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2003 Reports Index
 

COMMITEE ON OVERSEAS AND INTER CHURCH AFFAIRS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2003 Introduction The context of the report This last year has been one of the most significant ever for the Churches in Scotland and indeed the British Isles. Few would argue that Britain is no longer driven by Christian values, even if it is living off the legacy of its Christian heritage. The credibility and relevance of today's Church and all Christians is on the line. Everything is 'up for grabs' as many groups vie to be the modern-day informers, movers and shakers, a position once firmly owned by the Churches: add to that the ingredient of the war against the Iraqi regime and a picture emerges as one of converging momentous events unprecedented in modern times. Changing Ecumenical Landscapes The First Scottish Ecumenical Assembly in September 2001 was regarded by many as the most important event since the Reformation to take place in the life of the Scottish Churches. It marked a growing momentum of Churches, which recognise that a future Church will be increasingly one of diverse 'partnership' arrangements and 'covenant' relationships. Many factors are fuelling this trend - some are based on need or necessity, others are borne out of a genuine realisation that shared resources and ministries make absolute good sense in particular situations. Most denominations are facing a manpower shortage, which would be folly to ignore for it is truly reaching a crisis where parts of Scotland may no longer be able to sustain a Christian witness. With many local congregations unable to sustain a full-time ministry they find themselves sharing identical problems with other local churches. The inevitable question sooner or later arises, "Could two or more unsustainable witnesses unite in some form of Ecumenical Partnership, which would enable the Christian witness to remain not only alive but 'alive and well' and be mutually beneficial?" Where it is a cross-denominational discussion, it inevitably leads to many questions concerning the complexities of an ecumenical partnership. This is indeed the situation at Canonbie highlighted within this report. New Opportunities The current climate is therefore one of multiplying opportunities for inter-congregational conversations and inter-denominational dialogue. For local congregations to seriously engage in such conversations it requires more than good will and co-operation: it needs the support of Churches who have done spade work themselves in hammering out the issues that will facilitate good practice and encourage vision, creativeness and even innovation in future partnerships. At present there is no co-ordinating body equipped to offer churches the benefits of gathered experience from current partnerships. For this reason the Scottish Churches were asked to support the establishment of a National Sponsoring Body to offer information, guidelines and advice apropos Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEP's). Last year's General Assembly gave their consent to the setting up of the National Sponsoring Body, a sketch of which is set out in the body of this report. A number of major matters were fully reported on last year with detailed documents included in the appendices. These included the full report on the new look ACTS, the SCIFU proposals, the Scottish Ecumenical Assembly etc. These lengthy documents are not included so back-reference will be essential for commissioners to be reminded of the details, should they be required. Transitional Turmoil The Overseas and Inter Church Affairs Committee has seldom had so many major issues coming to a head simultaneously as this report will demonstrate. If the world is in turmoil so is the Church, both nationally and globally. It is impossible to present this report and ignore the world in which the Church is set. The effects of September 11 are still being felt in the stock markets and that has meant an immense loss of revenue from Capital Investments and the sale of Stocks. For the World Council of Churches (WCC) in particular it required a drastic slimming down in their staffing arrangements and in their work otherwise the whole edifice of WCC was at risk of collapse. The value of the denomination's Overseas Funds (investments and revenues) has also plummeted significantly, reduced by at least 25%, (and even more when taken over the last two years). This has clear budgeting implications for the wider work of the Committee, indeed the Church as a whole. In particular the Overseas Committee will be required to regularly take account of the drop in its assets, assets which in past have allowed regular and sizeable sums to be given in support of ministry training in Southern Africa and generous support for a variety of worthy causes and projects. Future budgeting of Overseas Committee expenditures will require much detailed prioritising and planning. Changing Churches The changes experienced by the global Church are of such a cataclysmic order they can be reasonably likened to the massive geophysical forces which caused the great 'continental plate-shifts' in past ages. What can now be perceptibly witnessed are 'ecumenical plate-shifts' comparable to the movements of the earth's continents. The growing activity in building bridges between Christian traditions is an attestable fact