The Church of Scotland
Presbytery of Aberdeen

Presbytery Press Officer, 

The Rev Marian Cowie,
Tel: (01224) 208001
E-mail: MCOWIEOU@aol.com

• June Presbytery Meeting
• Centenary at Greyfriars John Knox Church
• Closure of Church Residential Centre (May 2002)
• Teenagers changing the world
• April Meeting of Presbytery
• March Meeting of Presbytery
• Items from the February meeting of Presbytery
• February Meeting of Presbytery
• Vandalism and Vacancies
• December Meeting of Presbytery
• Historic Occasion at "Mither Kirk"
• Kirk urged to rethink presbytery changes
• November meeting of Presbytery
• Items from the October Meeting
• October meeting of Presbytery
• £25k Appeal to City Churches
• Presbytery backs ban on Orange March
• September meeting of Presbytery
• Media Information Sept 2000- June 2001

WORLDWIDE SHORTAGE OF BIBLES 
Last night (25th June) the Presbytery of Aberdeen was given an astonishing statistic by Revd Douglas Campbell, Executive Director of the Scottish Bible Society. Last year 85 million people asked for a Bible and couldn't get one, because Bible Societies around the world couldn't afford to pay for them. Mr Campbell spoke about the very different challenges that face the Society at home and abroad. Despite the worldwide demand for Bibles, in Scotland only 10 % of people now read books of any kind. The Bible Society is therefore developing multi-media resources, to communicate with today's people. Mr Campbell recognised that Aberdeen has one of the strongest local branches of the Bible Society and encouraged churches to keep supporting its work.

GENEROSITY OF LOCAL PEOPLE 
This year people in the Aberdeen area raised in excess of £53,500 during Christian Aid Week. As well as door to door visits, other activities included supermarket collections, a sponsored walk and a coffee morning. Christian Aid works alongside other agencies combating hunger and poverty.

NEW CLERK APPOINTED 
Last night (25th June) the Presbytery of Aberdeen voted unanimously to appoint Rev Ian McLean as the new Presbytery Clerk. Mr McLean has been minister at Summerhill Parish Church since 1981.

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On Sunday 9th June a special ceremony will be held at Greyfriars John Knox Parish Church to commemorate an event that took place one hundred years ago.

On 7th June 1902, a procession wound its way from Marischal College quadrangle to witness the laying of a new foundation stone for the ancient building. The stone was laid by the University Principal (J.Marshall Lang) accompanied by representatives of the Town Council (who paid for the rebuilding) and of Presbytery. It was the culmination of ten years of planning and negotiation between University, Town and Presbytery.

On Sunday (9th June) the congregation will process from Marischal quadrangle to the church vestibule, starting at 10.50am, after which the minister will conduct a brief rededication ceremony. The stone is prominent in the vestibule wall, and bears an historic inscription. The special service is open to all and it is hoped that representatives of the University, the Presbytery and the Town Council will be in attendance.

For further information contact: Rev Ian Dennis (Minister of Greyfriars John Knox), Tel: 584594

[4 June 2002]

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Closure of Church Residential Centres 
Last night (7th May) the Presbytery of Aberdeen discussed the controversial plans to close some of the Residential Centres that are run by the Church of Scotland's Board of Social Responsibility. Local facilities that are affected include Rubislaw Park Home and Deeford, an alcohol rehabilitation centre.
A report received by Presbytery recognised that inadequate funding by Local Authorities has made it unfeasible for the Kirk to sustain all of its existing care facilities. For ten years local councils have refused to provide the residents of church homes with the same level of financial support as those in council-run premises. As a result, the Kirk has spent in excess of 20 million pounds of reserve funds making up the difference. It was noted that Aberdeen City Council is closing many of its own homes. This exacerbates the problem of 'hospital bed blocking' and fails to address the needs of our society, which has an increasing number of elderly people. The Presbytery report concluded that action is first and foremost required from central and local government if adequate care for the elderly is to be provided.
Speaking at the Presbytery meeting, Rev Ken Petrie questioned why the Board of Social Responsibility had chosen Rubislaw Park Home for closure. He argued that it is one of the best performing church homes, on the basis that it has a high level of occupancy and is able to meet modern standards. Rev Hugh Kerr expressed his concern that the closure of Deeford would create a vacuum in the aftercare that is required in the field of addiction-rehabilitation. He expressed the fears of his congregation at Ruthrieston South, that former clients of Deeford would lose their support network.
Presbytery asked the Board of Social Responsibility to explain why greater consultation had not taken place prior to decisions being made about the closure of church homes. Presbytery also requested an explanation from the Board of the reasons why particular facilities had been chosen for closure.

