The Most Rev David Chillingworth announces his retirement

The Most Rev David Chillingworth has today announced that he will retire as Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and as Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church at the end of July this year.

Bishop David was consecrated Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane in 2005 and was elected Primus in 2009.

In his leadership roles in Scotland, Bishop David has consistently encouraged the church to become more missional. In his diocese, he has developed the Casting the Net initiative. In the wider life of the Scottish Episcopal Church, he encouraged the establishment of the Whole Church Mission and Ministry Policy. He believes that mission is rooted in faith commitment and in a deep understanding of history and context. He has worked to sustain the unity of the church as it addressed human sexuality issues.

Bishop David has also been deeply involved in the life of the Anglican Communion, serving as a member of the Anglican Communion Standing Committee. He has exercised leadership in Continuing Indaba, a movement which attempts to establish ‘honest conversation across difference in the cause of mission’ across the Anglican Communion. He also serves as the Anglican Co-Chair of the International Dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the World Communion of Reformed Churches. His work in the Anglican Communion was recognised by the award of an Honorary Degree from the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee

Ordained in 1976, Bishop David spent the next 29 years in the ministry of the Church of Ireland within Northern Ireland. Much of that time was spent in places which were deeply affected by the Northern Ireland conflict. Throughout that period, particularly as Rector of Seagoe Parish Church in Portadown, he attempted to develop ways in which churches could challenge the sectarianism which powerfully influenced communities and churches in Northern Ireland. During that time, he also served successively as Dean and Archdeacon of Dromore.

Throughout his ministry, Bishop David has given a high priority to communication. He is a regular broadcaster and for over ten years has written a blog at www.bishopdavid.net

In announcing his retirement, Bishop David said: “it has been an immense privilege for me to exercise the interwoven ministries of bishop and Primus. The Scottish Episcopal Church has with increasing confidence been developing its mission and taking its place in the evolving story of Scotland.

“As the process for the election of my successor begins – and as God’s unfolding future for our church is revealed – I shall continue to hold this church and its leadership in my prayers.”

Details of the processes for election of a new bishop and appointment of a Primus can be read here

Scottish Episcopal Institute to consider new style of context-based training

In announcing the recent developments in the link the Scottish Episcopal Institute (SEI) has been seeking to forge with St Mellitus College, London the Rt Rev Kevin Pearson, Convener of the Scottish Episcopal Institute Council says: “Conversations have progressed very positively on a number of fronts over two years. Although St Mellitus have now confirmed that they do not have the resources to develop a formal partnership with SEI (mainly because they are focussing their next growth effort on the south west of England) they have said that they are confident that SEI can develop its own ‘St Mellitus type’ mode of context-based training. This is a very positive affirmation. They have also said that if SEI moves ahead with running its own mixed- mode training, they could explore the attendance of SEI ordinands at St Mellitus College residentials.

“The Institute Council is now developing a pathway for a full-time SEI staff member who might be appointed to be the tutor for this ‘St Mellitus style’ mode of context-based training, where ordinands will study part-time on the Common Awards curriculum while working as an intern in a congregation the rest of the week. This new post is an exciting development which will support the mission of the whole church as well as equipping candidates for lives of missional leadership.”

Celebrating 20 years of the Provincial Youth Week at Strathallan and Glenalmond.

A weekend of Provincial celebrations to mark this anniversary is planned for 1-2 April 2017, and will be hosted by St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh. All current and former delegates and leaders, their families, friends and supporters are welcome: event details and booking information now available here.  Churches are encouraged to display a poster advertising the weekend of celebrations.

notice

The Rev Patrick Duncan died on 5 February 2017. 1937. Curate at St Michael-le-Belfrey, York, from 1981 to 1984, he served as Assistant Chaplain at Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, West Sussex from 1986 to 1992, before becoming Assistant Chaplain at Edinburgh Prison in 1998. He served as Interim Rector at St Peter’s, Lutton Place, Edinburgh from 2000 to 2001 and finally retired from ministry in 2013. He was 79. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.

Returning Home: Christian Faith in Encounter with Other Faiths

For those still looking for Lent study material this year, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland are offering a Lent resource that explores how Christian faith has been deepened and enriched by encounters with people of different religions.
The course was written by the Methodist-United Reformed Church Inter Faith Reference Group and can be downloaded here ctbi.org.uk/lent-course-2017/

Further information contact Rev Cedric Blakey (Convener, Committee for Relations with people of Other Faiths) on viceprovost@thecathedral.org.uk

Church Mission Society

‘Reconciliation in a Fractured World’ is the theme of the annual Church
Mission Society Community in Scotland Conference, which will be held on
Saturday 18 March at Holy Trinity Church, Stirling 10.30am – 3pm

The Rev Ruth Scott, Mediator and Broadcaster and will facilitate the
discussion through the day.

Contact cmscommunityscotland@outlook.com for further information and registration (£6 donation requested towards cost of event)

Bishop Mark: a response to President Trump’s ban on refugees

In an article from the Press and Journal, today 3rd February, Bishop Mark speaks out against the ban on refugees by President Trump and his administration.

I have waited for a few days before commenting on the travel ban imposed by President Trump. I have waited in hope that the pressure of international political outrage and the protests in the USA itself would have encouraged the president to reconsider. That hope seems to be in vain.
I was brought up to consider USA as a nation that welcomed the outcasts of the nations, the Scots and Irish, Eastern Europeans and refugees from the war-torn communities of the world. I often wished we had a Statue of Liberty reminding us all of the lead given by the USA in providing an example of welcome to the world. That makes what is happening all the harder to bear.
At a moment in history when the pain and horror we see on the faces of Syrian refugees, the fear on the streets of the Yemen, when whole communities face destruction as we saw with the Yazidis in Northern Iraq, this is the time when the world needs the bright light of lady liberty at the entrance to New York.
What we have is a policy that forces the people of the USA to turn their back on people from these communities because they are of the same faith as those who have been persecuting them. This is not the response I would expect from a Christian, it is not what Jesus would have us do. I pray that this decision will be overturned and that the land of liberty may take the lead in welcoming the most needy again.

— ends

Vacancies

Rector, St John the Evangelist, Dumfries

Rector, St Cuthbert’s Church, Colinton, Edinburgh