in today's Church. The time seems ripe for all sorts of cooperation between the Churches, be it for mission, evangelism, joint celebrations or prayer. These resultant developments will no doubt begin to transform the ecclesiastical landscape of Scotland and demand a radically new theological outlook to interpret the times and to enable the Church to engage more coherently with the 'grave' new world of the 21st century. Other developments will play a part in these changes - like small group ministries, prayer networks, etc. The call, surely now, is for a bold Church to emerge from the long shadows of its past struggles to meet on common ground. Maybe this is a period when we are called not so much 'to fight issues', but rather 'to find Christ afresh' in a changing human, political and spiritual landscape, and in a hurting world where dreams lie shattered and resources are wantonly destroyed through greed, carelessness and mismanagement. Tomorrow's Church The interface between Church and Society can be confusing, even messy, but that is not to say it is a lost cause or has lost direction. The challenge facing today's Church is to ensure that the Life-giving Spirit of Christ is not hindered where The Church meets Society. This is the very ground from which will come forth an evolving new Church. Tomorrow's Church will need to be not just revolutionary but evolutionary, naturally given to responding to a world in constant flux. Put in simple terms the Church needs to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, able to break free from its more restrictive structures when required to do so, and be ready to respond compassionately to those whose hunger and thirst for life lies unquenched. In a sense tomorrow's Church needs the essential ingredients of the early first-century Church whose direction and mission was to follow the Holy Spirit through the circumstances it met; invitations given, contemporary institutions (markets, judiciary courts, rule of a Roman Empire, etc) and through civic disputes and mob rule. The Church was carried by the wind of the Holy Spirit and doors of opportunity opened, even where there was adversity and opposition. Some conclusions A willingness to be a Church Transformed The Committee therefore seeks to present to the General Assembly the vision of a Church prepared for metamorphosis, ready to become whatever it needs to become in order to fulfil its calling, described by the Rev. Colin Brown in his Moderatorial address, as 'the Christian good of Scotland', even if it has to sacrifice something of itself to that end. The stakes are high but the cause could not be greater - a generation in Scotland won or lost to Christ. To that end the United Free Church needs many helping hands. One new endeavour is already on the workbench in the form of a new Overseas Partnership Scheme, which is aimed at bringing South African pastors to Scotland to become fully engaged with the United Free Church. It has been a monumental task in getting a proposal to this Assembly so soon. The Uncomfortable Zone of Inter-Faith Dialogue Engagement with a multi-faith, multi-cultural society, is one we must learn to be more at ease with for the Christian Church, in all its diversity, is part of the problem of an ill-at-ease world where communities have stopped relating one to another in open honesty and mutual respect. Britain, and increasingly Scotland, is now a well-established cosmopolitan community, but its faith-communities largely live in isolation. Deep wounds, distrust and prejudice exist within society, and Faith Leaders could do much to acknowledge and address it together. Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) is extremely disturbed by the war in Iraq and has for some time being seeking to create and maintain positive links with the Muslim Council of Britain. During the lead up to the war both parties joined in petitioning the Prime Minister and his advisers about the possible consequences of breakdown between their faith communities, through the opportunism of extremists. Overall the ecclesiastical landscape may look messy and the horizon full of dark clouds, but this report hopefully will be viewed as one that is full of promise and opportunities seized, offering encouragement to our denomination in its manpower crisis. The Church can interpret uncertainty either as a threat or as an opportunity - hopefully this Church will not be bowled over by the 'challenge of change' but rise to meet the new day with an expectant faith and a readiness to be the feet and hands of the Gospel. Inter Church Affairs Exploring exciting opportunities for partnership The Church of Scotland - exploring prospects for partnerships Clearly the Church of Scotland is a natural starting point. It is envisaged that these conversations will broaden in time to engage with other denominations and Christian Bodies. Officials of the Committee on Business and Administration were given scope to hold informal preliminary conversations with the Church of Scotland's Ecumenical Affairs Convener, Rev. Erik Cramb, and its Secretary, Rev. Sheilagh Kesting, with the task of exploring a number of areas, namely, how both Churches could better serve the Christian good of Scotland through joint action and a sharing of common concerns and resources. possibilities for sharing ministries (Canonbie below would be an example). Co-operating together, for example, in forming study groups to look at ethical issues or social responsibility matters, youth development, chaplaincies, etc. Reconciliation of memories and a Common Commitment, which might lead to some form of 'covenant relationship'. It is in the context of joint action and mutual sharing of resources that relationships grow and trust develops. Other Churches in Britain have found this level of cooperation and mutuality has led on to strengthening ties and relationships, which occasionally have become more formalised commitments expressed in signed 'Covenants'. One such example is the Covenant between the Methodist Church in Ireland and the Church of Ireland in 2001. Canonbie: Could this be the way ahead for other congregations? Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEP's) are not new forms of partnership bringing different congregations and denominations together in common witness and mission, but they are relatively rare north of the border. It was therefore exciting when the East Presbytery was approached to examine the prospect of a LEP involving the partnership of two denominations in worship and common life - the United Free Church and the Church of Scotland congregations in Canonbie. There were compelling reasons to come together (finance and manpower) though each wanted to retain their individual identities. The United Free Church has no past experience of formal partnerships: we are therefore called upon to push out the boundaries of our ecclesiastical experience in order to meet the request of the Canonbie congregations, which is to provide a continuing Christian witness in their community. In addressing all the issues involved within this partnership the Church is learning lessons, which will surely be to the benefit of any future partnership opportunities. It should be noted that under the new ACTS set-up, the National Sponsoring Body will be set up to foster, and facilitate partnerships, offering Churches and associated Bodies sound advice gathered by the member Churches and their counterparts south of the border. In the past sustaining the life of a LEP has often been difficult, and the required support often lacking. For that reason, and in recognition that the current climate is likely to call for more imaginative inter-church projects, a National Sponsoring Body is being set up. The United Free Church agreed to participate in this Body at the last Assembly. In future this will become an advisory Body and help establish good practice based on the wider experience of partnerships. ACTS (Action of Churches Together in Scotland) National Sponsoring Body (NSB) In the mid 1990's, with a growing number of Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEP's) coming into being, there was an emerging need to form a sponsor's council or advisory body. In England various types of LEP's are recognised and the Churches have agreed formats and procedures appropriate for each type. In Scotland the situation is far from satisfactory. Every time a LEP is conceived a whole new document requires to be drawn up with nothing available as a guide. Many matters need addressing. For example, legal issues concerning properties and trust funds, the position of a minister straddling two traditions in a united or partnership congregation, how retention of identity can be preserved in a partnership, and so many other issues. With greater numbers of LEP's in England the Sponsoring Bodies were regionally based. However in Scotland this is not a practicable proposition: the most sensible set-up is a National Body. Under the former working of ACTS the only form of help possible was through conferences specially put together for LEP churches by the Local & Regional Unity (LRU) Committee of ACTS. This offered opportunity for questions to be asked, information made available and experiences shared. These were always well received and well attended indicating that there was a need for advice and support. In consequence of this the LRU Committee called for consultations with member Churches (which included the Baptist Church) as well as representatives of the LEP's) with a view to exploring reactions to the idea of a NSB. The responses were all very positive. It was left for ACTS to bring this body into being under the new Forum of ACTS and that this new Body, the NSB, be given a high profile at its launch. (See appendices for a resume of the NSB). The United Free Church agreed at the last General Assembly to be a participant Church in the proposed National Sponsoring Body to offer support to those at the forefront of ecumenical partnerships, folk who often feel very isolated and unsupported. ACTS - it new structures The same 'old' car with a brand new engine is about to be taken out on a test drive. I am grateful to my predecessor, Rev. Stephen Matthews, for his detailed work in presenting the proposals for a re-vamped ACTS. These findings of the review group were accepted by the General Assembly in 2002 and also by the other member Churches. In consequence the final draft of the review document was approved by the ACTS Central Council as 'the Basis for a New Way of Working'. Commissioners may wish to make reference to last year's volume of reports (pages 90 to 101). The final document produced by ACTS provides a clear briefing for the Forum and the Networks. Member Church Contacts met prior to the first meeting of the Forum to clarify matters