glasgow churches together annual general...

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Glasgow Churches Together

Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 20th October 2015

6.30 p.m.

Scottish Charity Number SC019846

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Message from the Chair:

Welcome to the 2015 AGM of Glasgow Churches Together! As you will see from the

reports in this brochure, great strides are being taken in the field of ecumenical

relations in the City of Glasgow and we are truly blessed with the levels of

friendship and collaboration that exist between our church communities. As we

look back on the year that has passed, we have much to be thankful for and looking

ahead, we have much to hope for.

2016 is an important year for Glasgow Churches Together as we celebrate the 25th

anniversary of the existence of GCT and exciting as we work together as a Christian

community relying on the words of our patron, St Mungo: “Let Glasgow flourish by

the preaching of his word and the praising of his name.”

Thank you to all who work so hard and contribute their time and talents on behalf

of us all!

Rev. David Wallace

Chair

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25 years of Churches Together in Glasgow City

Glasgow Churches Together (GCT) is a local Glasgow expression of the hopes and dreams of the member Churches that the Lord will guide us in His own good time towards the realisation of that unity for which He prayed.

GCT was formed by a constitution dated 24th February 1991 and is, therefore, in its 25th year of existence. It is an expression of the unity of churches which came together for the Garden Festival in 1988. By means of worship, celebration, study, mission, projects and social issues, GCT seeks to further relationships between Christian Church communities in the city of Glasgow and beyond.

Membership is open to all recognised Christian Churches confessing God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

It is made up of members from the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church in Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church, the Salvation Army, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the United Free Church of Scotland and the United Reformed Church.

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Agenda

Welcome and Opening worship

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Monday 17th Nov 2014

Proposer: Seconder:

3. Matters Arising

4. Presentation of Annual Reports

A) A Word from the Chair Fr David Wallace

B) Ecumenical Officer Elspeth Glasgow

C) Music and Worship Fr Gerry Fitzpatrick

D) Website Ian Ansdell

E) Radio Alba Grace Buckley

F) Presentation of Treasurer’s Report, Jane McKenna,

and reappointment of independent examiner, Andrew B Wilson, Partner, Nelson

Gilmour Smith, Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors.

Proposer: Seconder:

5. Appointment of Vice Chair

6. Comfort Break and Refreshments

7. Keynote Speaker: Fr Henry O’Brien, The Joint Commission on Doctrine.

“The Church towards a Common Vision”

8. Open Discussion

9. Closing Worship

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Events in 2014/ 2015

Carols for Peace at Glasgow City Chambers

Southside Fiddlers at Glasgow the Welcoming City

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2015 AGM Ecumenical Officer Report

As in previous years, 2014/15 has proven to be really hectic. Following on from the

excitement and busyness of the Commonwealth Games in the summer of 2014 we

would have been forgiven had we thought things may have been a bit quieter and

that there would have been a bit of an anti-climax through into 2015, but that would

have been a big mistake: Glasgow and the surrounding areas always have something

to be doing or organising.

Following on from the AGM last year we were straight in to the flurry of events which

take place between November and January every year. You can read about these in

the Music and Worship Report.

Planning for the Schools Cantata involves the Education Department at Glasgow

University and of course the participating schools. Liaising with and keeping all of the

parties involved is important to the smooth running of the event on the day which is

also dependent on the volunteers who assist us. Our thanks to them for all their

support.

The first anniversary of the Clutha Vaults Disaster was marked in a very special way

at the St Andrew’s Vigil on 29th Nov. We thank everyone who supported this event

especially Shearer’s Candles for the very generous donation of the beautiful candles

which each of the bereaved families carried forward at the intercessions and took

home with them afterwards.

The Lord Provost, the First Minister, representatives of the emergency and Health

Services and Church Leaders participated in this very poignant service which was a

reflection of who we are as a nation, an expression of our values and beliefs in the

face of adversity and tragedy but also a celebration of our culture and heritage.

The EO has been involved with a number of other organisations and still serves on

the board of Faith in Older People (FiOP). This organisation promotes the faith and

spiritual needs of older people and those who require end of life care. A joint

conference with the Scottish Government and NHS Chaplaincy was organised to look

at ways in which care staff can be made more aware of the faith and spiritual needs

of patients and residents. FiOP are involved in the delivery of SQA training and the

content of modules.

