Next issue . . . NEW MINISTRY AND & GALLOWAY ITEMS for the June issue may be MISSION WEBSITE submitted up to Monday 17 May A NEW website will feature re- as ordinary running text (not leaf- sources related to ministry and Diocesan News lets, adverts, posters or PDFs, please) to the editor, Susi Cormack mission. ISSUE 95 – MAY 2010 Brown, c/o the Diocesan Centre, There is a lot of excitement and 5 St Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2DH, activity around in these areas of our A chance to change the rules or [email protected]. diocesan life, and this site will pro- Diocesan News Service is published vide another vehicle for sharing THIS issue of Diocesan News comes out in the run-up to the first UK 10 times per year by the Scottish Epis- good news and best practice. General Election in five years. copal Church, United Diocese of Glas- On these pages, Revd Dr Ann So it‘s timely to take stock of how we, as Christians, choose to be stewards of our voting power. It is a seriously under-rated privilege, yet it would have seemed gow and Galloway (Scottish Charity Tomlinson, the Ministry Develop- ment Officer, intends to share news an asset of immense value to those who first heard Jesus‘ parable of the talents (‗to Number: SC013925). Views expressed the third servant he gave a chance to change the rules...‘). are not necessarily those of the editor. of what‘s happening across the Diocese in the fields of ministry-for Whether we have any party allegiance or none, we all have a major opportunity -mission, and also circulate reviews now to make candidates listen a little more acutely when we tell them what we Youth Week deadline of materials, books read, courses want done for the sake of peace, justice and loving kindness. THE application deadline for this attended, sermons given or heard. We can lobby politicians on our doorsteps, at their surgeries, and in writing. We year’s Glen ’10 SEC Youth Readers will also be able to can go to hustings meetings and let them know who will hold them to account if Weeks is 7 June. download training materials for use they get into power. The Youth Weeks happen at individually, in congregations or Using our democratic leverage doesn‘t need to stop when the polling booths Glenalmond College, Perthshire, each across Regions. close either. Our freedom to put our views to those who govern gives us a summer when young people and In the next two months, for in- continuing right – and responsibility – to speak up for those who have no voice. leaders from all over Scotland gather stance, two such resources will be ‘Ethics Election’ together for six days of sports, being published by the Diocese swimming, arts and crafts, workshops, Also in this issue . . . Faith think-tank Ekklesia is calling for under the auspices of the Education this to be an ‗Ethics Election‘. In the fun events, worship and making A shack in the Easter garden friends. Action Group – one for Vestry following pages you‘ll find articles about some of the election issues that Participants may attend either week members and another on ways of Stewardship at election time matter from the perspective of the commencing 1 August or 8 August. growing a culture of welcome in The Youth Weeks are open to our charges. Both are being written Glen ’10 youth week deadline Mothers‘ Union, Companion Dioceses, Church in Society, and our Steward- anyone in secondary education up to, in response to specific requests Mother love in the polling booth and including, July 2010; also under- ship Action Network. It makes thought from members of the Diocese. -provoking reading. I hope it will 18s who have left full-time education. A manifesto for trade justice Ann says: ―Do use these new stimulate prayer and action too. It is suggested that each participant pages to comment on what you pays £110 and his/her vestry pays £90. Kirk says no to Hunterston coal Whoever is voted into power has tough read, and please feel free to offer choices in store. Radio4‘s Moneybox Contact Diocesan Youth Officer Resources for voting Christians Christian Okeke (0141 221 5720; suggestions on ways in which I can newsletter reported last month that the [email protected]). support your charge or Region in Primus calls on voters to UK‘s debt is expected to pass the To download an application form becoming more mission-shaped. oppose Trident replacement £1trillion mark by the end of the visit scotland.anglican.org. Visit md.glasgow.anglican.org. coming year. So in 2011/12 the UK 

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From page 1 will have borrowed an estimated £24,333 for each of its 45million adult citizens. And that doesn‘t even take account of personal debt! Tackling our debt burden—the figure is expected to grow by half as much again within five David in joint church years—without cutting aid or services to those in need is a tall order. It will be no easier re-stimulating our economy without breaking our vital Climate Change call to drop new Trident plan pledges. Inevitably there will be cuts, sacrifices and hardship cases. We‘ll see the effects among our own neighbours here in our diocese, as well as across the land. MOST Revd , the Scottish Episcopal Primus, wants voters to tell Westminster candidates to invest in the poor and And that‘s the perfect storm in which our new Bishop, Gregor Duncan, takes the oppressed instead of a replacement for Trident. office following his consecration on 23 April. In a joint letter to the UK Government, Bishop David and seven other Theologian Karl Barth told Newsweek magazine: ―I always pray for the sick, the Scottish church leaders said: poor, journalists, authorities of the state and the Church – in that order.