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An end to the hostile environment?

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Church leaders from Scotland and the rest of the UK have called on the Home Secretary to bring about and end to the hostile environment that is designed to make life so difficult for people who cannot prove they have the right to live in the UK that they will choose to leave.

Rev Dr Richard Frazer, convener of the Church and Society Council, said: “The Church of Scotland is deeply, deeply concerned at plans to evict up to 300 asylum seekers from their homes in Glasgow… many of those facing eviction have already needed to flee their homes in the past from appalling violence, terror and war. It is unacceptable that this should be happening.”

Read the full text

Creating Safe Spaces – safeguarding

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First opportunities for those in Scotland and Shetland to attend the new Advanced Module training are:

Sat 1st September Glasgow, Shettleston Methodist Church
Wed 3rd October Edinburgh
Sat 6th October Peterhead Methodist Church

The course is split in to three parts:-

  • Essential preparation (1 hr 30 mins)
  • Core training session (4 hrs)
  • Handbook (a resource for further study)

All sessions will run from 10.30am-3.30pm with coffee/tea and registration from 10am. Lunch will be provided.

All those wishing to attend should contact Lorraine Darlow at darlowl@methodistchurch.org.uk with choice of location. Details of venue will be sent with the essential preparation pack for reading/completing before the core training day.

We hope to offer other dates for Advanced Module training early 2019. The safeguarding development day will be Sat 9th March 2019 in Stirling.

A reminder of all who should attend the Advanced Module is below.

Core List – Required Attendance

  • Safeguarding coordinator – Circuit
  • Safeguarding Officer – District
  • Members of the District Safeguarding Group
  • Members of the District Policy Committee
  • All presbyters or deacons with an active preaching or pastoral ministry including those supernumerary ministers who have pastoral care of a church
  • Those who are in paid employment or a voluntary role which includes leadership within the Methodist Church, which involves direct work with children, youth or vulnerable adults
  • Lay persons who are appointed to exercise pastoral leadership within a local church
  • Local preachers
  • Worship leaders
  • Safeguarding officer – church

Warmly invited but not mandatory

  • Supernumerary ministers apart from those who have pastoral care of a church
  • It has not been possible to create a standard list. There should not be too many varied roles and responsibilities represented at the training since the material focuses on leadership responsibilities rather than general safeguarding awareness. However there needs to be flexibility for inclusion where this would be helpful. This decision making should form part of the responsibility of the District Safeguarding Group when planning the provision of Advanced Module day sessions  across the District.

Our Covenant with God

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Methodists hold an annual Covenant Service, at which we celebrate all that God has done for us, and affirm that we give our lives and choices to God.

The Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.

More about the covenant.

Job vacancy – Full-time Edinburgh West Workplace & Community Chaplain

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Initially a 2 year contract with possible extension

 A partnership post between Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland and Corstorphine Old Church of Scotland, but working with Christian churches of all denominations and in co-operation with other faith groups, you will provide pastoral care in secular settings but also operate within the varied practices and traditions of partner churches – teaching, training and supporting Christians to partner Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland (WPCS) in providing sacrificial service without prejudice, judgement, or demands, to people of all faiths and none in their working environment.

You will be part of a team of over 100 volunteer and employed chaplains working across Scotland and will receive support training and supervision through WPCS.

Applicants need not be ordained but must demonstrate an active Christian faith, have experience of providing pastoral care and be able to recruit, train, lead and support a team of volunteers.  Good interpersonal skills and confident public speaking are essential.

The post holder with be overseen by WPCS and work in partnership with the minister of Corstorphine Old.

While there are no set Sunday commitments, there is a requirement to engage particularly with Corstorphine Old Church – and on occasion other churches in the area in Sunday worship – sufficiently to build up good working relationships and to support them in their community outreach.

Competitive remuneration based on qualification and experience.

For Job Description and application form, contact: info@wpcscotland.co.uk.  Closing Date: Friday 3 August 2018.

It is an occupational requirement for Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland chaplains that they demonstrate an active Christian faith.

District Prayer Diary – contributions sought

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I am now preparing the new District Prayer Diary and would be very pleased
to have contributions from around the District on the themes – from the
District Development Proposals – of Biblical Engagement and Social Action.

In previous years we have offered prayers for people and situations within
particular Circuits and hope to be able to do this again. So it would be
particularly good if Superintendents could submit prayer(s) for particular
things going on in their Circuits.

Please share this notice in church newsletters/intimations as everyone is
invited to submit contributions.

Contributions by 17th August please to smj4409@hotmail.co.uk

Make a meal of it

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Many elderly people are battling with isolation, trust and confidence issues. ‘Make a meal of it’ focuses on a long-term view of befriending and providing support. Resources are available to inspire churches to connect with older people by offering a fresh take on the community meal.