SCPO Churches Guide A Guide to the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office and the Churches It Represents Contents
What is the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office? Page 3
What SCPO can do for you Page 4
The churches that SCPO work with Pages 5-27
The wider Christian Church in Scotland Page 28
Other faith communities in Scotland Pages 29-31 What is the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office?
The Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office (SCPO) was created in 1999. It is a multi-denominational organisation which exists to build meaningful relationships between the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government and religious groups in Scotland. In 2005, the remit was expanded to support the churches’ engagement with the UK Parliament and Government.
The Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office enables Scotland’s churches to: • Engage effectively in the political process • Translate their commitment to the welfare of Scotland into Parliamentary debate • Contribute the range and depth of their experience to the decision-making process
Scotland’s churches are a distinctive part of Scottish civic life. Together, they played a significant part in the movement which created the Scottish Parliament, and their commitment to the well-being of the nation has continued and developed since then.
This is done through updates and briefings to MSPs and MPs; to faith groups, and by bringing people together for dialogue. Often, this is in partnership with other groups in Scottish civil society.
The office is staffed by:
Chloe Clemmons, Parliamentary Officer Irene MacKinnon, Research and Resource Development Officer
SCPO currently works with the following churches: • Baptist Union of Scotland • Church of Scotland • Free Church of Scotland • Congregational Federation • Methodist Church in Scotland • The Salvation Army • Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) • Roman Catholic Church • Scottish Episcopal Church • Scottish Unitarian Association • United Free Church of Scotland • United Reformed Church
1 What SCPO can do for you
Briefings
The SCPO produces regular newsletters and briefing papers on topics of interest to Scottish churches and others in public office. It also produces resources for churches on a variety of issues, and develops projects across Scotland.
This range of publications is intended to provide unbiased reporting of parliamentary activity and they are used in a variety of ways by our readers such as in reflection, as a campaigning tool, or for personal or professional interest. Both have a wide readership including church employees, clergy, voluntary sector professionals, parliamentary and civil service staff, and elected representatives.
To subscribe to the SCPO Newsletter go to www.scpo.scot or email [email protected]
Parliamentary Visits SCPO works with denominations and organisations to arrange and facilitate parliamentary meetings. If you would like to discuss the possibility of a meeting please contact us at [email protected]
Keep up to date News, briefing papers, consultation responses, resources, and information about SCPO projects and events are regularly updated at www.scpo.scot
Social Media: You can follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SCPO_ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SCPOffice
Telephone: 0131 240 2276
Email: Chloe Clemmons, Parliamentary Officer on [email protected] Irene MacKinnon, Research and Resource Development officer on [email protected]
Write: SCPO, 4th Floor, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN.
2 Baptist Union of Scotland
No. of congregations: 163 churches across Scotland.
No. of members: 11,000
History: The Baptist Union of Scotland began almost 150 years ago seeking to reach the unchurched people of Scottish society. It has grown since then to 163 churches across the Scottish mainland as well as many island communities.
Structure: Baptist churches are congregational in nature: each individual church is theologically and administratively independent. The meeting of the members of the church has the authority to adopt its interpretation of scripture under the guidance of God and to determine how the affairs of the church are managed. The Baptist Union of Scotland exists to serve rather than direct the individual churches.
Particular areas of interest: • Religious freedom - freedom for all to follow and express their religious convictions within our society • Human sexuality - following God’s guidance in human sexual expression while supporting all in our community • End of life - promoting quality palliative care as the primary response to end of life concerns • Sectarianism - addressing the historic anachronism of sectarianism in our society • Child poverty - meeting the needs of those in poverty and promoting policies to tackle and reduce this
Publications: Connect Magazine – available online at www.scottishbaptist.com/our-union/connect/
Key contact: Rev Alan Donaldson (Director of the Scottish Baptist Union) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 0141 423 6169
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottishbaptist Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottishbaptist
Website: www.scottishbaptist.com
3 Church of Scotland
No. of congregations: Around 1500 in Scotland and across the world.
No. of members: Over 350,000
History: The history of the Church of Scotland goes back 1500 years.
About 400AD, St Ninian began the first large-scale Christian mission to Scotland from Whithorn in the far south-west, converting many Pictish people to the new faith. The heroic figure of the early story is St Columba who crossed to the island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland late in the fifth century. He established a community of monks who spread the Gospel throughout Scotland and the north of England. In the Middle Ages, the church adopted the Roman rather than Celtic practices of work and worship. But the Reformation in Scotland came to a head in the 1560s with reformer John Knox and by the end of the 16th century, the Protestant Church of Scotland had developed into a Presbyterian Church, with a system of courts and a strong tradition of preaching and Scriptural emphasis.
Following the succession of William and Mary to the throne in 1688 and the Revolution Settlement of 1690, the reformed, Presbyterian Church became the national Church of Scotland. Up to the present day, the monarch has a special relationship with the Church of Scotland and sends a representative to attend the General Assembly each year.
