Thomas Baldwin reports on architectural awards made to a newly-built church in Angus.

A NEW parish church in Angus has been awarded a string of architectural awards by the Dundee Institute of Architects.

Monifieth Parish Church was recognised for ‘Best Use of Timber’, ‘Best Use of Stone’ and ‘Best Commercial/Non Domestic Building’ as well as winning the Supreme Award at the awards in November.

The judges commented: “Building a new church and making it modern was a bold decision that has paid off in spades for parishioners in Monifieth. It marries stone, brick and timber with eco-features such as solar panels and superb levels of insulation. It is a wonderful place of worship that can hold its head high next to even the finest local traditional churches.

Its greatest accomplishment is its ability to produce the same aura of peace, tranquillity and sacredness you find in a traditional church.”

The parish church was created from the union of three former congregations Panmure, South and St Rule’s - in 2008. The new building, located on the site of the South Church hall, cost £2.3m and was funded by local fundraising and charitable trusts. Designed by Lee Boyd Architects from Edinburgh, it is intended to work as a flexible, versatile community space, which the church hopes will be used by a wide range of organisations.

It was dedicated by the Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in September 2019.

The minister, the Rev Fiona Reynolds, said before the opening: “People are very excited about the opening of our inspiring new building in the heart of the community

“I am really looking forward to getting stuck into ministry and the range of activities that we will be able to accommodate are limited only by our imagination.

“Our old buildings were not suitable for creative purposes so we had to start from scratch.

“Having a clean slate provides so much more opportunity and enables you to dream in a way that was just not possible before

“I would like to see the church open seven days a week, up to 12 hours a day, and be a space that is safe and welcoming to people of all ages.”

Mr Sinclair said: “It is exciting to see the opening of the new purpose built centre at Monifieth this weekend.

“This is the result of a long held vision to deliver the Church’s message and mission into the 21st century becoming a reality.

“People have looked forward to this day.

“I am delighted to be part of the celebrations and look forward to them finding great joy as they worship together, grow in their faith and reach out to the community.” ¤

Opening of Monifieth Parish Church

NEW SOUTH SUDAN PEACE HOPE

Amid persistent worldwide spiritual and moral appeals for peace, reconciliation, and support, the government of South Sudan and holdout opposition groups recommitted to cessation of hostilities in a peace declaration brokered by the Sant’ Egidio, a Rome-based lay Catholic movement.

The agreement is yet another key step in the attempt to end the prolonged conflict in the world’s youngest nation. For decades, local and international churches have accompanied communities battered by war in the nation where many are Christians and followers of African traditional religions. Recently, local religious leaders slammed the latest round of fighting as senseless and unnecessary

On January 15, the declaration, titled “Rome Declaration on the Peace Process in South Sudan,” came into force.

“We (are) humbled by the relentless spiritual and moral appeal for peace, reconciliation and fraternity by Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland [the Very Rev Dr John Chalmers], as well as those of the South Sudanese religious leaders,” said leaders in the declaration signed by, among others, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, from the government, Thomas Cirillo Swaka from the South Sudan Movements Alliance, and Paul Malong, the South Sudan United Front/Army leader. “We solemnly declare to commit/recommit and adhere to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of December 2017.

The declaration seeks to end any further armed confrontation across the country, creating an environment conducive for dialogue.

The leaders also reaffirmed their readiness to allow continued and uninterrupted humanitarian access in their areas so that the people who are suffering the consequences of the conflict and natural disasters can get assistance from both local and international organisations.

Currently, the South Sudan conflict requires comprehensive political engagement in order to achieve inclusivity and sustainable peace, the parties noted.

“We (are) mindful of the unprecedented suffering of the people of South Sudan caused by devastating civil war and the urgent need to cease hostilities,” said the leaders.

In November, president Salva Kiir Maryadit and opposition leader Riek Machar Teny postponed the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity to February, saying the conditions at that time were not conducive. The government is one requirement mandated by the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, the peace roadmap for South Sudan signed in September 2018. (WCC)

GRIEF AND PRAYERS IN AUSTRALIA

The President and Moderators of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) have expressed their ‘shared grief, deep gratitude to those involved in the incredible emergency response and… commitment to be part of the long-term recovery’ from the bushfires that devastated the country in January.

It continues: “We give thanks to the many who have given their time and resources to provide practical and pastoral support in evacuation centres and at relief points, including many Uniting Church chaplains working around the clock to be there when needed.

“For all in the Uniting Church who are involved in the response, we thank you. We give thanks for the ways you are bearers of Christ’s hope and compassion in disaster recovery ministry across the nation, and in opening your doors, as congregations, to provide shelter, food and a safe place.

“We give thanks for the stories of amazing courage and goodwill in the community, and for all who have pitched in to support the displaced and the responders.

Amid the most tragic of circumstances, incredible kindness has been demonstrated in small acts and large-scale fundraising efforts. “We lament that God’s beloved creation, is hurting. The toll on our wildlife, biodiversity and our natural heritage is incalculable.

“It is our Christian belief, that amid such suffering, God is with us. We ask Uniting Church members across the country to join in prayer for all those suffering, to know God’s love, grace and comfort.

“In the very long road to recovery ahead, the Uniting Church will continue to provide support to recovering communities through pastoral care and other relief projects in the months to come.

“We encourage you to do what you can to practically and pastorally support those who are rebuilding their lives and communities.”

A few days earlier, a UCA statement said that ‘the largest scale disaster chaplaincy response on record’ was integrated into the emergency response to the fires. (UCA

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