New Moderator Installed 
Further to his nomination in April, last night (7th May) Rev Ian Dick (Minister of Ferryhill Parish Church) was formally installed as Moderator of Aberdeen Presbytery for the coming year. To mark the occasion, a Bible was presented to Ian Dick on behalf of the Aberdeen branch of the National Bible Society for Scotland.

New Minister for Kincorth 
At its meeting on 7th May, the Presbytery of Aberdeen approved the call of Rev Edward McKenna to become the new minister at St Nicholas South of Kincorth. The congregation has been vacant since the retiral of Rev Bill Wilkie last year. Mr McKenna is currently the Minister of St Andrew Blackadder Church in North Berwick and it is anticipated that his induction will take place in August.

Presbytery Clerk Retires 
Last Night (7th May) Presbytery paid tribute to Rev Andrew Douglas who is retiring from his position as Presbytery Clerk. Rev Douglas has served two terms of office in this capacity, totalling eighteen years.

[7 May 2002]

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Some 40 teenagers and their leaders from Oldmachar(Bridge of Don), Newhills and Newmachar Churches took part on Saturday in the "Ultimate Bridge Cross" raising over £1,000 for the charity Christian Aid. They endured a hail storm walking across the Tay Road Bridge, withstood strong winds on the Forth Road Bridge but enjoyed sunshine at the Erskine Bridge where they were filmed and interviewed by a television crew for Christian Aid News. Videos of Christian Aid's work in developing countries were shown on the coach as was a video of the campaign "Trade for Life" that looks to change the rules of trade that contribute to countries being poor in the first place. The total raised over all three bridges, Christian Aid's largest single fund raising event in Scotland, looks set to break £100,000 for the first time on Saturday.

For further information, contact: Peter Lloyd Tel 01224 706461

[28 April 2002]

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Historic Kirk Union Planned
The Presbytery of Aberdeen has formally approved proposals to unite the Kirk of St Nicholas with St Nicholas United Reformed Church. In May a petition will be presented to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, seeking consent for this historic measure. Since 1998 the two congregations have been working closely together in an Ecumenical Partnership. The relationship was deepened in November last year, when Rev J Ross McLaren (Minister of the URC congregation) was installed as Interim Minister of the Kirk.

Contact: Rev J. Ross McLaren (Tel: 491160)


Presbytery nominates New Moderator 
Last night (2nd April) the Presbytery of Aberdeen nominated Rev Ian Dick as its Moderator for the coming year. Ian Dick will be formally elected before the Summer, taking over from Mr Richard Wallis, who has been the first 'layman' to serve as Moderator in Aberdeen. A Divinity graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Ian Dick has been Minister of Ferryhill Parish Church for the past twenty years. 

Contact: Rev Ian Dick (Tel: 586933)


Presbytery u-turn on Garthdee radio-mast 
The Presbytery of Aberdeen has overturned an earlier controversial decision to refuse permission for a radio-mast to be installed at Garthdee Church. Initial objections had been centred on the proposal to incorporate telecommunications equipment inside a cross on the roof of the church. Garthdee's Interim Moderator, Rev Duncan Eddie, successfully argued that the symbol of the cross should not be seen as a barrier. He quoted examples of other local churches that already have similar equipment installed within steeples and chimneys. 

Contact: Rev Duncan Eddie (Tel: 325873)


Aberdeen churches back AIDS project in Africa
Last night (2nd April) Presbytery was told of the plight of Malawian children who have been orphaned by the African AIDS epidemic. Many are excluded from secondary education, because fees are applied to schooling once primary education has been completed. Local congregations are being encouraged to support a bursary scheme which funds secondary and tertiary education in Malawi. The cost of providing secondary education is only £720, which ultimately enables children to support their own families.