Controversy and division were common in the Church between 1750 and 1850, when there was considerable concern about the Church’s relations with the State, particularly over intervention in the appointment of ministers. The largest division was the Disruption of 1843 - a major split which saw about one third of the Kirk break away to form what became the Free Church of Scotland.
Today the Church of Scotland is the largest Protestant church in the country.
Structure: Within the organisation, around 800 ministers serve in parishes and chaplaincies, supported by more than 1500 professional and administrative staff. Most of the congregations are in Scotland, but there are also churches in England, Europe and Jerusalem.
The Church of Scotland’s governing system is Presbyterian, which means that no one person or group within the church has more influence or say than any other. The church does not have one person who acts as head of the faith, as that role belongs to God. Its supreme rule of faith and life is through the teachings of the Bible.
In practice, Church of Scotland government is organised on the basis of courts, mainly along lines set between 1560 and 1690. Kirk sessions oversee the local congregation and its parish, and consist of elders presided over by a minister. At district level, the court is a presbytery. Presbyteries consist of all the ministers in the district and an equal number of elders, along with members of the diaconate (a form of ordained ministry, usually working in a complementary role in a ministry team in both parish and industry sector contexts). There are 43 presbyteries across Scotland, with an additional three across England, Europe and Jerusalem.
4 The highest court of the church is the General Assembly. This consists of around 400 ministers, 400 elders and members of the diaconate, all representing the presbyteries nationally, and business is chaired by the Moderator who is appointed for a one year term. The Church also has a commitment to ecumenical work written within its constitution.
Particular areas of interest: • Politics and government • International affairs and peacekeeping • Education • Social issues and social care • Poverty • Social equality • Caring for creation • Ethics in science • World mission
Publications: Life and Work magazine – available at http://www.lifeandwork.org/
Key contact: Andrew Tomlinson (Associate Secretary to the Church and Society Council) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 0131 240 3006
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchofscotland Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchofscotland
Website: http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/
5 Congregational Federation in Scotland
No. of congregations: There are 26 churches that are part of the Congregational Federation in Scotland including 1394 members, 231 children and 268 adherents.
The Congregational Federation consists of 257 churches, across the Congregational Federation in Wales, the Congregational Federation in Scotland, eight areas in England and independent churches in France and Scotland.
No. of members: 6793 (1394 in Scotland)
History: The Congregational Federation is a group of independent churches, forming the Congregational Federation in Scotland, and part of the Congregational Federation of England and Wales.
Its roots are in the radical reformation of the 16th century in England and Wales. In the 17th century, Congregationalists challenged the might of a corrupt State. In the 18th century, Congregationalist Isaac Watts gave birth to modern hymnody and the London Missionary Society carried the gospel around the world.
In the 19th century, a congregational minister helped to overthrow slavery in Guyana, because he treated the slaves as people called by God, able to become church members as much as anyone else.
In the 20th century, congregational churches in South Africa were among the first to be open to mixed congregations, even during the era of apartheid.
Around 100 years ago, a congregational church was the first of the mainstream churches to ordain a woman to its ministry.
Structure: The Congregational Federation in Scotland is a National Body of the Congregational Federation in Great Britain. It has its own office bearers and its own constitution. The CFS sets its own assessment fees and is responsible for its own finances. It is an independent charity with its own charitable status.
CFS has an annual Assembly, an annual Conference and its council meet three times a year. While there are rules on the numbers eligible to vote, these meetings are open to all members in Scotland who wish to attend. The office bearers and conveners of the different committees are nominated and voted in by the churches.
The Congregational Federation in Scotland participates in many ecumenical ventures and is a member of Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) as well as SCPO. It has good relations with other faith traditions and is well respected for its openness to others.
Like the other parts of the Federation, CFS sends money to the Federation Offices in Nottingham for its running costs and financial responsibilities.
CFS is represented at the joint committees of the Congregational Federation by one member on each committee: Ministries, Mission and Society, Youth and Children, Finance, Learning and Development, Inter Church Board and Pastoral Care Board. It has three representatives on General Council and on the Trustee Body of the Congregational Federation.
6 The right of each church to come to its own decisions under the guidance of the Holy Spirit has long been the basis of the Federation’s churchmanship.
Broadly, the object of the Federation is the advancement of the Christian faith, and the Federation has churches directly affiliated to it from England, Scotland, Wales and France. It provides support and guidance to congregational churches both financially and otherwise, through making grants and loans to individuals and churches, and by providing a range of services including learning and training, mission support, and youth and children’s work.
Particular areas of interest: • Learning and training • Mission support • Youth and children’s work
Publications: The Congregationalist is published four times a year. CeFaS and Junior CeFaS (Scotland) are printed three times a year.
