Scottish Episcopal Church News for January 2015

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 Guidelines

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 Buzz


 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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