Church of Scotland

[LadyAmelie]

When I lived in England, we went to a high C of E church, but I wasn't a member. Now living in Scotland, I want to go back. The Episcopal church is too far away. My understanding is that most C of S churches are quite Methodist in style? Without going Catholic, where should I aim for? TIA x

It depends on the CoS church. You won't get "bells and smells" at any of them, but some are more high Kirk than others.

The Cos is the most traditional church you will find, in most cases. Usually, it's the usual hymn sandwich, with an organ and, sometimes, a choir.

Episcopal churches are few and far between so CoS is probably your best bet.

The format of the service is the same in all C of S churches - about 5 hymns, two or three bible readings, a sermon (which is usually a bit longer than the C of E equivalent, but good on theology, informative and interesting) prayers of intercession and confession, including a “collect of the day”, an offering and a closing benediction.
Communion is more of a special event than the C of E - we only do it three times a year and we use real bread (not wafers), and the wine is brought to your pew in individual glasses. There is no sharing germs and saliva with a communal chalice (unless you’re a church elder - they have to share!)
There is usually coffee after the service and a chance to mingle socially with your fellow congregants.
I’m English, but have lived in Scotland for nearly 50 years. My own little village C of S church is excellent, with a minister who is a qualified lawyer, military chaplain and grade 8 musician - she is fiercely intelligent, does v thought provoking sermons, is great at pastoral care and has a wicked sense of humour!
I think the C of S has an image problem, in that people think of it as a dour, Presbyterian killjoy organisation, but nothing could be further from the truth. We’re quite progressive and have had female ministers for over 50 years. Give us a try, OP - I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Yup, I'm an elder and we share the chalice, but it's Ribena 🤮 not wine.

Babdoc, your wee church sounds good. Sadly, mine is not very modern but, then, our minister is very near retirement age. There is a local church which is very, very modern with a fabulous praise band, live streaming, prayer showers, the lot. It's a completely different experience attending a service there. Much, I think, depends on the minister's outlook. Not all churches are good at implementing the GA decisions in a timeous fashion.

OP, we are, in the main, not a dour, unfriendly bunch of pofaced Presbyterians. Many CoS churches also run messy Church, kids holiday clubs etc. and are home to BB/GB companies, brownies and the like if that is important to you.

Ribena??!!!!
Good grief, Lessstressed, please tell
me you’re joking! We have a very good red wine with a decent alcohol content!
I take your point about churches varying with the minister - I think because we don’t have a prescribed liturgy, the minister has much more freedom to shape the service as they wish. However, I’ve found the general standard to be very high - I’ve only come across one or two poor ones in thirty years, and that’s including trainees and locum ministers on pulpit supply for holidays etc.
My current minister is excellent at providing historical detail or a new interpretation on a well worn passage during her sermons - she can really bring ancient Israel to life, and provide food for thought. I often find myself looking up further reading afterwards, or being introduced to the work of theologians I hadn’t heard of.

Nope, not joking. I wish I was. We use a carton of ready made ribena to fill the communion cups. The last minister tried to introduce communion wine but, alas, without success.

I think our current minister just isn't that great. He's a bit of a control freak and won't stray from his established pattern and he's rubbish with kids. Sadly, our congregation has halfed in the last year since we linked and he took over😭

The lack of liturgy is a great thing because it can give a lot of freedom and flexibility, but you need a leadership that is willing to embrace that freedom. Many churches and ministers are brilliant at this but others, not so much.

I know it's only a tiny amount, but I'd still be nervous of wine with a "good alcohol content" given Scotland's strict drink drive laws!

Not my problem, Copperleaves - the village church is within easy walking distance! Plus the glasses are tiny - smaller than a shot glass, you get about a quarter of a mouthful, so nowhere near falling foul of the drink drive limit.
Which is just as well, as the minister has to leap into her car straight after the service and drive to the next village to do their service 15 minutes after ours!