like the status of observers, discussion on monitoring the involvement and place of Bodies in Association with ACTS, expenditure issues for Networks. As a Church Contact I was involved in the drafting of guidelines for extending the membership of ACTS. Progress has been slower than expected and the implementation of the proposals has been fully nine months later than anticipated. As Convener I am excited about the prospects of this new look ACTS, which is designed to ensure the agenda is set by the Member Churches through a system of bidding within each of the four Networks (Church Life, Faith Studies, Church and Society, Mission). Churches will send in their projects and requests to the Networks who will then prepare them for bidding at the Forum Meeting having costed and evaluated them. Once the Forum has agreed on the successful bids the Networks will be asked to advise on the composition of a Task Group to carry out the remit given to them. * * IMPORTANT * * In future Committees of the General Assembly of the United Free Church will need to be alive to the opportunities presented in this new ACTS arrangement. Whether it is a vision to be shared, a project to be established, a mission strategy to be considered, or a study to be initiated, the way is open for our Church to submit its bids and requests. The bids will have to be well considered and costed before presentation. ACTS is committed to facilitating this new process through its Forum and Networks. Some criticisms of the former ACTS set-up were: that it never had the most influential representatives of the member Churches serving on ACTS. There are good signals that this is being rectified. that ACTS was being more influenced from the top down rather than by those at the grass-roots. that ACTS was sometimes made ineffectual through poor attendances and uncommitted or overloaded representatives. All these criticisms and more were taken on board when the new system of the Forum and the four Networks was established. Just how well the new machine will run and how well it will meet the needs of a new era may take time to tell. ACTS is only as effective or ineffective as the Churches make it. There are only four full-time members of staff servicing this new arrangement and the budget is extremely tight. Scottish Churches House in Dunblane continues to be the base for meetings. Whilst a change of venue was considered all the pro's and con's of a move were seen as unfeasible and too costly. The United Free Church is represented on the Forum and the Networks as follows: The Forum - Rev. James Neil and the Rev. Graeme Bruce Church Life Network - Rev. Margery Collin Faith studies Network - Rev. Stephen Matthews, Rev. Douglas Scrimgeour Church & Society Network - Dr Ian Smith Mission Network - Rev. John Fulton, Rev. Ian Boa Rev. Colin Brown has been appointed Convener of this group World Council of Churches Visit to Geneva In November 2003 the Rev. Patricia Johnston and Rev. Graeme Bruce were members of a delegation from the Churches in Scotland, arranged by ACTS, who visited the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva. Opportunity was given during the visit for delegates to meet with secretaries from the various Commissions of the WCC and to hear of their work and concerns for the future of the Council. Delegates also met with the General Secretary and Officers of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). In this consultation the delegates heard about the work of preparation, now under way, for the 24th General Council Meeting of the WARC to be held in Accra, Ghana in July 2004. Preparatory material consisting of a series of Bible studies, "Crossing Ten Seas" was received by the Committee, along with a full report of the visit. The visit was regarded as extremely useful and a real eye-opener, especially as their visit coincided with a financial crisis resulting from the September 11 aftermath and the collapse in money markets. People they were meeting were learning of redundancies and the talk was of a radical review of their work. Many other matters were considered and these may well surface in a future report. War in Iraq (responses from WCC and WARC) The Committee has been kept fully briefed on responses from both WCC and WARC. Each body is alarmed by the situation and each has made its voice known to the Prime minister and the Government. WARC has been particularly vociferous on the matter condemning the war as a 'sin' in a public statement released on 20th March by the General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi. The Committee on Ethics and Current Affairs was considered as more appropriate to deal with this matter. Overseas Affairs On the Missionary Front This has been a very productive year on the missionary front, one that has been highly rewarding with much positive feedback from both congregations and missionaries. In view of the increased awareness-raising on the work of our missionaries (see the paragraphs below) the Committee agreed to dispense with the special features on selected missionaries which had begun to appear in past Assembly reports. Supporting Links There is good contact between the OICA and the Women's Home & Overseas Committee, also the Prayer Union - each has lively links with particular missionaries - where it is appropriate this information is shared. We were sorry to learn of Netta Begg's poor health this past