Picture by Derek Fett

Monday May 18

General Assembly 2015 - Monday

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has expressed ‘deep and heartfelt sympathy’ for the people of Nepal following the recent earthquakes which have devastated the country.

The Assembly this morning heard moving testimony from the Rev Ram Kumar Budhathoki of the Nepal Ebenezer Bible College, who said he was in church when the first earthquake struck. “I was about to say the closing prayer when the microphone went off, and the lights went off and the church started shaking, slowly in the beginning then so strong we were not able to stand on our feet.

“Some of the children were crying, praying ‘Lord have mercy, protect us’.

“And after 42 seconds of shaking the country was devastated. 8500 people lost their lives, 20,000 were seriously injured, 275,000 houses were completely destroyed and many, many children and young and elderly people severely traumatised.

“At the time I was in the church I didn’t have my two-year-old son with me – we’d left him that day at home [because he wasn’t well]. After it was calm I rushed home to see him. 10 minutes after the first earthquake another earthquake struck, almost of equal magnitude. I reflect now that the second one was not as terrifying, I think because my dear ones and loved ones were with me.”

He added that, before coming to the Assembly, he had visited his brother in a remote farming village. “90 per cent of the houses have collapsed, cattle have been killed, the seed to plant rice and other things is under the mud. They have nothing. Some of them have lost family members.

“There are many, many families in desperate need of your prayer and your support. I appeal to you to continue to pray for us and to be with us in this difficult time.”

Also during the World Mission Council discussion, the Rev John Yor Nyiker Deng of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan expressed thanks for the Church of Scotland’s work in peacemaking in the troubled country. The Council is seeking to train mediators to help with reconciliation and rebuilding.

At the suggestion of the Very Rev Dr Finlay Macdonald, two new sections were added on Myanmar, noting with satisfaction moves towards democracy but with concern proposed restrictions on presidential candidates (which would debar Aung San Suu Kyi) and on religious freedom, particularly on inter-faith marriage.

During the Ecumenical Relations Committee discussions, there was a section added to ‘rejoice’ that the Church of England now formally recognises the Church of Scotland so that Kirk ministers can celebrate the sacraments in Anglican churches. However, sadness was expressed that the Free Church of Scotland is no longer in any sort of ecumenical relationship with the Church of Scotland.

The Panel on Review and Reform introduced plans for a pilot project, working with 20 congregations to help them move from a ‘maintenance model’ to a ‘mission orientated one’. Invitations have gone out to Presbyteries asking them to nominate suitable congregations.