‖ Whatever order you choose, please do include Bishop Gregor in your prayers as he enters this ―At Easter, Christians of all traditions express their shared belief that God new ministry among us. Susi Cormack Brown, editor so loved the world that he sent his son Jesus Christ to suffer and die as a man. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead demonstrates that security New children’s Meet and learn comes from faith in the vulnerability of God in Christ and not in any human ANN Glenesk, who became creation. ministry group Mothers’ Union diocesan presi- ―Christian moral reasoning leads us away from violence towards loving THE Diocesan Children’s Minis- dent last month, says: “One of relationships with others. try Network is set to hold its my first tasks is to meet and ―Violence is expressed in threat as well as in deed. The indiscriminate first meeting. learn from the existing members nature of nuclear weapons makes it impossible to justify them as weapons This new group has been formed to of the MU. of war as their effect cannot be considered as either limited or proportion- look at, and advance mission among, ―I will be arranging visits to ate. Therefore, the very possession of nuclear weapons is unjust and thus branches, churches and meeting up children of primary age and under in wrong. Churches have often expressed this concern. our Diocese – what we do with chil- with Diocesan members. dren in the church, and how we might ―Meantime I would welcome con- ―Christ came for the whole world and the security of the whole world is go about outreach to them. tact from members who are not in Christ‘s concern. these two categories and from anyone At present, the group members are: ―Nuclear weapons by their very existence undermine the security of the who has suggestions on how the mis- Judy Page (convener), Anne Jones whole world and are inconsistent with the traditional theories of just war. (Diocesan Child Protection Officer), sion of the MU within the diocese can Anthea Clarke, Wendy Petrie and be developed.‖ Contact her on ―We believe that tackling injustice, poverty and inequality would lead to a Wilma Keenan. [email protected] or c/o safer world for all. At a political level that transformation means choosing The group is working to arrange Diocesan Centre, 5 St Vincent Place, to spend money on changing the lives of the poor and oppressed and not on regional meetings of clergy and lay Glasgow G1 2DH. nuclear weapons. people with children‘s interests at heart, to talk about how we may nur- HE diocesan Mothers‘ Union ―All of us have a political choice in the next few weeks. ture the faith of the children in our T extends everyone an invitation ―We call upon all people of goodwill to make it clear to candidates of all various local communities, and invita- to its Festival Service, at which the parties that we should choose life over death and the alleviation of poverty tions will go to churches. Chaplain, Secretary and President will over the replacement of Trident.‖ The first meeting will be in Ayr- be commissioned by +Gregor. The shire at St Ninian‘s Troon, Monday 17 service is on Saturday 15 May at The full Easter appeal joint letter, and a list of all eight signatories, can May, 7 for 7.30pm. 11am in Holy Trinity, Ayr. be read at: scotland.anglican.org/index.php/news/

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Northcott, professor of Ethics at the the initiative for a greener faith. There ‘Tough Choices’ looks at today’s big questions University of Edinburgh. He is a trustee will be a light buffet lunch (cash dona- of Traidcraft and former academic chair tions welcome). TOUGH Choices is a new ‘Journey in Faith’ course from the diocesan of the Centre for Human Ecology. To book contact Church in Society Education Action network exploring contemporary ethical issues. There will be a discussion period after convener (01698 429895; It takes place in Paisley over five Tuesday evenings. Sessions are: the talk, followed by refreshments. All [email protected]).  27 April A Just War? Revd Prof Michael S. Northcott are welcome. T Margaret‘s Newlands‘ next Sec-  4 May Climate Change Prof Ian Arbon CONFERENCE on Scotland‘s S ond Sunday concert is on 9 May,  11 May Genetics Prof Jim H. McKillop A Cluniac heritage at the abbeys of 3.30-4.30pm, with Faggottissimo: bas- Paisley and Crossraguel takes place in soonists Victoria Scott, Graeme Brown  18 May Ethical Finance Revd Kathy Galloway Paisley Town Hall on Saturday 15 and Katherine Nagl.  25 May End-of-Life Issues Revd Prof David Jasper. May. Speakers will address pilgrimage, The programme will include music monastic life and five centuries of by Vinter, Michael Norris, Hartley, and Sessions take place 7.30–9pm at Holy Trinity & St Barnabas Church French influence in Scotland. Details Dave Brubeck. Admission £5 Halls, Moss Street, Paisley (next to Gilmour Street Station). This non- at: www.cluny2010scotland.info (concessions £3, under-16s free). certificated course is open to all. To register send a £10 cheque (payable to Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway) with contact details to Diocesan Centre, DAY conference on 'The Spiri- HIS year‘s Ministry Celebration 5 St Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2DH. Details from Education Action con- A tual Journey and Well-Being in T Service will be at Holy Trinity venor Revd Gordon Fyfe (01475 673143 [email protected]). Old Age' takes place on Thursday 27 Church, Ayr, on Saturday 5 June. A May, 9.30am-4.30pm, Crichton Cam- buffet lunch will be served from noon pus, Dumfries. followed by the service at 1.15pm. This Shack makes poignant statement Speakers include: Revd Maurice year the focus will be on the ministry of Bond, Revd Malcolm Goldsmith, Pro- Eucharistic Assistants. in rural church’s Easter garden fessor David Clark, Dr Harriet Mowat. Contact Revd Shelley Marsh There will be a presentation of the ([email protected]). A MAKE-SHIFT shack has proved an arresting centre-piece in one DVD ‗Spiritual Care - have you found church garden this year. any yet?