year, however we do hope that she may be able to return as the WH&O representative. There are currently thirteen profiles of Missionaries in the Resource Pack though one couple, Sandy and Famie Crawford, were compelled to return from Mongolia due to serious health problems following a viral infection. They are still in Scotland, eager to make a return to their field of Mission through WEC, but Famie's condition is still not fully investigated. The Committee has good contact with them and was able to meet the costs of their emergency repatriation. The Missionary Secretary Miss Helen Sunter continues to do an outstanding work in servicing congregations with information on missionaries through her quarterly Missionary Prayer Bulletin. It keeps them up to date as far as it is possible to do so. Her standards of service are exceptional putting in more hours than she is prepared to tell! From the moment the Assembly of 2002 supported the call for a Missionary Sunday Helen has been inspirational, playing a significant role in the compilation of the Missionary Sunday Information pack. The Missionary Resource Folder Helen Sunter has also done much in reviewing and up-dating the missionary profile folder, now called the Missionary Resource Folder. It was made available following the General Assembly of 2002. It is a useful file of information, one which churches use in a variety of ways. For example one church prays for one or more of the missionaries every month during the morning service. Another church displays each page of the profiles in the sanctuary so that all members have a keener awareness of the Missionaries. Some other congregations have appointed a missionary correspondent who keeps in occasional touch with missionaries by letters and seasonal cards. The Committee would encourage all congregations to make imaginative use of the Resource Folder and consider ways of taking a real interest in our missionaries by offering them informed prayer, your own congregational news and, where led to do so, financial or material support. The Prayer Union booklet is particularly helpful with the prayer focus. Missionary Sunday The Committee appointed a small group to develop an information pack to help in the observance of Missionary Sunday. Its purpose was two-fold aimed at providing useful information on our missionaries (encouraging use of the Missionary Resources Folder) and encouraging a wider interest in, and awareness of, some missionary organisations with scope to further encourage the interest of children. Feedback has been very limited to date and any constructive comment would be most welcome in considering materials for 2004. We are especially grateful to the sub-group for their hard work in presenting the supporting materials for the information pack. Christmas Gifts The Committee agreed once again to send £275 to all the missionaries at Christmas, extending the Church's greetings and the warm affection of the Committee. Southern Africa The Merriweather Memorial Project The Committee has found this to be a difficult project - both to identify and to set in motion. Earlier attempts to put a cost on a project in Botswana have proven to be wildly wide of the mark. This has sharpened the focus of the Committee and in consequence there has been no attempt to push for a Scottish dimension to a memorial. The Committee has made significant progress since the last General Assembly, to the extent that the nature of the memorial project has been agreed with Mary Merriweather and her family and has the full co-operation and support of the Synod of Botswana. Three important ingredients were desired for this memorial: it should reflect Alfred's ministry which was characterised by church planting, and where possible, provision of a place of worship. It should reflect Alfred's desire to win the young generation for Christ and encourage them in their spiritual growth. The memorial should be set up in the region within which Alfred spent the better part of his life of service, namely among the Bakwena people and within their tribal lands. The Synod of Botswana has identified Gabane as a suitable location for a Youth Centre, which would serve also as a base for a community outreach work and as a place of worship. It is well placed strategically, being only 10 kilometres from Gabarone. At present there is a congregation of around 100 worshipping under a tree. A project budget of £50,000 - £60,000 has been set as a reasonable figure capable of erecting a quality, durable building as a worthy tribute to the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Alfred M. Merriweather. The Committee is in full agreement that some of this cost should be met from a Memorial Project Appeal to which members and congregations of the United Free Church should be invited to contribute. To help envision the Church for this project the Committee has invited the Botswana Synod to send a representative who will give a presentation during the OICA report to the General Assembly giving clear costs and more specific details about the building including its function and the community it will be serving. Given the passage of time since the doctor's death the Committee is most anxious to make a start on this project, subject to the Assembly's full agreement. It is hoped a Memorial Project Appeal could run for one year from the Assembly of 2003. Flying Mission Our relationships with the