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Welcome to September's Newsletter!

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

Marking Creationtide

Creationtide, or the 'Season of Creation', begins on 1 September and runs until 4 October. We have updated the Creationtide web page on the diocesan website to include details about the newly instated Festival of Creation in Christ and the 2026 Season of Creation. Below, we've listed a few other ways you can mark Creationtide.

Online Prayer Service, 1 September

On 1 September, at 2pm UK time, the 2026 Season of Creation will begin with an online prayer service held by the Anglican Communion. You can join the service, or find out more about it, here.

Access the Anglican Communion's useful web page about the Season of Creation here.

Creation Sunday Event, 6 September

On 6 September, St Peter’s Musselburgh will be holding a day of worship, reflection and conversation to explore what it means to care for God’s creation in a world facing profound and complex challenges.

With John Bell of the Iona Community, they'll reflect on navigating the climate crisis alongside the many other pressures shaping our world – from war and political uncertainty to economic inequality and the rapid growth of AI.

A team from the Musselburgh Churches Together Eco-group will facilitate a second seminar exploring caring for God’s creation in our own communities and everyday lives.

The day starts with a Creation Sunday Service at 10.30am, followed by a bring-and-share lunch in the church hall at 12 noon, with seminars from 1–3pm. All are welcome.

Hope for Creation Conference, 20–21 October, Stirling

The Scottish Episcopal Net Zero team is organising a residential conference, Hope for Creation, on 20–21 October in Stirling. The conference will provide opportunities for worship, discussion and learning, with contributions from across the SEC, ecumenical partners, and partner organisations.

Bethany Nelson, Net Zero Empowerment Co-ordinator, says: “Plans for this conference were drawn up in response to the feedback from attendees of the Net Zero Roadshow events, which took place over the past year ... Hope for Creation will also allow us to share our learning with, and learn from, ecumenical guests and partner organisations."

Further information and booking are available via the Eventbrite event page.

People's Emergency Briefing: Could You Host a Screening?

During Creationtide, two churches in the Diocese of Edinburgh – St Columba's by the Castle and St James, Goldenacre – will be hosting community screenings of the People’s Emergency Briefing, a 50-minute film that aims to engage its viewers with the issues of climate change. The Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane is arranging Creationtide screenings in each of its Area Councils.

We've put together a page for any churches that are considering hosting a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing, with useful advice from three Diocese of Edinburgh churches. Find out more.

Let us know if you're hosting any Creationtide events, or screening a People's Emergency Briefing! Email Cathy at [email protected]

People News

The Revd Simon Schofield has been appointed as Priest-in-Charge of St Fillan's, Buckstone. Simon's collation will take place on 1 October at 7pm.

Revd Diana Hall has been appointed as Rector of St John’s, Dumfries. Diana says, “I'm delighted to accept the call to become the next Rector of St John's, Dumfries, joining a congregation with a reputation for ecumenism, a strong musical tradition, and creativity. I am looking forward to exploring how God is calling us to be Good News in Dumfries and beyond. I received a wonderfully warm welcome from everyone I met during the discernment process, and although I'll miss the people of Leith, I'm excited to get to know you all, and to explore Dumfries and Galloway. My two spaniels will also be delighted to be living within easier reach of the hills!”

Diocesan Lent Course: Called to Be ...

Called to Be ... is a new Lent Course as we think about discipleship. This course will take five images of how we are called by Jesus to Follow. It will be an opportunity to explore who we are before God, how we relate to God and to others, and where we might want to deepen the journey during Lent.

Called to Be ... will be available from the beginning of January. Further details are available from Revd Sophia Marriage.

Catch-Up Opportunities

Festival Broadcasts

As the Edinburgh Festival draws to a close, why not take the chance to catch up on Radio 3's Choral Evensong from St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh on Wednesday 19 August and Radio 4's Sunday Worship from the Festival City of Edinburgh on Sunday 23 August? Both are available on BBC Sounds for the next three weeks.

Talking Faith

Revd Lesley Penny and Revd Philip Blackledge's new podcast includes reaction videos as well as conversations exploring key subjects in faith and ministry, and interviews with Bishop Dagmar and the Primus. Catch the podcast at either of the links below.

Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/talking-faith/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TalkingFaithPod

Diocesan Support

Grants: Next Deadline 25 November. The DMMC Grants Committee meets in the first weeks of March, June, September, and December each year. If you wish to apply for a grant, your application should be with the DMMC Team by the 25th of the previous month. Click on the links below to find out more:

▶ Youth & Children's Grant

▶ St Hilda's Grant

▶ CMD Grant

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.

Trinity College Glasgow is offering a range of short courses starting this autumn. Hurry to apply – the deadline for all of these courses is Friday 11 September.

Preaching in Church Contexts
Wednesdays from 23 September to 2 December, 4–6pm, hybrid, £207.50.
Contemporary Visual Art and Christian Worship
Thursdays from 24 September to 19 November, 7–9pm, online, £207.50.
Pastoral Practice for Church Leaders
From Thursday 24 September, online plus a placement in Semester 2, £415.
History and Theology of Christian Worship
Tuesdays from 29 September to 24 November, 6.30–8.30pm, online, £207.50.
Disability Theology in Context
From Monday 5 October, 7–9pm, online, £TBC.
Intro to Ministry & Mission in Digital Culture
Wednesdays from 7 October to 2 December, 7–9pm, online, £207.50.

