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| Press Releases
2000-2001
The Rev Marian Cowie,
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NE CHURCHES PRAY FOR PEACE IN JERUSALEM Amid fears that the political situation in Israel/Palestine will deteriorate further, Christians in Jerusalem who are praying for peace are being linked to churches in Aberdeen and Ellon. Starting on Wednesday 15th August, prayers will be said daily at 4.00pm (UK time) in one of Jerusalem's many Christian churches. This will continue, using a different church each day, until Tuesday 28th August. Simultaneously, services will be held in the Kirk of St Nicholas, Aberdeen and in St Mary on the Rock Church, Ellon. The services in the North East are being held in response to a suggestion from the Revd Clarence Musgrave, minister of St Andrew's Church, Jerusalem, who is a mission partner of ten Aberdeen congregations. Commenting on the Jerusalem initiative which involves many different Christian denominations, Mr Musgrave said: "I am sure there would be people in Scotland who would like to be involved in these Prayers, even if it is at a distance." The services in Aberdeen are being organised by the Revd Hugh Kerr, currently Interim Moderator at the Kirk of St Nicholas. He said: "We are planning a 15 minute service at 4.00pm every day, including Sunday. Different people are being invited to conduct the services. I am sure it will be a moving experience to know that in Jerusalem people are praying at exactly the same time. The situation in the Holy Land is heartbreaking and it is important that we should support our Christian brothers and sisters in this way." Read Clarence Musgrave's Latest Letter about the Services See
the Liturgy in use in Jerusalem |
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PRESBYTERY CONCERN ABOUT CHANGES TO AMBULANCE SERVICE Proposed changes to the way the Scottish Ambulance Service is organised came under scrutiny at last night's meeting (26th June) of Aberdeen Presbytery. The Social Responsibility Committee report indicated that it was proposed to close 5 of the 8 existing Operation Rooms throughout Scotland. For the Aberdeen and North East area this would mean all 999 calls being made to Inverness and the Air Desk being relocated to Dundee. Convener John Butler said there was a risk that lack of local knowledge and unfamiliarity with local dialect would make it difficult to for operators in Inverness and Dundee to pinpoint the location of incidents accurately. This could lead to life threatening delays in the arrival of ambulances. It was agreed that the Committee should seek urgent clarification of the proposals from the Ambulance Service and, if necessary, communicate the Presbytery's concerns to local MSPs and the Scottish Executive. For additional comment contact John Butler 01224-702606 INTER-CHURCH BODY SURVIVES The Presbytery heard that ACTA (Action of Churches Together in Aberdeen) has been reprieved. In its printed report the World Mission and Ecumenical Relations Committee had indicated that, because of a lack of support from congregations, ACTA would be wound up at its AGM in September when none of its office-bearers would stand for re-election. Updating the report, the Revd Hugh Kerr, said that the Regional Ecumenical Team wished ACTA to continue and had invited the Revd Graham Muckart to accept the role of Convener. ACTA would, therefore remain in existence for the time being with a view to co-operating with the Regional Ecumenical Team in the organisation of inter-church events. For additional comment contact Revd Hugh Kerr 01224-586762. (June 2001-2) |
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Aberdeen Presbytery’s final meeting before the summer
break takes place in the Hall of St Mark’s Church, Rosemount Viaduct at
7.00pm on Tuesday 26th June. Earlier in the day members
of Presbytery will meet in Oldmachar Church (from 10.00am to 12 noon) to
pray for the Presbytery and its work.
There will be a further opportunity for open prayer during the
period of worship immediately before the start of business at 7.00pm. These innovations are in accord with the support given
recently to a plea that Presbytery’s deliberations should be more
obviously rooted in prayer. Tribute will be paid to
Sheriff David Kelbie (a member of Presbytery) who died recently. The Revd
Murdoch MacKay and the Revd John Bell Deans will be congratulated on the
60th and 50th anniversaries of their ordinations.