Flying Mission have been kept well up to date through the energetic efforts of Malcolm and Gudrun MacArthur. Reports of Malcolm's retirement from F.M. are somewhat exaggerated! As voluntary part-time European representative for F.M. he continues to be an invaluable source of information to the Committee and he keeps visions before the Church of a Mission eager to develop its ministry of outreach to Botswana's needy areas. The Committee intends to keep a warm association with the Flying Mission as it develops under its new director, John Luebbe. Flying Mission is more than a provider of air services. It has a vast potential in its personnel who are increasingly finding ways to become involved on the ground in ministry as well as in the air. The nature of the Church's association with Flying Mission is a matter still under discussion. Ministry Training In Botswana The Committee continues to give support for Ministry Training amounting to £10,000 p.a. This was agreed for a three-year period 2001 to 2003. The Committee will be looking again at its undertaking to support ministry training in the near future, not only in Botswana but within the work of UCCSA. In Southern Africa It is almost three years since Rev. Stephen Matthews (as convener of the OICA Committee) and Rev. Colin Brown (as a Convener of the M&HA Committee) visited South Africa at the invitation of the UCCSA Executive to take part in a Consultation called for to look into the possibilities of a House of Formation at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. However, despite the need for such a seminary, no progress can be reported. It is clear however that of the five nations within UCCSA the prevailing voices seemed to be asking for seminaries to be located nationally. This is by no means a dead issue and will be under discussion at the Assembly meeting in August 2003 - an updated report is expected soon. The Overseas Partnership Scheme Background During the last General Assembly the Committee was aware of a call for U.F. ministers to serve in the northern regions of Botswana. The Committee was also aware of recently retired ministers in Southern Africa who were willing to consider working here for short periods. It also came to the attention of the Committee that there was a surplus of ministers in South Africa. These matters necessitated a serious discussion of the issues involved in transference of a minister's service across national and denominational boundaries. Preamble A draft document has been drawn up detailing proposed arrangements for an Overseas Partnership Scheme. The OICA Committee appointed a sub-committee to draft a scheme, which would offer guidelines to facilitate ministers coming to Scotland from the UCCSA. The draft document is the result of many meetings and long hours spent researching the relevant issues. A similar document was produced by the United Reformed Church and proved to be extremely helpful in providing the basis for our own. The resultant draft was subsequently supported by the OICA. Its acceptance by the General Assembly would require a paragraph of Deliverances to be approved by the General Assembly on the mutual eligibility of ministers. The Scheme (OPS) The Committee is excited about the prospect of ministers from southern Africa coming to Scotland to share in our Church's life and witness. It will require many hurdles to be crossed before it could become a reality, however if the Scheme and its Guidelines are found to be acceptable to The General Assembly, then the Committee will be eager to receive invitations from congregation to explore the prospects of the appointment of an overseas minister. It would be a joy to the Committee if such an appointment came to fruition. It is hoped that an overseas partner would be able to provide a short-term solution to a vacancy providing three years work with the possibility of a further year's extension if all parties are agreed. The costs borne by a vacant congregation, should they opt to give an invitation to an overseas partner, would be exactly the same were they to seek an ordained minister from within the United Free Church. All costs involved in bringing an overseas minister (with his or her family) including orientation and setting up a home would be borne by the Overseas Funds. Presbyteries would be asked to arrange an Appointment Service and to appoint an Assessor (a minister) to help settle the overseas minister into their appointed charge as described in the appropriate section of the Guidelines and be available as long as is necessary for advice. The Overseas Partnership Scheme provides a real prospect for true partnership between the UFC and the UCCSA and would be a significant development of the Memorandum of Association, if implemented. The commitment of the Committee is considerable in financial terms but taken in the longer term the annual costs are tolerable when spread over three or four years (possibly £4,000 to £5,000 p.a.). This strategic use of Overseas Funds has a special appeal in that it helps to address the serious shortfall in ministry manpower in the UFC. The OPS document will also include in its final form a profile of the vacancy once one is identified. The Memorandum of Association (and the issue of mutual recognition of ordained ministers) The surplus of ministers in South Africa has given cause for the Committee to look afresh at ways of implementing the