Monday May 20 2024
Picture by Andy O'Brien
The Assembly Trustees of the Church of Scotland are to explore how the Church conducts its external affairs work, and has been invited to consider proposals for a new committee to oversee such work.
The new committee, if agreed, would have responsibility for the Church’s work on social justice, ecumenical and interfaith relations, and work with international partners.
Following the reforms since 2019, the work of the former World Mission and Church and Society Councils are now part of the Faith Action Programme, overseen by its Leadership Team (FAPLT). However the Rev Peter Johnston, who moved the motion, today told the General Assembly that ‘capacity to consider and scrutinise’ such issues had been ‘limited’ under the new arrangements. “My view is FAPLT’s remit is too big to be able to manage this vitally important work effectively… my amendment gives permission for conversations and work to explore whether we have got this right.”
The convener of the Trustees, the Rev David Cameron accepted the amendment while saying that such conversations were ongoing with the relevant programme group. A separate amendment which would have replaced invitation with an instruction to form a new committee, proposed by the Rev Bryan Kerr, was defeated.
-
The General Assembly approved, and speakers mostly welcomed, the Theological Forum’s report on Transgender People in the Church of Scotland.
The convener of the Theological Forum, the Rev Dr Liam Fraser, said: “Despite a wide range of theological and political views being present on the Forum, we are unanimous in reaching the following conclusions. First, building on the Church’s existing statements on transgender people, we believe that transgender people should be loved, and respected, and welcomed in our congregations. It is the foundation of Christian ethics that all people are made in the image of God, and are worthy of our respect and love, and this is true of transgender people also.
“Yet second, and based on our exploration of gender in the Bible, the Forum is also unanimous in believing that transgender people should not only be welcomed into our church, but allowed to serve in our Church. That the Church should not treat transgender people differently from others, but after considering their giftings and callings, should admit them to office if we believe God wills it.
“By focussing on the importance of welcome, and the ability every Christian to be used by God for service, we believe our report offers the Church a route through a debate that has, at times, become toxic, and allows us to model a better way of engaging with issues of gender.”
The Rev Dr Donald MacEwan said that he had shared the report with a number of transgender Christians, and all of the responses were positive.
-
During the discussion on the interim Joint Report of the Theological Forum and Faith Action Programme Leadership Team on Assisted Dying, the Assembly heard moving testimony from Susan Pym, who saw her sister die from a rare neurological condition.
Mrs Pym said that in her final months her sister had asked three times for help to end her life, but that she couldn’t do it. “In her final hours I considered what I might do (to ease her suffering)… I couldn’t do it. The final words I barely heard her whisper were ‘please help me’ but I couldn’t do it.
“I wish I could say she died peacefully, but in reality she did not.”
“If you have walked in my shoes I know you will support my plea for the Church to (support assisted dying). If you haven’t walked in my shoes I pray you never will.”
The full report will be presented to next year’s Assembly.
General Assembly 2024 - full coverage
Post Tags: general assembly 2024
Read More >
Read More >
Read More >
There are currently no comments on this post
All fields are required. Email address will not be published.
Life and Work
121 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 4YN
T: 0131 225 5722
E: magazine@lifeandwork.org
Scottish Charity Number SC011353
Copyright © The Church of Scotland, 2025. All Rights Reserved
Website by Adept
