What is OAK?
If you are reading this and wondering who on earth OAK is, let me fill you in on some of the
details: Up until 1995, there existed in Aberdeen City Centre a group of churches working
together in an ecumenical setting and called the CCA. In February of 1995, it was suggested
that those churches interested in going forward working together should make themselves known
and, after a vote, three congregations showed their willingness to continue forward. Thus OAK
was born. The three became four and for some time OAK was made up of 4 member churches: The Methodist
Church, Langstane Kirk, St. Mark's and
North Church of St. Andrew. OAK is for anyone with a connection to any of them. Sadly, the Langstane Kirk closed in April 1999.
Each of the member churches sends a few people to the regular planning meetings which are open to
others who are interested.
The name OAK stands for Organisation of Aberdeen Kirks, and is a group of city
churches with enthusiasm for working together in the city centre. As well as the churches
organising things for themselves, some events and meetings have pooled to be owned by OAK.
It would be true to say that what has happened in the four plus years has exceeded all our
expectations, for so much has happened and still appears to be happening. The 3 congregations
have worked together, socialised together, worshipped together and reached out in several
projects proving that there is a need for our type of ministry in the City. We want to do more,
for we have a great thirst for Jesus Christ in our hearts.
Aberdeen is in the North-East of Scotland. There are links to local web-sites in our
Links page. The activities we organise are hosted by one of our
member churches. The location of each of them can be seen on the relevant pages. However,
sometimes we have a trip outside of Aberdeen.
Despite the closure of Langstane, we still hope to open an active Christian Centre, and are still serving lunches daily in St. Mark's Church.
We have joint evening services on the second Sunday of every month, with a break over summer.
This moves around each of the churches. We also have Bible studies in the evenings and
occasional social gatherings on Saturday nights. Our outreach mainly happens at lunchtimes when
our popular lunches which were served at Langstane, then Alford Place Associated Prebyterian Church and now at St. Mark's which is open for coffees and lunches
10:00am - 1:00pm Monday to Friday
It is clearly better to work together than for different Christian groups each to go it alone.
The purpose of the work carried out in our proposed Christian Centre has many aims: to serve the
needs of those who rely on us; friendship evangelism, that is Christian volunteer workers
getting to know people who come in
and through conversations build up a friendship and understanding, rather than overt preaching
at people who may never step inside a church on a Sunday; to make the church an attractive place
where members can be happy to invite their friends along to.
All of our events are open to everyone. Do come along! Volunteers to help out
at our popular lunches are always welcome
One of the goals of OAK is to establish a Christian Centre in the centre of Aberdeen. We have
already made steps towards this. We believe that the Church doesn't just have a role on a Sunday,
but needs to be open 7 days a week, for everyday folk where they work, shop and go out.
If you would like to get in touch with us, then drop in to any of OAK's member churches or send a
message using the Feedback form . Thanks.
"Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Chirst before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger" St. Patrick
