Bishop Search

Living God,

you walk with us in all seasons of life
calling us to follow you with joy, hope and love
as we share in your work of renewing the world;
give us humility and discernment to hear your voice,
that those discerning their calling
and all involved in our bishop search
may be encouraged in your ways
and open to your creative Spirit. Amen.

Update: Nominations have been received and application questionnaires have been sent. Completed questionnaires will be considered by the Preparatory Committee in the coming weeks to create a long-list of interviewees. Interviews will then take place during the week beginning 12 January 2026. Please continue to pray for all those involved in the work of the Preparatory Committee and those who have been nominated.

Key Dates

▶ Week beginning 12 January 2026 – Interviews of long-listed candidates.

▶ Saturday 7 February 2026 – Electoral Synod meets with 3–5 candidates.

▶ Saturday 14 February 2026 – Electoral Synod meets to undertake election.

There is a dedicated page on the website for this process:

edinburgh.anglican.org/bishop-search

Acting Bishop.

Bishop Mark will not be spending much time in Edinburgh Diocese, and much of the work that was done by Bishop Armes will be covered by Dean Frances. If you wish to contact the Bishop, please do so via Hannah Harcus, who will coordinate all the various needs with Dean Frances and Bishop Mark's PA. Thank you.

For Vestry members!

Thank you for encouraging your vestry members to attend our various autumn events, both trustee training and afternoon teas. Turn-out for the training in particular was really encouraging, and we are already looking ahead to 2026's dates. At this time of AGMs and changing vestry members, please do highlight both the quality and usefulness of this training. Our first date for next year for trustee training is Saturday 25 April 2026: please invite people to 'save the date', and location/booking details will be available in January.

Information, Guidance, and Sample Forms. As congregations begin new financial and calendar years, here is a reminder of links to information you might find helpful.

Learning & Development Opportunities

For detailed listings across a range of providers, check out the Courses page. This is updated very regularly and is a one-stop-shop for you to browse any time.

Next CMD Day: Tuesday 3 March 2026

We will be joined in the new year by the Revd Keith Thomasson, Rector of St Ninian's in Troon, and Chair of the Provincial Mission Board. He will be foreshadowing his course with the SEI on Leadership and Collaboration. Please mark your diaries, and more details about location will follow.

Trinity College, Glasgow has an exciting series of short courses on offer in the new year.

Apply by 15 December!

▶ Liturgy & Prayer in Christian Worship
Wednesdays, 14 January to 25 March, 4–6pm, £207.
▶ Creative Writing as Spiritual Reflection
Mondays, 19 January to 16 March, 7–9pm, £207.
▶ Leading in Church Change – a Masters Level Course Mondays from 26 January, 7–9pm, £799/£499.
▶ Intro to Ministry & Mission in Digital Culture
Wednesdays, 28 January to 25 March, 7–9pm, £207.
More information and booking via the Trinity College website

The Scottish Episcopal Institute offers courses that SEC clergy and readers can audit for free, or study for credit at minimal cost.

▶ Ecclesiology and Conflict, with the Rev Dr W. John Carswell. Tuesdays, 2–4pm, 6 Jan–10 Mar 2026.

▶ Theology of the Eucharist, with the Revd Prof Bryan Spinks. Wednesdays, 7–9pm, 7 Jan–18 Mar.

▶ Intermediate Biblical Hebrew, with Dr Amber Shadle. Thursdays, 7–8pm, 19 Feb–17 May.

▶ Reflective Practice: Leadership and Collaboration, with the Revd Keith Thomasson. Tuesdays 2–4pm, 24 Mar–9 Jun.

▶ Intermediate Biblical Greek, with Dr Patrick Murray. Thursdays, 7–8pm, 14 May–16 Jul.

Interested? Email:[email protected]

Save the Dates!

The Provincial Director of Ordinands and the Director of Contextual Studies are organising two days of events in April 2026. Friday 17 April is for those in recognised ministry, whilst Saturday 18 April is for the wider church membership. We hope to share more details with you soon, and ask that you deconflict planning as well as possible in the meantime. Thank you!

The College of Preachers offers a series of seminars and talks via Zoom. The regular Zoom seminars take place from 10:30am–1pm, and cost £12–£15.

▶ Mon 12 Jan: Preaching at Weddings

▶ Mon 26 Jan: Preaching in Lent
▶ Sat 7 Feb: Preaching Easter to Pentecost
▶ Thu 12 Feb: Preaching with Power: How to Prepare and Deliver Effective Sermons

Sarum College is offering the following short courses online this December:

▶ Franciscan Approaches to the Nativity:
Wednesday 10 December, 10am–1pm, £40.
▶ Journalling Workshop 2: Connecting with your Soul: Friday 12 December, 10am–1pm, from £40.

Find out more and book here.

The Arthur Rank Centre offers practical, context-specific training for those involved in rural ministry and mission. In 2026, the following courses are running:

▶ Rural Mission and Ministry, a two-day course in England: 19–20 May and 22–23 September, £350.
▶ Rural and Wild Course, is new for 2026, explores church outside the walls: 6–8 February, £350.

More information and booking via their website.

Children & Young People

Youth and Children’s Ministry Training Days 2026

In 2026, all involved in youth and children's ministry are invited to a series of training days at Ps & Gs Church. These events will be hold on a Saturday morning, 9am–1pm, and free to attend. Add these dates to your diary now and look out for registration links in future newsletters.

▶ 21 March

▶ 23 May

▶ 26 September

▶ 28 November

Wondering how to cater for younger members?

Thinking about all-age worship?

Is your current Roots subscription due for renewal?

The Diocese is a subscription ‘hub’ for ROOTS on the Web, enabling congregations to sign-up for access to Lectionary-based digital resources (including the 20-year back catalogue) for the subsidised cost of £20 for the year. Interested congregations should register via this form. One-month free trial here.

Play Church. Did you know that Play Church is hosted by congregations throughout the year? It is currently at St Ninian's, Comely Bank, with hosts scheduled until autumn 2026. If you want to host at some point in the future, get in touch with Fee and she can talk you through what is involved and/or slot you in as a future host!

Adventures in Faith and Events

The tenth SEI Lecture, entitled Scottish Theology and Scot-Land, is now available to watch-again via YouTube. Please find it, and previous lectures, on the SEI website: sei.scot/resources/sei-lecture/.

2026 Franciscan Peace Pilgrimage. This series of pilgrimages across England is being planned for July-October 2026. Each individual pilgrimage – rooted in history, culture, and spiritual tradition – offers its own sacred rhythm, inviting you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover what truly matters. At this stage, the organisers are asking people to complete the intention form. This does not commit you or them to a specific date or route, but indicates an opening of yourself to the possibility of pilgrimage, and aids in planning. Read more on the Spirit of Francis website.