Presbytery will be invited to agree to the demissions of two city
ministers. The Revd Bill
Wilkie is retiring from South St Nicholas Kincorth, and the Revd Shirley
Fraser is leaving St George’s Tillydrone to take up an appointment in
Edinburgh. The Education Committee will ask the Presbytery to agree to the closure of the Resources Centre. The Centre, housed in St Mark’s Church, has for many years provided a loan service for books, music, tapes, videos and equipment, mainly for use in Christian education. In the last few years, however, the use of the Centre has declined and it has become clear that congregations have found alternative sources of educational material. A very full report from the Social Responsibility Committee highlights a number of concerns including delays in obtaining access to Social Work services, the funding for a Drugs Support group in Bridge of Don, and the proposed re-structuring of the Scottish Ambulance Service. The report also welcomes an RGU research project on respite care and commends the Church of Scotland’s Home Support Scheme for elderly people. The World Mission and Ecumenical Relations Committee will present the results of a recent World Church Review. City congregations were invited to indicate their links with overseas churches and mission partners. The report shows that churches in Aberdeen have on-going contacts in over 40 countries. (June 2001-1) |
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| "MINIMALIST"
APPROACH TO DISABLED NOT GOOD ENOUGH Within a few minutes of becoming the first elder to be elected Moderator of Aberdeen Presbytery, Mr Richard Wallis found himself (last night 1st May) chairing a lively debate regarding the responsibilities of churches under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Presenting an explanatory memorandum, Property Convener James Macdonald said that as the Act would not come into force until 2004, churches need not rush to comply with its requirements. He added that the provision of wheelchair access was not mandatory and that only reasonable adjustments to buildings would be required. The committee's approach was described as "minimalist" by Professor Peter Gray. Revd John Osbeck commented on a proposal that all congregations should install induction loop systems for the deaf. He said that in some situations infra-red systems, as used in theatres, were more effective and should be considered. Speaking from a wheelchair, the Revd Scott Hutchison stressed the importance of consulting disabled people themselves. He said: "You may not find them in your congregation, because they can't access your church, but they will be living in your parish". Revd Flora Munro urged churches to do more than the minimum required by regulations. She said: "We must do the best we can for our disabled people with no cutting corners." Presbytery agreed to accept the points made by Messrs Osbeck and Hutchison, and to circulate the amended document to all congregations. It urges the provision of large print bibles and songbooks, the installation and maintenance of appropriate systems for the hard of hearing, the provision of videotapes for the profoundly deaf, consultation with disabled people and the undertaking of an accessibility audit to classify areas of each building in terms of ease of access. (May 2001-2) |
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| The May meeting of the
Presbytery will be held in St Mark's Church Hall, Rosemount Viaduct at 7.00pm on Tuesday 1st May 2001. The first item of business
will make history. Richard Wallis will be
installed as Moderator of the Presbytery for 2001-2002. This will be the first occasion on
which the Presbytery of Aberdeen has elected an elder to this position. (Although the
present Presbytery is not an ancient body, having been formed in 1975, the name
"Presbytery of Aberdeen" goes back for centuries, and throughout that history,
only ministers have served as Moderators.) Mr Wallis is an elder in Rubislaw Church and,
prior to retirement, was Head Teacher of Bridge of Don Academy. (May 2001-1) |
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| top | March Meeting An apparently routine statistical report stimulated a vigorous
debate at last night's meeting of Aberdeen Presbytery (6th March). Presenting
figures for the year 2000 relating to communicant membership and infant baptisms in
Aberdeen congregations, Presbytery Clerk Revd Andrew Douglas revealed that the number of
people joining the church "by profession of faith" had declined by 75% over
twenty years. In the same period infant baptism had declined by 65%. These trends made him
apprehensive about the future of the Church in Aberdeen. Revd Fyfe Blair (Cove) pointed
out that a similar comment had been made when last year's figures were discussed, and
called for a day of prayer and fasting to seek guidance from God as to how the situation
could be corrected. He was backed by the Revd Jim Ritchie (Oldmachar), but the Revd Graham
Muckart (North St Andrew) took the view that statistical evidence needed to be seen in the
light of changes that had taken place in society. He suggested that the baptismal figures
did not necessarily indicate a decline in faith. Revd Ian Aitken (New Stockethill) said
there was no need for statistics, but there was a need to ask God what the Church shoudl
be doing. Revd John Watson (St Mark's) said that hundreds of people had moved away from
their original parish churches and had allowed their membership to lapse. He said:
