From the Manse - May 2013

I am not a commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland this year, but I will still take a keen interest in what goes on in Edinburgh. There is a real sense of disquiet in the Church as we approach this year’s Assembly as there are a number of important and potentially divisive issues on the agenda for discussion and debate. The most well publicised of these is the report of the Theological Commission on Same Sex Relationships and the Ministry. Also before the Assembly will be all the usual reports from Church Councils and Groups. Indeed, all aspects of the life and work of the Church of Scotland will be presented to commissioners through numerous reports and deliverances during Assembly week. The hall will be packed with people for every session and some sessions will go on so long that Commissioners will lose the feeling in their lower extremities (I speak from experience here)!

If you want to get a flavour of what is up for discussion and debate at this year’s Assembly then take a look at the May edition of Life and Work. There is an interview with the Moderator Designate, the Rev Lorna Hood. Lorna is an Ayrshire lass, born in Irvine and brought up in Kilmarnock.  Although Lorna is the third woman to moderate the General Assembly, she is the first serving woman parish minster to hold the office. She has served the congregation of Renfrew North since her induction in 1979. Life and Work also contains a summary of some of the reports coming to the Assembly and a diary of the Assembly Fringe events.

The General Assembly is the highest court of our Church. Even if you do not attend the Assembly, it is important to have some idea of what is happening there so you can pray for commissioners to debate graciously and to make decisions which will take the Church forward into the next phase of its ministry and mission to the people of Scotland. If you have the time and the technology you can follow the Assembly live on the internet via the Church of Scotland website - www.churchofscotland.org.uk. You will also find daily summaries of what has happened on each day.

I conclude this month with my prayer for the General Assembly:

Let us dream. Let us prophesise.
Let us see visions of love, peace and justice.
Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith,
with courage and in confidence
that you, O Christ, are the life of the world.

Amen

Blessings

Dorothy