Free Church woos rebel Edinburgh congregations in Kirk gay row
Three Church of Scotland congregations in Edinburgh are being wooed by the Free Church after they announced plans to quit the Kirk over gay ministers. The Free Church, which takes a strong traditionalist stance, has set up a special working group to hold talks with congregations and ministers across the country who are unhappy with [...]
Gospel proclaimed in the Scottish Parliament
The head of an “unashamedly Christian” charity has delivered a powerful gospel message at the opening of this week’s business in the Scottish Parliament. Chamber Business usually begins each week with ‘Time for Reflection’. Speakers include representatives of Scotland’s different faiths, as well as those of no religious affiliation. This week’s Time for Reflection was [...]
Dundee church considers leaving Kirk in gay ministers protest
A Dundee church is considering leaving the Kirk over its decision to allow the appointment of openly gay ministers. Logie and St John’s Cross in Blackness Avenue is set to be the fourth church to leave after a meeting of its congregation. The Church of Scotland told The Courier: “We can confirm that the Kirk [...]
Scottish Christian Party candidate wants to support those in need
The candidate for the Scottish Christian Party in the Aberdeen Donside by-election says he will strive to support those in need if he is elected. Tom Morrow said that working in charity sector he sees a lot of people struggling to pay bills in the constituency. “They haven’t the money to even eat in some [...]
Church of Scotland Presbytery of Lewis statement on gay ministers in civil partnerships
Last night, the Lewis Church of Scotland Presbytery issued a statement which is to be sent to congregations within the Church of Scotland Presbytery of Lewis. The statement reads: “The Church of Scotland Presbytery of Lewis states its total opposition to the selection, training and ordination for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament and the [...]
Scottish adoption agency celebrates despite closure threat
Friends of the St. Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society gathered at Glasgow’s cathedral on June 9 to commemorate its years of service and to support the society’s adoption agency against the threat of forced closure. Ronnie Convery, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Glasgow, Scotland, said there was “a mood of celebration” at [...]
The Kirk rejects move over ‘gracious dismissal’ policy
The Church of Scotland has rejected a call for a “gracious dismissal” policy to allow congregations who want to quit because of gay ordination rights to take their buildings with them. The policy that is similar to that used by the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America is being discussed among Scots traditionalists, [...]
Priest to sue fellow cleric after sexual bullying book allegations
The priest behind a book alleging a culture of sexual bullying within the Catholic Church in Scotland is being threatened with legal action from another serving cleric. Father Robert Kane, a priest in the Diocese of Motherwell, announced to his congregation his intention to pursue Father Matthew Despard through the courts. It is understood he [...]
£250,000 charity godsend for Dunfermline church
Dunfermline’s Gillespie Memorial Church are celebrating a godsend of nearly £250,000 towards developing a community hub. The cash was from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces Scotland scheme, which helps rejuvenate local areas and provide somewhere for people to come together and shape their neighbourhood. The funds will go towards refurbishing the Gillespie Centre, a [...]
Edinburgh congregation quits the Kirk over decision to allow gay ministers
The first full parish in the Church of Scotland’s financial heartland is to quit the Kirk over its decision to allow openly gay ministers. Holyrood Abbey Church, which began life as a mission for the poor, is the first Edinburgh congregation to publicly express anger and division over last month’s decision at the General Assembly. [...]
Glasgow Churches Together
- Salvation Army’s General Linda Bond stands down
- Archbishop of Canterbury calls on banks to be motivated by virtue
- Vacancy: National Director – CARE for Scotland. Full time, £28k
- Food banks now a lifeline for half a million people in Britain
- Founder of Street Pastors to tour projects in Scottish towns and cities