‘ followed by discussion. TOP CLIMATE CHAOS SCOT- The thought-provoking shelter has attracted much attention from residents The fee of £35 includes lunch. Book- S LAND wants its supporters to ‗Do and visitors as they pass by the Easter garden at St Mary‘s in Gatehouse of ing enquiries to Faith in Older People: the doorstep challenge‘. Fleet. [email protected] or 0131 346 7981. Every time a pollster or member of a The church‘s Denis Samways explains the background to the initiative: political party asks what is important to ―The idea for having a shack or a shelter came to us during our Lent course, GREENER Faith is the topic of a you, SCCS wants you to list climate which centred on the meaning of the Cross of Christ. One of the sessions A free conference at Holy Trinity change in your top three issues. was about the suffering of thousands of children in our world. Ayr on Saturday 22 May, 10.30am- A spokesman for Stop Climate Chaos ―A member of our congregation, Robin Dean, is involved with a charity 3.30pm. Scotland, which includes Christian Aid which helps street children in the cities of India, and is well aware how so Speakers are Richard Murray in its elected board, said: (Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney), An- ―This is vital to our campaign as they many live. drew Mott (Edinburgh Churches Cli- will feed this information back to their ―We built the shack from scrap materials, just like the ones in which so mate Change Conference) and Profes- head offices.‖ many urban poor live out their lives. sor Ian Arbon (Newcastle University). A doorstep challenge leaflet and ―Against the background of the three crosses in the small churchyard and They will help you explore the issues, more information can be downloaded with some poignant messages on the railings, it has been an apt reminder of inspire your prayer and action, and take from www.acqscotland.org.uk the suffering of so many these days.‖

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as we do as Christian stewards: how much do we give to particular people Nazareth Manifesto for 2010 or projects or causes? Should we cut back on our Church giving because times are hard, or should we make other sacrifices which we might notice How’s this for a manifesto? more? God wants us to love Him, our neighbour, and ourselves. However The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring you vote, keep that in your mind. good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives ....and unto God that which is God’s. and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. Jesus‘ policy statement (Luke 4.18).at the beginning of his public minis- try, together with his searching questions and condemnation of injustice, News and events in brief . . . can help our pre-election discussions and decisions.  What hard questions should we as Christians ask the candidates? CONCERT for St Bartholomew‘s Trinity Ayr on Saturday 5 June, (the  What should we lobby for, campaign about? A Conservation Appeal features two day of the Diocesan Ministry Celebra- great bands at the Gamble Hall, tion.)  Justice - trade justice - what‘s that all about? Gourock, on Saturday 1 May (7.30 for The recital is at 7.30pm and tickets Many of us buy Fairtrade products, and seven million disadvantaged pro- 8pm). (£10) can be obtained from Mackay ducers, and their families are benefiting from Fairtrade. But they, and mil- They are Shadows tribute combo Into Music in Ayr or from Archie Thom lions more, are still at the mercy of unfair international trade rules. the Shadows and fun-folk group The ([email protected]). That‘s why we need to do more than buy Fairtrade products – we need Wherries. Bar open to 12.30am. Tickets Carlo will be playing the church‘s also to campaign for trade justice. £7 (£5 concessions). new Allen organ. NEW SKILLS We all need money, and money comes through trading. In Rwanda, wid- HE Scottish Prayer Book Society N evening of ‗Flowers, Food and ows or child-led families can grow much of what they need to support those T extends an open invitation to its A Fun‘ takes place at St Mungo‘s in their care, but not everything can be home grown. So together the widows Festival on Wednesday 26 May at Church hall Alexandria on Friday 7 are developing new skills to make things to sell at the twice weekly Byumba Holy Trinity, Ayr. May from 7.30pm .Local floral art market. The day starts at 11am with Matins, demonstrator Janette Tennant will pre- But conditions for trade must be fair at every level and in many develop- followed by the Litany and then the sent ‗Floral Delights‘. Tickets £5 from ing countries; farmers have been forced to move into growing cash produc- Eucharist at noon. After lunch, there is Pauline Dow 01389 751046 email: pau- a talk from stained-glass expert Susan [email protected]. ing crops. Bradbury at 1.15pm. The Society‘s The price of coffee didn‘t plummet in recent years simply due to oversup- AGM follows at 2pm. HUSTINGS meeting focuses on ply. The market was flooded because dozens of