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Statement re Columba Declaration and Growth in Communion – Partnership in Mission Report


There was some publicity around Christmastime regarding the publication of the joint Columba Declaration by the Church of Scotland and Church of England. The provincial Faith and Order Board met recently and agreed that a short background note should be issued.

After the publication in 2010 of Our Fellowship in the Gospel by the Joint Study Group of the Church of England and the Church of Scotland, a product of five year’s work, an invitation to join the Joint Study Group was issued to the Scottish Episcopal Church.

The Scottish Episcopal Church was then involved in those new talks up until 2013. At that point, the other two churches expressed a desire to enter into a deeper ecumenical arrangement. The Faith and Order Board considered the matter carefully but did not believe it was appropriate to enter a tripartite “ecumenical” agreement where one of the parties was the Church of England because the Scottish Episcopal Church is already in full communion with the Church of England. The Board suggested instead that the three-way talks might continue, aimed not at forming an ecumenical agreement but rather at enriching common life and mission across the three churches. Therefore, it suggested alternative ways of proceeding on a tripartite basis.

However, the other two churches were keen to move towards some form of ecumenical agreement. It was at this point that the Scottish Episcopal Church ceased to be a full participant in the talks, albeit we were invited to appoint an observer, and duly did so. The then Convener of Inter-Church Relations Committee took on that role with his last involvement being at the final bilateral meeting in late 2014 where a draft of the report was under discussion.

A joint statement by the Church of Scotland and Church of England setting out the Columba Declaration (which forms only the final part of the report) was unexpectedly issued just before Christmas 2015, in response to a press query, and we became aware of this on Christmas Eve. The final form of the full report, however, was embargoed until the 29th January 2016.

Since the issue of that statement, we have been in direct contact with both the Church of Scotland and Church of England and have obtained a copy of the final report Growth in Communion-Partnership in Mission. We have been able to ask a number of initial questions which have been helpfully answered jointly by the Church of Scotland and the Church of England.

In the report it is stated that a response from the Scottish Episcopal Church would be welcomed. The Faith and Order Board at its meeting on 21st January agreed to remit the Scottish Episcopal Church’s detailed examination of the report to the Inter-Church Relations Committee and to ask that Committee to formulate a response for consideration by the Faith and Order Board in September 2016 (which will be the first meeting of the Board after this year’s Church of England Synod and the Church of Scotland General Assembly). This will include consideration of the concerns which the publication of the Columba Declaration, without the benefit of the full report, had prompted before Christmas. The Board believes that publication of Growth in Communion-Partnership in Mission now provides an opportunity to build on the warm relations which the Scottish Episcopal Church already enjoys with the Church of Scotland and very much looks forward to continuing discussions. The Board similarly looks forward to strengthening our relationship and mutual regard with the Church of England.

The report of the Church of Scotland and Church of England Joint Study Group can be read here

A press release issued today by the Church of Scotland can be read here 


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Updates


The Rev Libby Talbot was appointed Associate Rector at St Paul’s and St George’s, Edinburgh on 24 January 2016.

The Rev Martin Ayers was appointed Rector at St Silas, Glasgow on 19 January 2016.

The Rev Lorna Mortis has taken over as Interim Pastor at St Baldred’s, North Berwick and St Adrian’s, Gullane from 1 January 2016.


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Bishop’s House, Iona – Quiet Day


Quiet Day


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Bishop’s House, Iona – An Easter Gathering


An Easter Gathering


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Winner of Fraser Prize for theological writing announced


The Scottish Episcopal Institute is delighted to announce that Professor John Starr, currently training to be a Lay Reader within the Diocese of Edinburgh, is this year’s winner of The Fraser Prize for theological writing. The aim of the £500 award is to affirm constructive, creative, theological thinking within the wider church in Scotland. The prize is named in honour of Dr Ian Fraser, now in his 99th year, who through his life has encouraged and empowered theological discourse.

The topic was ‘What are the challenges of modern biology to theology today?’. Professor Starr submitted an essay on the ‘Theology of Daughterhood’, which will appear in Theology in Scotland in due course. He received his award from Dr Fraser at a meeting of the Scottish Theological Society in Peebles Hydro on 12 January


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From Priest in Charge to Rector


On 17 January The Rt Rev Kevin Pearson, Bishop of Argyll and The Isles, collated the Very Rev Andrew Swift as the Rector of Holy Trinity Dunoon and St Paul’s Rothesay at a service in Dunoon. Andrew has been the priest in charge of those congregations since 2010, but the charges have now grown numerically and financially to the point where they are no longer dependent on financial support from the province for their ministry. The charges have therefore ended their period of ‘suspension’ and can now ask the bishop to appoint a permanent rector instead of a temporary priest in charge. In practical terms, the day to day mission and ministry of the charges will not change, but the change from a suspended incumbency for both churches is a significant milestone in their lives.

