What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • News from around the Scottish Episcopal Church – March 2015

    United Lent Appeal

    The College of Bishops has launched a Lent Appeal to raise funds for the Scottish Episcopal Institute, the new body that is the successor to the troubled Theological Institute of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Lent Appeal is to raise funds to enable full-time training for younger ordinands.

    The following prayer has been published by the bishops to go along with the appeal:

    Almighty God, giver of all good things,
    you showed your love for us by giving us your only Son:
    help us to show our love for you.
    Grant us this Lent
    the vision to see where you are at work in the world,
    the courage to join in that mission
    and the desire to give
    in support of those seeking to train
    within the Scottish Episcopal Institute.
    In the power of the Spirit
    we make our prayer
    through Jesus Christ
    our Lord.

    There are no details yet as to how full-time ordinands will be funded for in subsequent years if this appeal is successful.

    Visit of the Bishop of Zanzibar

    bish_zanz_2

    The Bishop of Zanzibar, the Rt Rev Michael Hafisd has been visiting the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles. Details of his visit are available on the diocesan website. There are more detailed reports and pictures in the Diocesan Newsletter.

    New Diocesan Council in Brechin

    The Diocese of Brechin is to consider proposals to establish a new Diocesan Council which would replace their current Administration Board and Mission and Ministry Board. Full details are available in their Diocesan Synod Papers.

    Lectured by the Rev Anne Dyer – forward notice

    The Rev Anne Dyer is giving four lectures looking at the use of the female form to depict and carry ideals of virtue and vice in the Christian tradition. Dates – 28 May, 4 June, 18 June, 25 June. Time – 2 – 4 pm. Location – Royal Overseas League, Princes Street, Edinburgh.

    Scottish Episcopal Church Provincial Youth Week

    The Glenalmond week this year will be 2 August 2015 to 8 August 2015

    Details here: http://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/glen15form.pdf

    The Buzz

    Earth Hour

    This year’s Earth Hour where people are asked to dim lights and use less power to highlight climate change issues takes place on 28 March 2015. Details of how churches can get involved are available from the Eco Congregation Website.

    People

    • The Rev Canon John Lindsay retires as Rector of St Adrian’s Gullane and St Baldred’s, North Berwick on 1 March 2015
    • The Rev Chucks Iwuagu has moved from St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow to take up a post in Haslemere near Guildford. (Farewell sermon here)

    Vacancies

     

     

     

     

     

9 responses to “The Marriage Business”

  1. Rhea Avatar
    Rhea

    I thought that what the government actually said was more of a “obviously with the current canon laws in place, the C of E and the Church in Wales won’t be able to opt in to marriage equality because their canon laws clearly state that marriage is between one man and one woman.”

    To me the ultimate issue is with the churches and their canon laws that need to be changed, no?

    Reply
    1. Rhea Avatar
      Rhea

      I just saw this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20680924

      What in the world is the government thinking?!

      Reply
      1. kelvin Avatar
        kelvin

        Here’s the original announcement – quite clear that it isn’t just about Canon Law. They really are trying to make it illegal for the C of E and Church in Wales to opt in.

        http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/media_releases/9585.aspx

        Reply
      2. Beth Avatar
        Beth

        The irony that that Department of Culture page is titled “Marriage For Everyone” absolutely knocks me down.

        I think that this more than anything else that has happened in equal marriage legislation this year has a real chance of being ruled illegal under Article 9 of the Human Rights Convention.

        Reply
  2. Peter Higson Avatar
    Peter Higson

    Church of England clergy, and Church in Wales clergy, may take note of Giles Fraser’s suggestion: “So it will now be illegal for me to marry two people who live (with) each other. Now there is a cause worth going to prison for.” as report in the Independent.

    Reply
    1. kelvin Avatar
      kelvin

      Yes – I saw that tweet from Giles. Whilst supporting the sentiment, I suspect that he is going to have to work quite hard to find a judge willing to send him to prison for it.

      Reply
  3. Martin Reynolds Avatar
    Martin Reynolds

    Yes, bizarre is the right word!

    When the Church in Wales was disestablished back in 1920 it retained its priveledges and responsibilities with regard to marriage.

    So, parishioners’ absolute legal right to be married in the parish church remains, as does the automatic right of Church in Wales clergy to be able to conduct marriages by virtue of their ordination alone.

    We recently amended our requirements for residence to stay in line with the CofE, while they were able to do it through General Synod we had to resort to a Private Bill.

    It now seems there are to be no EXTRA hurdles required by these two Churches, other than the separate Acts of Parliament they would need to change their current practice following agreement of General Synod or Governing Body.

    Reply
  4. Ali Avatar
    Ali

    “if your denomination cannot or will not opt in then the time has come for you to stand up for what’s right. If you support equality, do something about it and show us what you are made of.” you not doing any more weddings until the SEC opts in then. Kelvin?

    Reply
    1. kelvin Avatar
      kelvin

      I think it quite likely that should the Scottish Episcopal Church chose not to opt into the coming legislation then I would come to be view that the time had come to stop signing marriage papers. That is not the same thing, of course, as stopping doing weddings.

      Reply

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