The 2015 General Election is being held today on 7 May 2015.
Below is a selection of Bishops’ thoughts and comments relating to this event.
A Prayer for Politics
The Rt Rev Dr Nigel Peyton, Bishop of Brechin, writing for the Dundee Courier on 1 May urges that in the likely event of a coalition government once again coming into existence, politicians generously work together to seek the common good.
A Prayer for Politics (PDF)
Election Debates: Who asks the Questions?
In his reflection on the media coverage of the General Election, such as in the Television Debates, the Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan, Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, calls for greater respect from presenters and journalists when engaging with politicians.
Election Debates: Who asks the Questions? (PDF)
The Role of Faith and Values in Decision Making
The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, took part in a discussion on the role of faith and values in relation to the General Election on BBC Radio Scotland’s Sunday Morning with…. The programme is available here.
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Our prayers continue for the people of Nepal, and those affected by the tragedy.
To donate to the Christian Aid Nepal Earthquake Appeal, click here.
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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 next week, 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.
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In a new video posted on to the Scottish Episcopal Church website The Rev Markus Dünzkofer, Rector of St John’s Church, Edinburgh, touches on the St John’s Mural Ministry, and explains that the building of the Kingdom of Heaven should be as much now, as it is in life beyond death.
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New videos have been recently posted onto the Scottish Episcopal Church website:
The Right Rev Kevin Pearson, Bishop of Argyll and The Isles, asks “what’s in it for us?” – what does a life lived with the God of Jesus Christ offer?
The Very Rev Jeremy Auld addresses the question of “What is Christianity for?”, and what matters about the Christian life.
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Friday 8 May 2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The First Minister has written to the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office to invite Scotland’s Christian communities to remember this occasion alongside churches across the country by ringing their bells at 11am on Saturday 9 May 2015.
This invitation to Scotland’s Churches is part of a wider programme of events to be held across the UK from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May. Churches are welcome to take part at alternative times in a way that is appropriate to their circumstances if required.
The First Minister writes “I recognise the substantial and enduring influence of the Christian faith in transforming and inspiring Scotland’s people. Throughout our history the sound of church bells has heralded significant moments, none more so than the announcement of peace across Europe in 1945, so poignant after years of sacrifice and silenced bells.”
The Rt Rev Brian Smith, retired Bishop of Edinburgh, will be representing the Scottish Episcopal Church at a special service taking place at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 10 May.
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A chance meeting at St John’s Church Dumfries between a Malawi rice farmer and a member of the congregation has led to the development of a project which could make significant change for the better for farmers in that part of Africa. The Balmore Trust, which has close associations with a number of Episcopal congregations, has just been awarded a £60,000 grant by the Scottish Government to introduce pedal-driven threshing machines into Malawi.
The project is the brain-child of Paul Tofield from Dumfries. Two years ago he met Howard Msukwa, one the farmers whose rice is sold by Just Trading Scotland (JTS), the Balmore Trust’s fair trade arm. Paul was deeply impressed by Howard’s determination and the sheer amount of work which his rice farming involved. When Howard told him that farmers thresh their rice by beating it against a log, Paul told him about the pedal-driven threshing machines they used to have in Orkney. That summer Paul went to Orkney and found an old machine. That was the basis for the three machines which have just reached Malawi.
The grant will help to get the machines manufactured in-country, providing jobs for Malawians. It will make low-cost machines available to farmers’ clubs, freeing them from the huge burden of threshing, and allowing them more time to develop their farms.
Humza Yousaf, Minster for Europe and International Development said: “These threshing machines will make a huge difference to farmers and communities in Malawi by improving crop production. It’s exciting to think that machinery built in Scotland is being used thousands of miles away to help farmers in other nations”.
Further information from the Rev John Riches.
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A Come and Sing event is being held in aid of Waverley Care as part of the West End Festival, on Sunday 7 June, 7.30pm at Wellington Church, Glasgow.
It will be directed by choral conductor Ian McCrorie, with Alan Kitchen accompanying on the organ. Short pieces by both Festival Brass and Waverley Care’s very own African choir, Voice of Hope Choir, will intersperse the hymns. For further information and to register, visit the Waverley Care website here.
As part of the Just Festival at St John’s Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, the event will be replicated on Sunday 23 August at 4pm, with journalists Sheena McDonald and Allan Little offering some readings. Ticket prices are £5 (£3 conc) and tickets will be available via the Just Festival box office www.just-festival.org
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