The Anglican Centre is the presence of the Anglican Communion at the Vatican and is about to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The Most Rev David Chillingworth is a Patron of the Centre and says “During this brief visit, I shall be meeting Vatican Officials as part of the underlying process by which our churches learn about one another. In my case, obviously, there is a specific focus on the developing story of Scotland and on ecumenical relations in Scotland” Bishop David was presented to Pope Francis at an Audience in St Peter’s Square. He brought a gift and greetings from the Scottish Episcopal Church. Then, in an exceptional departure from precedent, the Pope also greeted Bishop David’s wife, Alison, and daughter, Anna, and gave them all gifts. They also had the opportunity of visiting St Peter’s Basilica when it was empty of tourists.
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The first meeting of the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Inter-Church Relations Committee and the Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue (CCUD) of the Church of Ireland took place in Dublin on 11 April 2016. Elspeth Davey, Church Relations Officer of the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) says “The recent Covenant Agreement of the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland was discussed in some detail and the Inter-Church Relations Committee was delighted to be accompanied by the Rev A Letby, Methodist Superintendent in Edinburgh whose contributions from a Methodist perspective were very helpful. “The different ecumenical “scene” in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was discussed and whilst there were some differences it was clear that a number of familiar challenges were shared. Local ecumenism was healthy but the number of officially recognised Local Ecumenical Partnerships were low in both churches and it was agreed that encouraging ecumenical engagement at all levels of church life was essential for shared mission in our communities. “The churches’ role in civic society was discussed with an acknowledgement that each society was more diverse than in previous years. Commenting on the visit the Bishop of Clogher and Chairman of CCUD, the Rt Rev John McDowell, said “We were delighted when the Inter-Church Relations Committee of the SEC suggested that they might visit Ireland to discuss matters of common interest, especially the origin and development of interchangeability arrangements between the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland. Our discussions were very wide-ranging and we benefited from a first-hand account of developments within the SEC and their relationships with other Christian traditions.” The meeting ended with Evensong at St Patrick’s Cathedral followed by a guided tour of the Cathedral. The photo shows members of the Church of Ireland’s Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue and the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Inter-Church Relations Committee during their visit to Marsh’s Library, Dublin.
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Action of Churches’ Together in Scotland (ACTS), in collaboration with the European Commission, arranged a visit for senior Scottish Church representatives to meet with the European Commission, Scottish MEPs, the Scottish Parliament office at the European Commission, the Conference of European Churches and the Churches’ Commission on Migrants in Europe from 5-7 April 2016 The 18 senior Scottish Church representatives were very warmly welcomed by all with whom they met as the visit took place just two weeks after the airport and Metro bombings. Whilst security was incredibly tight the visitors were very impressed by the way in which the citizens of Brussels were getting on with life as usual. Therefore, there was an extra resonance to the discussions because of that context. Many issues were presented and discussed such as economics, poverty alleviation, fair trade, climate change, development, the rural economy, foreign policy, human rights, human trafficking, migration and the refugee crisis. The Church’s role in assisting refugees at the point of entry into Europe was acknowledged and appreciated. The Church in Society Committee of the Scottish Episcopal Church is engaged with a number of these issues and thus the Scottish Episcopal Church was represented on this visit by the Rev David Mumford and Elspeth Davey, Church Relations Officer.
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The meeting of ACC–16 (the Anglican Consultative Council) is currently taking place in Lusaka, Zambia (8-19 April). As announced in the previous edition of inspires online, Alistair Dinnie, was appointed as the new representative of the Scottish Episcopal Church on ACC, to succeed John Stuart who has completed his term membership on that body. Mr Dinnie is a member of St John’s, Princes Street, Edinburgh. The ACC meets approximately every third year and is the only “instrument” of the Anglican Communion, which includes both clergy and laity in its membership. Provinces have up to three members depending on their size. As a smaller province, the Scottish Episcopal Church has one representative. More information about the meeting and regular news updates is available at: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/structures/instruments-of-communion/acc/acc-16.aspx
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General Synod Office (GSO) Receptionist – Ann Rae is the new Afternoon Receptionist at the GSO, taking over from Clare MCrory who left the post on 8 April. Notice from the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney – Andrew Armstrong, formerly Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, has recently died. The Aberdeen Press and Journal featured almost two full pages to this quite remarkable man and his many achievements across a number of spheres, not least as a churchman and committed Christian. Bishop Bob has commented on Andrew’s gentleness and kindness as fruits the faith which were lived by Andrew.’ The funeral took place in St Mary’s, Carden Place, Aberdeen.
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Eco-Congregation Scotland is offering suggestions for attracting Wildlife into gardens and churchyards. See the Ten Tips and read more at www.ecocongregationscotland.org/wildlife
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