General Synod 2015 – Advance Notice

General Synod 2015 will take place at St Paul’s & St George’s Church, Edinburgh from 11-13 June.  The Agenda for the meeting and supporting Papers will be sent to General Synod members in May, and will then be posted on the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) website.  Throughout the meeting of General Synod, non-Synod members are welcome to sit in the public gallery, and regular updates of Synod proceedings and voting will be posted on the SEC website and through social media. Further information on this and other matters relating to General Synod will be highlighted in this newsletter and on the SEC website over the coming weeks.

Time for Reflection

The Rt Rev Dr Robert Gillies, Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney, addressed Scottish Parliament in Time for Reflection on Tuesday 21 April.

During his visit to Scottish Parliament, Bishop Bob also met with MSPs representing areas of the North East of Scotland, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Key topics discussed included recruitment of people to the area, especially in the teaching and medical professions and how the general disproportionate property prices and lack of housing availability can inhibit many people from moving in to the area.  The opportunities and quality of life prospects that the North East and surrounding areas, as well as the City of Aberdeen itself, can offer were discussed and concern was raised that not enough is done to promote this. It was suggested that a wider transfer of training skills across the country could be encouraged, to enable an increase in both new and more traditional skills being brought into the area.

Ministry through Murals

St John the Evangelist Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh has a history over more than 30 years of displaying murals on topical subjects. The intention behind the murals is to provoke thought and debate.

The Rev Markus Dünzkofer, Rector of St John’s Church has unveiled the latest Mural at St John’s Church and says:

“Easter has come and for many this time has been and continues to be a wonderful and joyous celebration of the Resurrection with flowers, candles, incense, glorious vestments and festive hymns. We sing “Alleluia!” once again!

“We are also in the middle of an election season here in the UK and we must consider our options. Social media and the news have many of us obsessed with the question of who will form the next parliament. It is an exciting time!

“Over the past few days Scots have soaked up every ray of the beautiful sun that has warmed our cities and countryside. Jumpers are discarded, shorts unearthed, and Irn Bru and Pimms packed for a picnic in the park or at the local loch. Spring has sprung!

“Meanwhile hundreds of refugees fleeing war, injustice, and poverty are drowning every day as they try to reach shores of safety, trusting that “the Christian West” will honour the Biblical command to ‘take care of immigrants and to clothe the naked and feed the hungry’.

“And yet: We are not listening. Neither to the Bible. Nor to the desperate plight of refugees. We are preoccupied with other things, many other things. And women, men, and children die, because we do not listen.

“Our most recent mural at St John’s attempts to refocus our attention and to encourage the opening of the ears, eyes, and the hearts of the many people who see this mural.”

Scottish Episcopal Institute and Common Awards

The College of Bishops has agreed that the Scottish Episcopal Institute should seek admission to The Common Awards in Theology, Ministry and Mission, a suite of awards validated through a partnership between the Ministry Division of the Church of England and Durham University. For further information, click here.

Warden of the College of The Holy Spirit, Isle of Cumbrae

For the last five years David Todd has been Warden of the College of The Holy Spirit at the Cathedral of The Isles on the Isle of Cumbrae.  He will be leaving at the end of May to return to Edinburgh to work  as a freelance Arts Management Consultant, and will be licensed as a Lay Reader by the Bishop of Edinburgh on the Feast of Corpus Christi in Old Saint Paul’s Church.

The Directors of Islands Retreats Limited (IRL) offer their sincere gratitude saying that David has “achieved a remarkable amount in the five years, with the College a good stable business, and the Cathedral is in good shape.”

Cynthia Constable, one of the Directors of IRL with a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry, has agreed to act as Warden of the College until a new permanent Warden can be found.  The Directors of IRL are actively looking for someone who is willing to commit to another five year term to consolidate and build on David’s ministry of hospitality.

There will be a Choral Evensong on Wednesday 13 May at 3pm to say farewell to David.  A buffet lunch will be available at the College at 1.30pm.  All are welcome.  If you would like to join the lunch please let the College know before Wednesday 6 May by emailing cathedral_cumbrae@btconnect.com, or telephoning 01475 530353.

Vocations Sunday

The Church marks Vocations Sunday on April 26th – when the readings highlight Jesus the Good Shepherd, providing opportunity to reflect on how we are called to God’s service and to share experiences of vocation.

There are resources available here (on the Scottish Episcopal Church website) to help congregations explore and celebrate this day.

Updates

The Rev Alison Cozens was appointed Rector at Holy Trinity, Dunfermline and St Margaret, Rosyth on 18th April 2015.

On 26th April 2015 at St Luke the Evangelist, Glenrothes, the Rev Gerry Dillon will be ordained priest, and Dr Margaret Dineley will be ordained deacon.  Margaret is to be Assistant Curate within the Central Fife Group of Churches (St Luke the Evangelist, Glenrothes, St Margaret, Leven and St Finnian, Lochgelly), based mainly at St Finnian, Lochgelly.

Bishop’s House, Iona – Clergy Retreat

A retreat for clergy will be held at Bishop’s House, Iona from Tuesday 1st September – Friday 4th September 2015.

Arranged by the Diocese of Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, it will be led by led by The Very Rev Dr Ian Bradley, Principal of St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews, with poems, prayers and reflections based on his shortly to be published book: ‘Spiritual Landscape of Argyll’.

Cost: £275

For further information, and to apply, contact Alicia Rootes, Diocesan Secretary, office@standrews.anglican.org or 01738 443173.

For more information about Bishop’s House, visit: http://www.island-retreats.org/iona.html.

‘Band of Angels’

St John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, Burnside, Moffat will host a evening on Friday 24^th April where Prof Kate Cooper (Professor of Ancient History at the University of Manchester) will speak about her acclaimed book ‘Band of Angels’, which  is described as “a journey through a fascinating and  unexpected world, a vision of early Christianity through the eyes of ancient families – and the women who held them together”.  More information about her book is available here.

Wine & canapés reception 6.30pm ;   Lecture 7pm

Ticket price £5

For further information or to reserve tickets, please contact Paula Ward paula.ward1@btconnect.com, or 01576 470836

Vacancies

Vacancy: Communications Officer, Diocese of Edinburgh

Vacancy: Provost, St Ninian’s Cathedral, Perth 

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

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

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