Hello everyone,
Having now recovered from General Assembly I can report to you that it was a significant week for the church. There was a very dignified debate over assisted dyeing, people spoke movingly on both sides of the debate whilst respecting each other’s positions. At the end of the day Assembly voted to maintain the current stance of the church. Changes to tenure were approved with all new vacancies being restricted tenure. It is the historical position of the denomination not to apply things like this retrospectively so any vacancies already with permission to call should not be affected. Also any minister on unrestricted tenure who enters a new linkage or union should not have their tenure changed. This was asked from the floor of the GA and approved. A change was brought in whereby a congregation that cannot cover its debts may be declared insolvent and irrespective of the tenure (restricted or unrestricted) the ministerial tie can be severed and the minister encouraged to find another charge. There was some debate over this and no doubt when what’s written on paper is translated into practical reality there will be a lot of pain for those affected. Like all the acts that were changed, (Vacancy Act, Mission Plan Act, Ministerial Discipline amongst others) it is when we sit down and really examine what they mean in practice that their full impact will be felt.
The minister under whom I came to faith sadly passed away last week. His name was Rev Roddy Morrison and he was then in the High Church Stornoway. For the avoidance of doubt it was called the High Church because it was built on a hill and had nothing to do with its liturgy which was as low as you would expect in the islands. On becoming a newly minted minister I remember asking Roddy what he considered important. His response was grace. Always be gracious, always exercise grace to people you meet. Let your character be known for its grace because that was Jesus character.
We pass Acts and laws yet they must be tempered by grace. How we apply them, especially the situations that don’t fit, the exceptions, must show grace. As the church moves more and more to the margins of our society and our resources become ever more stretched there will be a temptation to move more and more to the strict application of law. Yet we must maintain the exercise of the grace we ourselves have received from God. One person who was very gracious this week was Rosie Frew who did a superb job moderating the General Assembly. She was faithful, funny, warm and gracious in the way she helped the GA make decisions.
The reformers who so shaped our expression of Christianity understood the central place of grace. Over time they developed thinking around 5 Solas, one of which was grace.
Sola Scriptura – By Scripture alone
Sola Christus – By Christ alone
Sola Fide – By Faith alone
Sola Gratia – By Grace alone
Soli Deo Gloria – For God’s Glory alone
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 8 – 9
May God grant each of us his grace as we seek to be his disciples this week.
No decisions under powers this week
Presbytery Prayer Diary
June 1st Coldingham and St. Abbs linked with Eyemouth
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community
Pray for the impact of Priory LIVE an educational day run alongside Berwickshire Christian Youth Trust (BCYT) at Coldingham Priory on 10th June. We'll be welcoming 74 P6s from across East Berwickshire and telling them about the life of the monks in the Priory.
We’ve been asked to advertise an Alpha Connect day in Innerleithen. See below.
Alpha Connect Day – Innerleithen – 27th May 2025
Alpha Scotland are hosting a Connect day in Innerleithen Church of Scotland with the opportunity to attend either at lunchtime or in the evening.
Alpha Connects’ are run across Scotland for church and Alpha leaders to come together and spur one another on in mission. Churches don’t need to be running Alpha to come along and it’s not always about Alpha. It’s for anyone wanting to help their communities explore faith and encounter Jesus.
Lunchtime booking - Connect: Borders, Lunchtime Tickets, Tue, May 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM | Eventbrite
Evening booking - Connect: Borders, Evening Tickets, Tue, May 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
As always feel free to share, pass on these emails as you see fit. They are intended for everyone. If you have a story to tell, an event to advertise or a request to pass around, please get in touch. Any suggestions for how we can make Presbytery more relevant and help, get in touch. Basically our doors are open, don’t be afraid to get in touch.
God Bless
Norman Smith
Presbytery Clerk