Contact: Rev Alison Swindells (Tel: 317667)

[2 April 2002]

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PRESS RELEASES SUBMITTED BY:
Presbytery Press Officer, 
Rev George S. Cowie, 
6 St Swithin Street, 
Aberdeen,
AB10 6XE
Tel: (01224) 593302 

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Over £3 million has already been raised to support food distribution and development projects being undertaken by Christian Aid's partners in Afghanistan. Speaking at last night's meeting (5th February) of Aberdeen Presbytery, Marjorie Clark, Area Co-ordinator for Christian Aid, thanked congregations for responding to the recent emergency appeal. She also highlighted the needs of the people of Goma whose communities had been devastated by January's volcano disaster. Through a new joint venture, Christian Aid's links with the Church of Scotland were being strengthened. Money from block grants received form the Kirk over the next three years would be earmarked for projects in Bosnia, Mozambique and Haiti.

Presbytery unanimously approved a motion from its Clerk, Revd Andrew Douglas, urging the UK government and UN agencies to intervene in the Holy Land to re-establish peace and justice in Israeli and Palestinian communities. He said that the two peoples were caught in a vortex of intolerance, racial discrimination and violence. Supporting the motion, the Revd Hugh Kerr said he detected some signs of hope from Israeli press reports that were increasingly critical of their government's intransigent policies.

Church and Industry Convener Lewis Rose called on all congregations to support the Living Wage Campaign launched by Church Action on Poverty. He challenged members to try to live on the equivalent of the Minimum Wage for the six weeks of Lent. He said, "You will find it very difficult indeed, probably impossible, but thousands of people in our city have to do it all the year round." Mr Rose announced that members of the public who wished to pledge solidarity with people on the minimum wage could do so on the Presbytery's website. Living Wage Campaign Form

By a substantial vote Presbytery rejected a proposal from its Property Committee that the Congregational Board of Garthdee Church be permitted to replace the cross on the roof of the church with a similar cross containing equipment for Hutchison Telecom. Revd Andrew Douglas said there was anxiety in the minds of some people about the safety of mobile phone aerials and it would be unfortunate to link this anxiety to such a fundamental Christian symbol as the Cross.

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The February meeting of the Presbytery will be held at 7.00pm on Tuesday 5th February 2002 in the hall of St Mark’s Church, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen.

Presbytery will hear that two city congregations are to lose their ministers. The Revd Jim Weir (Garthdee) has accepted a Call to the parish of Carfin linked with Newarthill in Hamilton Presbytery. The Revd Michael Crawford (St Mary’s King Street) has intimated his intention to retire in October 2002. There are already unfilled vacancies at Denburn and South St Nicholas Kincorth. In addition, Presbytery will be asked to confirm arrangements for providing ministerial cover at Cove and Mastrick churches whose ministers are on sick leave. (Sick leave cover is already in place at the North Church of St Andrew.)

A report from the Committee on Training for the Ministry invites congregations (and Interim Moderators) to make use of Trainee Ministers to provide "pulpit supply" during vacancies and to provide sick-leave cover. The Committee comments that under new training arrangements, candidates for the ministry may be experiencing financial hardship which could be alleviated by earning pulpit supply fees. 

Enquiries: Revd Dr Iain Barclay (588245).


In the light of ambitious plans for the internal refurbishment of Gilcomston South Church to increase its effectiveness as a focus for city centre Mission, Presbytery will be asked to agree in principle to releasing £25,000 from the fund created following the closure of the Langstane Kirk.

Enquiries: Revd Dominic Smart (314326)


A report from the Social Responsibility Committee looks towards the possibility of refugees and asylum-seekers being settled in Aberdeen and suggests that there may be a role for local churches in facilitating this.Enquiries: Mr John Butler (702606)

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The efforts of Aberdeen City Council to combat vandalism were warmly commended at last night's meeting (4th December) of Aberdeen Presbytery. Presenting a report from the Public Questions Committee, the Revd Dr Russell Moffat said that the phenomenon was not confined to any one section of the community. He said "Vandalism may be a problem in Middlefield, but it happens in the west end too". Presbytery also endorsed the aims of the Evening Express "Smash the vandals" campaign, although it was agreed that the title did not reflect a Christian attitude. Revd Ian Aitken was applauded when he called on the Church to bring its distinctive approach to bear on the subject. He said "We must get out and take the Gospel to people, meet their needs and help them to address the problems in their communities." Presbytery agreed to encourage the City Council to host a conference to debate the wider social, political, philosophical and theological issues relating to vandalism and its perpetrators. Enquiries: Revd Dr Russell Moffat (722380).