Memorandum of Association through partnerships involving a sharing of human resources. Whilst there has been a recent attempt to update the Memorandum of Association it is still a very imbalanced document and worded around the assumption that the partnership would involve a one-way sharing of personnel - from Scotland to Southern Africa. It does not reflect a true parity within the partnership and offers no statement on the mutual recognition of ministers. Ministers of the United Free Church have enjoyed full recognition and acceptance by the UCCSA. A reciprocal arrangement has never been tested by the United Free Church of Scotland. There is nothing in the Memorandum, which covers arrangements for Southern African ministers serving in Scotland. The Committee decided to take seriously the possibilities of a partnership involving the invitation of applications for appointments to vacancies within the United Free Church. It became quickly apparent that there are many issues needing addressed besides the most obvious one of mutual recognition of ministries. The Committee therefore seeks the endorsement of the General Assembly in calling for a further re-drafting of the Memorandum of Association in full consultation with the UCCSA so to better reflect an equality of partnership. <Scottish Churches' China Group Background Pre-1951 there were many Scots missionaries in China but from 1951 to 1976 all missionaries were asked to leave. Relations between the Overseas Churches and the Christians in China was intermittent and sensitivity was required as the indigenous Church became independent. The Cultural Revolution ('66-'76) saw the closure of all religious institutions and resulted in the religious life effectively going 'underground' till the Revolution ended. A delegation from the China Christian Council visited Scotland in 1982 and a more formal China Group was set up in Scotland to act as specialist contact persons with a remit to develop relationships with the Church in China. As the Chinese Protestant Church in China is non-denominational it was felt that an Ecumenical response from Scotland was more appropriate - the ecumenical group later developed to become the Scottish Churches' China Group (SCCG) in 1988. Projects and programmes To take account of the increasing gap between the wealthy eastern coast province and the interior of China the SCCG has been re-evaluating some of its Programmes, especially those concerned with health care and education. For example: a) Nursing Links - Senior Nurses at Shenyang studying for a Masters Degree at Napier University, and also Senior Nurse Tutors visiting Shenyang to undertake 3-4 week teaching blocks. b) Hospice Project - this is in response to a request to help develop a hospice. A delegation of experts will visit to assess the situation and work out a development programme including staff training (at Nanjing). c) The Amity Home of Blessings - this was opened in 2002 and aims to give life skills training to young mentally handicapped adults, there being no provision or insight with this grouping in China. SCCG is offering staff training. Other projects exist assisting in language study and theological training; also helping to resource Church run youth groups. SCCG plays a full part in the British context of the Churches Commission on Mission China Desk. Two official visits are in hand: 1. 7th -9th April, when religious Affairs Bureau officials visit local church projects in the Edinburgh area. 2. 5th May, when the newly appointed President of the China Christian Council and the Chairperson of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement will be in Edinburgh as part of a UK/Europe visit. They are leaders of one of the fastest growing Churches in the world. Re-launch of SCCG With the granting of Scottish Charity Status SCCG will be further developing its work at the re-launch in the Eric Liddell Centre, 23rd April 2003. The David Livingstone Memorial Centre Up till this year the Committee was exceptionally well served through the church's representative, the late Rev. Arthur Lawless. His reports were faithfully kept before the Committee and the Church could not have been served by a more enthusiastic support of the D.L.M.C. These have been frustrating times for the D.L.M.C. as it moved to the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland. The sale of land around the Centre is crucial to the future maintenance and development of the Centre as a visitor attraction. This has not been finalised and therefore plans to restore some key features of the Centre are on hold, but financial constraints are delaying the implementation of some of these developments, for example the uniquely crafted fountain. Regrettably the Committee felt unable to respond to an appeal to restore this 'work of art', but they will seek to find a replacement representative on the D.L.M.C. Board for the birthplace of David Livingstone is a national treasure. Anyone who has never visited the Centre's displays in long years will be surprised at the 'hi-tech' graphic display and information boards. The committee commend its use as an enjoyable and informative day out for small or large groups, school parties or just a leisurely outing. World Exchange What was Scottish Churches World Exchange is now called World Exchange. Based in the beautiful centre at St Colm's, adjacent to Edinburgh's Botanic Gardens, W.E. occupy a prime facility for the Scottish Churches in their desire to build solid international links with the developing nations of the world wherever projects can be reasonably overseen and funded. Its stated aim is: 'Commitment to supporting the social, spiritual, and economic life of local urban communities and villages in the developing world. We achieve this through our international volunteers and our capacity-building programmes, based at St. Colm's International House, Edinburgh.' It Chief Executive is Rev. Robert Anderson who has done much to strengthen the financial viability of W.E. and its many programmes such as language and cultural orientation for those leaving or entering this country. For others W.E. offers help in unpacking their overseas project experiences. 