The Diaconate of the Church welcome the changing pattern for training which was noted in the Very Rev Dr Martin Fair’s article in the August edition of the Life and Work magazine. The Diaconate has long been an enabler of education and training in the local and national church and we believe this new form of training will release the gifts of God’s people for the Church.

The Church itself has used the term “variety of gifts, variety of service” to encourage the people to take on their responsibility to live out their Christian faith in action. Today we speak more of the “family of ministries” – trained and engaged people serving the church in these changing times.

However, the image that was associated with the article was one of a traditional clerical collar, worn by a man, drawing us back to the ministry of Word and Sacrament and the traditional clerical role. Surely a more inclusive and modern image could have been utilised to denote this new mode of training for the “family of ministries”.

The Diaconate of the Church of Scotland is part of this “family of ministries” ready to serve the church using their God-given gifts and skills. More inclusive images need to be used when representing the ministries of the church.

In these new and challenging times we need to look beyond the traditional imagery and roles to find a way to mission to the people God has given us to serve.

Elizabeth Philip DCS, on behalf of the Diaconate Executive.