FAITH IN ACTION

The fifth in a series of features which will offer updates from the Faith Action Programme.

Rev Dr Scott JS Shackleton Head: Faith Action Staff -Ministries & Mission Support

There is a phrase, ‘flying a kite’, which of course does not mean doing a Mary Poppins with the kids in the park, but rather throwing out an idea and seeing if it is picked up and responded to or not. The theme of our first national event in March was TryTank, an attitude of mind and activity that says, instead of a think tank, we will be a ‘try tank’ – testing things out at low level and cheaply to see if an idea flies. If it does soar up into the atmosphere where the air is clear, happy days. If not, little lost and much learned. You may enjoy physically flying a kite for our second national event organised this year by the Faith Action Programme for Pentecost, or you may choose to fly the other type of kite by doing something radical for mission and outreach. Whichever it is, may God’s Ruach create an uplifting and life-enhancing experience for you all at Pentecost!

Dave Kendall Chief Officer: Office of the Assembly Trustees

Leaner and Fitter

This is my first opportunity to contribute to the Faith Action Programme feature and reflect on our progress towards establishing the strong foundations required for our future as a growing, missional and sustainable Church. Looking back on our journey together since 2019, we have come such a long way in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances, particularly at a local level. Most people were daunted by the prospect of achieving the changes identified by the Special Commission on Structural Reform, even without the pandemic, but the principal building blocks approved by the General Assembly of 2019 are now in place. We are leaner and fitter, and the Assembly Trustees recently identified the need for a single overarching framework as the next step so that our resources – human and financial – can best support our ability to spread God’s word across Scotland and beyond.

Carol Finlay Congregational Engagement Team Leader

Pentecost Picnics, Kites and all that….

In the light of all the restrictions over the last two years, it’s time to get out again and to celebrate! Let’s bring some of the fun and excitement of Pentecost to the streets of our towns and villages and draw people in from the highways and byways to mark the birthday of the Church.

There are plans afoot to encourage congregations and communities to host a Pentecost Picnic. Let’s get out into the church garden, or better still, into the local park, or onto the beach, or climb to the top of a hill on June 5 – to enjoy each other’s company and to let the wind of God’s Spirit refresh and excite us all over again.

How about making kite-flying the centrepiece of the gathering and see if we can fill every part of the sky over Scotland with brightly coloured, homemade, kites? Just imagine!

And kites just happen to have a cross as a frame. Why not use each of the four sections to write a prayer on? One in each for your congregation, your community, the country and the world? That way the skies will also be covered in prayers.

Templates, service suggestions and packs will be available soon – so get planning – the sky’s the limit … literally!

That particular weekend is of course, doubly exciting as it also marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Even more of an excuse to enjoy ourselves.

As the Pentecost winds of change whoosh around us, may we find ourselves soaring to new heights as we are propelled into the world with the excitement of the Good News of the living, breathing, loving God.

Kay Cathcart Education and Training Secretary,

Church of Scotland Integrated Training Programme For All

Jesus’ call to follow Him takes us to all kinds of places where He asks us to represent Him – to be His feet, hands and mouthpiece. Jesus also assured us He will be with us always, wherever we go.

Some of these might be very ordinary places, where we are simply living our everyday life; some are where we are given a role to carry out or are stretched by a new challenge. The Church wants to equip its members for all of these places of influence, helping each of us to respond to Jesus’ call within the Church and out into our communities.

The up-and-coming integrated training programme aims to do just that. We hope to provide a growing curriculum; which will be broad and varied, flexible and purposeful, with material accessible online and with some important opportunities to connect ‘in person’, either within your presbytery or your congregation.

We are continuing to shape and build the first modules of the curriculum, and would very much appreciate your input. This programme needs to be relevant, accessible and wanted, for it to be worthwhile. Covid has changed our landscape and our Presbytery Mission planning does this even more. What training would you find valuable in your current context and what can you see on the road ahead? Please don’t hesitate to contact faithnurture@churchofscotland.org.uk if you have suggestions or questions.

Shirley Grieve Priority Areas Secretary

Tackling Food Poverty with Dignity

We don’t need the news headlines to know that the rising cost of living is impacting most deeply on our poorest communities. It’s the dilemma of choosing between heating or eating and our churches are grappling with how to ensure dignity in our responses to food poverty.

“ In Carnwadric Parish Church, in Glasgow, as an example, they have used a small grant to purchase gift vouchers from a local supermarket, which can then be distributed to families who can use them without stigma, to purchase what they need.”

Foodbank provision has been a staple of our congregational life for so long now; a shameful reminder that something is broken in our society, when families, including those in low paid employment, cannot afford to buy enough food. The best provision is led by local people; working together to offer a dignified response. These are often people with lived experience of food poverty, with a real understanding of what it feels like when you can’t feed your family.

Our network of congregations has been at the forefront of considering how food provision can be done with dignity; so that people aren’t stigmatised even in the act of picking up a food parcel. Alongside foodbanks there are food growing projects, community meals at no cost or low cost, community cafés. In Carnwadric Parish Church, in Glasgow, as an example, they have used a small grant to purchase gift vouchers from a local supermarket, which can then be distributed to families who can use them without stigma, to purchase what they need.

Blame for food poverty doesn’t lie with individuals but with a system that isn’t working. We can see signs that there is a growing pressure on governments to tackle this at a systemic level. From politicians u-turning in response to high-profile child hunger campaigns, to government consultations on ending the need for foodbanks, there is a groundswell of public opinion that politicians and policy makers are responding to.

As we look at the breadth of the food poverty work taking place in our Priority Areas we can readily see our missional marks in action; in its most dignified provision, people are actively responding to human need by loving service but are also seeking to transform the unjust structures of society that have necessitated this work in the first place. Come with us:

www.churchofscotland.org.uk/connect/priority-areas/ what-we-offer

For our Gaelic readers

Rev Dr Rory MacLeod Minister of Strath & Sleat

Gu trìc, bheirear tuairisgeul air a’ Chaingis mar thionndadh air ais bho Thùr Bhàbeil (Genesis 11.1-9), far an do thog Dia cànanan eadar-dhealaichte gus na daoine a chur troimh-a-chèile. A rèir Gnìomharan 2, thug Dia comas do na deisciobail cànanan eadardhealaichte a bhruidhinn gus an cluinneadh gach neach Deagh Sgeul Ìosa nan cànan fhèin. Tha seo a’ coimhead dhòmhsa nas coltaiche ris na thathas an dùil ann an leabhar an Taisbeanaidh 7, nuair a chì an t-abstòl Eòin an “co-chruinneachadh mòr… o gach nàisean, is treubh is cinneadh is teanga” a’ moladh an Tighearna. Nach e seo adhbhar làidir a bhith a’ gleidhadh ar cànan fhèin, a’ Ghàidhlig?