The Church of Scotland and stv local

 What is it?

 stv local is an opportunity for churches and community groups to link in the STV website and to have their own web page as part of this wider network. The stories and items that appear online can also find their way onto the main television news programme during the day.  Currently, stv has approximately 370,000 browsers each month across all the sites.

At present stv local have sites for Aberdeen, Airdrie, Bellshill, Buckie, Cambuslang, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Deeside, East Kilbride, Edinburgh, Elgin, Forres, Fraserburgh, Glasgow, Hamilton, Lossiemouth, Motherwell, Peterhead, Rutherglen, Stonehaven and Wishaw.  In short, every parish in every presbytery is served by stv local.

 stv local was launched as a web-based service for communities and is entirely free to use once users are registered.  It includes a round-up of local events and news on a weekly basis for areas covered by Scottish Television.

 It will provide an opportunity for churches and groups within the church community to promote and advertise special events, church based programmes and to share their news allowing them to be involved with the wider community and parish they serve. 

 In addition technical help can be given on setting up Twitter, Facebook pages, ministry or church blogs to promote the activities and mission of the local church and gather people together online through survey’s, promoting direct action on local and national issues, and starting discussion forums.

 Why give the time to take part?

 The short answer is that it gives the Church of Scotland members the opportunity to tell their stories and to let people know what is happening at their church or community.

 It is also an opportunity to link more people into your own local website and to invite greater participation of people within the church family.  It also gives a chance to interact with other Christians and those of different or no faith over issues and local concerns that may arise.

 By taking part the Church can be assured this will be done in a structured fashion and monitored by a Moderator within the local church and stv local to ensure that only appropriate materials and comments are posted.

 stv local are keen to involve and connect as many people in their area in both “online” and “offline” activities, and to publicise this through their own website, blogs and television news programmes.

 Who might use it?

Statistics have shown that such methods of communication are used by all age groups but use of social networking sites such as Facebook are most prevalent in the 30s upwards age band. 

How you can get involved right now

 Every church in every parish has a project or initiative it supports from a children’s group to lunches for the elderly.  Tell the world about what you do through stv local.  For example, you might be running a community awareness project.  An idea would be developing

a “local hero” project.

Individuals and groups who are helping others in their communities, not just when it is bad weather, but at all times can be highlighted. stv local are keen on developing a local hero project called “sub-zero heroes,” during the winter.  The Church of Scotland has many such heroes regardless of the time of year and this is a chance to tell people what you do.

 If you want to take part and want more information, please contact me, Nick Jury, on 0131 240 2268/07881 971 953 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; alternatively, email Sheena Borthwick, Community Engagement and Culture at Scottish Television,

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it