On behalf of the churches that we serve, we encourage Christians in Scotland to engage actively, constructively, and charitably in the democratic process of the General Election called for 4th July 2024.
We pray:
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Maker of heaven and earth
And of all things visible and invisible.
We turn to you in search of wisdom for our times
And the assurance that, in all things,
You remain sovereign and ruler over all.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
You are sovereign and ruler over all
And so, in the discerning of who might best govern our nation,
We turn to you once more.
Grant to us, and to all who seek your will,
A desire to see good governance established
In the interests of all who inhabit these lands.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
You are concerned for the interests of all
And you deny to no one the dignity and integrity
That belong to all who are made in your image.
Grant to us a concern for all who stand on the margins of society
And the courage to affirm their dignity and integrity
And so to stand in solidarity with them.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
You stand in solidarity with us,
Even through Jesus Christ
Your Word made flesh who lived amongst us.
Grant to us the ongoing commitment to pray for, and to engage with,
Those who are elected to govern in our name
That we might see our society better reflect the Kingdom that is to come.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our pray
Signed:
Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
Sylvia Hinton, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
Adwoa Burnley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Colin Brown, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
Callum Macleod, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
Ruairidh MacRae, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
Rev Trevor Howard, Churches in Communities International
The Methodist Conference is currently taking place in Leeds (27 June – 3 July)
You can find the full agenda and timetable for this year’s Conference on the website. A list of highlights is given here. If you are not going in person but don’t want to miss out, then you can watch the Conference as it is livestreamed.
On behalf of the churches that we serve, we encourage Christians in Scotland to engage actively, constructively, and charitably in the democratic process of the General Election called for 4th July 2024.
We pray:
Lord our God, we give thanks to you
For your love endures for ever.
In the midst all that changes in this world,
May we hear your voice and know your presence.
Grant to us wisdom, that we might do what the Lord requires of us
And seek justice and mercy in our world, even as we walk humbly with our God.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, you gift to us life
And the promise of life renewed.
We thank you for those who, in their daily work,
Seek to sustain the health of our nation.
May the renewal of the health of the people
Be to the fore in the considerations of those who seek to govern on our behalf.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, you care for us
Even to the end of our days.
We thank you for those who, day by day,
Care for the most vulnerable in our society.
May the dignity of those who care, and of those who are cared for,
Be recognised and affirmed in the renewal of our society.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, you are with us
Throughout all the days of our lives.
We share those days with all who are made in your image
And in the presence of the One who is the image of the invisible God.
Grant to us, and to all who seek the coming of your Kingdom,
A renewed desire to do what you require of us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Signed:
Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
Sylvia Hinton, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
Adwoa Burnley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Colin Brown, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
Callum Macleod, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
Ruairidh MacRae, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
Rev Trevor Howard, Churches in Communities International
The Scottish Methodist Gathering in Stirling (20-22 September) will this year include a children’s programme during the day on Saturday, led by Emma Williams, an experienced children’s worker with roots in Scotland, who will be joining us for the weekend. To help with the planning for this:
Encourage families to register here so that we know how many children and young people may be coming.
Consider offering to help with one or more of the children’s sessions – we’ll need a team to work with Emma.
Pray for the Gathering, especially this week the children’s programme.
As always, more information on the Gathering is available at the link above or by emailing scotmethgathering@gmail.com
Use the same email address or contact Jill Baker with any offers of help (please!)
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:
On behalf of the churches that we serve, we encourage Christians in Scotland to engage actively, constructively, and charitably in the democratic process of the General Election called for 4th July 2024.
We pray:
Lord our God, you are the maker of heaven and earth
And in your image we are shaped
That we might care for creation
And for all that you have made.
May a deepening concern for the world we share
Shape our vision for the future that is to come.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Your presence is revealed through Christ
In the midst of all the places where people dwell,
And so we pray for the welfare of the city
And for all who dwell in the cities and towns of our nation.
May their concerns be heard and understood
That our towns and cities might flourish and prosper in these days.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
You promise renewal by your Spirit
To all whose hearts are open to receive,
And so we pray for the renewal of our rural communities
And for the islands of our nation.
May the voice of the islanders be heard
And the contribution of the land to our well-being be embraced.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Lord our God, you see the people of our nation
And understand the heart of their concerns.
Grant to all who stand for office
A desire to understand and to share those concerns.
May our Parliament shape our nation for the good of all
And may we see our society renewed, through Christ and by your Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Signed:
Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
Col. Sylvia Hinton, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
Adwoa Burnley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Rev. Colin Brown, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
Rev. Callum Macleod, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
Rev. Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
St John’s Methodist Church (The Totum Kirkie), Arbroath
We are seeking an experienced Local Lay Pastor who has a passion and expertise for establishing positive and productive relationships between members of the church, local people, local community groups and ecumenical contacts and a commitment to their participation in the life of the church.
The successful applicant will have some experience of pastoral care and community development and will be required to undertake in a course of studies agreed for the role which has been agreed with the connexional Mission and Ministries Officer.
Contract: Initially for a 6-month probationary period and a 3-year period overall. The post will be reviewed in the light of successful completion of required studies, funding and staffing needs.
Pay: £24,960 FTE per annum FTE (Additional points may be awarded depending on experience)
Hours: 12 hours per week
Location of job: St John’s Methodist Church, Arbroath
Closing Date for applications: Friday 21st June 2024.
Interviews will be held on Monday 24th June 2024.
This role is an important part of promoting our vision in Arbroath and as such has a genuine occupational requirement (as outlined by 2010 Equality Act, Section 9) and SO56 in CPD, that the post holder is an active member of the Methodist Church in Great Britain.
Further details and application form please contact the Superintendent Minister, Rev Nick Baker: nicholas.baker@methodist.org.uk
