Church and Society Council Executive Summary [Full Article] Parish Action
The Council’s work is grounded in its interaction with local congregations. It is hoped that this year the Council can begin to achieve having a representative in every congregation, ideally some-one other than the minister as that both shares the
load and speaks of the whole people of God. Media and Communications
The Council has significantly increased its use of digital media which has allowed it to be more accessible, more effective in its communications and more able to speak with an authentic, 21st century voice. Science and Ethics Economics Commission
If ever there was a time for a fundamental look at what and who our economics is for it is now. Following last year’s report, the Council held three conferences with some very high profile speakers and some challenging workshops. A supplementary report will lay out
the proposed remit for a two year commission that will provide a unique space in Scottish Civic life for a fundamental discussion about what we need our economic system to do for everyone, not just those who know how to make it work for them. Assisted Suicide
With a Bill coming before Parliament which would allow assisted suicide, the Council has been at the forefront of the political debate on this issue based on the 2009 report entitled End of Life Issues. A supplementary report will give an up to date account of what’s happening on this issue and what we can all do about it. Synthetic Biology
Synthetic Biology is the cutting edge of scientific research, so cutting edge that in some ways it is difficult to define and has a whole
new language! That’s why we have a glossary and why it is a difficult subject to comment on. But comment we must as it raises age old questions about what we mean by progress, how we add an ethical dimension to debates about risks in scientific investigations and whether knowing how to do something means we should go ahead and do it. Society, Religion and Technology Project 40th Anniversary events
This is a significant milestone in the life of a project that adds a great deal to our life as a church and our capacity to comment on some tough issues in society. The report also includes a commitment to continue to work on Mental Health issues and Micro Credits. Caring for the Earth Responding to Climate Change Project
This section reports on the work of the Climate Change project and its not inconsiderable achievement in putting the Church at the heart of this issue in Scotland. In particular, the amendment to the Scottish Parliament’s Climate Change Scotland Act which now puts a statutory duty on Scottish Ministers to publish a public engagement strategy. The report covers the Assembly’s 2009 instruction to Presbyteries to produce plans to reduce carbon emissions by 5% which is now being put into effect. The report also records the success of Eco-Congregation Scotland and its successful progress towards becoming a charitable company. Societal Issues Congregational Responses to Poverty and Debt report
The credit crunch has thrown the effects of poverty and debt into sharp relief and congregations across the country are looking for ways to respond. Congregations cannot change global economics but can help their own communities. Through real examples and theological reflection, this report helps give the direction that might well make the difference in other congregations taking that leap in faith and making that difference. Travellers
Travellers’ communities have been excluded and discriminated against for too long. At times the institutional church has been part of that exclusion and
discrimination. The Council is committed to working ecumenically towards a common response to a difficult part of our history as a church. Politics and Government Parliamentary office
The Council hosts and manages the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office on behalf of 11 denominations. It is a key component of the Council’s ecumenical work. The monthly update on parliamentary activity is highly regarded by more than simply the Church community. This report also covers work on the General Election, constitutional issues, the campaign on alcohol pricing and the living wage, Parliamentary visits and indicates the bills that the SCPO was asked to do specific work on by one or more
denominations as well as giving an index of responses made to consultations. Peacemaking
Following the debates at the 2009 Assembly, the Council agreed to produce a paper on Christian campaigning and whether in particular it was ethical to break the law in an act of civil disobedience as part of that campaigning. This paper outlines the arguments for and against and concludes that it is acceptable but only in specific situations and after careful thought, prayer and reflection. It also includes a commitment to continue dialogue with Military Chaplains. Education
This section gives details of a new Master’s module in Religious Observance created and delivered by the Council in partnership with Glasgow University and the Scripture
Union. There are 26 students on the first course. It also outlines new work on resourcing religious and moral education, the Stevenson Prize and support for School Chaplains. Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs
The European ecumenical dimension of the Council’s work no longer involves supporting a paid staff member but it is still very relevant to its agenda. In particular the rise of the far right in Europe is a cause of considerable concern and one that the Council continues to monitor closely. The report also gives three examples of the Council operating ecumenically in the delivery of its core activities: Racial Justice, FE Chaplains and Travellers. The work of the Joint Faiths Advisory Board on Criminal Justice continues to be very practical and influential. International Issues Afghanistan
This report asks four questions about the conflict. What are the benchmarks now being used to define success given that the war in Afghanistan is now 8 years old?
• What are the indications that the present elected structures have brought any sense of stability to Afghanistan?
• Is this yet another sign that any commitment by nations to the UN does not include relinquishing the right to attack another country without reference to the collective international view?
• What role has the Church in encouraging and even facilitating alternative approaches like the traditional Afghan method of bringing as many leaders as possible from the ranks of opposing forces into a general assembly or Loya Jirga in order to actively take
part in conflict resolution and the negotiation of a cease-fire? It commits the Council to lobbying for political answers and working with others to develop a position on a conflict that is in danger of seriously affecting global stability. China
This section explains why, after some careful reflection and ecumenical conversation, it was felt that the time was not right to bring a full report on China to the Assembly. International Development and the Financial Crisis
If ever there was a time to reach out to the poor of the world, it’s at a time when the rich world is itself struggling. Global unemployment will reach 241 million; another 120 million will be reduced to living on less than $2 a day. With some key changes to the global
tax regime which stop multi national companies avoiding tax in developing countries, those countries could begin to recover. Arguably there has never been a more opportune time to establish systems to support sustainable sources of revenue for developing countries. If international policymakers take the right measures now, not only could they reduce the chances and severity of another crisis, but they could also kick away a major structural cause of poverty. Back to Top | 
Photo: Alexander van Dijk
Photo: Neil T