I have attended discussions on the Assisted Suicide Bill and Theological Reflections

on Assisted Dying.

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Once again it was good to attend the Ecumenical Officers’ conference at Highleigh, Lon-

don. There is a sharing of ideas and information that assists with the everyday work of an

Ecumenical Officer.

The Committee of GCT had an away day to Carmel in Dumbarton, which was led by the

Very Rev Sheilagh Kesting, Ecumenical Officer, Church of Scotland. Sheilagh gave us much

to think about and assisted us in looking at the future direction of GCT with discussion

around Receptive Ecumenism and Pilgrimage.

Meetings with Edinburgh Churches Together (ECT) took place when I was asked to give

them some information on the role of an Ecumenical Officer and the type of activities

that GCT are involved. ECT were planning to employ a secretary and I am pleased to say

Nicola Robinson is now in post. Nicola and I have met together and shared ideas and stay

in touch sharing information regarding events and services.

Miriam Weibye, Programme Development Officer has given support to GCT and keeps us

informed of developments within Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) and

also attends many of our services and events.

I am a member of the Racial Justice Group and have been heavily involved in the Racial

Justice Sunday Service which took the format of a fellowship meal this year. Attendance

at the event was disappointing but proved very successful in bringing together people

from a range of nations who shared their worship, culture and heritage. The group are

looking at ways to develop the Racial Justice Sunday Service.

I was honoured to be invited to represent GCT at the Scottish National Holocaust

Memorial event in Ayr Town Hall. This was a very moving event with testimony from

people who had survived the Prisoner of War camps and the atrocities that happened

there. I have also attended meetings of the Council of Christians and Jews in Glasgow.

Interfaith Glasgow have held a number of events throughout the city which I have at-

tended. The most recent, Conversations in Faith, was held in St Mungo Museum. This

looked at how Interfaith could develop in the future with participants working in small

groups to look at innovative ways to involve people from various faiths.

Jane and I attended an ‘Introduction to Islam’ weekend event at the Conforti Institute led

by Dr Anthony Allison, who is the leading expert on Christian/Muslim relations in the UK.

This proved to be very informative but highlighted that we have some way to go in

understanding and coming together.

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David and I attended the National Prayer Breakfast at the Inchyra Hotel in Falkirk. The

subject was Criminal Justice and was really interesting in highlighting the needs of

prisoners and ex-offenders and the lack of good solid support for when people leave

prison. The plight of families was also discussed, particularly how children can maintain

contact with parents in prison. There is a lot of good work being done but this is patchy

and there is a need for a more robust system to support people and reduce

re-offending.

An Ecumenical celebration of the Life and Faith of Fr Gerry Hughes was held in the

University Memorial Chapel. This was really well attended by a variety of people from

Civic, Church and Education circles. Fr Hughes was a pioneer of Ecumenism.

I attend The Ecumenical Relations and Interfaith Matters Committee of the Presbytery

of Glasgow which meets on a monthly basis and is chaired by Rev Roy Henderson who

reports back to the Presbytery meeting.

I have also attended meetings of local churches together groups and the Friends of

Ecumenism meetings at the Archdiocese of Glasgow. I work closely with Liz Taite,

Ecumenical Officer at the Archdiocese.

I attended training through the Kinharvie Institute on “Working Effectively with

Diversity” and also “Discrimination”

It was unbelievable to think that tragedy would have struck Glasgow once again a year

after the Clutha Vaults and just three days before Christmas, but the incidents in

George Square and the devastation caused by the bin lorry crash had a widespread ef-

fect and once again our Church Leaders stood together in solidarity with the citizens of

Glasgow in prayer for those affected by the accident. St George’s Tron Church held a

prayer service and St Andrew’s Cathedral celebrated Mass. Both events were attended

by people from the Christian Churches, Sikh, Muslim and Jewish communities. A very

sombre end to 2014.

This is just a taster of a year in the life of Glasgow Churches Together and the role of

the Ecumenical Officer. There is no lack of variety and challenges which proves there is

still much to be done in the area of Ecumenism.