After a convoluted and sometimes muddled debate, Presbytery gave a general welcome to proposals to speed up the filling of ministerial vacancies. Confusion was caused by the fact that the report from the Church and Deployment of Resources Committee appeared to be laying down a set of new policies. It was pointed out by the Revd Ian Dick that the report was simply commenting proposals sent down by the General Assembly for discussion. Convener, Mr Tom Stephen said that the proposals would, in straightforward cases, allow congregations to adopt a fast-track procedure. This would enable them to begin the search for a new minister as soon as their present minister announced his or her intention to resign or retire. Under present procedures, every case has to be scrutinised by several committees at different levels with that result that often many months pass before a congregation can take even the first steps towards filling a vacancy. Presbytery agreed to support changes that cut through the red tape. Enquiries: Mr Tom Stephen (733208).

[4 December 2001]

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The December meeting of the Presbytery will be held at 7.00pm on Tuesday 4th December in the hall of St Mark's Church, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen.

Members will have an opportunity to debate a report from the Worship Committee on a draft list of hymns proposed for inclusion in the forthcoming new edition of the Church Hymnary. The report suggests, among other things, that more hymns should be provided for use at weddings and baptisms, and that the hymnary should be made available on CD-ROM and possibly in other IT formats. Enquiries: Revd Ken Petrie (315125)

Presbytery will receive a report from its CDR (Church and Deployment of Resources) Committee welcoming proposals which will speed up the process of filling ministerial vacancies. The report also recommends that the Presbytery Plan (relating to the number and location of churches required for future mission) should be revised every five years. Enquries: Mr Tom Stephen (733208)

Following concerns expressed at a previous meeting regarding vandalism in Aberdeen, the Public Questions Committee will submit a report urging the Presbytery to support the current "Smash the Vandals" campaign and the City Council's submission to the Scottish Executive regarding parental responsibility. The report also asks Presbytery to encourage the Council to host a conference on the subject. Enquiries: Revd Dr Russell Moffat (722380)

The report of the Home Mission Committee gives the Presbytery its first official intimation that a major evangelistic campaign, "The Jesus Revolution" is scheduled to take place in Aberdeen between 14th June and 28th July 2002. Enquiries: Revd Sean Swindells (313075).

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[6 Nov 2001]

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Aberdeen Presbytery's November meeting takes place in the Hall of St Mark's Church, Rosemount Viaduct at 7.00pm on Tuesday 6th November 2001. 


An important stage in the history of the Kirk of St Nicholas, Aberdeen's "Mither Kirk", will be signalled when the Presbytery is asked to approve arrangements for a special service to be held on Thursday 15th November at 7.30pm. On this occasion the Revd J Ross McLaren will be introduced as Interim Minister of the Kirk. Mr McLaren will continue as Minister of the United Reformed Church congregation (formerly known as St Nicholas Congregational Church) which worships in the Kirk building. He now becomes Minister of both congregations while a process leading towards Union begins.

Arrangements will also be finalised for the introduction of Miss Ann Lundie as Parish Assistant in the Parishes of St George's Tillydrone and Woodside. Miss Lundie, who is a Deacon of the Church of Scotland, currently serves at Torry St Fittick's and was previously attached to South St Nicholas Kincorth.

The Presbytery will be informed that a part-time chaplaincy to city centre workers is to be created by the Churches Industrial Mission, and will be asked to approve a grant of £1000 per annum for three years towards its funding. This money would come from a fund for city centre ministry created when the congregation of the Langstane Kirk was dissolved two years ago.

Kirk members who have brought back local currency from European holidays will be the targets of a special appeal from the Board of World Mission. With many countries converting to the Euro on 1st January, the Board is offering to exchange "old money" and put it towards the work of the Ecumenical Women's Solidarity Fund in Bosnia.

[2 November 2001]

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A representative of the city's Muslim community was warmly applauded at last night's meeting (2nd October) of Aberdeen Presbytery. Mohammed Sarumi was responding to an invitation to give an Islamic perspective on the aftermath to the events of 11th September. He told the Presbytery that the killing of innocent people and unprovoked aggression of any sort were forbidden by the Koran. Muslims throughout the world were shocked by the terrorist attack on America, and were saddened that media reporting tended to associate the criminal activities of the terrorists with the Islamic faith. This had left many Muslims in this country feeling isolated and threatened, but they had also been encouraged by statements of support, particularly from the churches.
Additional comments: Revd Dr Russell Moffat, Public Questions Convener (01224-722380)

