Safeguarding changes

Thank you to all who attended the online Safeguarding Clinic last week. We had a successful session discussing Safer Recruitment, the process for volunteers (current and new) and the related documentation that should be held by local churches.

As a charitable body the church has responsibility for safer recruitment, this responsibility lies with District Synod, Circuit meetings and local church councils. We want to have safety at the heart of our Methodist communities so we follow the 12 steps from the policy. PDF summary. This starts by the responsible body i.e. church council, having a recruitment and selection policy. There is a template version of this available to save reinventing the wheel. The policy then has further detail as to the 12 steps and how to determine volunteer role outlines. 

A reminder that we have online Foundation Safeguarding training coming up on evening of 6th May 25. Please register at Scotland District Creating Safer Space: Foundation Module (Online) Registration, Tue 6 May 2025 at 18:45 | Eventbrite

Some of you may be aware that there are changes coming into force from 1st April 2025 regarding PVG scheme membership. I will be sending out further information but for now if anyone works with/has non-incidental contact with children or protected adults within their role they MUST by law as of 1st April 25 have a PVG. Please contact your circuit safeguarding officer or myself if you believe you require a PVG for the role you currently have but do not have one. 

Green Christian

The UK government is consulting with the public on whether to end new drilling for oil and gas.

Operation Noah, Christian Climate Action, Christian Aid, the Laudato Si Movement and Green Christian are joining together with Uplift, the group behind Stop Rosebank, to use this moment to persuade our politicians to take action to end further exploration for fossil fuels in the UK.

Their online event on Thursday 6 February at 7pm will help Christians to find out more and to participate in the campaign.

More information and registration

Learn to use a graphic tool – Canva

Canva is a free to use online graphic design tool that you can use to create flyers,
social media content, presentations, logos etc.

Join the webinar on Wednesday, 11 September 2024, 7.00pm–8.15pm

In this session, you’ll learn how to use simple design elements and create your first project. No prior design experience is required – this session is perfect for beginners who want to start creating eye-catching visuals for their church.
· Introduction to Canva and its features
· Creating and saving your first project
· Tips for using templates and resources
· Basic design principles
Book your place

A Jewish-Christian Glossary

The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, the Council of Christians and Jews and the Church of Scotland will be co-hosting a webinar to launch a Jewish-Christian Glossary on Wednesday 19th June from 7.30 – 9pm. 

A Jewish-Christian glossary is a dialogue and project convened by the Office of the Chief Rabbi and the Church of Scotland. Christian ministers and Jewish rabbis worked together to define some of the key terms used in both religions. The similarities and differences between the faiths are outlined in the document. The glossary is available to view online at the link below: 

ocr23-01_a-jewish-christian-glossary_a4_v4.pdf (churchofscotland.org.uk)

If you would like to attend the webinar the registration link is below: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/61760?

Messy Church Events

BRF Ministries: Messy Church

Messy Masterclass: Messy Church Goes Wild
Thursday 9th May, 7:30-9pm, online, £10.
Tuesday 25th June, 1-2:30pm, online, £10.
Messy Masterclass: Baptism
Tuesday 14th May, 7:30-9pm, online, £10.
Thursday 20th June, 1-2:30pm, online, £10.
Messy Masterclass: Starting Your Messy Church
Wednesday 15th May, 1-2:30pm, online, free.
Tuesday 11th June, 1-2:30pm, online, free.
Thursday 18th July, 1-2:30pm, online, free.
Scottish Messy Church Training Days
Dundee: Friday 7th June, 10am-4pm, £20, lunch included.
Glasgow: Saturday 8th June, 10am-4pm, £20, lunch included.
Messy Masterclass: Reimagining Your Messy Church
Wednesday 12th June, 7:30-9pm, online, £10.
Thursday 11th July, 1-2:30pm, online, £10. 

The range of BRF offerings are available at their online store.

Scottish Methodist Gathering 2024

Save the date and make your plans to come to the 2nd Scottish Methodist Gathering which will be held in Stirling from Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd September 2024.

Based at the Golden Lion, the programme includes worship, a ceilidh, conversation, children’s activities, creativity, space to chill and presentations from two excellent guest speakers, Deacon Eunice Attwood (former Vice-President of the Methodist Conference and now the connexional officer for Church at the Margins) and Rev. Professor David Wilkinson, Methodist minister, astro-physicist, broadcaster and author.

Registration will open after Easter – more information is available at any time by emailing the planning group on scotmethgathering@gmail.com

Accommodation:   Please note that the Golden Lion has been reserving all its rooms for the Gathering, which is why some people have been told there is no space!  There is plenty of space at present, please book directly with the Hotel (01786 475351) stating that you are coming for the Scottish Methodist Gathering, which will entitle you to a special price!