Andrew says“It has been a privilege to work as priest in charge with the teams in Dunoon and Rothesay for the past few years, and this change of status in the charges is a sign of the growth in self-confidence and mission focus that these congregations have achieved. We are looking forward to the next few years of exploring where the Scottish Episcopal Church in Cowal and Bute is going to journey!”


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Connecting with Eco-Congregation Chaplain


Eco-Congregation Scotland Environmental Chaplain, the Rev Trevor Jamison, regularly preaches and leads worship for congregations across Scotland. He is available, willing and eager to come to your congregation.
Respecting the traditions of worship in your church, Trevor
• Encourages the congregation to celebrate God’s goodness in creation
• Shares news and information about the Eco-Congregation movement
• Affirms green-friendly, practical actions your church takes
• Preaches sermons that engage positively with scripture from a “green” perspective
Trevor also offers talks to groups on issues relating to Church and environmental issues. For more information visit http://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/chaplain/
To contact Trevor Jamison:
Telephone 0131 667 1788 or 0131 240 2274
Email trevor@ecocongregationscotland.org

(Your church treasurer might like to know that Trevor’s travelling expenses are met by Eco-Congregation Scotland. Of course, should you normally offer a fee or gift to a visiting preacher or worship leader then making an equivalent donation to Eco-Congregation Scotland would be very welcome, but is not required.)


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Vacancies

 
 

Vacancy: Communications Officer, Diocese of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Diocesan Office
21A Grosvenor Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5EL

Communications Officer

18.75 hours per week
Gross Salary £13,139 per annum (£26,278 f.t.e.)

We are seeking to appoint a Communications Officer to:

  • promote the diocese internally and externally
  • develop and maintain our digital channels
  • support our churches’ communications training needs

We are looking for someone with experience in:

  • a communications, digital communications or marketing related role
  • using Content Management Systems such as WordPress
  • creating social media content in a professional capacity
  • creating, sourcing and editing content such as copy, images and videos

They should also:

  • have excellent written and spoken English
  • be able to foster effective working relationships
  • have excellent organisational skills

We offer:

  • a small and friendly team, working from an office near Haymarket
  • a generous non-contributory pension
  • support and development through our Annual Review process and training funds

Further information

Download the application pack on the Diocese of Edinburgh website

To discuss any aspects of the job before applying you can call Simon Filsell, Diocesan Administrator, on 0131 346 9084.

Deadline for applications: Monday 6 May 2024 before midnight

Interviews likely to be during week commencing Monday 27 May 2024

DioAdmin@dioceseofedinburgh.org – 0131 538 7033 – Charity Number: SC001214

 

 

Vacancy: Provost, St Ninian’s Cathedral, Perth 

Registered Scottish Charity SC010656

St Ninian’s Cathedral, at the heart of the city of Perth and the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, is seeking a new Provost who will build on the Cathedral’s strengths and enable further growth. The congregation is friendly, welcoming and inclusive, and proud of the Cathedral’s Anglo Catholic worship and choral and musical tradition.

We are praying for a Provost who will

  • preach, teach and inspire us
  • be a sympathetic communicator who listens and offers wise counsel
  • while respecting our traditions in worship and music, be able to develop the liturgy
  • lead and support the realisation of the principal goals of the Cathedral’s five year plan – namely growing and nurturing the congregation, maximising the potential of the Cathedral building, and moving towards Net Zero
  • be a senior priest of the Diocese, who works closely with colleagues and with the Bishop

We offer

  • a welcoming, diverse and growing congregation
  • a cohesive Vestry which finds solutions to problems
  • a modern eco friendly house and support to settle-in
  • a Diocese with a strong identity and a commitment to work together

Appointment subject to PVG Safeguarding Record Disclosure (Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007)

A Cathedral Profile and application form can be downloaded below.

If you would like to discuss the role further, you can arrange an informal conversation with the Bishop of St Andrews, the Right Revd Ian Paton, via bishop@standrews.anglican.org, or the Dean of St Andrews, the Very Revd Graham Taylor, via dean@standrews.anglican.org.

To apply, please complete the application form and send with C.V. to:

The Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane
Diocesan Office,
28a Balhousie Street
Perth PH1 5HJ

or bishopsec@standrews.anglican.org

The closing date for applications is Monday 29th April, 2024.
The interviews for those who are shortlisted will take place on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th May, in Perth. Please keep both days clear.

