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THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF ARGYLL AND THE ISLES

The United Diocese of Argyll & The Isles covers the mainland of Argyll and stretches from the northern tip of Lewis to the Mull of Kintyre encompassing the Hebrides, Skye, Mull and Iona and including Bute, Arran and Cumbrae.

We are a Diocese embracing a rich and varied culture in our past and our present. Our stories begin with Celtic saints and a history narrated in the language of the Gaels, still strong in areas of our Diocese.

Our geographical area is made up of ancient settlements and new townships; we encompass mountains and hills, lochs, rivers and seas, moorland and machair, crofts, land and sea farms, centres of culture and a diversity of trade and occupations.

Our landscape of land and sea  influences our population numbers and means that we are the largest Diocese geographically but the smallest numerically.  Our people are as varied as our landscape – with local families whose ancestors are intrinsically linked to the land and sea, together with those who have chosen to settle here for work, retirement or as holiday home visitors. Our travel is often along single track roads or on ferries at the mercy of the weather, but our journeys take us through some of the most beautiful landscapes. These, together with the HIAL (Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd) and Hebridean Air Service and West Highland train line, connect us to our Islands and beyond to the cities and towns of the rest of Scotland. We are at the historic heart of the Highlands and our everyday life – whether in new occupations or tending ancient family lands, is dictated by eachdraidh, dualchas and dùthchas – the history and heritage, language and culture, traditions and landscape, which shape who we are just as surely and deeply as the history and experiences, traditions and liturgy of our Episcopal church.

SEE BELOW:  Net Zero Day details…..welcome to The Rev’ Paul Fletcher…..welcome to the Rev’d Canon Paul Watson

NET ZERO DAY

The Net Zero Team is looking forward to hosting a Net Zero Roadshow Event at St John’s Cathedral in Oban on the 24th of May (12pm to 3pm) and lunch will be provided.
This event will bring together charges from across our diocese to share stories on how they are working towards Net Zero.
There will be opportunities for encouraging one another, sharing ideas and challenges.
We will be welcoming many organisations to contribute to the event through workshops and stands, including environmental organisations, funders, installers and local partners.
We will be providing support for churches that are still to complete their Energy Footprint Tool submissions for 2024.
The day will be held within the context of our faith and mission to care for the world that God has created and calls us to serve.
We are additionally planning an online event later in the year for those who cannot make it to the St John’s Event. This online event will focus on support for rural and island communities. We understand that traveling to Oban may be difficult, so we want to support churches in a manner that is accommodating for them.
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A Warm Welcome ~ Fàilte Chridheil  to The Rev’d Paul Fletcher                                                                                                                                                                       

The Bishop of Argyll and The Isles is pleased to announce the appointment of Revd Paul Fletcher as Priest in Charge and Transitional Minister of St Andrew’s Fort William. Paul will be licensed at a service marking the start of this new ministry, which will take place on Monday, 2nd June at 6.00 pm at St Andrew’s Church.

Bishop David says, “Following the recent difficult situation at St Andrew’s, it is wonderful to share the news of this appointment, and I look forward to Paul taking up this ministry. Paul and his wife Sheena, who currently live in the Diocese, and I look forward to welcoming them as they join the Diocesan family. My prayers are with them and the congregation in Fort William in this time of transition.”

Canon Missioner appointed to the Diocese….

The Bishop of Argyll and The Isles is very pleased to announce the appointment of The Revd Canon Paul Watson as Canon Missioner for the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles. Paul will be Installed as a Canon of St John’s Cathedral and licensed to the role of Missioner, at a service of Evensong in St John’s Cathedral, Oban on Saturday July 26th at 5pm.

Bishop David says, “I am delighted to share the news of this appointment, and it will be a joy to welcome Paul and Ina to the Diocese in due course. My prayers are with them both as they begin to think about moving, and with the people they will be leaving. Paul has a great deal of experience, enthusiasm and wisdom to share, and I look forward to working with him over the coming years.”

Paul is presently serving as the Rector of St James the Less, Bishopbriggs, in the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway. Paul spent many of his school years in India and Bangladesh where his parents were Baptist missionaries.  He returned to the UK and graduated from St Andrews with an MA in Geography with Social Anthropology before spending 9 years working with international students in Glasgow on behalf of Friends International.  During this time he was awarded a  BD and MTh from Glasgow university before serving his curacy at St Ninians’ Pollokshields.  Five years were then spent in Sri Lanka with CMS before returning to Aberdeen in early 2009 to St Devenick’s, Bieldside and then in August 2017 for St James the Less.  He is married to Ina, a psychotherapist and has two adult daughters, two sons in law and a golden labrador called Bella.

 

 

LINKS

Diocesan Facebook page                                                            https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064817552737
Facebook page of the Bishop of Argyll and The Isles        https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563360388542
Provincial Website for the Scottish Episcopal Church   https://www.scotland.anglican.org/the communities
Consecration and Installation of Bishop David: The service can be seen at this page on our website.

JOINING IN PRAYERS

Daily Prayers                                                              https://www.scotland.anglican.org/spirituality/prayer/authorised-daily-offices/

The Argyll and The Isles Weekly Prayer Cycle 2024/25

 

 

 

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