Life and Work

and other Church Publications

Life & Work is the Church of Scotland’s magazine.  It was first published in 1879 by Archibald Hamilton Charteris (1835-1908), who was Professor of Biblical Criticism at Edinburgh University. The magazine was inspired by his work on the Church of Scotland’s Committee of Christian Life & Work. Committed to Church causes,  Charteris also  founded the Woman’s Guild and the Diaconate.

In its early years, Life & Work ran various supplements, including the Gaelic, the Guild and the Young Men’s Supplement.  The only one still running is the Gaelic Supplement, which was begun in 1880 and is read all over the world. In its history, the Gaelic Supplement has had only five editors, and is currently edited by the Rev Dr Roderick McLeod, minister of Cumlodden, Lochfyneside.

In 1929 when the United Free Church of Scotland reunited with the  Church of Scotland Life & Work was subtitled The Record of the Church of Scotland in recognition of the United Free Church  publication, The Record, but this reference was dropped in 1996 when the magazine was re-launched in full colour.

Life & Work has had 13 editors in 125 years.  The current editor is Rosemary Goring who took over in 2000.

The Life & Work Convenor for Markinch Parish Church is Tracy Thomson

You can order Life & Work, including the Gaelic supplement by  contacting Tracy.  Individual copies are available for purchase or inspection.

Please email lifeandwork@markinchchurch.org.uk if you wish to contact Tracy.

Additional publications.

• There is a book available about Markinch Parish Church which was published in November 2001. Further details can be found here. 
• An A5 folded, printed guide to Markinch Parish Church is also available. This gives a short  history of the Church, a list of contacts and other useful information. This can be mailed to you on request.