Lendrick Muir
Outdoor Activity Centre
This year’s theme: A Church on Mission
The Gathering
The annual conference of the United free Church of Scotland
15th August 2026
Book Now!
About
The Gathering” is an annual get-together run by the United Free Church of Scotland, and everyone’s invited.
We are an evangelical denomination who believes God’s Word is true and that Jesus is sufficient for all our needs. Through “The Gathering” we want as many people as possible to be encouraged by good Bible teaching, equipped through stimulating workshops and to experience the joy of fellowshipping together as brothers and sisters united in Christ.
Once a year in August we gather for a whole day of Bible teaching and workshops, but there’s also lots of time for tea and coffee, and plenty for under 18’s too – there’s a creche for those 3 and under, a children’s programme for those in primary school and a teen programme for those in secondary. We want to ensure people of all ages get to experience gathering together in ways that work for them and that also enables parents to benefit as well.
Book here to attend The Gathering and Register Your Child for their specific programme
Conference Theme
The theme this year is: “A Church on Mission”.
As churches and denominations in the West grapple with the realities of decline and demographic change, it is tempting to assume that our best days are behind us and see the future as bleak.
However, amidst the pressures, it is vital to check our posture and consider how God wants to guide us as His people today.
By reflecting on a particular church located in modern-day Europe and tucked away in the Acts of the Apostles, we will consider together how we too can be devoted, dynamic and driven in mission, even in the midst of disruption and difficulty.
Whilst this conference is organised and managed for the UFC, it is not a ‘closed shop’ and folk from other churches can be invited and encouraged along.
During the opening session, we will have a time of worship led by the worship leaders of Cornerstone Church, St Andrews.
Following this, there will be a series of Workshops from 11:40 to 12:40, with most then being repeated after lunch from 13:45 to 14:45.
The lunch break from 12:40 to 13:45 will give you the opportunity to refuel, catch up with old friends and make new ones.
As in previous years, there will be a display of books and other resources available for sale. Also, there will be a display by a number of Christian agencies giving information of their work.
Finally, we will have the closing celebration from 15:15 to 15:45.
Key Information
Cost
Adults
£15
School aged children & unwaged young people
Free
Pre-school children
Free
Location
Lendrick Muir Outdoor Activity Centre
Rumbling Bridge, Kinross, KY13 0QA, Scotland
Programme
The programme for the day is as follows:
9.45 – 10.30
Registration/Teas and coffees
10.30 – 11.30
Opening session
11.40 – 12.40
Workshops 1 (choice of 9)
12.40 – 13.45
Lunch
1.45 – 14.45
Workshops 2 (choice of 9)
2.45 – 15.15
Tea Break
3.15 – 15.45
Closing Celebration
Crèche
There will be a crèche for pre-school children.
It is essential that places are booked in advance to ensure we comply with Safeguarding requirements.
Children
There will be a separate programme for children in P1-P6 although they may join in parts of the main session at the beginning and end of the day. Please book in advance.
Workshops
Main Speaker
Engaging faithfully with a faithless culture
Rick Hill
This year, we are very pleased to be able to welcome Rick Hill to be our main speaker and leader of one of our workshops. Rick serves the Presbyterian Church in Ireland as the Executive Secretary to the Council for Mission in Ireland. He is married to Sarah with three young children, living near Belfast. Rick serves as an elder in Carnmoney Presbyterian Church and is the author of ‘Deep Roots of Resilient Disciples’. Beyond that he loves to watch sport, run and read, but not at the same time!
“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” (John 17 : 14-16).
In this workshop we will be thinking of missional engagement as every-day disciples in the society and culture around us, finding the balance between embracing the culture and escaping altogether.
Botswana Visit 2026 – Could this impact our witness here in Scotland?
Global Focus Botswana Group
In this workshop we will reflect on the Botswana Visit – the people and projects we engaged with; what we learned about them and what we learned about ourselves.
We face many challenges, here in Scotland, as we seek to witness to Christ in our increasingly secular communities.
In these circumstances it can be tempting to turn our focus inward but we are part of the world-wide Body of Christ so, through reflection on the visit, we hope to explore how one of the Denominations’ main partners does ‘Church’ and what that says to us here in Scotland.
Strategies and Surprises in local mission
David Miller
Some of our congregations have seen encouragements in creative ways of making contacts with folk in their communities and ultimately in seeing people come to faith.
In this workshop we’ll hear about what different churches are doing and how we can each move forward in mission in our communities, starting with the gifts God has given us and leaving space for Him to surprise us with open doors.
Sharing Our Faith
Tom & Alison McWhirter
When was the last time you shared your faith with someone? If we are honest, most of us don’t find this easy.
Tom and Alison McWhirter look forward to exploring this topic in a discussion that will include ideas and encouragement to share the hope we have.
Societal Changes in a Contemporary Scotland
Chris Ringland
Chris is the Public Policy Officer of Evangelical Alliance Scotland and will facilitate a discussion on various issues in society in contemporary Scotland.
The 2026 Scottish Parliament created a new parliament with almost half of the members being elected for the first time.
We live in an age of changing values on life, meaning and being.
This workshop will discuss some of these issues – and seek you to bring some of your own questions, concerns and observations to share.
Family Issues
Care for the Family
More information coming soon.
Creative Meditation and Prayer
Heather Holdsworth
In the swirl of plans and demands, our connection with God can feel scattered.
This workshop allows time to be still and allow God’s words to find space in our being.
You will be guided to find the flow, meaning and movement in the text and then express these discoveries in creative meditation and prayer.
It will not be awkward or scary!
Encouragement for Christian Service (Single session)
Douglas Campbell
Since the majority of our ministers serving congregations today are over the age of 60 there is a concern for the future of our denomination.
Our first response is not to panic but to pray with urgency and expectancy that the Lord will call and equip more ministers for the future.
In this workshop we will consider how we might play our part in encouraging new students for the ministry.
Meanwhile, since the need is real, please keep praying.
The Persecuted Church
Rob & Gwen Barlow
Since retirement from full-time ministry Rob and Gwen have become involved in trauma healing ministry, both at home and overseas.
In this workshop they will give details of two mission trips to the northern part of Nigeria where thousands have been killed and displaced in recent years.
The workshop will give an account of the situation they encountered, why they were asked to go, and what ministry and training they were able to offer during their stay.
There will be real life stories and opportunity for questions and discussion. Another trip is planned for 2027.
