Reconciliation Service in Referendum Aftermath

Sunday May 11 2014

Leading figures from both sides of the independence debate will be invited to attend a 'healing and reconciliation' service in Edinburgh three days after the referendum.

The service, at St Giles' Cathedral on Sunday September 21, will focus on the need to put differences aside and begin working together. It is hoped that similar services will be held throughout the country.

The Moderator Designate of the 2014 General Assembly, the Rev John Chalmers, will preach at the service. He said: “Once the referendum vote has taken place, we shall have neither utopia nor unity. In the coming months there is a danger the referendum will set people against each other, in their own community, their own street – even their own family.
 
“It will be important for each side of this campaign to be magnanimous whatever the outcome and the Church of Scotland, as a national church, is well placed to bring people back together in a spirit of reconciliation.  Politicians represent the people, and it is my hope that by joining together in worship after the referendum they will send the clearest possible message that everyone has a role to play in building Scotland’s future.”

Post Tags: referendum

Related Stories

'Time of Reflection and Peace' Ahead of Referendum

Senior figures from Yes Scotland and Better Together invited to St Giles Cathedral three d...

Read More   >

Scots Church on Jersey Open for Referendum

Senior figures from Yes Scotland and Better Together invited to St Giles Cathedral three d...

Read More   >

Comments

Rev Dr John Cameron - Friday, May 16th, 2014

“John Chalmers is an old friend and partner in the golf matches between the Kirk and the Church of England but I think he has chosen the wrong “club” for reconciliation. As an inveterate letter writer with pronounced opinions on both the referendum and gay clergy/marriage I receive a fair amount of blow-back in both the mail and social media. I have been the target of the dreaded cybernats but it is mostly good-humoured banter and usually follows an attempt to tease the First Minister or send up his white paper. Even at its very worst it never descends to the level of anonymous, pseudo-theological, homophobic prurience that wings it way through the mail from fellow “Christians”. The idea of a post-referendum “service of reconciliation” from the viscerally-divided Kirk is almost beyond parody and it would be better employed trying to heal itself. ”

Add a reply

All fields are required. Email address will not be published.