Key contact: Rev May-Kane Logan (chairwoman of the CFS) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 0141 237 1349
Ms Margaret McGuinness (secretary of the CFS) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 01326 760209
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/congfedscotland Twitter: https://twitter.com/CongFed
Website: http://www.congregational.org.uk/area-pages-contacts/scotland-1
7 Free Church of Scotland
No. of congregations: There are around 100 congregations across Scotland, and over 13,000 people attend each week. The church also has links to other denominations in North America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
No. of members: 5000
History: The Free Church of Scotland was formed in 1843 when most of the evangelical ministers in the Church of Scotland resigned because of state interference in its internal affairs.
Under a system known as Patronage, landowners could nominate and present ministers to congregations, irrespective of whether those ministers were evangelical or even whether the congregation wanted them. They understood the historic position of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland to be that the Church and State were independent in their own spheres and that they ought not to interfere in each other’s business, but rather chose to help one another for the Christian good of Scotland.
The result was that in 1843, in what became known as The Disruption, a new denomination was formed. This was initially called the Church of Scotland, Free, but later became the Free Church of Scotland. The denomination currently has over 100 congregations in Scotland, as well as two in London, plus sister churches founded by mission work in India, Peru and South Africa. The Church has a full time seminary in the middle of Edinburgh for the training of ministers and other Christian workers.
The Free Church is in fellowship with many other Reformed churches throughout the world and stands firmly in the tradition which accepts the Bible as its supreme standard and the Westminster Confession as its subordinate standard.
Structure: Standing committees, made up of Free Church ministers, elders and advisors, look after the strategic running of the denomination and meet throughout the year. These include areas of ministry, mission, youth work, and training, relationships with other churches, the General Assembly, finance and communications.
The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body in the Free Church of Scotland and meets for a week in Edinburgh every May to discuss church business and set policy. Normally there are around 80 commissioners, made up of Free Church ministers and elders from different Presbyteries and congregations across Scotland, as well as missionaries from overseas. Business is chaired by the Moderator, who is appointed for a one-year term.
8 Particular areas of interest: The congregations of the Free Church of Scotland are united in their emphasis on • Theological teaching • Evangelistic focus • A desire to serve our God in local communities
Publications: The Record is the Free Church’s main magazine and it is published every month. It can be accessed at https://freechurch.org/resources/magazines
Key contact: The Free Church Offices Email: [email protected]
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freechurchofscotland Twitter: https://twitter.com/freechurchscot
Website: https://freechurch.org/
9 Methodist Church
No. of congregations: There are around 40 congregations in Scotland.
No. of members: 2400
History: The Methodist Church in Scotland is part of the Methodist Church in Great Britain – formally called the British Methodist Connexion – and of worldwide Methodism. The whole of Ireland is a separate Connexion.
The first Methodist congregations (known as ‘societies’) were formed in the 18th Century by John Wesley and his preachers. During his lifetime and over two centuries since his death in 1791, Methodism has grown to be the world-wide movement it is today.
Action for Children, MHA (Methodist Homes) and All We Can are all charities with their origins in Methodism, and are active in Scotland. Auchlochan retirement village in Lanarkshire is a Methodist Homes community. Action of Children carries out extensive work among Scotland’s children and young people.
Structure: Churches are grouped in Circuits which, in turn, constitute Districts. The Synod of Scotland and Shetland District are two of 31 such Districts across Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
Districts are represented at the annual Methodist Conference, the governing body of British Methodism. Each year the Conference elects a Presidency of an ordained President of Conference and a lay Vice President. Forty congregations constitute the seven Circuits in the Scotland Synod, which covers mainland Scotland. Shetland is a District of one Circuit of 17 churches. Representatives from all the Circuits attend the Synod/ District Synods, over which the Chair of the Synod/District presides.
Since 2016, the two Scottish Districts have shared a District Chair, although they retain their autonomy.
Particular areas of interest: • Social action • Projects for the unemployed • Work among children and young people
Publications: In Touch (The newsletter of Scotland Synod) Contact (The magazine of Shetland Methodism)
10 Key contact: Rev Dr David P. Easton (Scotland Synod and Shetland District Chair) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 01786 820295
Fiona Inglis (Scotland Synod Administrator) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 01786 820295
Rev Dr Andrew Fox (Shetland Deputy Chair) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 01595 692874
Ann Thomson (District Administrator) Phone no: 01595 692874
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MethodistChurchinBritain Twitter: https://twitter.com/MethodistGB
Website: http://methodistchurchinscotland.net/
11 Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
No. of congregations: There are 480 Quaker meetings in Britain of which 38 are in Scotland.
No. of members: The total membership in Britain at 31 December 2015 was 13,401, of which 693 live in Scotland. However, in addition to formal membership, there is a large number of regular Attenders who are also recorded. The total number of Members and Attenders at 31 December 2015 was 23,067 of which 1556 live in Scotland.
