The bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church have rejected – on a split vote – an appeal by the Rt Rev Anne Dyer against her suspension as Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney following the lodging of formal complaints of misconduct.
Prayers to mark the death of The Queen and accession of The King
The Liturgy Committee of the Scottish Episcopal Church has produced three prayers, approved by the College of Bishops, to mark the death of the monarch, the repose of the deceased monarch, and the accession of the new monarch. They are as follows …
Tributes to Queen Elizabeth
The Archbishop of Canterbury + Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church + Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway + Moderator of the General Assembly + Roman Catholic Bishops
Meeting of Episcopal Synod postponed
The meeting of the Episcopal Synod scheduled for today has been postponed. The meeting, which was arranged to consider the appeal by the Rt Rev Anne Dyer against her suspension as Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney, has been rescheduled for Monday 19 September.
Episcopal Synod meets to agree appeal process
The Episcopal Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church met in Edinburgh yesterday to consider procedure relating to the appeal by the Rt Rev Anne Dyer against her suspension as Bishop of Aberdeen & Orkney. • Read more on this topic Earlier this month, Bishop Dyer was suspended by the Primus following the lodging of formal…
Bishop’s suspension is confirmed then lifted
Canonical process confirmed in Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney + Bishop’s suspension is lifted after appeal lodged
General Synod reports
What happened at the Scottish Episcopal Church’s ‘annual conference’, held earlier this month.
The Rt Revd Edward Luscombe RIP
The Rt Rev Edward Luscombe, former Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, has died at the age of 97 after a period of illness. Bishop Ted, as he was best known, was Bishop of Brechin for 15 years and served as Primus from 1985 until his retirement in 1990. He was ordained deacon at St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow in 1963 . Previously he had held the posts of vestry member, lay representative and diocesan treasurer in Glasgow & Galloway.
Prayer for peace in Ukraine (Scottish Churches)
The Scottish Church Leaders Forum has issued a special ecumenical prayer for peace in Ukraine which can be used by worship leaders across the country as part of their services this Sunday. The ‘Prayer for Peace’ has been produced in response to the invasion of Ukraine, with members of the Scottish Church Leaders Forum, including…
College of Bishops issues mediation update
The College of Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church has today issued the following statement in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney: The College of Bishops has received an update from the Mediation Steering Group which was set up to help the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney move forward from its current difficulties. We are…
Saint Andrew Declaration signed by Primus and Moderator at special service in Edinburgh
St Andrew’s Day has been marked with the signing of a joint Declaration between the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church of Scotland during a special service at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh. At the service the Most Rev Mark Strange, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, and Lord Wallace, the Moderator of…
Reading the Bible like an Episcopalian: A four-part series in Advent
This series of four talks in the season of Advent will reflect upon ways in which Episcopalians understand Holy Scripture. Because we Episcopalians, like all Christians, read the Bible from our own perspective and within our own denomination, it is worth probing our own predilections. It is worth asking, in other words, what characterises an…
University of Dundee agency appointed as mediators for Aberdeen and Orkney
Following the meeting of the Episcopal Synod on 30 September, the Mediation Steering Group appointed by the bishops has now taken the first steps towards setting up a mediation process for the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. The Steering Group, comprising David Strang CBE, the Rev Liz Crumlish and Morag Hendry, have appointed the University…
Mediation steering group established for Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney
The Episcopal Synod, comprising all seven diocesan bishops, met online this morning to consider the setting up of an independent mediation process to help the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney move forward from its current difficulties. • Read more on this topic The Synod voted to meet in private and then unanimously agreed to set…
College of Bishops publishes the Torrance review of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney
The publication today of the Torrance Report comes after a period of difficult and lengthy consideration by the College of Bishops. In publishing the report, the College expresses its thanks to Professor Iain Torrance for his work in receiving submissions and compiling the report, which contains a number of useful findings which will help the…
Rev’d Donald Strachan, RIP
Rev’d Donald Strachan passed away on Saturday 3 July 2021. Donald served in the Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway as Rector of St John the Evangelist, Coatbridge, Prison Chaplain at Barlinnie and Diocesan Supernumerary between 1973 and 1994. He lived out his retirement in North Uist and latterly was a resident in Trianaid Care Home in…
2021 General Synod roundup
General Synod members gathered online on June 10 and 11 for the annual meeting of the governing body of the Scottish Episcopal Church + Joint St Andrew Declaration with the Church of Scotland approved + Missionary Jane Haining, murdered at Auschwitz Birkenau, added to the Church’s liturgical calendar + Climate change guidance plan
Two Covid-19 updates from Advisory Group now available
The Advisory Group of the Scottish Episcopal Church has published new guidance on the calculation and display of the Physical Distance Based Capacity (PDBC) in church buildings, as pandemic restrictions are eased. The Group has also produced an updated Frequently Asked Questions document. Both of these resources are available here. When using the index of Advisory…
General Synod 2021 to take place over two days
General Synod will again take place online this year, as it did in 2020. However, the schedule will cover two days on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 June, instead of the single day event that was held last December. Business will start at 9am each day and is expected to run until approximately mid to…
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
Following the death of Prince Philip, our worship in church on Sunday April 11 will begin with the National Anthem and we shall be praying for the Queen and Royal Family at this time of bereavement and personal distress. Read more for statements and prayer from +Kevin Pearson, +Mark Strange and ++Justin Welby.
Acting like a Christian: five-part discussion series
An online Lent course from the Scottish Episcopal Church. What does it mean to act like a Christian?
Religious leaders launch legal action against Scottish Government over Covid shutdown
Religious leaders in Scotland have started legal proceedings against the Scottish Government over the closure of churches, The Scotsman newspaper reports. Lockdown measures designed to stop the spread of coronavirus have forced the shutting of places of worship. Representatives from the Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)…
New Bishop elected for Argyll & The Isles
The Diocese of Argyll & The Isles has chosen a new Bishop in an online election. The Rev Canon Dr Keith Riglin was selected by the Electoral Synod from a shortlist of three candidates, and will fill the vacancy brought about by the translation of the Rt Rev Kevin Pearson to the Diocese of Glasgow…
SEC not part of legal threat over church closures
The Scottish Episcopal Church has distanced itself from church leaders who have threatened legal action if the Scottish Government does not reverse its decision to close places of worship during the current phase of the Covid pandemic.
New Year message from the Primus
The Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church offers a message as we enter 2021.
Join the Scottish Episcopal Virtual Choir
Music is especially important at this time of year, and so the team behind Provincial online broadcasts intends to produce a series of musical offerings for use during Advent and Christmas worship.
Primus’ Charge sets scene at General Synod 2020
The Primus’ Charge outlined the challenges and opportunities before the Scottish Episcopal Church at the start of the first-ever virtual General Synod on December 4. On a historic occasion at St Paul’s & St George’s Episcopal Church in Edinburgh, the General Synod was held online, with just a handful of core participants present in the…
New edition of Inspires Online available
The October edition of Inspires Online is now available, rounding up news and stories from across the Scottish Episcopal Church. The edition features the remarkable work of Mustard Seed in Edinburgh during the pandemic, when the Rev Rich Cornfield and his team supported those in need with a huge expansion of their existing ‘Soul Food’…
Face coverings mandatory for places of worship
The Scottish Episcopal Church reports: The First Minister announced in her daily briefing at lunchtime today that, as from tomorrow, 8 August 2020, the wearing of face coverings is to become mandatory in places of worship. This will obviously affect any church services taking place this weekend and until further notice. Since the announcement at…
Video guide: Our return to Church
Churches are now allowed to re-commence worship subject to conditions, such as a maximum attendance of 50 people. Detailed arrangements for All Saints will be announced in due course. This video shows some of the new procedures which will have to be followed in order to stay safe from Covid-19.