"They are now too embarrassed to come back with their old membership certificates. We
should offer an Amnesty and welcome them back." It was agreed that an ad hoc
committee under the convenership of the Revd Iain Barclay (Torry St Fitticks) which is
already looking at the future of the Church should study points raised during the debate,
and that further considertaion would be given to the proposed day of prayer. The March meeting of the Presbytery will be held
in For comment contact John Butler, Convener, on 702606. The World Mission & Ecumenical Relations Committee will report progress in a connection with a proposed twinning of Aberdeen Prresbytery with the Blantyre City Presbytery in Malawi. The Committee will also launch a World Church Review and will invite congregations to share the various partnherships and links which have been formed with churches overseas. From comment contact Revd Andrew Wilson, Convener, on 314878. The Home Mission Committee's report will encourage participation in various courses and conferences including "Something to Share" (Torry St Fittick's Church starting 8th March), "Jesus in our City" (at Rubislaw Church Centre 18th March) and the Scottish Alpha Conference at Perth on 7th and 8th June. For comment contact Revd Norman Maciver, Convener on 716161 or 712655. (March 2001-1) |
| top | CHURCH UNION PLANS ON
AGENDA The February meeting of the Presbytery will be held in St Mark's Church Hall, Rosemount Viaduct at 7.00pm on Tuesday 6th February 2001. Apart from routine business it is likely that much of the meeting will be devoted to a debate on the SCIFU (Scottish Church Initiative for Union) Report which was presented at the general Assembly on May 2000. The report which runs to more than 40 pages, deals with a range of issues associated with the creation of a new united Church that would bring together the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the United Reformed Church in Scotland and the Methodist Church in Scotland. The Revd Andrew Douglas has indicated that he will move for a suspension of standing orders in order that the report may be debated fully unrestricted by the normal rules concerning the length and frequency of members' contributions to the debate. Mr Douglas (acting on his own behalf and not as Presbytery Clerk) has also indicated that he will move the rejection of the SCIFU proposals. The matter will be brought to Presbytery by its own World Mission and Ecumenical Affairs Committee which calls for a major programme of education and information to be put in hand so that all church members are fully aware of what is being proposed, and have a clear understanding of the implications. The Committee recommends that the SCIFU proposals be put on hold until this programme of education and information has been undertaken. "If the tree of union is to take root and flourish, much more preparation of the ground is needed." (Enquiries to Revd Graeme Muckart, Convener, Ecumenical Affairs Committee 646429) Other business will include consideration of recommendations from the Church and Deployment of Resources Committee that the congregations of South St Nicholas Kincorth and Denburn be permitted to call ministers (on reviewable Tenure in the case of Denburn) and notification that an Outreach Co-ordinator is to be employed by High Hilton Parish Church. The Revd Sam Ballantyne, a kenspeckle figure in the city since 1949, is celebrating the 60th anniversary of his ordination as a minister. Presbytery will be invited to offer him its warmest congratulations. (February
2001-1) |
| top | KIRK URGED TO JOIN
FIGHT AGAINST CRIME Churches are being urged to give their full support to the Safer Scotland Campaign. The three-month nationwide offensive against violent crime and disorder was launched by Scotland's eight police forces and British Transport Police. At last night's (5TH DECEMBER) meeting of Aberdeen Presbytery the Revd Dr Russell Moffat said that the Church could be an important source for disseminating information about the objectives of the campaign. Speaking in his capacity as Convener of the Presbytery's Public Questions Committee, Dr Moffat encouraged his fellow ministers to deal with the subject of violence and disorder in sermons, and to invite representatives of the police to talk to congregational groups. He said: "As an ex-police officer myself I know how important good intelligence is. People are sometimes unaware that they have information which could be extremely helpful to the police." He called on all congregations to establish links with local Crime Prevention Officers with a view to facilitating a flow of useful intelligence to help the fight against crime. (Further comments: Revd Dr Russel Moffat, Dyce Parish Church, tel 722380 or 771295) (December 2000-2) |
| top | NEW SCHEME FOR WOULD-BE
