Dave Kendall, in his article entitled ‘Lightening the load’ in the January edition of Life and Work , states that we need to change the narrative for our Church – ‘cherishing our past, leaving behind the sorrows of troubled times and most importantly working together towards a fantastic future for our Church that is inspired, guided and driven by the Holy Spirit’. All with the interests of our Church at heart cannot fail to hope that such worthy aims, so well-expressed, are realised.

When one looks back to some of the stark conclusions expressed at the General Assembly in 2021, it was clear that there was much to absorb and to reflect upon. It was enlightening and concerning to hear statements, such as that of the Very Rev Dr John Chalmers, Convener of the Assembly Trustees (at that time), ‘Fewer than 44% of our charges pay the whole cost of a ministry and the level of subsidy involved in supporting the other 56% of charges is, in the now foreseeable future, unsustainable,” and that of the Rev Rosie Frew, Convener of the (then) Faith Nurture Forum: “We are draining the resources of our Church – people, morale, finance – just to keep this broken system going.”

With that background, it is uplifting and encouraging to read of the positivity and responses to opportunities and challenges contained in many of the articles published in the January edition of Life and Work in addition to that already referred to above of Dave Kendall.

Ian W Thomson, Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire