Our role in the Community

Church of Scotland churches play a crucial role across a range of communities, from remote villages to deprived urban areas where shops, banks, schools, and other institutions have disappeared.

Pastoral care of people is an essential part of Christ's calling to the Church, particularly in times of need. As part of their caring task, local churches also aim to resource and run projects relating to groups who need support. 

How we worship

Worship within the Church of Scotland is for everybody, regardless of age, nationality, status, or ability. Patterns of worship vary from church to church and this generally means that people can find a place of worship where they feel comfortable.

The minister is responsible for leading worship, although increasingly, church members are involved in both planning and helping to lead worship. Regular services of worship are at the heart of the life of the Church, but congregational life often includes prayer groups, Sunday school for children, adult education,  social activities, and support groups for people facing problems.

Music is an essential part of the Church's worship and can take a wide variety of forms. Increasingly, multimedia, such as video, is used during church services to help spread the word of God in the 21st century. Preaching is central to the Church of Scotland's way of worshiping God. The preacher, usually the minister, will share a message drawn out of a passage from the Bible. Preaching aims to help people interpret and apply the Bible's teaching to modern life. 

Holy Communion

Holy Communion, also called the Lord's Supper, is open to all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and have made public profession of faith.