| | Church and Society Council Monthly Newsletter. Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser.
Not want to receive it any more? Unsubscribe here. You can also send a copy to a friend. | | Justice
SRT@40Birthday Event at the General Assembly A fringe event at the General Assembly celebrated 40 years of the Society, Religion and Technology (SRT) Project of the Church of Scotland. Since it was established in 1970, the project has sought to encourage the interaction between science, religion and society. The work of this visionary project has involved presenting an ethical approach to difficult issues such as GM crops, in vitro fertilization (IVF, “test tube babies”), nuclear weapons and now, synthetic biology. Christians need informed and spiritually based
information on these controversial subjects in order to live and make decisions as technology has more and more profound impacts on our lives. A large audience was treated to an address by Dr. Murdo Macdonald, the Policy Officer of the SRT project, and also Dr. Sinclair Scott, the Chair of the SRT Steering Group which oversees the work. Participants had the opportunity to pick up current information and discussion starters, and also a booklet on the development of the project, written by Dr. John Francis, the first director of the project. The 40th anniversary cake was truly memorable. Happy Birthday SRT: here’s looking forward to 50 years! Download the booklet from here: 40th Anniversary Booklet Follow this link to the SRT Project web page: SRT information  Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office Launches New WebsiteThe Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office (SCPO) helps churches to build fruitful relationships with the Scottish and UK Parliaments and Governments. Resources to help churches and individuals engage effectively with the political process can be found on their newly launched website: www.actsparl.org  End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill: UpdateThis Bill, which is being proposed by Independent MSP Margo Macdonald, seeks to legalise assisted dying in Scotland. The call for responses to the Bill closed on May 12th: a response on behalf of the Church was submitted by the Church and Society Council... Follow this link to read the full article>> |  Council
Convener:
Ian Galloway IN THIS ISSUEWhere?: Stirling. When?: September 11. Theme?: Justice. Book now! Debating the values in banking. Find out how to keep your MPs accountable. Church Action on Poverty Campaign. Professor Muhammad Yunus
Founder of the Grameen Bank. Meet young people from Israel/Palestine. Christian Aid's new interactive resources for young people. Your local council needs you! Church
and Society YouTube films. Email Preferences Send to a Friend Subscribe Unsubscribe |
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Full email articles are below: | | Church and Society Day Conference | This year’s theme will be Justice I want justice — oceans of it. I want fairness — rivers of it.
Amos 5:24 (The Message) Our free day conference will take place on Saturday 11 September in Stirling. Please put the date in your diary and watch this space for further information. Download a booking form: Church and Society Conference |
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| | Henry Duncan Bicentenary Conference | How a Scottish minister changed the financial landscape.
Free day conference debating values Henry Duncan embodied in the savings bank movement and exploring how banking and finance can serve the needs of people struggling today:
9 June, General Assembly Hall, Edinburgh Find more information by downloading the programme and booking form: Henry Duncan Conference |
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| | Restoring Faith in Democracy | MP Accountability
Network One of the keys to restoring faith in democracy is ensuring that the MPs we elected at the General Election are held to account for what they do on our behalf in Parliament. Churches can play a key role in this task. You are invited to attend a briefing session in Edinburgh, to find out more about the Network, and what you can do to build an effective and lasting accountability relationship with your MP.
