The Ministries Council requests, month by month, that you pray for certain groups of people, some as they seek to serve God through their work with the Church of Scotland, others exploring a call, some studying. 

One of the main tasks of the Ministries Council is the support of all ministries of the Church.  Throughout the year the provision of an extensive programme of conferences seeks to ensure that parish ministers, chaplains, deacons, parish assistants, readers, project workers, students, probationers, those in the early years of their ministry and those about to retire receive on-going training and support.  Please remember all those involved in planning these events - staff, speakers, chaplains; each and every one working to make these events the best they can be for those who attend.  The major events in the Council conference calendar for August and September have been listed below.



New and continuing candidates for Ministry of Word and Sacrament and Diaconal Ministry come together at St Andrews for this big residential conference.  Please pray for those starting off on their journey as a candidate – some returning to study after a few years, others continuing their studies.  Our prayers are with the ministers of the future as they continue their studies and also engage with congregations if they have a placement this year.
 

29 Aug – 3 September  	Candidates Conference	St Andrews



September is a busy month for conferences - starting with training for some of  those involved in the Accompanied Review process in Aviemore.  Please remember those who seek to take part in this process.
For the first time we are bringing together two major conferences, the annual Diaconate Council conference and the Presbytery and Parish Workers conference.  Meeting at University Hall for the first time and in September for the first time please pray for the many delegates who will gather together to share a time of fellowship, friendship and to attend a series of workshops and business meetings.  
The Council overnight conference is also in St Andrews – a time to gather and review the workload for the coming year and discuss many important issues.  Please pray for Council members as they seek to engage in this work which involves a huge undertaking in time and energy throughout the year.
The first Probationers’ Conference of the year takes place in Tulliallan.  Probationers are candidates for the ministry who have finished their academic studies and now engage in practical training by being involved in the life of a congregation for 12 months (Auxiliaries) or 15 months (Full-time).  Please remember them in your prayers as they get to know another new group of people and seek to serve them in Christ’s name.
Representatives from the most far flung Presbyteries meet with Council representatives on Shetland in Lerwick to discuss their needs and difficulties.  Please pray for these areas in Scotland where vacancies seem hard to fill and the workload of existing Ministers, Deacons and Readers is growing ever larger as they seek to cover the vacancies as well as their own areas.

1 – 2 September	Accompanied Review Training, Aviemore
9 – 11 September	Pilot Conf. Diaconate Council/St Andrews
			Presbytery and Parish Workers
11-12 September	Ministries Council Conference	, St Andrews
26-28 September	Probationers’ Conference, Tulliallan
30 Sept – 2 October	Island Presbyteries, Lerwick