Church leaders and representatives meet with First Minister

Earlier this month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met with 11 Church Leaders and Representatives to discuss some of the issues facing Scotland today. The Scottish Episcopal Church was represented by the Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunked & Dunblane and Primus.

The meeting focused on social care needs for an aging population and the particular challenges faced by those with dementia and their carers. There was discussion about the importance of community cohesion and freedom of religion and conscience. Church leaders highlighted Home Office immigration restrictions and their impact on international church relations and spoke about the Meet Your MSP Project which encourages churches to get to know their elected representatives.

Chloe Clemmons, Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer, explained the value of the meetings saying “Churches are an active and valuable part of communities across Scotland; I am delighted that Church Leaders and Representatives have this opportunity to share stories about some of the work we are doing locally with the First Minister in the coming year.”

Speaking after chairing the annual Action of Churches Together in Scotland which brings leaders from a range of denominations together First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said “Scotland is becoming a more diverse country, particularly with free movement of people from other parts of Europe to Scotland, and the arrival of refugees and asylum seekers. Each group of people bring their own cultural identities, faiths and background. Scotland is a place where we celebrate our differences, while recognising the many things that unite us and where people of all races, faiths and background feel safe and respected.

“It is important that everyone is open to each other’s values and it is essential that we safeguard our shared vision of a multicultural, open and tolerant Scotland. Our faith communities play a significant role here, and abroad, and we welcome their contribution and input into our nation’s civic life to enrich us all.”

Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway

As many people will know, sadly the Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan suffered a stroke on 5 January whilst returning from holiday in Lichfield. He is making good progress, and complete rest and physiotherapy are continuing. Although the prospects for a return to his duties are good it is unlikely that this will happen within the next three months.

The Dean of the Diocese, the Very Rev Ian Barcroft, sends his personal thanks to all who have been sending many messages of prayer and support, which have been passed on to Bishop Gregor.

Anyone wishing to visit Bishop Gregor should contact Christine Hughes at the Diocesan Office. Tel 0141 221 6911 or email office@glasgow.anglican.org . The Dean can be contacted on dean@glasgow.anglican.org

Apologies

Due to a technical problem an incomplete edition of inspires online was mailed out last week. The problem has now been resolved.

Many apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Lorna Finley
Communications Officer

Mothering Sunday resources from Mothers’ Union

Do you want ideas for Intercessions, Sunday schools, service outlines and talks on Mothering Sunday? Well the Mothers’ Union has it organised to save you some time. Just go to the Mothering Sunday resource page on their website http://www.mothersunion.org/resources#overlay-context=our-focus/mothering-sunday

If you would like to ‘Make a Mothers Day’ by buying an ethical gift for your mother or any family member or friend (who is like a mother to you) or in memory of your mother, here is the link: http://www.makeamothersday.org/ When you donate you will receive a card to pass on, or have your mother’s name written in a book in the chapel at Mothers’ Union headquarters.

Liturgical Resources

The Joint Liturgical Group of Great Britain, of which the Scottish Episcopal Church is a member, has been asked to prepare an Order of Service and Resources commemorating the Quincentenary of the Lutheran Reformation in October 2017.

This material has now been published and may be found on the Joint Liturgical Group’s website, where a pdf version can be found via a link at http://www.jlg.org.uk/Resources/Luther.shtml or directly at http://www.jlg.org.uk/Resources/Luther-500.pdf

Churches and congregations are free to re-produce any original material, without permission, but with appropriate acknowledgement to the Joint Liturgical Group.

Further information contact Miriam Weibye, Church Relations Officer on ChurchRelations@scotland.anglican.org

Pioneer Ministry

A conference, Pioneer Ministry – Striving to do it well is being organised by the Church of Scotland along with others and is mainly for those involved in and supporting the development of Pioneer Ministry in Scotland. However, it will be of wider interest to anyone interested in exploring how lessons learnt from church planting help to inform developments within existing churches. It is being held in Glasgow on Wednesday 1 March 2017 (Ash Wednesday), from 2pm-9pm. Ticket options are for the full day (£20) or just the evening (£5). Full details available at:-
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pioneer-ministry-how-do-we-do-it-well-tickets-30515316132

New Year Honours

The Rev Dr Harriet Harris (Convener of the Provincial Doctrine Committee) was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire – for services to Multi-Faith Education and community Cohesion. Harriet is Chaplain at the University of Edinburgh.

Mrs Ann Glenesk (Convener of the Glasgow & Galloway Diocesan Develpment Group for Imaginative Outreach into Local Communities) was awarded Medallist of the Order of the British Empire – for services to Prisoner’s and Community Relations. Ann has bee a volunteer at Low Moss Prison since it opened in 2012

Mrs Patricia Newton (Convener of Age Concern, Eastwood and a member of St Aidan’s Church, Clarkston) was awarded Medallist of the Order of the British Empire –
for services to Older People in East Renfrewshire.