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The Future

In 2015/16, it is necessary for GCT to move forward and take up the challenges presented to

us. I will continue to maintain and develop contact with ACTS, ECT, Local Churches Together,

and Glasgow City Council, Education department of other local councils, local Schools,

Interfaith Glasgow, Presbytery of Glasgow and all of our member churches on GCT.

We have a list of forthcoming events at the back of this brochure.

Elspeth Glasgow

Ecumenical Officer

20/10/15

Clockwise:

Mass to celebrate the 400th

anniversary of the Martyr-

dom of St. John Ogilvie;

Russian choir at the Mitchell

Library; Salvation Army band

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Music and Worship

Life for the Music and Worship Committee is always busy and 2014/15 has

been no different.

The 18th Nov 2014 saw Wellington Church packed with 22 schools, with 30

pupils from each, participating in the Cantata, “David and His Song”. The

excitement was palpable as the children rehearsed for the first time together

and also with the band made up of 2nd year B.Ed. students from Glasgow

University.

There was a surprise this year as one of the schools had recorded a newsflash,

which came up on the big screen, on the introduction of Adamnan’s Law, the

first law to protect the rights of women and children. The Cantata was at-

tended by representatives of the City Council, Church Leaders, Education and

the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, which was the chosen charity for

the schools’ donations. The money had to be used specifically for a young per-

son’s room when the new hospice is built in Bellahouston Park.

The day ran really smoothly and we thank everyone who attended,

particularly the volunteers who ensured each school group was seated and

had the necessary order of service.

The 29th Nov saw the celebration of the Vigil of St Andrew. As it was the first

Anniversary of the Clutha Vaults disaster it seemed fitting that we should

include a memorial service as part of the vigil. The event was very well at-

tended by bereaved families, those who were injured, other survivors of the

night, The Lord Provost, The First Minister, Local Councillors and MSP’s,

representatives of the Emergency and Health Services and Church

Representatives. The families took an active part in the service and carried

forward candles in remembrance of those who had lost their lives.

The beginning of December saw the usual pre-Christmas events taking place:

the Blessing of the Crib and the Carols for Peace. Both of these were well at-

tended and it was noticeable that the music was switched off on the funfair

for the blessing of the crib to take place and lovely to see families gather at

the barriers and visit the crib afterwards.

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Three days before Christmas saw disaster strike Glasgow again, this time

resulting in six deaths, as reported in the Church Leaders section. Once again the

Church Leaders and people of all Faiths and none stood together to show

support for the families in Prayer.

The Watchnight Service on 31st Dec in Glasgow Cathedral was once again very well at-

tended when people from a variety of Christian traditions welcomed in 2015.

The 10th January saw the start of the St Mungo Festival with Vita Kentigerni at the

Mitchell Library, closely followed by the St Mungo Service in Glasgow Cathedral, and

then the all-important Mungo’s Bairns event, again in Wellington Church. A fine array of

costumes were on display as the children sang their own compositions of what it is like

to be Glaswegian and to be living in the City. They were ably supported by the students

from Glasgow University. There followed a sing-along of well- known Glasgow songs.

Thanks to Moira Summers and Ken Mallard, Marie Warrington and Liz Bovill for their

valuable input.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity followed on very quickly, but the service in St

Andrew’s Cathedral was very poorly attended. It is many years since we held a city

service so we are hoping that was the reason and not that people were apathetic. We

are hoping for a much better attendance and contributions from local church groups in

2016 at the service on Monday 18th Jan in St Mungo’s, Townhead at 7pm: a date for

your diary!!!!!!!!

‘Glasgow, the Welcoming City’ was also very poorly attended. We have tried to identify

the reason for this: we advertised in our usual way via our contacts but can only think

that we had moved it to a week earlier and this may not have suited people. Something

to be looked at this year.

Not all of our services follow a set pattern or date and we do respond to the needs of

the city and surrounding area or one-off events. The celebration of 40 years of the Sick

Children’s Hospital at Yorkhill was held in Glasgow Cathedral and was well attended by

long-term patients, medical staff and city and church representatives.