countries were obliged to All are welcome, including anyone abandon food crops in order to produce crops for export, as a condition for A The Climate Question on Friday who has never attended a Prayer Book 30 April, 7-9pm, at DG One Leisure loans from the World Bank. service. If you require lunch, send a £3 Complex, Hoods Loaning, Dumfries The price of sugar hasn‘t hit rock bottom simply because of an oversup- cheque, payable to Prayer Book Soci- DG1 2HT. More information: Julia ply: oversupply was created by trade rules which allow huge subsidies to be ety, to Mrs P Fleetwood, 32 Crompton Harrison, [email protected] or provided to American sugar producers. Avenue, Glasgow G44 5TH. 0131 311 6500. Trade justice is perhaps the one thing that could release developing coun- tries from the shackles of unfair practice. ORLD-FAMOUS organist T Mary's Episcopal Church at Trade is not currently working for the poor. For developing countries to W Carlo Curley not only plays the S Bridge of Weir hosts the St Mary's prosper, they need to be able to trade internationally under an open and fair organ superbly, but also provides great Lecture at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19 entertainment by virtue of his larger- system. One of the biggest problems poorer countries face is barriers to May. The topic is 'When Prophecy than-life personality. markets in richer countries. fails: Climate Science and Christian He will be giving a recital at Holy Witness'. The speaker is Michael

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Unfortunately, moves to reform global trading rules have been slow; As Render unto Caesar that well as supporting Fairtrade, we can urge our government- after the elec- tion as well as before - to support fairer trade rules. Our voices and our votes are vital! which is Caesar’s... Among many helpful websites are www.fairtrade.org.uk and Jamie Hill, convener of G&G’s Stewardship Action www.tjm.org.uk. Gill Young, convener, Companion Dioceses Action Network Network, reflects on stewardship at election time... The General Election debate will be well under way by the time this Kirk says no to coal- Web worker wanted issue of Diocesan News is out, and everyone will be having their say as fired power station THE Diocese requires, on a tem- to what is on offer and what they are looking for. porary basis and on terms that So how should a committed Christian fulfil proper stewardship of this A SENIOR church figure has called on the Scottish Government to dis- can be discussed, a suitably democratic opportunity that we have? miss an application for a coal-fired knowledgeable person to get the What were Christ‘s commandments to us? power station on the west coast. diocesan website on to a sound “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thou shalt love Revd Ian Galloway says if Ayrshire footing with a remit along the thy neighbour as thyself”. What does that mean in a general election, where Power‘s proposals for Hunterston following lines: every party is trying to convince us it holds the moral high ground? were approved, Holyrood‘s ambitious  become familiar with the dioce- First and foremost, we should vote. God is not served by apathy or by climate change targets would be san website and its links to the negative protest. We are blessed generally in this country by a political ‗totally discredited‘. provincial and charge websites class that is honest and that puts what can be done to improve our lot as a Mr Galloway, convener of the  become familiar with the dioce- Church of Scotland‘s Church and So- san structure and its web require- nation well above what is in it for them (despite the media hysteria about ments self-serving MPs and their expenses). Our mature democratic system has ciety Council, said: ―This proposal represents the first  carry out such improvements and prevented the rise of dictatorship and extremism. We may have different real challenge for the Scottish Govern- maintenance as the webmaster priorities, but we all want the betterment of society. ment‘s much applauded climate has identified and specified BROKE change legislation which was agreed  train the office staff and help As a country we are broke, though you wouldn‘t know it if you had just by the Scottish Parliament last year.‖ them to set up a routine for the arrived here from rural India or the Congo. Perhaps that is an especially He added: ―The new application regular updating of the diocesan good moment to work out what our priorities really are. In the times of ap- rests on the assumption that the new website parent plenty, we did not do everything with our wealth that we might power station would use carbon cap-  establish protocols for the ap- have. Now, when we have to cut our cloth, where should savings come and ture and storage to reduce the emis- proval of material for inclusion where should we continue to spend what we can? sion of carbon dioxide to the atmos-  establish protocols, safeguards, We have personal interests – ourselves, our families to support, commit- phere but this technology is still in its and procedures for designated ments to be met – and it is right that this should be part of our thinking. Our infancy and has never been proven at people to make their own entries the scale required to work effectively challenge is to understand what our love of our neighbour and our love of  train the designated people in a power station of this size. God demands from us.  set up a standard protocol and ―Unless carbon capture can be made procedure for charge websites Third-world poverty and debt; the increasing gap between the richest and to work effectively and quickly the  train members of charges in the poorest in our country; the problems of unemployment and alcohol and new power station would seriously these. rampant consumerism; the morality of war and defence spending; the pre- compromise the targets included in the If interested in discussing this dominance of Rights over Responsibilities... Act and put the credibility of Scot- further, please e-mail the Diocesan The lists are endless. The politicians face essentially the same problems land‘s world leading position in Secretary at [email protected]. doubt.‖

