Church and Society Council
Encyclopedia
The Church and Society Council is an agency of the General Assembly
of the Church of Scotland
, which is tasked with facilitating the Church's engagement with, and comment upon, national, political and social issues.
The Council's remit, is to do this by:
The Council was formed on 1 June 2005. Its current convener (until May 2012) is the Rev Ian Galloway, minister of Gorbals
Parish Church, Glasgow
. The previous convener was Mrs Morag Mylne, an advocate
based in Edinburgh
.
The new Council Secretary is the Rev Ewan Aitken http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7443721.stm. Mr Aitken was formerly minister at St Margaret's Parish Church in Restalrig
, Edinburgh
; he is also an Edinburgh city councillor and was Labour Party group leader on the City of Edinburgh Council. The previous Council Secretary was the Rev Dr David Sinclair, who left in May 2008 to become minister at Wellington Church
, Glasgow.
, the Society, Religion and Technology Project
and the social interests remit of the former Board of Social Responsibility.
The Church and Nation Committee was founded in 1919. In its early days, the Committee promoted an anti-Roman Catholic agenda. Under the leadership of the Rev John White
in 1923, the Committee published a highly-controversial (and since-repudiated) report entitled "The Menace of the Irish Race to our Scottish Nationality." The report accused Roman Catholics of Irish birth or descent of being part of a conspiracy to subvert Presbyterian values and of being the principal cause of drunkenness, crime and financial imprudence.
In 2002, however, the General Assembly passed a resolution that "regrets any part played in sectarianism by our church in the past and affirm our support for future moves towards a more tolerant society". The Assembly also received a report from the Church and Nation Committee entitled "The Demon in our Society: Sectarianism in Scotland." The Convener of the Church and Nation Committee in 2002 was the Rev. Alan McDonald
, who became Moderator
in 2006.
The Church and Nation Committee had one of the highest profiles in the Church of Scotland. It took a lead in campaigns, such as opposing nuclear weapons and promoting devolution for Scotland.
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the sovereign and highest court of the Church of Scotland, and is thus the Church's governing body[1] An Introduction to Practice and Procedure in the Church of Scotland, A Gordon McGillivray, 2nd Edition .-Church courts:As a Presbyterian church,...
of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
, which is tasked with facilitating the Church's engagement with, and comment upon, national, political and social issues.
The Council's remit, is to do this by:
- developing theological, ethical and spiritual perspectives on issues;
- representing the Church in offering on its behalf appropriate and informed comment on political and social issues;
- building, establishing and maintaining networks and relationships with leaders in society, and engaging in long-term dialogue with them;
- supporting local congregations by offering resources on contemporary issues;
- conducting of an annual review of progress and reporting to the Council of Assembly.
The Council was formed on 1 June 2005. Its current convener (until May 2012) is the Rev Ian Galloway, minister of Gorbals
Gorbals
The Gorbals is an area on the south bank of the River Clyde in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. By the late 19th century, it had become over-populated and adversely affected by local industrialisation. Many people lived here because their jobs provided this home and they could not afford their own...
Parish Church, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. The previous convener was Mrs Morag Mylne, an advocate
Advocate
An advocate is a term for a professional lawyer used in several different legal systems. These include Scotland, South Africa, India, Scandinavian jurisdictions, Israel, and the British Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man...
based in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
The new Council Secretary is the Rev Ewan Aitken http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7443721.stm. Mr Aitken was formerly minister at St Margaret's Parish Church in Restalrig
Restalrig
Restalrig is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located east of the city centre, west of the A199 road, and to the east of Lochend, with which it overlaps. Restalrig Road is the main route through the area, running from London Road at Jock's Lodge, to Leith Links at the south edge of...
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
; he is also an Edinburgh city councillor and was Labour Party group leader on the City of Edinburgh Council. The previous Council Secretary was the Rev Dr David Sinclair, who left in May 2008 to become minister at Wellington Church
Wellington Church
Wellington Church is a congregation and parish church of the Church of Scotland, serving part of the Hillhead area of Glasgow, Scotland. The building is located on University Avenue, Glasgow, opposite the University of Glasgow.-Building:...
, Glasgow.
History
The Church and Society Council is the successor to the former Committees on Church and Nation, Education, the Scottish Churches Parliamentary OfficeScottish Churches Parliamentary Office
The Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office was created in 1999, at the same time as the devolved Scottish Parliament was established. The office is an ecumenical one, including all the member churches of Action of Churches Together in Scotland plus some others.The office represents the interests...
, the Society, Religion and Technology Project
Society, Religion and Technology Project
The Society, Religion and Technology Project - or SRT Project for short - was begun by the Church of Scotland in 1970 to address issues being raised by the impact of modern technology...
and the social interests remit of the former Board of Social Responsibility.
The Church and Nation Committee was founded in 1919. In its early days, the Committee promoted an anti-Roman Catholic agenda. Under the leadership of the Rev John White
John White (moderator)
John White was a minister of the Church of Scotland. He served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1925 and again at the reunion Assembly of 1929...
in 1923, the Committee published a highly-controversial (and since-repudiated) report entitled "The Menace of the Irish Race to our Scottish Nationality." The report accused Roman Catholics of Irish birth or descent of being part of a conspiracy to subvert Presbyterian values and of being the principal cause of drunkenness, crime and financial imprudence.
In 2002, however, the General Assembly passed a resolution that "regrets any part played in sectarianism by our church in the past and affirm our support for future moves towards a more tolerant society". The Assembly also received a report from the Church and Nation Committee entitled "The Demon in our Society: Sectarianism in Scotland." The Convener of the Church and Nation Committee in 2002 was the Rev. Alan McDonald
Alan McDonald (moderator)
Alan Douglas McDonald is a parish minister and was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, from the Assembly of May 2006 until May 2007....
, who became Moderator
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
in 2006.
The Church and Nation Committee had one of the highest profiles in the Church of Scotland. It took a lead in campaigns, such as opposing nuclear weapons and promoting devolution for Scotland.