History: The Quaker movement began in the mid-17th century with George Fox and like-minded seekers. Fox had studied the Bible in detail and had many questions about it. He tried all the preachers and priests he could find but none of them could help him answer these questions. He came to realise that people can have direct experience of God without an ordained minister as intermediary. Nowadays, there are worshipping groups all over the country meeting each week to share fellowship together. Many people find that the major churches of today cannot help any more than they could 300 years ago, because their doctrines and rituals are unacceptable. Quakerism has its roots in Christianity, but Quakers ignore so many of the conventional practices that some say they appear to be on the edge of Christianity. People from other religious backgrounds can certainly find themselves at home with Quakers too.
Structure: Quakers in Britain (officially the Religious Society of Friends) have no written creed, no priests or pastors and no conventional sacraments. Quakers believe that everyone can experience spiritual promptings, especially when a group is gathered together in quietness. From these experiences, the group discerns what is the best way forward when difficulties are met.
Quakers are seen as travelling rather than arriving. Those on the journey of discovery come together to learn more of others who have gone before and to share with those still seeking their way.
Quakers believe that their religious insights, attitudes and practices together form a way of life. They have no one definition of ‘God’, and each person seeks to experience the religious life for herself or himself. They have the conviction that each person can have direct experience of the Spirit of God and that something of God is expressed in everyone’s life.
Particular areas of interest: • Peace - Quakers are perhaps best known for their peace testimony, which comes from the belief that love is at the centre of existence and all humans are equal in God’s eyes. It has led Quakers to refuse military service and become involved in a variety of peace activities. These range from practical work in areas affected by violent conflict to developing alternatives to violence at all levels – from the personal to the international. • Equality - Quakers believe everyone is equal. This means working to change the systems that cause injustice and hinder true community. It also means working with people who suffer injustice, such as prisoners and asylum seekers. Their fundamental commitment to inclusion means we welcome the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. • Truth and integrity - Quakers try to live according to the deepest truth they know which comes from God. This means speaking the truth to all, including people in positions of power. As Quakers are guided by integrity, so they expect to see it in public life. • Simplicity and sustainability - Quakers are concerned about the excesses and unfairness of consumer society and the unsustainable use of natural resources. They try to live simply and to find space for the things that really matter: the people around us, the natural world, each person’s experience of God.
12 Publications: Quaker News Quaker Voices (bi-monthly) Educate and Disarm (every six weeks) Earth and Economy (monthly e-update, in paper form twice a year) The Friend (weekly) The Friends Quarterly
Key contact: General Meeting Administrator Email: [email protected] Quakers (national organisation) Email: [email protected]
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BritishQuakers/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScotPolQuaker
Website: http://www.quakerscotland.org/
13 Roman Catholic Church
No. of congregations: There are 452 parishes in Scotland within eight dioceses.
No. of members: The estimated Catholic population in Scotland is 841,053 (2011 census) and the average weekly Mass attendance is 185,608. There are 740 priests in Scotland.
History: Roman Catholicism in Scotland is overseen by the Scottish Bishops’ Conference is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, the Christian church headed by the Pope.
Catholicism came to Scotland in 397AD with the arrival of Ninian (now St Ninian) at Whithorn. It has remained ever since, albeit it was outlawed during the Protestant Reformation in 1560. As religious reform was accompanied by widespread violence and iconoclasm, a sizeable portion of culturally significant religious buildings were attacked and destroyed. This was justified by John Knox who, in the ‘First Book of Discipline’ defined idolatry as including the Mass, the invocation of the Saints, and the adoration of images. It also extended to “monuments and places of the same” and, as a result, all Catholic buildings became a target. This explains why so few Cathedrals, Monasteries or Abbeys remain in Scotland compared with other European countries.
Catholic emancipation in 1793 helped Roman Catholics regain civil rights, and in 1878, the Roman Catholic hierarchy was formally restored. Throughout these changes, several parts of Scotland retained a significant pre-Reformation Roman Catholic population, including parts of Banffshire, the Hebrides, and northern parts of the Scottish Highlands.
In 1716, Scalan seminary was established in the Highlands and rebuilt in the 1760s by Bishop John Geddes, a well-known figure of the Enlightenment period. A number of Scottish Gaelic speaking areas now are mainly Roman Catholic, including Barra, South Uist, and Moidart.
Structure: The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland enables the Roman Catholic Bishops in Scotland to work together, undertaking nationwide initiatives through their commissions and agencies.
The members of the Bishops’ Conference are the Bishops of the eight Scottish Dioceses. Where appropriate the Bishops Emeriti (retired) provide a contribution to the work of the conference. The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is a permanently constituted assembly.
There are two Roman Catholic Archbishops and six Bishops in Scotland.
The Catholic Church hierarchy consists of bishops, priests and deacons. Authority rests chiefly with the bishops who oversee dioceses, while priests and deacons serve as their assistants, co-workers or helpers. Dioceses are divided into individual communities called parishes, each staffed by one or more priests, who may be assisted by deacons. All clergy, including deacons, priests, and bishops, may preach, teach, baptise, witness marriages and conduct funeral liturgies. Only priests and bishops can celebrate the sacraments of the Eucharist (though others may be ministers of Holy Communion), Reconciliation (Penance), Confirmation (priests may administer this sacrament with prior ecclesiastical approval), and Anointing of the Sick. Only bishops can administer the sacrament of Holy Orders, by which men are ordained as priests or deacons.