MINISTERS The Presbytery's December meeting will take place in St Mark's Church Hall, Rosemount Viaduct at 7.00pm on Tuesday 5 December 2000. The Presbytery will resume discussion of a report from the Training for Ministry Committee regarding proposals to add a preliminary tier to the process by which the Church of Scotland accepts people to train as ministers. The aim is to increase the involvement of presbyteries in this matter. The present system of "Selection Schools" would be replaced by an Enquiry, Appraisal and Selection Scheme. Applicants for training would be known as Enquirers, and the first part of the Scheme would be carried out at presbytery level. On Tuesday Aberdeen Presbytery will be invited to address a number of key questions regarding the implementation of the scheme. The Presbytery's Public Questions Committee will report on the Safer Scotland Campaign which is seeking the cooperation of churches in disseminating information relating to the problems of violence and disorder in Scottish society. The Home Mission Committee will present its views on "Change and Decay", a paper issued by the Church of Scotland's Assembly Council which highlights a number of important questions regarding the future mission of the Church. Tribute will be paid to the late Dr Sandy Mackay, a long serving member of Presbytery , who, until his death, was secretary of the Education Committee. (December 2000-1) |
| top | "KIRK
HAS LOST THE JOHN KNOX SPIRIT" Speaking at Aberdeen Presbytery on 7th November an Indian minister declared that the Church of Scotland had lost the spirit of John Kox's teaching. Revd Anthapurusha, who is currently working with the Board of World Mission, said that arriving in Scotland he had been delighted to see so many churches in our cities, but disappointed to find that many of them had been converted to pubs and offices. He said, "The Church has become lukewarm and too ready to compromise. Ministers must move out of the comfort zone and identify the people who are in physical and spiritual need. Stop speaking about the weather and speak about God!" Discussion on a report regarding the selection of candidates for the Ministry was deferred to the December meeting. The report by an ad hoc committee commented on questions raised by the Board of Ministry concerning a proposed new procedure which would see presbyteries becoming involved in the assessment of "enquirers". It was pointed out that members had not received copies of the questions and were, therefore, not in a position to respond to the committee's report. Revd Gillian Munro, Hospital Chaplain, urged ministers to encourage members of their congregation to become Chaplaincy Volunteer Visitors. She stressed the importance of the work for which training is provided at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. She said, "I have already written to every parish minister in the Presbytery, but so far there has been only one response". (November 2000-2) |
| top | KIRK COMPLIES WITH HUMAN
RIGHTS ACT The November meeting of the Presbytery will be held in St Mark's Church Hall, Rosemount Viaduct at 7.00pm on Tuesday 7th November 2000. A report will be received from an Ad Hoc Committee set up to consider an Overture from the General Assembly mainly concerning the discipline of Ministers. Existing church procedures have to be brought into line with the requirements of the Human Rights Act. The report gives general approval to the Overture, while suggesting one or two modifications and re-wordings. The main effect of the implementation of the Overture will be to separate the functions of enquiry, prosecution and judgement, and to establish a new independent body (the Presbyterial Commission) to deal with complaints raised by presbyteries against ministers. The Presbytery will deal formally with a requests from the Revd Bill Wilkie for permission to retire next July as minister of South St Nicholas Kincorth, and from the Revd Lesley Risby for permission to resign (on grounds of illness) from Denburn Parish Church. There is already a vacancy at the Kirk of St Nicholas - in this connection the Church and Deployment of Resources Committee will ask Presbytery to seek the advice of the General Assembly's Parish Reappraisal Committee regarding the implications of the vacancy for City Centre Mission. Presbytery will be invited to send congratulations and good wishes to the Revd A Rae Grant, former minister of Cults West, on the occasion of his 104th birthday which falls on 16th November. Mr Grant, who retired in 1966, is now resident in a nursing home in Inverness. The report of the Home Mission Committee pays tribute to the work done by Hospital Chaplaincy Teams and to the Revd John Osbeck's ministry amongst deaf people. The Social Responsibility Committee's report describes the valuable work undertaken at the Church of Scotland's Deeford Centre which, since 1980, has been helping men and women to overcome addiction problems. The Revd Anthapurusha, a minister from India who is acting as a Link Facilitator with the Board of World Mission, will be invited to address the Presbytery. [More information] (November 2000-1) |
| top | PRESBYTERY REJECTS
ASSEMBLY PLAN By a resounding vote of 100 to 1 Aberdeen Presbytery last night (3rd October) rejected an Overture from the General Assembly proposing new regulations regarding ministers and deacons who become involved in public service. The proposed rules would require any minister to obtain Presbytery permission before undertaking any public service commitment (eg membership of a local council) involving more than five hours per week. Revd Andrew Douglas described this as discriminatory. He said it would ministers who were willing to undertake public service at a disadvantage compared to those who chose to spend their spare time in other activities. He said "This is an inept piece of legislation, and we have no choice but to say No to it." Public Questions Convener: Revd Dr Russel Moffat 722380 The Scottish Executive's decision to reject the Sutherland Committee's recommendation that nursing and care of the elderly should be provided free, was deplored by John Butler, Social