 

 

Vacancy: Priest-in-Charge, St Peter’s, Stornoway & St Moluag’s, Eoropaidh

Scottish Episcopal Church
Diocese of Argyll and The Isles

A Priest to minister in the Outer Hebrides

St Peter’s Church, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, with St Moluag’s, Eoropaidh seeks a priest to lead us confidently in our pastoral and sacramental life. Our priorities are prayer, liturgy, preaching and teaching the Scriptures, addressing contemporary questions and developing a relevant and accessible church.

Do you have a vision for mission in our island church community? Are you called to minister in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland? If so, we invite you to consider joining us on our journey.

We are looking for a Priest who:

  • Is able to lead and minister to the congregation and wider community, celebrating the Eucharist, and undertaking pastoral ministry.
  • Will preach and teach the Scriptures in an engaging and relevant way.
  • Is sensitive to our islands’ culture.

Profile at http://www.argyll.anglican.org

For an application pack please contact: Margaret Eaves, Vestry Secretary: Email: meaves30@gmail.com

This post is open to ordained Anglican priests with the right to work and reside in the UK. The appointment is subject to a satisfactory PVG Scheme Record Disclosure (Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007)

Closing date for applications: 8th April 2024
Interviews: 1st May 2024

 

 

Vacancy: Priest-in-Charge, St Ninian’s, Dundee

Diocese of Brechin

Priest in Charge (0.5 time), St Ninian’s, Dundee

Do you have a call to lead our inclusive, friendly, welcoming church community in Dundee? The ‘wee white church’ in Mid-Craigie is seeking a priest who will confidently lead us through a time of change after the retirement of our priest.  Joining our caring church family, you would help us to retain our strong community foundations as we look forward to what our future may hold. 

This post will start as a ‘transitional ministry’ with Diocesan training and support available. Full profile and application pack are available at http://www.thedioceseofbrechin.org/vacancies.

For an informal discussion with Bishop Andrew please contact office@brechin.anglican.org or phone 07444161300.

Closing date for applications: 12th April 2024. Interviews: Late April/early May 2024 TB

 

 

Vacancy: Children And Families Worker, St Andrew’s Cathedral, Inverness

Job Specification

Role: Children and Families worker
Contract: Initial 1 year contract with a 6 month probation period.
Reports to: The Provost
Salary: £13,274.29 per annum
Hours: Part-Time/Flexible- 20 hours per week

Job Summary

Inverness Cathedral is seeking a passionate and organised individual to fill the role of Children and Families Worker. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the various activities the Church run for the younger members of their community including but not limited to running the church playgroup, coordinating messy church sessions, and organising celebratory events for children, their families, and carers during special occasions like Easter and Christmas. In addition, the role involves close collaboration with partnership organisations, such as InSpires, to deliver various outreach schemes that our organisation are proudly involved in our local community.

If you are a highly organised and an enthusiastic individual with a love for working with children, their families, and the wider community, and you are excited about living and promoting the values and activities of our church, we invite you to apply for the position of Children and Families Worker.

Click here to view the full job specification

Please send a CV and covering letter, detailing why you are attracted to this post to provost@invernesscathedral.org.

If you would like an informal conversation about the post then please do email provost@invernesscathedral.org or telephone 01463 225553

Please note for this position there is an occupational requirement for the job holder to be a practising Christian. We are more than just an employer; we operate as a faith community. We pray together as a staff team, and share prayer and worship moments throughout our working week. Around the buildings, you’ll often come across teams praying over their work and really speaking the language of faith. Our culture and ethos is as Christian as our name suggests and we see to ensure everyone that joins us will truly thrive in our environment; able to contribute to our community of shared faith. This role, therefore has a genuine occupational requirement to ensure protection of our strong Christian ethos and values, and our charitable objective of advancing the Christian faith.

 

 

Across the Dioceses


For news of activities and events across the seven dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church, check out the diocesan websites:

Aberdeen & Orkney www.aberdeen.anglican.org
Argyll & The Isles www.argyll.anglican.org
Brechin www.brechin.anglican.org
Edinburgh www.edinburgh.anglican.org
Glasgow & Galloway www.glasgow.anglican.org
Moray, Ross & Caithness  www.moray.anglican.org
St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane www.standrews.anglican.org
 

 

The text in this newsletter can be freely shared. Any photographs can be shared only with permission of the photographer. Please contact press@scotland.anglican.org for details of permission.

Please encourage others to sign up for these regular e-mails at www.scotland.anglican.org
Comments and feedback are always welcome and can be directed to the Communications Officer, Lorna Finley on press@scotland.anglican.org

Please note that the views expressed on websites linked in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Published by the General Synod of The Scottish Episcopal Church – Scottish Charity Number SC015962
 
 
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Scottish Charity No SC0 15962

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