14 Particular areas of interest: • Social action • Promotion of Catholic social teaching in the political environment • Young people
Key contact: Anthony Horan (Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 0131 556 6771
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rcpolitics/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/rcpoliticsuk
Website: Catholic Parliamentary Office - www.rcpolitics.org The Bishop’s Conference - www.bcos.org.uk
15 The Salvation Army
No. of congregations: 74 across Scotland. The Salvation Army is also active in 127 countries across the world.
No. of members: 2900 in Scotland (33,400 in the UK)
History: The Salvation Army was founded in England by William and Catherine Booth. William Booth had been a Methodist minister, but in 1865 he began to preach the Christian gospel on the streets of London’s East End – an area characterised by poverty and crime. He worked with volunteers from various churches and soon became the leader of a movement called ‘The Christian Mission’.
Over the next few years the movement developed a military structure that enabled it to become more effective. In 1878 it was renamed ‘The Salvation Army’, with William Booth as its General. Uniforms, ranks and flags were introduced, together with guidelines for the organisation and work of the Army. As well as the preaching of the gospel, this work included practical service and social action.
General Booth’s gifted wife, Catherine, played an influential part in the early development of The Salvation Army before her death in 1890. Her most significant contributions were her writings and her advocacy of women’s ministry. As a result, women have always had the opportunity to lead at any level in the Army. Following its change of name the Army spread quickly across Britain (coming to Scotland in 1879) and overseas, with its dual emphases on spiritual ministry and social action. In the early years social action was initiated as and when needs were identified, such as providing cheap food and clothing. In 1884, a women’s rescue home was opened in London for those fleeing domestic violence and prostitution, and in 1885 a Family Tracing Service began.
Also in 1885 the Army played a key role in campaigning against the trafficking of children, which resulted in the raising of the age of consent from 13 to 16. With the publication of Booth’s, In Darkest England and the Way Out’ in 1890, social work grew more strategically, including, for example homeless hostels, a labour exchange, occupational training, recycling work, work with alcoholics, and work with ex-prisoners. The Army opened its own match factory paying employees a decent wage and providing safe working conditions, which eventually forced the industry to change its practices. The Army also began to be involved in relief work, assisting in times of emergency. Members served at the frontlines in the two world wars, offering comfort and pastoral support to members of the armed forces. Much of the same work continues today with qualified staff.
Structure: The Salvation Army has a quasi-military structure, with its international leader having the rank of General. The International Headquarters are in London, from where the General oversees the work in 127 countries. This work is organised into 61 territories, commands and regions. Within territories, the work is organised into geographical areas known as divisions. Leadership is provided by full-time commissioned officers who are accredited ministers of religion. There are two types of members: soldiers (uniformed) and adherents (non- uniformed). Non-member employees and volunteers are also involved in social and community work.
The Salvation Army in Scotland is part of the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland. There are three divisions in Scotland: East Scotland, North Scotland and West Scotland. A Service Centre in Glasgow coordinates the social services (15 homelessness centres and three older people’s care centres), property, finance and events. The Scotland Office in Edinburgh deals with public affairs and ecumenical matters.
16 Particular areas of interest: • Homelessness • Older people’s care • Drug and alcohol misuse • Employability • Poverty and debt • Human trafficking
Publications: The War Cry Kids Alive! The Salvationist
Key contact: Major Steven Turner (Assistant to the Secretary for Scotland) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 0131 440 9109
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SalArmyScotland/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TSA_Scotland
Website: http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/scotland-office
17 Scottish Episcopal Church
No. of congregations: There are over 300 Scottish Episcopal Churches across Scotland. The Scottish Episcopal Church is also deeply committed to its membership of the worldwide Anglican Communion - a family of over 70 million Christians in more than 160 countries.
No. of members: Over 32,000
History: The roots of the Scottish Episcopal Church trace back to the beginnings of Christianity in Scotland.
The distinctive identity of the Church was shaped by the Scottish Reformation which was followed by over a century of alternating between an Episcopal or Presbyterian national church.
The 1689 Revolution established the national Church of Scotland as Presbyterian and an independent non-established Scottish Episcopal Church was formed.
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a church which rejoices in its diversity. It is a church which prioritises prayer, spirituality and sacramental life in a very secular society. It has a national presence in local communities and in the public square. The Scottish Episcopal Church looks outward ecumenically, in interfaith relationships, and takes its place in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Structure: In its governance, the Scottish Episcopal Church is collegial and democratic. The Scottish Episcopal Church is known as a Province of the Anglican Communion. Within the Province there are seven Dioceses which cover mainland Scotland and the islands. The Dioceses are: Aberdeen and Orkney; Argyll and The Isles; Brechin; Edinburgh; Glasgow and Galloway; Moray, Ross and Caithness and St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane.