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An equal say in our future Mother love in the polling booth IT is easy to forget the remarkable power of our democratic process. At Ann Glenesk tells us about an MU wish-list for Westminster... least once every five years we are given the chance to vote. THE Mother’s Union has identified the following issues as priorities All citizens, regardless of wealth or status, have an equal say in deciding for consideration prior to voting at the General Election: what our common future should be. Of course, this is not to forget the reali-  Commercialisation and sexualisation of young people and adults; ties of political life: the scandals, the broken promises, the personalities and  Family life and work; opportunism. But politics is more than this – it is how the national commu-  Gender equality; nity operates, expresses its values, engenders purpose, and affects policies  International development; directing our lives. As Christians we have a particular responsibility to en-  Marriage and relationships. courage justice and social action for the poorest in our community. The society we live in can be judged by how individuals treat one another Two helpful resources that view the General Election with a faith perspec- and by how individuals are treated by those with power and authority. tive are the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website (ctbi.org.uk) and the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office site (actsparl.org). Evidence is available that the lives of young people, especially (but not There‘s an informative 16 page downloadable booklet covering some of only) those who lack the love and support of parents and a community, are negatively affected by the images and sounds that bombard their senses. the key policy areas likely to be debated in the run up to polling day. Each subject has been prepared by a leading Christian expert or campaigner in The exploitative strategies directed towards the young by the mass media, that field. It does not represent a ‗Church‘ view or support a party line, but and particularly the fashion, beauty, diet, music and advertising industries, is designed to encourage Christians to engage with a range of important is- are contributing to a raft of consequences such as eating disorders, depres- sues facing our country. People take a range of subjects into account when sion, body image disturbances and low self esteem. they decide how to vote. This briefing outlines some of the key policy areas The images which depict females in submissive poses further undermine and for each it provides a background, raises some key issues and suggests the confidence of young women and encourage young men to embrace ag- questions for personal reflection or to ask party candidates. gressive behaviour. The consumption of such stimuli makes the develop- For example on the issue of child and family support, the following ques- ment of healthy relationships which demand mutuality a much prized out- tions are highlighted: come, rather than the norm.  What can be done to help promote a positive vision for children and While the young cannot be fully protected from noxious elements there is young people as full and active citizens in society? a need for a two-pronged approach; one to equip young people to be media-  What kinds of support do families need most to help them during difficult literate and develop the ability to decipher the techniques and strategies times? used by corporate businesses to get their money and also influence how  Often vulnerable families are wary of the ‗formal‘ services that are avail- they live and feel about themselves. The second is, as has been done in able to them. How would you support the voluntary sector within the other countries, conditions placed on corporate businesses to desist from community to provide services that are responsive to local needs? unscrupulous and unethical strategies. Further information and resources – including a regular newsletter and blog, and an analysis of the parties‘ manifestos, as well as issues not cov- SANCTUARY PLEDGE ered in the booklet – are available throughout the election campaign at the The Mothers‘ Union, in line with working with families in adversity, sup- churches‘ election website – churcheselection.org.uk ports Citizens for Sanctuary whose aim is to secure justice and acceptance

Very Revd Ian Barcroft, Church in Society Action Network convener of the need for those seeking asylum. Grassroot members are working to ensure candidates have signed the Sanctuary Pledge.  A Greener Faith - see News and Events in Brief for details of a Church You shall love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:39). We all have in Society conference taking place this month. the power to influence; let us do so with care on 6 May. Ann Glenesk is Glasgow & Galloway’s new Mothers’ Union president

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