Details of a sustained campaign of vandalism in Middlefield were given by the parish minister, Revd Ernest Chapman. He said that his church and other properties in the area had suffered repeated damage in recent months. The perpetrators were, he said, mostly children aged between 5 and 12. It was agreed to remit the matter to the Presbytery's Public Questions Committee for further investigation and to consider ways of cooperating with Aberdeen City Council, Grampian Police and the Evening Express anti-vandalism campaign.
Additional comments: Revd Ernest Chapman (01224-685214)

Presbytery affirmed the work of Revd Harvey Grainger and the Chaplaincy team at Craiginches Prison. Presenting a report from the Home Mission Committee, Revd Sean Swindells said he had received assurances that the ecumenical nature of prison chaplaincy would continue and that there was no intention to reduce the number of hours of chaplaincy cover provided. Commenting on this, Mr Grainger said that the Craiginches team urgently needed strengthening. He said that there was effectively only one part-time chaplain at the present time, although some voluntary assistance from the Salvation Army was expected. Revd Bob Brown said that the concept of using parish ministers, who held full time posts, to take on prison chaplaincy as an additional burden should be looked at again.
Additional comments: Revd Sean Swindells (01224-313075)

[3 October 2001]

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Aberdeen Presbytery’s October meeting takes place in the Hall of St Mark’s Church, Rosemount Viaduct at 7.00pm on Tuesday 2nd October 2001. 

Before getting down to routine business the Presbytery will turn its attention to world affairs. It is hoped that a representative of Aberdeen’s Muslim community will be present to give an Islamic perspective on the situation created by the events of 11th September. The Revd Dr Russell Moffat, Convener of the Presbytery’s Public Questions Committee, says, "We have issued an invitation and very much hope that it will be accepted. It is important for us as Christians to be able to understand things from the point of view of the other faith."

Enquiries: Revd Dr Russell Moffat (722380)

Presbytery will be invited to express its concern over current levels of vandalism in the community. Particular reference will be made to the problems encountered in recent months at Middlefield Parish Church and Manse. At another point in the meeting there will be evidence of the Kirk’s commitment to the people of Middlefield when arrangements are made for the introduction of Mr Ken White to work alongside the Revd Ernest Chapman as Parish Assistant.

Enquiries: Revd Ernest Chapman (685214)


Mr Lewis Rose, Industrial Mission Organiser, will submit a wide-ranging report on his work. Matters highlighted include the recently announced changes in the structure of the Water Industry in Scotland and the "Debt on our Doorstep" campaign against extortionate money-lending.

Enquiries: Mr Lewis Rose (790145)


The report of the Home Mission Committee draws attention to the difficult circumstances in which the chaplaincy team at Craiginches Prison is operating. Reference is made to "pressure" that is seriously affecting staff morale and the rehabilitation of inmates. This is being exacerbated by changes in the working conditions of prison chaplains.

Enquiries: Revd Harvey Grainger (740229)

[28 October 2001]

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[18 September 2001]

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[4 September 2001]

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Aberdeen Presbytery’s first meeting after the summer break takes place in the Hall of St Mark’s Church, Rosemount Viaduct at 7.00pm on Tuesday 4th September 2001. 

The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated before ordinary business commences.

An important step towards securing the future of the Kirk of St Nicholas will be taken if approval is given to a deliverance from the Church and Deployment of Resources Committee. The congregation has been without a minister since the retirement of the Revd James Stewart earlier this year. The CDR Committee now proposes that the Revd J Ross McLaren be appointed Interim Minister. He is currently minister of St Nicholas United Reformed Church and would continue in this post, ministering to both congregations. The URC congregation already worships in the Kirk of St Nicholas and the aim of Mr McLaren’s appointment is to facilitate the Union of the two congregations following the General Assembly in 2002. In the meantime the committee recommends that Mr McLaren should be supported by the appointment of a Pastoral Assistant.

Further enquiries: Tom Stephen, CDR Convener (733208), Revd Ross McLaren (491160)


Presbytery will be informed of the appointment of a Young Person’s Field Worker. This appointment fulfils a commitment made several years ago to provide professional help for congregations in their outreach to young people. The appointee, Frances McFarlane, starts work on Monday 3rd September. Frances is a Roman Catholic and since completing a theology degree at the Franciscan Study Centre, University of Kent she has been working as an Assistant University Chaplain and Parish Youth Worker. Her interest in ecumenical partnerships has been reflected in her participation in pilgrimages to Taize.

Further enquiries: Revd Ainslie Walton, Education Convener (318218), Frances McFarlane (690002)

[September 2001]

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