Scottish Episcopal Church News
The following post contains news from around and within the Scottish Episcopal Church for January 2015.
George Square Tragedy in Glasgow
The Rt Rev Gregor Duncan, the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway was in George Square just after the recent tragedy involving a bin lorry. The accident took place just yards from the Glasgow and Galloway Diocesan Office.
Speaking after the tragedy, Bishop Gregor said:
We give thanks for the response of our emergency services.
The disaster occurred very near to the Diocesan office and I saw with my own eyes the awful aftermath. I shall not forget what I saw.
Bishop Gregor also engaged in a public dialogue about how Christians can respond to such events on 28 December 2014, the Feast of the Holy Innocents in St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow. This can be seen here:
Dialogue between Kelvin Holdsworth and Gregor Duncan in Glasgow on 28 December 2014 from Kelvin Holdsworth on Vimeo.
Video Message from the Primus
The Primus, the Most Rev David Chillingworth released a Christmas Message in video format this year.
The message, which some have noted doesn’t mention God or Jesus, can be seen here:
Changes to Marriage Law
The College of Bishops has issued guidelines relating to recent changes in marriage law. These have not been universally welcomed, with 50 clergy and lay readers writing a letter to the bishops in response with the Herald newspaper reporting: “Church leaders are facing an unprecedented insurrection amongst their own ministry over their gay marriage ban, with signals some clergy will not carry out any weddings until the matter is resolved.”
More information:
The letter from 50 clergy and lay readers.
There is extensive coverage of other reaction on Changing Attitude Scotland’s website.
The Guidelines do not yet appear on the Scottish Episcopal Church website.
People
- The Rev Terry Taggart is the be the new priest for St Peter’s Stornoway and St Moluag’s Eoropaidh.
- The Rev Canon James Milne is to leave St Bride’s Hyndland in the new year to become Minor Canon and Sacrist at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
- The Rev Andrew Richardson is to leave the East End Congregations in Glasgow
- The Rev Canon Jonathan Mason has left All Saints’, St Andrews
- Donald Shell of St John’s Cathedral in Oban has been appointed as Warden of Lay Readers for that diocese.
- The Rev Prebendary Bob King has been installed as Rector of St Andrew’s Kelso.
- The Rev Liz O’Ryan has been licensed as Associate Priest at Alexandria and Dumbarton since 25 October 2014.
- The Rev Kenneth Gibson was licensed as Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity, Monifieth on 21 December 2014.
- The Rev Canon Ian Pallett will be installed as Priest in Charge of St Ninian’s, Invergordon and St Mary’s, Alness on 15 January 2014
- The Rev Thomas Brauer has been appointed as Diocesan Missioner for the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane.
- The Rev Shona Boardman has been instituted as Rector of St Mary’s Burnam and St Columba’s Stanley.
- The Rev Graham Taylor has been instituted as Rector of St John the Baptist, Perth.
- The Rev Pam Skelton died on 7 December 2014
- The Rt Rev Michael Hare Duke died in December – obituary from the Rt Rev Bob Gillies here: http://www.scotland.anglican.org/bishop-michael-hare-duke-rip/
The Buzz
- Bishop David was at the launch of the Smith Commission findings about Scotland’s Future.
- Sam Ferguson writes about a boy she fell in love with.
- Kelvin Holdsworth has been making his New Year Predictions for 2015.
- Ruth Innes has been making New Year Resolutions.
- Christine McIntosh realises she is older than any of the bishops.
- Malcolm Round advises anyone wanting to improve their prayer life to get a dog.
- Rosemary Hannah writes about an uncle who was “staggeringly normal”.
- John McLuckie thinks it is time to get back to Traditional [Episcopal] Values.
- Beth Routledge thinks it is time to build a cairn.
Sabbatical Funding – The Alastair Haggart Bursary Fund
In memory of Bishop Alastair Haggart a bursary fund was established by his family.
The fund exists to help the financing of sabbaticals or other similar leave of absence for clergy and full-time ministers of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
A committee will convene in January 2015 to make th e next award. Awards totalling up to £4,156 will be made. Individual circumstances, financial resources, and the nature of the sabbatical and its usefulness to the wider church, are taken into consideration when making the award.
Closing date: 6 January 2015
Vacancies
- Grangemouth and Bo’ness – advertised on the Edinburgh Diocesan website on 26 November 2014. No closing date listed. See profile for more details.
- Secretary and Administrator, General Synod Office – still advertised on the SEC website but closing date is passed.
Roof Repair Fund
A new fund is available to help with urgent repairs to Listed Places of Worship. More details on their website: http://www.lpowroof.org.uk/ Note that the closing date is coming up in early January.
ACTS Trustee Needed
The Faith and Order Board of the Scottish Episcopal Church is seeking for someone to be the SEC’s nominated Trustee of ACTS – Action for Christians Together in Scotland. “A strong interest in ecumenism is essential, previous experience as a charity trustee would be helpful.” More details from churchrelations@scotland.anglican.org.uk
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