Provincial Committee for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults

A vacancy currently exists on the Provincial Committee for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults. The work of the Committee oversees and supports the activities of the Provincial Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults which deals with the Church’s responsibilities for safeguarding the vulnerable, including the compliance with relevant legislation, membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme and the suitability of clergy, employees and volunteers to undertake regulated work with children and vulnerable adults. It would be helpful to have some knowledge of or a professional background in issues related to safeguarding and protecting the vulnerable or in a related field such as teaching, social work, child psychology or similar. The Committee meets three time a year at the General Synod Office in Edinburgh with additional contact by means of telephone or e-mail. Enquiries about this vacancy should be directed to John Stuart, Secretary General secgen@scotland.anglican.org

Dean appointed for Edinburgh Diocese

The Rev Canon Frances Burberry has been appointed the Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh, succeeding the Rev Susan Macdonald . Canon Burberry will continue as Rector of St Ninian’s, Comely Bank but will relinquish her role as Synod Clerk to the diocese, to which she was elected in 2016.

The Rt Rev Dr John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh, says ‘The role of Dean is a challenging one. I believe that Frances has gifts and experience that will be of great service to our diocese. Last year her clergy colleagues showed their confidence in her by electing her Synod Clerk. Frances will continue to be the Rector of a busy congregation whilst also becoming a key member of our diocesan leadership team.”

Commenting on her appointment, Canon Burberry said “It is an enormous honour to have been invited by Bishop John to be Dean of the Diocese of Edinburgh. I’ve been truly humbled by the warmth of support and encouragement I’ve received during my time as Synod Clerk; and by the confidence and trust that Bishop John and others have placed in me. I’m very much looking forward to working alongside Bishop John, and with people throughout the Diocese as we participate in God’s mission and face future changes and challenges together, and to continuing in my role as Rector of St Ninian’s, Comely Bank.”

Updates

The Rev Thomas Brauer left the post of Diocesan Missioner in the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane on 31 December 2016. From February he will be Vicar of Sumner-Redcliffs in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The Rev Canon Frances Burberry will be installed as Dean of Edinburgh on 5 March 2017, remaining as Rector of St Ninian’s, Comely Bank, Edinburgh.

The Rev Barbara Morrison died on 13 January 2017. She served as Non-Stipendiary Deacon at St Moluag’s, Isle of Lewis from 1995 to 1996, as Non-Stipendiary Priest there from 1996 to 2000 and 2004 to 2011, and as Priest-in-Charge from 2000 to 2004. She was 87. May she rest in peace, and rise in glory.

Mrs Jenny Paton-Williams was licensed as Lay Reader at St Columba’s by the Castle, Edinburgh on 15 January 2017.

The Rev Dr John Tsukada left the post of Honorary Assistant Curate at St Ninian’s, Aberdeen on 25 January 2017, to return to serve in the Diocese of Tokyo.

The Rev Andrew Tucker will leave the post of Rector of St John the Evangelist, Aberdeen on 12 February 2017 to become an RAF Chaplain.

The Rev Canon Dr Gavin White died on 24 December 2016. Following a variety of ministerial posts in Canada, the United States, Zanzibar, Kenya and England, Gavin was a Lecturer in Church History at Glasgow University from 1971 to 1992 and held a Licence to Officiate in the Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway during those years, finishing as Honorary Curate at St Margaret’s, Newlands. In his retirement Gavin served as a non-stipendiary priest at All Saints, St Andrews and as an Honorary Canon at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow. He was 89. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.

The Rev Canon Kenyon Wright CBE died on 11 January 2017. Following 14 years as a Methodist Minister, in 1971 he was unified into the Church of North India by the Bishop of Calcutta. He was Director of Urban Ministry at Coventry Cathedral from 1971 to 1981 and also Director of International Ministry and Canon Residentiary from 1972 to 1981, and Canon Emeritus thereafter. On his return to Scotland in 1981, he served until 1990 as General Secretary of the Scottish Churches Council and Warden of Scottish Churches House, Dunblane. From 1990 until 1992 he was Director of Kairos (Centre for Social and Environmental Studies), also serving as Honorary Curate at Holy Cross, Glasgow from 1991 to 1992. He latterly served as Priest-in-Charge at All Saints, Glencarse from 1994 to 2000. He was 84. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.

Vacancies

Rector, St John the Evangelist, Dumfries

Rector, St Cuthbert’s Church, Colinton, Edinburgh