Each Diocese is run by a Diocesan Bishop who oversees the spiritual and practical concerns of all the clergy and lay people within their own diocese. The seven bishops together comprise The College of Bishops. Within the College a ‘primus inter pares’, commonly known as the Primus, is elected to act as ‘first among equals’ in his role as Senior Bishop. The Scottish Episcopal Church is governed by a representative body knows as the General Synod, comprising of a representation of clergy and lay people from each of the seven dioceses. The General Synod acts as the Parliament of the Scottish Episcopal Church and meets once a year for three days to discuss and vote on a range of matters and issues and to determine policy and priority for the work of the church throughout the year.
The General Synod votes on two broad types of motion - on formal changes to Canon Law or internal church policy, and on wider issues of national and international concern.
There are five boards: Administration, Faith and Order, Information and Communication, Institute Council and Mission. The boards’ main role is to interpret and carry out the broad policy guidelines laid out by the General Synod, and each oversees a specific area of the Church’s work.
18 Particular areas of interest: • Social justice and poverty • Welfare reform • Care for the environment
Publications: Inspires magazine http://www.scotland.anglican.org/who-we-are/publications/inspires/
Key contact: John Stuart (Secretary General) Email: [email protected]
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scottish-Episcopal-Church Twitter: https://twitter.com/secsynod
Website: http://www.scotland.anglican.org/
19 United Free Church of Scotland
No. of congregations: There are 58 United Free congregations in Scotland.
No. of members: 2635
History: The Reformed Church in Scotland came into being in 1560, and was established in 1567. This concluded with the act of 1921 which embodied nine articles setting forth the constitution of the Church of Scotland, and another act of 1925 handing over to the Church of Scotland the state endowments. But the ‘establishment’ bore a cost as the State began to interfere in the life of the church. In the 17th century the attempt to introduce bishops led to the persecution of the Covenanters - those who had covenanted to maintain the freedom of the church. After much bloodshed the revolution settlement of 1690 restored Presbyterianism.
Problems with the establishment continued however and this led to a breakaway from the Established Church in 1733. This led to the Secession Church, associated with Ebenezer Erskine. ‘Patronage’ - the right to choose the minister, was largely the issue. The State passed the Patronage Act giving this right to the landowners; the church maintained this right belonged to the people. This church had its difficulties as secondary matters split the Seceders. There were the ‘Auld Lichts’ and the ‘New Lichts’, the ‘Burghers’ and the ‘Anti-Burghers’. The issue of patronage again caused problems in 1761 and led to the formation of the Relief Church, associated with Thomas Gillespie.
There was a third breakaway in 1843. This was the ‘Disruption’ associated with Thomas Chalmers and led to the formation of the Free Church. While the Seceders and Relief came about by the separation of one or two at a time, the Disruption saw over 400 ministers resign from the Church of Scotland.
There followed a series of unions. In 1847, the Secession Church and the Relief Church united to become the United Presbyterian Church. In 1900, the Free Church united with the United Presbyterian Church to become the United Free Church. A minority did not go into that union and continue today as the Free Church of Scotland. In 1929 the United Free Church united with the Established Church (the Church of Scotland). A minority did not enter that union and continue today as the United Free Church of Scotland.
The United Free Church of Scotland minority met for their first General Assembly on 6 October 1929 in Glasgow. It was agreed that for the first five years following the Union they would be known as the United Free Church of Scotland (continuing) to distinguish them from the pre-1929 church. This led to the nickname ‘continuers.’
The minority who didn’t go into the union of 1929 did so because three things were important to them – Autonomy, Equality and Voluntaryism. Following 1929, a great programme of building churches began and new congregations were founded. Like many of the other denominations in Scotland, the church grew considerably until 1956, with a decline since then.
The church, following the tradition of the United Presbyterians and the Free Church, has been active overseas. Medical missions were established in Bechuanaland (now Botswana) in association with the London Missionary Society. This work saw the establishment of a hospital at Molepolole. Attempts were made in association with the Presbyterian Church in Canada to open up a new work in India, but the outbreak of WWII prevented this work developing further. However the work in Bechuanaland thrived, and in 1975 the government of Botswana took over the hospital. The church continues its association with the church in Botswana through close ties with the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa.
20 Structure: The UFC operate three presbyteries across Scotland including the Presbytery of the East, the Presbytery of the West and the Presbytery of the North.
The structure is Presbyterian – meaning government of the church by elders. These are divided into those who rule over the spiritual affairs of the congregation, and those who teach and rule. The latter are the ministers, the former the elders, and together they form the Kirk Session. A separate body in a congregation, variously known as a Committee of Management, a Deacons Court, or a Congregational Board, is concerned with property, income and expenditure.