Information about upcoming short courses via the Trinity College website.

The College of Preachers has released its webinar schedule until December. Get more information on any of the courses below on the College of Preachers website.

Preaching as Storytelling
Saturday 12 September, 10:30am–1pm, £15.
Introduction to Preaching
Thursday 17 September, 11am–1pm, £15.
Preachers' Forum
Tuesday 22 September, 7:30–9pm, free.

Learning from Black History Month
Thursday 1 October, 7–8.30pm, £15.
Speaking Faithfully: Preaching for Broadcast Media & Online
Saturday 10 October, 2–4pm, £12.
Preaching as Men and Women
Monday 12 October, 7–9pm, £15.
Preachers’ Forum
Tuesday 20 October, 7:30–9pm, free.
Preaching on Empty
Wednesday 21 October, 12–1pm, £5.
Preaching the Incarnation from Advent to Epiphany
Wednesday 4 November, 2–4.30pm, £15.
Getting to Grips with Mark’s Gospel
Saturday 21 November, 10am–12pm, free.
Resting in the Word
Thursday 10 December, 12–1pm, £5.

Church Grants is running an online webinar, Planning a Church Fundraising Appeal, on 17 September at 10.30am. The training will cover how to start planning for a major capital appeal, different income streams, examples of resources to help, and more. The training costs £9.99. Find out more and sign up here.

St Martin-in-the-Fields’ Autumn Lecture Series, Here I Stand, is returning from 1 September. You can access these lectures online for a donation of £10 each. Get the full schedule and book on the St Martin-in-the-Fields website.

The Epiphany Group has three courses planned for 2026 to 2027:
▶ Spiritual Conversation Formation Programme: Tuesdays 22 September 2026 to early May 2027, 7–9.30pm online plus Friday and Saturday sessions in Edinburgh in person, £840.

▶ God’s Invitation to Relationship: An Introduction to Ways of Praying: Thursdays from 5 November to 10 December 2026, 7–8.30pm online, free.

▶ Growth in Prayer & Reflective Living: Tuesdays 3 November 2026 to 16 March 2027, 7–9pm online plus three in-person Saturdays in Edinburgh, £450.

Information about courses on Epiphany’s website

New College, Edinburgh is hosting a Continuing Ministerial Development Day for Ministers and Worship Leaders, open to all, on 23 September. Academics from Edinburgh's School of Divinity and beyond will offer new thinking on the Gospels of Mark and John, the role of the Church in our digital age, how sport and religion might fruitfully interact, and what pastoral care for bilingual people might look like. Find out more and book here.

The Calling Leadership Conference will take place in the SEC Armadillo, Glasgow, on 2 October. Find out more.

The New College Festival of Books and Belief is being held from 6–7 November. Find out more and book here.

Children and Young People

Fun at YEEK

Yeek 2026 took place from 26 July to 1 August, gathering 50 delegates and 23 leaders from Shetland to Dumfries and Dunoon to Aberdeen. Revd Juliet Stephenson and Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon from the Diocese of Edinburgh were part of the leadership team.

The theme of this year's Yeek was “On The Way” and delegates explored the many different ways in which faith – and life – are like a journey: we search for direction and purpose; we encounter detours and interruptions along the way. There are challenges to overcome, and in any adventure there is risk and uncertainty, growth and change, and a homecoming.

This year's Yeek photobook is outstanding! Do check it out here or by clicking the graphic above.

beHeld: Training and Prayer Breakfasts

beHeld: Youth & Children’s Ministry Training Days

In 2026, all involved in youth and children's ministry are invited to a fresh series of training days at Ps & Gs Church called 'beHeld'. The next is on 26 September (the final date this year is 28 November). Each is on a Saturday morning, 9am–1pm, with light refreshments, worship, and the chance to hear from experts on key subjects.

beHeld costs £15 per session, but the diocese will cover the cost of one ticket per charge. Just email us at [email protected] with your name and charge, and we'll book you in for 26 September.

beHeld: Youth & Children’s Ministry Prayer Breakfasts

Did you know that Ps & Gs hold monthly ecumenical prayer breakfasts for all those who work in paid youth and children's ministry? There's tea, coffee, pastries, prayer, and lots of sharing of ideas and resources. All sessions run from 10–11.30am, and the next two dates are 16 September and 11 November.

If you'd like more information, contact Rachel Cooney: [email protected].

Could you be the next host of Play Church?

Play Church will be available from November! Would you like to host it in your charge? It comes with outfits, props, books, an instruction booklet, and lots of opportunities to interest and engage children in the various services and traditions of the Scottish Episcopal Church. If you're interested, email [email protected].

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.

Are you planning to host a Youthscape Essentials (YSE) course for your team or local church network this term?

Youthscape is holding a free online ‘All You Need to Know’ Hosting Workshop on 10 September from 2–4pm. Learn:

How to navigate and use the YSE online portal effectively
Top tips for facilitating engaging group discussions and sessions

There will be practical guidance on organising your timeline and course materials, and a live Q&A space to answer any specific hosting questions you have.

Book onto the 10 September course here.

Adventures in Faith

The monthly Adventures in Faith Newsletter from Edinburgh Diocese shares lots of ideas for your ongoing Christian life. Each month, there are news items, courses, events, and ideas for you to explore. You can read past mailings, and sign up to receive future ones, via the diocesan website (tinyurl.com/EdinburghAIF).

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.