Responsibility Convener. He successfully moved that the Presbytery Clerk should write to Donald Dewar expressing disappointment at this decision. Presbytery also agreed to urge congregations to contact MSPs and political parties asking them campaign for the decision to be reversed, and to stress the importance of local authorities bearing the full economic cost of residential care of the elderly (their failure to do this is causing grave difficulties to the Homes run by the Church of Scotland). Social Responsibility Convener: John Butler 702606 Pamela Adam, the Presbytery's Youth Adviser, made a plea for congregations to do some talent spotting to find more volunteer youth workers. She said, "Lack of leadership is causing some churches to close down their youth groups, but other congregations have talented people available who could be helping out." She also reminded Presbytery that the post of Children's Ministry Adviser had been unfilled for over a year. Youth Adviser: Pam Adam 584204 (October 2000-2) |
| top | OCTOBER MEETING The October meeting of the Presbytery will be held in St Mark's Church Hall, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen at 7.00pm on Tuesday 3rd October. A report from the Public Questions Committee will invite the Presbytery to express disapproval of an Overture from the General Assembly. The Overture sets out proposed regulations regarding the participation of ministers and deacons in public service of various kinds. The effect of their implementation would be that ministers would have to seek permission from their Presbyteries before undertaking any public service duties that would involve an average of more than five hours per week. The PQ report describes the Overture as an over-reaction to any problems that may have arisen, and points out that various forms of public service have traditionally been seen as "a legitimate and valuable expression of the fact that a Minister is inducted to serve the parish and the wider community". The report also criticises the Overture for lumping full-time and part-time together, making the point that a Minister elected to the Scottish Parliament would obviously demit office before embarking on another full-time job. The report that suggests that ministers may have many non-pastoral interests that take up five hours of their spare time, and that it is wrong to discriminate against those who choose to devote themselves to public service as councillors, committee members, etc. The Convener of the Public Questions Committee is the Rev Dr Russell Moffat (722380). The report of the Social Responsibility Committee covers a range of topics relating to the report of the Royal Commission on the Long term care of the Elderly and invites the Presbytery and congregations to lobby MSPs and the Scottish Executive with the aim of persuading them that they should adopt the Commission's recommendation that nursing and care should be free. The Convener of the Social Responsibility Committee is John Butler (702606). The Church and Deployment of Resources Committee will ask Presbytery to support a joint request from the congregations of Woodside and St George's Tillydrone for a "National Mission Appointment" i.e. someone to assist the ministers with pastoral work in two parishes with a total population of over 13,000. The Convener of the CDR Committee is Tom Stephen (733208). (October 2000-01) |
| PRESBYTERY TO HAVE
WEB-SITE Plans to put Aberdeen Presbytery into cyber-space were given the go-ahead at last night's (5th September) meeting in St Mark's Church Hall. A prototype web-site created by the Presbytery Moderator, the Revd Fred Coutts, was demonstrated. The site, which will now be given a domain name and become accessible on the internet, gives details of all churches in the Presbytery, information about Presbytery committees, an events diary and the latest press releases. The Very Revd Alan Main paid tribute to Professor David Fergusson who is leaving Aberdeen to take up a chair at New College, Edinburgh. He described Professor Fergusson as a genuine polymath - his students nicknamed him "the man with two brains". He said: "David is an internationally respected scholar and a most faithful churchman." Last night's meeting saw Mr John Maitland recording the proceedings as Minutes Clerk for the last time. Thanking him for his services to the Presbytery, the Moderator presented Mr Maitland with a cross stitch picture of Bon Accord Church (now Bon Accord Free Church). This was the Maitland family church for many years. John's father served as Treasurer for 52 years, and John himself was baptised and married there. (Bon Accord Church became Bon Accord St Pauls, then united with Gilcomston St Colm's Church to form the present Denburn Church where John Maithalnd has until recently been Session Clerk.) The Moderator welcomed a number of new members to the Presbytery, including the Revd Ernest Chapman, the new minister of Middlefield Parish Church, and the Revd Easter Smart, recently appointed Chaplain to Aberdeen University. Although Easter was brought up in the United States, she has a link with Aberdeen through her father who was a student at the University. He is now a minister in America. Recently he sent a greeting to former members of Aberdeen Students' Shows who were taking part in a reunion weekend. (September 2000-03) |
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| BACK TO BUSINESS FOR