Tuesday 22 June, 6pm – 8pm,
Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL Find more information and download a form to book free places by following this link: MP Accountability Network |
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| | Church Action on Poverty - Close the Gap | As the Coalition Government makes its plans and budgets, we must ensure that people in poverty do not pay the price of a deficit that they did not cause. Please take part in Church Action on Poverty’s campaign by emailing or writing to David Cameron and Nick Clegg. List three things they need to do to reduce poverty and inequality in the UK. Some examples of letters that others have written are available to read on the CAP website. To view these and take action please follow this link: Dear Prime
Minister |
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| | Tackling Poverty Towards a Fairer World | International Conference Keynote Speech by Nobel Peace Laureate
Professor Muhammad Yunus - founder of the Grameen Bank Venue: Sir Charles Wilson Hall, University of Glasgow For information and booking, please follow this link: Tackling Poverty |
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| | Windows for Peace | Would you like to learn more about what it's like to live in Israel/Palestine. As part of the Windows for Peace project a group of 16 young people from Galilee, Tel Aviv and Jenin will be visiting Edinburgh in July 2010. They will include young people from the Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities. If you are involved in a Youth Group or know of a group of young people around 13 - 15 years who would like to meet up with the group (13 - 16 July) then please get in touch with: nancy@newbigging.org Follow this link to find out more about Windows for Peace |
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| | Sofa Sessions | Change begins when people talk. These interactive sessions are aimed at 16 - 21 year olds and consider six of the biggest problems facing our world today including climate change and corruption. They are a great way to get people thinking, debating, and ultimately taking action to change our world. Follow this link to find them on the Christian Aid website: Sofa Sessions |
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| | Election 2012 | Your local council needs you! Have you ever considered that becoming a local councillor is one opportunity of making a vital contribution in your community, impacting key local decisions with Christian values and helping to set the priorities for your local area?
Election2012 aims to ease the way for Christians to stand as councillors in the next local elections in 2012 – and, yes, you really need to start planning now! With support, information, encouragement, advice, and training days, Election2012 is a unique resource for anyone feeling God’s prompting into local politics. Follow this link to find out more: Election 2012 |
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| | Church and Society YouTube Channel | Watch 3 new film clips used to introduce the Convener's speech at the General Assembly this year. The topics are 'Religious Observance', 'Poverty' and 'Climate Change and Economics'. Watch the film clips: Church and Society YouTube Read the convener's speech: Church and Society
Speech |
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End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill: Update[Full Article] This Bill, which is being proposed by Independent MSP Margo Macdonald, seeks to legalise assisted dying in Scotland. The call for responses to the Bill closed on May 12th: a response on behalf of the Church was submitted by the Church and Society Council. The parliamentary committee charged with scrutinising the Bill are currently examining all submitted responses, and are expected to begin oral evidence sessions in September, before issuing a report on the general principles of the Bill. The Parliament will then have an
opportunity to consider the Bill, along with any recommendations made by the Committee, in a debate in the Chamber. At present, this debate is expected to take place in November, but such timetables are subject to alteration.
The Churches fundamentally disagree with this proposed legislation, which represents much more than simply a tinkering with the law. Such legislation, breaching as it does the societal prohibition on the taking of human life, carries implications for attitudes to many aspects of health and social care, not simply for the determined few who are pushing for change.
The Churches reaffirm that an important aspect of their ministry is providing pastoral support to both individuals and communities, and particularly in caring for the most vulnerable in society. We are clear that, while we are sympathetic towards the fears and desires of those who may be afraid of a painful death, what is proposed in this Bill is not the solution.
Rather, there is a necessity to ensure that, as far as possible, all have access to good palliative care, which, in the widest sense, involves caring not just for the physical but also the emotional and spiritual needs of people coming towards the end of their lives.
Please pray for wisdom for all involved in this process, particularly the MSPs on the Committee.
If, as expected, the Bill comes before the Parliament, we will bring you further updates in due course. Follow this link to find reports, consultation responses and discussion starters about End of Life Issues on our web pages: End of Life Issues Back to Top | | |
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| | Church and Society Blogs There are a variety of blogs that you can visit and bookmark:
The Convener's Blog
The (not so private!) thoughts and opinions of Rev. Ian Galloway; convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland. Eco-Congregation Scotland Blog
Eco-Congregation Scotland is an ecumenical programme endorsed by Action of Churches Together in Scotland. End-of-life Issues Blog
This blog examines a variety of issues surrounding the end of life debate. Addicted Lifestyle Blog
This blog discusses issues relating to addiction within our lifestyle. This includes shopping (i.e. consumerism), addiction to games and betting as
well as alcohol and drug addiction. Back to Top | | |
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