40 to 50 volunteers are expected to travel overseas during 2002-3. Despite a difficult international scene and falling economies W.E. has managed to stay in a healthy state, working within its budget. Some pilot schemes are being arranged in a tie-up between the Church of Scotland and W.E. through 'sandwich options' involving volunteer work both in Scotland and overseas. Sadly the United Free Church has not managed to send any of it members, younger or older, to apply for vacant postings. This lack of connection with W.E. is a matter the Committee must address, especially when the United Free Church has committed itself heavily in financial terms. The funds given will be well used but it is not causing 'the dog's tail' to wag. The value of our contribution to W.E. is not in financial terms alone but in the opportunity given to our members and younger folk to spawn a vision and become involved as participants at the coal-ace of world mission. The Scottish Churches Initiative for Union (SCIFU) It could be said that SCIFU is the child of the Multilateral Conversations first begun in 1968. The task was to find ways whereby the Churches in the Conversations could more clearly embody mutual recognition of members and ministries as well as a reconciliation of divergent traditions. Of the original six Churches only the United Free Church of Scotland decided to withdraw as full members in this push for a United Church, opting instead to be observers. Commissioners interested in getting a detailed overview of draft proposals for SCIFU will find a full account in the OICA report to last year's General Assembly. SCIFU has made rapid progress (relative to the normal rate of ecclesiastical joinery); no mean achievement, though it was able to capitalise on valuable work done by the Multilateral Conversations. It has taken seven years to produce a Proposal for a Basis and Plan of Union between the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Scottish Congregational Church, the United Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland. The proposal offers the first steps towards a United Church and gives a clear description of the model to be used. It is for the SCIFU Churches to reflect with their Assemblies on the proposals. It is broad ranging in its detail - from Ministry of Word and Sacrament to the role of elders, deacons, ministers, bishops: from the Structures of the Church (as Maxi Parishes linking the local to the national life of the Church) to the Ministry of Mission. It may be of interest to this General Assembly to hear the prayer offered to God as the Proposals are taken to each Church. "O God, Trinity of unity and love, we hear You calling us to leave behind the divisions of the past and find our true unity in You. Forgive our fears and faithlessness: Open our eyes to Your future for Your Church; Give us the strength and the courage to turn the vision into a reality; that together we might reveal Your redeeming love to our land." Amen The recommendations: The report calls for the four Churches 1. to reaffirm their commitment to the goal of a full visible unity. 2. to welcome the theological principles of the SCIFU report, which are an expression of that commitment. 3. to approve the SCIFU proposal in general terms as an appropriate model for pursuing full visible unity in Scotland, recognising that there are many stages in the process. 4. to initiate consultation through the life of the four Churches, and not excluding other Churches, in order to share resources and integrate structures, grasping the opportunities arising from the many changes currently occurring in all of them. 5. to promote and facilitate the piloting of the model locally and more widely where relations between any of the participating Churches are sufficiently developed. 6. To continue to search for full visible unity through a new group appointed by the four Churches with the remit to complete the unfinished business of the SCIFU proposal and prepare a Basis and Plan of Union. The Church has been represented by the Rev. Graeme Bruce and the late Rev. Arthur Lawless who acted as observers during the course of the SCIFU talks. Their faithful reporting to the Committee has meant that the Church has been fully aware of the whole process. The Committee wish to acknowledge the work of Arthur Lawless who, with his characteristic optimism and zeal, has been a tireless worker on the ecumenical scene. In the name of the Committee JAMES D NEIL Convener GRAEME B BRUCE Vice Convener PATRICIA A JOHNSTON Vice Convener JOHN 0 FULTON General Secretary

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