Presbyterianism has always asserted pointedly the duty of every member to care personally for the church and to further it in all its activities by their personal support and interest. Every member has the right to take part in the election of the minister and in the management of the affairs of the congregation. Every member is expected to contribute according to his/her resources.
Particular areas of interest: • Children and Young People (Scotland) Act • Carers – both professional and voluntary • Human trafficking • Refugees • Mental health • Homelessness • Poverty • International development
Publications: Stedfast magazine available at http://ufcos.org.uk/stedfast-magazine-2014/
Key contact: Rev John Fulton (General Secretary) Email: [email protected] Phone no: 0141 332 3435
Social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ufcos/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ufcos
Website: http://ufcos.org.uk/
21 Scottish Unitarian Association
No. of congregations: There are Unitarian congregations in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the Forth Valley Fellowship which meets in the Stirling area. All are affiliated to the Scottish Unitarian Association (SUA).
No. of members: Officially there are 128 (2015). Unofficially it is claimed that there are double that number who have a live connection with the church.
History: The Scottish Unitarian Association (SUA) is the national body for the congregations of Unitarians in Scotland and is affiliated in the UK to the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. It was founded in 1813.
The Unitarians are a spiritual community who encourage people to think for themselves.
They believe that: • everyone has the right to seek truth and meaning for themselves. • the fundamental tools for doing this are your own life-experience, your reflection upon it, your intuitive understanding and the promptings of your own conscience. • the best setting for this is a community that welcomes you for what you are - beliefs, doubts, questions and all!
In the spirit of civil and religious liberty, Unitarians support equality of respect and opportunity for everyone. They oppose repression and discrimination on the grounds of any arbitrary or accidental factor, such as race or gender, sexual orientation or religious belief.
At the heart of Unitarianism is worship, which reflects what a particular community regards as being of supreme worth.
Structure: The SUA is an unincorporated charitable association, managed by an executive committee. Each congregation is self-governing and appoints its own trustees and minister or lay leader (if there is one). Each congregation appoints four members to the Scottish Unitarian Association and two members from each congregation are elected annually to the Executive Committee of the SUA.
Particular areas of interest: • There is a strong commitment among Unitarians to equality of respect regardless of distinctions based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, and social, economic, cultural or educational differences. For example, Unitarians campaigned for equal marriage, and Unitarian celebrants now conduct same-sex weddings. • Unitarians oppose discrimination against immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. They strongly support social justice and the defence of those in society who are most vulnerable. • Unitarians advocate freedom of conscience, belief and communication, provided that the rights of all are respected. Differences should be tolerated. They support Interfaith Scotland and the district interfaith associations.
22 Publications: The Inquirer (published fortnightly) Each congregation publishes a monthly newsletter and these can be found on their individual church websites.
Key contact: Bill Good (Scottish Unitarian Association secretary) Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sua.org.uk/
23 United Reformed Church
No. of congregations: There are 47 churches in the Scotland Synod. Across Scotland, England and Wales there are 1447 local churches organised in 13 synods.
No. of members: There are 3300 members in Scotland and 56,000 members across Scotland, England and Wales.
History: The URC began when English Presbyterians merged with English and Welsh Congregationalists in 1972. Churches of Christ joined in 1981 and Scottish Congregationalists in 2000. They still work closely with Christians of all traditions and styles and in this way are ‘united’.
Being ‘reformed’ means that the URC delights in the Bible, does not fear change, and tries to run its churches in ways that take everyone’s insight and contribution seriously. As a church, the URC aims to grow through supporting one another and taking decisions together.
Structure: There are 1447 local churches within 13 synods across the UK from Orkney to Cornwall. The General Assembly is the biennial assembly of the United Reformed Church, meeting every two years to celebrate, discuss, and make decisions on, the life and work of the denomination. Mission Council is the executive body of the General Assembly, and meets twice a year.
In Scotland the Synod meets twice a year.
All tasks and posts are open to women as fully as to men, and people hold a range of opinions about theology and church life.
Particular areas of interest: • Peacemaking • Environment • Politics and elections • Social justice • Social issues • International affairs
Publications: Reform magazine available at http://www.reform-magazine.co.uk/
24 Key contact: Synod of Scotland Moderator, Rev David Pickering Email: [email protected] Ecumenical Officer, Rev Mitchell Bunting Email: [email protected] General Secretary, Rev John Proctor Email: [email protected]
Social media: Synod of Scotland: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/URCScotland Twitter: https://twitter.com/urcscot
For wider URC: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/URCcommunications Twitter: https://twitter.com/urcmedia
Website: URC in Scotland: http://urc.scot URC in UK: http://www.urc.org.uk/
25 The wider Christian Church in Scotland
There are a variety of other Christian churches within Scotland of varying size.
More information can be found about other denominations here - www.scottishchristian.com/churches Each of the 4000 local churches in Scotland were invited to take part in the fourth Scottish Church Census in 2016 – a comprehensive survey of all denominations and every local church in Scotland. It measures trends in churchgoing and explore factors behind some of the recent changes in churchgoing patterns.
