Christmas Message 2016

The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, offers his thoughts for Christmas 2016

Time for Reflection

The Rt Rev Dr Nigel Peyton addressed Scottish Parliament in Time for Reflection on Tuesday 20 December. In his address Bishop Nigel spoke about the need to apply imaginative compassion to caring for the elderly, and highlighted the care provided at St Margaret’s Residential Home for the Elderly in Dundee.

video: © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body – 2016.

Caramel, cement and cornflour

On 15 November  Professor Wilson Poon gave his Inaugural lecture as Chair of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh. Professor Poon, as well as being Professor of Condensed Matter Physics at Kings Buildings, is a regular preacher in his home congregation in the Diocese of Edinburgh, a former member of the Provincial Liturgy and Doctrine Committees and a contributor to past Grosvenor Essays. He also teaches and researches the relationship between science and Christian belief at New College, Edinburgh.

The Chair of Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University is one of the oldest and most prestigious chairs in the University. It was established in 1708 and over the past 300 years has been held by such eminent scientists as Adam Ferguson, John Playfair FRS, Peter Guthrie Tait, the Nobel Laureate Charles Barkla FRS and, most recently, Michael Cates FRS.
Professor Poon delivered a mesmerising lecture entitled ‘Caramel, cement and corn flour; adventures of a modern natural philosopher’ which looked at – and indeed demonstrated – the properties of these dynamic substances. Understanding the states of such complex fluids is not only a challenge facing 21st century physics but a matter of great interest to industrialists in the areas of food production, construction and agri-chemicals. The sight of the Vice-Principal, Professor Lesley Yellowlees, walking across a bath of corn flour was but one highlight in a most entertaining and enlightening evening.

written by the Rev Canon Dr Anne Tomlinson

Deeper Engagement

The Anglican Communion has produced a tool-kit of educational resources from the Bible in the Life of the Church –  Deeper Engagament. Further information is available here.

Participatory Budgeting

The Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office is inviting churches from all denominations to get involved in a new project exploring different ways of making funding decisions in their communities.

The project, funded by the Scottish Government, will provide training and advice to enable each congregation to host an open event in their area in which local people will decide how to distribute funding to organisations in their community. Local decision making is at the heart of a participatory budgeting process, and this project is intended to enable communities to learn new skills, try them out together and reflect on what they have learned.

The Participatory Budgeting Project is looking for up to 10 congregations across Scotland to work with until March 2017. More information about Participatory Budgeting is available here

If you are interested in being involved or in finding out more, please contact the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer Chloe Clemmons on chloe@actsparl.org or 0131 240 2276.

Notices

Captain Stuart Budden was appointed Pioneer Evangelist at Dundee Centre of Mission on 1 December 2016.
The Rev Tracy Dowling was licensed as Priest-in-Charge at St Kessog, Auchterarder and St James, Muthill on 16 December 2016, having previously served as Chaplain at St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee and Honorary Chaplain, Abertay University, Dundee.
The Rev Martin Sofield resigned as Rector at the North Ayshire Team (St Andrew, Ardrossan; St Peter, Dalry; and St Andrew, Irvine) on 30 November 2016.
The Rev Canon Shelley Marsh retired as Rector at St James the Less, Bishopbriggs and Synod Clerk of the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway on 30 November 2016.
Mrs Rosemary Wilson was licensed as Lay Reader at St Cuthbert’s, Hawick on 18 December 2016.
The Rev Canon David Main died on 19 November 2016. David was Curate at St Margaret’s, Glasgow (1973-75). Rector at All Saints, Challoch with St Andrew, Newton Stewart (1975-79) Rector at Holy Trinity, Kilmarnock (1979-93) and a Canon at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow (1985-93). In his retirement David served as a non-stipendiary priest at St Ninian’s, Castle Douglas and as an Honorary Canon at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow. He was 88. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.
The Rev Prof Duncan Forrester died on 29 November 2016. A Church of Scotland Missionary in South India (1962-70), Duncan was ordained within the Church of South India in 1962. Professor of Christian Ethics and Practical Theology at the University of Edinburgh (1978-2001), he was Principal of New College (1986-96), Director of the Edinburgh University Centre for Theology and Public Issues (1984-2000) and held a Personal Chair in Theology and Public Issues at the University of Edinburgh (2000-1). He had Permission to Officiate within the Diocese of Edinburgh (2006-16). He was 83. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.

