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Category - general assembly

  • 31 May 2013
    Kirk refuseniks are looking backwards rather than forwards

    Two rural congreagtions say they will vote to leave the Church of Scotland over possible further ordinations of lesbian and gay ministers. In truth, the landscape is changing, says Simon Barrow. Larger numbers may well stay or join the Kirk if it ends its rejection of same-sex relationships, than will leave for the same reason. The refuseniks are looking back, not forward.

  • 25 May 2013
    Kirk hears reaffirmed opposition to 'immoral' Trident

    The Kirk Church and Society Council convenor has renewed her opposition to the 'immoral' Trident nuclear weapons system, currently based in Scotland.

  • 25 May 2013
    The Kirk: ecclesiastical coalition politics?

    The Church of Scotland has agreed to maintain a status quo precluding further ordinations of gay and lesbian clergy, while permitting local congregations to do exactly the opposite – if a suitably crafted church law can be agreed next year. That’s a big ‘if’, says Simon Barrow. As a statement of theological principle, this settlement risks looking a mess. In worldly terms it is classic coalition government. But it raises the key question as to whether the coalition can hold.

  • 24 May 2013
    Iona Community tackles stigma and injustice of poverty

    The Iona Community is continuing its work in tackling poverty as it enters its 75th anniversary and the 1450th anniversary of Columba’s landing on the island.

  • 24 May 2013
    Church to investigate the rising cost of dying in Scotland

    The Church of Scotland has agreed to investigate the increasing costs of holding funerals, following an intervention at its annual gathering.

  • 24 May 2013
    Appeal to Kirk for urgent climate change action

    The convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland has emphasised the urgent need to tackle climate change.

  • 24 May 2013
    Assessing the Kirk's report on theologies of land in the context of Israel/Palestine

    At a meeting of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, on 23 May 2013, a report from the Church and Society Council on theology of land in the context of Israel/Palestine was discussed. Called The inheritance of Abraham? A report on the ‘promised land’, it has the potential to raise considerable awareness of these issues in congregations and groups, says regional analyst Dr Michael Marten. He examines the background, context, issues and controversies surrounding the report, adopted by the Kirk on 23 May 2013.

  • 23 May 2013
    Does the Kirk need to be constitutionally enshrined?

    The 2013 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has voted for what is effectively “establishment by the back door” in any new constitutional arrangements for an independent Scotland, says lawyer and commentator Carla J Roth. She questions whether this is helpful or appropriate either for the church or for the nation.

  • 22 May 2013
    Kirk pushes forward 'Go For It' community innovation fund

    The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has been urged to help people ‘Go For It’ through its recently launched community innovation fund.

  • 21 May 2013
    Only communicate: how the church addresses the world (or not)

    Given that the Church of Scotland, like all major Christian denominations, conducts a good chunk of its internal business in public these days (with the boundary between what is 'internal' and what is 'external' increasingly stretched), media and communications can no longer be thought of - if it ever could - as a specialist function alone.