FAITH IN ACTION

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

Rev Dr Scott J SShackleton Head: Faith Action Staff -Ministries & Mission Support

As we move into autumn and the season of festivals and anniversaries such as Harvest, Creation Time, Remembrance, All Souls, All Saints and St Andrew’s Day, we are reminded that remembering and honouring both people and Creation is important. My dad was once asked what was the meaning of life and he replied: “To create good memories and give them to God in whom nothing is lost.” It’s a nice memory to have of him. What memories do you cherish and what ones are you making now as part of your personal Faith Action Programme? Blessings.

Rev Karen Hendry Acting Convener Faith Impact Forum

The parish I serve is close to the shipyard that was a previous place of employment until a conversation with a workplace chaplain nudged me out of my comfort zone. In my ministry I’ve tried to bridge both worlds, focusing on how the Church engages with life beyond its doors. Most recently that has included a view through the lens of the work that’s the responsibility of the Faith Impact Forum, the successor to the World Mission and Church and Society Councils. It has been a challenge holding local demands in tension with wider societal concerns through the time of pandemic and as major change in the Church begins to take root. Through all of that, though, I’ve remained convinced how vital it is to stay in touch with the struggles of people – to meet the challenges of daily life, in shipyards and on the streets where they live.

Shirley Grieve Priority Areas Secretary

Challenge Poverty Week – We can turn the tide

We are proud to take part in the Poverty Alliance national campaign – Challenge Poverty Week – from 3 to 9 October. This is an opportunity to raise our voices against poverty and unite with other congregations and hundreds of organisations across Scotland in calling for a more just and equal society.

Look out for inspirational stories of the work taking place in Priority Areas and other congregations who are intentionally challenging the stigma of poverty. We are delighted to have the support of the Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields in his year as Moderator, who is deeply committed to challenging the injustices of poverty and we are glad he is walking with us.

We are trying out a new event: bringing together people from our communities, our congregations and those of other denominations who are running anti-poverty activities, along with community workers and policy workers. It’s time to get in the same room together and turn the tide on the injustice of poverty in Scotland.

There are also Weekly Worship resources throughout October on the Church of Scotland website to highlight the need to challenge poverty. By taking part in the campaign, using our shared values of compassion and a belief in justice, we can advocate that everyone gets the adequate income they need to live a dignified life, and we can challenge the system that causes this poverty.

Churches have been at the forefront of working with those most affected. There are lots of ways your congregation can build on this work and take simple action during Challenge Poverty Week. You could highlight the issue of poverty during your service or in your newsletters, ask your community to pray for those trapped in poverty, encourage your congregation to get involved with existing community initiatives. Make contact with us at: priorityareas@churchofscotland.org.uk

Rev Dr Lezley Stewart Recruitment and Support Secretary

Recruitment and Support

The work of Recruitment and Support for the Faith Nurture Forum is all about people – the people who are exploring a call to ministry, and those who go on to serve in the recognised ministries: Full Time Ministry of Word & Sacrament, Ordained Local Ministry, the Diaconate and Readership.

From the first point of enquiry about sensing a call to ministry, the Recruitment Team is on hand to support those questions and explorations, and help navigate the journey from there.

We also oversee the Admissions process for those from other denominations who sense a call to serve in the Church of Scotland. Everyone brings their own unique story and journey of discernment and it’s great to be part of how that all unfolds.

The local Church has a huge part to play though: in everyone’s story is the believing and belonging that has come first.

Being nurtured in a congregation by others, and seeing gifts encouraged and used in local worshipping communities can often be the start of this exploration towards ministry. It’s amazing what simple words of encouragement can mean when we believe that God continues to call us to serve in different ways.

The work of Support continues that ethos of valuing of each person serving in ministry, and seeks to respond to the different needs that arise in the life cycle of ministry. While Presbyteries have the initial responsibility for pastoral support of those serving in their bounds, the Support Team is able to provide a variety of distinct interventions that can help those in ministry and their families when different circumstances arise. We also support retirement planning and are involved with Presbyteries in managing absence and supporting returns to work.

People are at the heart of all we do. 

Kenny Roger Middle East Secretary

Tabeetha School

Jaffa, to the south of Tel Aviv, is widely recognised as one of the oldest ports in the world. A fascinating place full of history and life, with a perfect climate and Mediterranean Sea views.

And set right at the heart of the city is Tabeetha School, the only remaining Church of Scotland School in overseas territory. Set up by Jane Walker-Arnott in 1863, the school moved into its current building in 1875, before the General Assembly accepted responsibility in 1914, following Jane’s death. It acts now as a central part of the Christian presence of the Church of Scotland in the Holy Land, and is an expression of our support for the Christian communities in that part of the world.

In Israel, like so many other countries throughout the world, the Christian communities are under threat, and Tabeetha School provides a real antidote to that. It is a school where many of the students are from the Christian community in Jaffa and the surrounding area, and stands as the only majority Christian school in Israel.

Tabeetha is much more than that of course and has a large number of Muslim and Jewish students and staff, and therefore exemplifies in many ways the mission and values of the Church of Scotland, and as the only English-speaking multi-faith school in Israel, it represents a very significant presence.

In a country where there any many tensions between the three main religions, Tabeetha stands as a beacon of hope and light, bringing people to live together and to learn from each other.

Understanding the ‘other’ is vital in Israel if there is ever to be peace with justice, and an end to the conflict, and Tabeetha School is a small, but vital, part of this. It is creating the ripples necessary for change.

For further information visit: www.churchofscotland.org.uk