For more information on the census and the results go to www.scottishchurchcensus.com
Other faith communities in Scotland
The spread of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism broken up by Church of Scotland parish can be seen on the following maps of Scotland.
Legend Religion in Scotland: Buddhist CofS parishes Edinburgh detail Buddhist ¯ 3.5 <0.25% Miles 0.25-0.5% 0.5%-1% 1%-2.5% >2.5%
Glasgow detail 8.5 ¯ Miles
130 Miles ¯
FJT 07/11/2016
26 Legend Religion in Scotland: Christian CofS parishes Edinburgh detail AllChristian ¯ 3.5 <25% Miles 25%-33.3% 33.3%-50% 50%-66.7% >66.7%
Glasgow detail 8.5 ¯ Miles
130 Miles ¯
FJT 07/11/2016
Legend Religion in Scotland: Jewish CofS parishes Edinburgh detail Jewish ¯ 3.5 <0.25% Miles 0.25%-0.5% 0.5%-1% 1%-2.5% >2,5%
Glasgow detail 8.5 ¯ Miles
130 Miles ¯
FJT 07/11/2016 27 Legend Religion in Scotland: Muslims CofS parishes Edinburgh detail Muslim ¯ 3.5 <1% Miles 1%-5% 5%-10% 10%-25% >25%
Glasgow detail 8.5 ¯ Miles
130 Miles ¯
FJT 07/11/2016
Legend Religion in Scotland: Sikhs CofS parishes Edinburgh detail Sikh ¯ 3.5 <0.25% Miles 0.25%<0.5% 0.5%<1% 1%<2.5% >2.5%
Glasgow detail 8 ¯ Miles
130 Miles ¯
FJT 07/11/2016
28 Scottish Government Census 2011 – Scotland’s Census: Shaping Our Future The census results can also be broken down into religious group demographics in Scotland’s cities, and these can be viewed at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Equality/Equalities/DataGrid/Religion/RelPopMig
More information on Scotland’s religions can be found using the following links:
Baha’i Faith • www.bahai.org • www.bahai.org.uk • www.scottishbahais.org
Brahma Kumaris • www.brahmakumaris.org • www.brahmakumaris.org/uk
Buddhism • Community of Interbeing: https://coiuk.org/ • Friends of the Western Buddhist Order in Scotland: www.fwboscotland.com • Glasgow Buddhist Centre: www.glasgowbuddhistcentre.com • Edinburgh Buddhist Centre: www.edinburghbuddhistcentre.org.uk • Tibetan Buddhists: www.samyeling.org • Soto Zen Buddhists: www.portobellobuddhist.org.uk
Theravada Traditions • Glasgow Buddhist Vihara: www.tsbv.org.uk • Theravada Forest Sangha: www.theravadanbuddhists.org.uk • Thai Buddhist Monastery: www.dpadipa.org
Christianity • Churches in Scotland: www.scottishchristian.com/churches • Action for Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS): http://www.acts-scotland.org/ • Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT): http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/ • Catholic Committee for Interreligious Dialogue: www.interreligiousdialogue.weebly.com
Hinduism • http://hindumandirglasgow.org/ • www.hindutempleofscotland.com • www.edinburghhindumandir.org.uk • www.aberdeentemple.org.uk
Islam • Mosques in Scotland: www.mosquedirectory.co.uk • Muslim Council of Scotland: www.mcscotland.org
Judaism • Synagogues in Scotland: www.scojec.org/resources/files/guidebook.pdf • The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities: www.scojec.org
Paganism • The Pagan Federation: www.paganfed.org • The Pagan Federation (Scotland): www.scottishpf.org
Sikhism • Gurdwaras in Scotland: http://www.sikhsinscotland.org/gurdwara.phtml
29 Interfaith Organisations in Scotland • Interfaith Scotland: http://www.interfaithscotland.org/ • Edinburgh: http://www.eifa.org.uk/ • Glasgow: http://interfaithglasgow.org/
National Interfaith Organisations • The Inter Faith Network for the UK: www.interfaith.org.uk • St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace: www.stethelburgas.org • Interreligious ENcounter Information Consultancy: www.irenic.org.uk • Initiatives of Change (UK): www.uk.iofc.org
Sectarianism • Nil by Mouth (Challenging Sectarianism in Scotland): www.nilbymouth.org/ • Action on Sectarianism: www.actiononsectarianism.info
International Interfaith Organisations • Parliament of the World Religions: www.parliamentofreligions.org • Religions for Peace: www.religionsforpeace.org • The World Congress of Faiths (WCF): www.worldfaiths.org • United Religions Initiative (URI): www.uri.org
30 121 George Street (4th Floor), Edinburgh, EH2 4YN
Tel: 0131 240 2276 www.scpo.scot www.facebook.com/SCPOffice https://twitter.com/SCPO_
www.churchofscotland.org.uk 31