 Dear friends,
For the first time ever I have attended the General assembly for two years running. I have started the Pastoral Letter at the end of the first day of the Assembly and finished it at lunchtime on the second day. On Thursday last years moderator Sheilagh Kesting handed over the reins to David Lunan who is full-time Clerk to the Presbytery of Glasgow. A change in time has taken place this year. Previously the Assembly was held from Saturday to Friday but this year for the first time it is meeting from Thursday to Wednesday. The reason has I believe something to do with accommodating working elders but it is not clear to me how this will help.
There are no major burning issues this year although there will be a debate on Monday regarding the contemporary relevance of the Articles Declaratory of the Church of Scotland which may generate some heat. Another issue which may be vigorously debated is the non acceptance of the International Christian College to train candidates for the ministry on the basis that they fail to represent a wide spectrum of theological opinion. The report of the Board of Stewardship and Finance was given on Thursday. One interesting statistic in connection with congregational income is that in spite of declining membership in the Church of Scotland the income is increasing. This I think suggests that the loss is generally of less committed members who have simply lapsed. If this is the case while the church may be growing numerically smaller it is growing spiritually stronger. On Friday the report of the Church Without Walls Committee was given which included a video clip of the National Gathering held at Ingliston on 2/3 May. The convenor, Albert Bogle intimated that at least 8000 had attended. Twelve Dalserf members including me attended over the course of the week-end. This proved to be a most inspiring event although it was really a whole collection of events - worship, concerts, seminars, stands and workshops. Adults, teenagers and children were catered for. One unique feature was the array of tents - nearly 200 constituting an exhibition in itself. The tents were bought by congregations for £150 each and were used to present a display of the life worship and witness of the congregation. The tents are being sent by Blythswood agency to areas of need in the world.
One notable speaker at the National Gathering was the Archbishop of York John Sentamu whose enthusiasm and Christian commitment are contagious. If this kind of event is repeated I would urge you all to attend, it could only serve to revitalise your faith and encourage you to realise that God is very much at work in the Church of Scotland.
Yours sincerely,
D. Cameron McPherson
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