Changes at the General Synod Office
Elspeth Davey retired from the post of Church Relations Officer on Friday 9 December, after 15 years’ service. Elspeth’s successor is Miriam Weibye who took up the post on Monday 5 December.
Victoria Stock left the post of Communications Administrator on Friday 9 December, to become Digital Production Coordinator at NHS Health Scotland.

Church Relations Officer

Miriam Weibye took up the post of Church Relations Officer on 5 December following the retirement of Elspeth Davey.

Miriam was previously Programme Officer at Action of Churches Together in Scotland and representative of the Scottish Churches on the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee; and will will continue to be Moderator of the Communications Committee of the WCC Central Committee.

Miriam is an Elder in the Church of Scotland.

Miriam is based at the General Synod Office and can be contacted on ChurchRelations@scotland.anglican.org

Photograph courtesy of Albin Hillert, photographer for World Council of Churches

inspires magazine – winter edition

The winter edition of inspires magazine is now available – either from your local church or you can get a copy from the General Synod Office reception@scotland.anglican.org or subscribe here

Highlights of this edition include the history and tradition of  Christmas carols; a spotlight interview on the Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness, liturgical prayer, a reflection on the definition of Trumpery and sharing the Gospel like a dancing Ed Balls.

Vacant See of Aberdeen & Orkney

The process to elect a Bishop for the vacant See of Aberdeen & Orkney is underway.  Details of the Electoral process and a Nomination Form are available here

Loving one another – launch of Study Guide to help tackle gender based violence

L-R Kathy Galloway, ex head of Christian Aid Scotland, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church,  and Sally Foster-Fulton, Head of Christian Aid Scotland.

A biblical discussion study guide on gender based violence which was first used in Brazil and then subsequently in nine other countries around the world, including Angola, Colombia and Liberia has now been launched in Scotland.
Christian Aid Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church have worked together to produce ‘Loving One Another – A biblical discussion toolkit on gender-based violence’. Based on a booklet used by Christian Aid’s partner organisation, the Brazilian Anglican Service for Diakonia and Development (SADD), the Scottish version will be used as part of a new six weeks’ course for churches.

With funds from the Scottish Episcopal Church, SADD has helped women who have experienced domestic abuse. As well as the booklet, which has been used in 150 Anglican parishes across Brazil, SADD also run the Casa Noeli dos Santos safe house.

Sally Foster Fulton, Head of Christian Aid said “Gender-based violence is a global pandemic, which has undermined the will and purpose of God for too long. It diminishes us all, stifles the lives of women and girls and fractures our relationships. It is all too easy to assume that this is a problem that exists somewhere else. However, violence against women respects no boundaries: geographical, social or cultural.
“This material exposes the spectrum of violence faced by women and girls and calls for change that goes to the heart of our faith”.

The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church said “This material is intended to raise awareness of the problem and to help us to recognise that, for all of us in this society, this is ‘our’ problem.
“The material places gender based violence in the context of our faith: for to tackle such a serious denial of human rights, is indeed a godly task”.

The launched took place at The General Synod Office of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Edinburgh with Sally Foster Fulton, Head of Christian Aid Scotland, The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Kathy Galloway, former Head of Christian Aid Scotland.
The date of the launch coincided with the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence Campaign which runs from the 25th November to December 10th.
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/scotland/latest-news/loving-one-another.aspx

Political engagement in churches

The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and  Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church recently met with Deputy First Minister John Swinney as part of the project Meet your MSP set up recently by the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office (SCPO)

Bishop David said:  “I was grateful for the opportunity of meeting Deputy First Minister John Swinney in Perth. Clergy and public representatives have different roles and functions – but they share a deep involvement with people of all kinds and with their hopes, concerns and aspirations.

“Our meeting allowed time for discussion of some immediate concerns. I was able to share something of the positive journey of the Scottish Episcopal Church in responding to the Scottish Government’s Same Sex Marriage provisions. John Swinney was very sensitive to the way in which faith communities are challenged in their internal unity by such matters.

“We also talked about the way in which faith communities respond to issues such as Scottish independence. Faith and identity often meet together within churches and other faith communities. Questions about Scottish independence have a significant impact on peoples’ understanding of who they are at the deepest level.”

Chloe Clemmons, SCPO Parliamentary Officer, said: “MSPs have the power to impact our lives in very significant ways and getting to know them early in their term in office is a great way to start a relationship that will hopefully be beneficial to both churches and MSPs for years to come.”

The SCPO project aims to reach all 129 MSPs and connect them with churches in their area.

Vacancies

Vacant See of Aberdeen & Orkney