PRESBYTERY The Presbytery's first meeting after the summer recess will be held in St Mark's Church Hall, Rosemount Viaduct at 7.00pm on Tuesday 5 September 2000. Before business commences there will be a celebration of Holy Communion conducted by the Moderator, Rev Fred Coutts. Consideration will be given to various remits from the General Assembly. These will include a paper from the Assembly Council headed "Change or Decay" which poses wide-ranging questions about the future of the Church. It is anticipated that, because this is a matter of vital importance to every part of the Church, a proposal will be made to form an ad-hoc committee, representative of the Presbytery's main standing committees, to study the matter in detail. The Presbytery will be reminded by the Education Committee that it is over a year since the Children's Ministry Adviser retired, and so far no replacement has been found. Congregations will be urged to encourage suitable qualified people to enquire about this part-time appointment. The report of the Mission and Stewardship Committee draws attention to the advantages of channeling as many donations as possible through the Gift Aid Scheme. This enables the Church to reclaim tax paid by donors. The report underlines the importance of dealing carefully with the appropriate documentation. Members will be asked to consider a proposal for a Presbytery Web Site. A prototype site has been created by the Moderator, Rev Fred Coutts. This will be demonstrated and comments invited. Members will also be asked to think creatively about the kind of information that they would like to see included in a Presbytery web site. (Note to editors: Full sets of papers are being sent to the usual recipients.) (September 2000-001) |
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| TOP BANDS FOR
"FAITH IN THE PARK" The area surrounding Aberdeen University's King Street Playing Field will echo to the sound of some of Scotland's top Christian bands on the afternoon of Sunday 10th September. They'll be taking part in FAITH IN THE PARK, a major millennium celebration for young people. Organised by Aberdeen Presbytery's Education Committee, the event is targeting the age group 13 to 30. Convener Revd Ainsley Walton says: "In fact the target is even wider because we are also encouraging those young people who are also parents, to bring along their children. They'll be looked after and there will be plenty for them to do." The main attractions will be the popular bands HOME AT LAST and CAMPER VAN. There will also be a guest appearance by Wanda Mann, well known on the other side of the Atlantic as a gospel singer and recording artiste. The organisers hope to create a fairground atmosphere with clowns, stalls and attractions for the younger children. Ainsley Walton says: "Only a small percentage of young people come to church, so we are taking the Church to them, to show that we care for them and that we can relate to their culture and their needs. I hope that we'll have a thousand people in the field on that Sunday afternoon." FAITH IN THE PARK runs from 1.30pm on Sunday 10th SEPTEMBER at the King's College Playing Field. Admission Free. (September 2000-002) |
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| KIRK MEMBERS MAY GET
FUNERAL TRAINING Church members in Aberdeen may be
offered training to enable them to relieve ministers who are over-burdened with
funerals. At last night's meeting (27th June) of Aberdeen Presbytery it was
agreed to ask the Worship Committee (in association with the Presbytery's Elder Trainers)
to consider the feasibility of running an appropriate training course. This
was the Presbytery's positive response to the report from an ad hoc committee which
showed that more than a third of the city's parish ministers would welcome assistance
either now or in the near future. Presenting the report the Revd Jim Falconer
said "It is incumbent on us to take seriously the pastoral care of our colleagues.
Many of them are under great strain." Revd Bill Wilkie (Kincorth)
said that the publicity surrounding the matter was damaging the Church's image. He
said: "I regard funerals as the most important opportunity for outreach that I have
in my ministry. With the support of my Kirk Session I have no problem about finding
the time for funerals". Revd Graeme Muckart (North Church of St Andrew) said
that an excessive number of funerals was a cause of breakdowns and disturbance of
family life. He said: "There is a cost. It should not have to be borne by a
minister's family". (June 2000-002) |
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| CALL FOR VETTING OF
CHILD WORKERS The Presbytery agreed to urge
Aberdeen City Council to introduce a mandatory system of screening staff and volunteers
who work with children in the city's community centres. Convener of the Social
Reponsibility Committee, John Butler, reminded Presbytery that the Church of Scotland had
introduced strict regulations regarding the vetting of volunteers. Every
congregation was obliged to appoint a Child Protection Coordinator, and to ensure that all
adults involved in work with children received appropriate training. He said,
"This also applies to the staff of the Education Department, but there is a large
loophole because people appointed by community centre management committees are not
covered by the regulations. Guidance is provided to the committees, but there is no
compulsion on them to adopt the kind of good practice followed by the Church." (June 2000 -001) |
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