The Music and Worship Committee are committed to organising the events over the

year and in supporting the City Council and schools but we need the support of our

Church Leaders and member churches to encourage attendance at events. We look

forward to a successful year in 2015/16 and to meeting many of you over the year.

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Website Report

Glasgow Churches Together’s website provides listings of events, member churches’

web links plus news about ecumenical and church activity in Glasgow, Scotland and

around the world.

In the past year nearly 9,200 visitors (+15%) accessed the site more than 11,700 times

(+17%), enjoying just over 21,000 page-views (+8%).

In addition, we are followed by more than 150 people on Facebook (+212%) and some

733 on Twitter (+33%).

If you have an event you’d like us to publicise, please visit:

www.glasgowchurches.org.uk/events/submit-an-event

We look forward to having you join us ...

On the web: www.glasgowchurches.org.uk

On Twitter: www.twitter.com/glasgowchurches

On Facebook: www.glasgowchurches.org.uk/facebook

Children taking part at ‘Mungo’s bairns’ event 2015

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Radio Alba

The internet radio station has been active since November 2013. Initiated by the

Archdiocesan Music Committee with the technical know-how of Hugh Kelly and Pat

Connor, the radio station is now also sponsored by ACTS and Glasgow Churches Together,

making it Ecumenical.

Through the generosity of so many, we have managed to sustain a daily Parish Morning

Prayer, Schools Morning Prayer plus a Service for people who want to pray for deceased

family and friends at noon and at 8pm; and since Lent this year, an Evening Prayer, a

magazine report and a Night Prayer. We have welcomed messages, greetings, blessings

and short talks through Glasgow Churches Together from lots of representatives of many

of the Churches.

The Morning Prayers were initially from Roman Catholic sources but we have now been

able to introduce some of the other churches and others are also being prepared. The

number of schools taking part has grown since Easter with the addition St Paul’s High,

Pollok, St Aloysius College, Glasgow and from the Western Isles, the High School in Benbe-

cula, and Lochmaddy Primary from North Uist. St Monica’s Milton devised and recorded

a Morning Prayer for Schools, partly in Scots dialect, based on the recent encyclical by

Pope Francis on “Our Common Home.”

The Magazine Programmes have come regularly from “Open House”; from Focolare with

articles on the origin of the Focolare Movement and on their presence in Syria; from

Flourish with items on Mary’s Meals and on the Pope’s encyclical from the Justice and

Peace Magazine on Climate Change; from the Sisters of Notre Dame on their work at the

United Nations and material on the 2nd Centenary of the Religious Sisters of Charity at St

Margaret’s Hospice and the 65th Anniversary of the hospice itself in Clydebank. We have

welcomed material from ‘Comboni Mission’, ‘Life and Work’, Aberdeen Diocese, Justice

and Peace. We welcome suitable material from schools, choirs and other magazines etc.

and we depend on support to develop this enterprise further as a voice of the Church.

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Financial Report

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st July 2014

ABSTRACT OF TRANSACTIONS

INCOME EXPENDITURE

Opening Balance £25,559 Salary & Expenses relating directly to

Ecumenical Officer £9,622

Subscriptions £18,300

Website Maintenance £3,160

Offerings £1,393

Governance £1,584

Glasgow Educational & Marshall Trust £1,000 £20,693

Copyright Licences £363

Other Expenses £221

Events £4,927 £19,877

Closing Balance £26,375

£46,252 £46,252

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Financial Report



INCOME EXPENDITURE





Offerings £1,393

Governance £1,584



Other Expenses £221

Events £4,927 £19,877


£46,252 £46,252

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Financial Report







Offerings £1,261

Governance £2,060



Grant to Radio Alba £5,000

Events & other expenses £6,151 £28,696


£46,936 £46,936

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Financial Report







Offerings £1,261

Governance £2,060



Grant to Radio Alba £5,000

Events & other expenses £6,151 £28,696


£46,936 £46,936

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Church Leaders

The Church Leaders of the member churches meet quarterly and provide guidance for

the board of GCT and support for the work we do.

This year the Church Leaders Group wrote to the First Minister regarding the increase in

attacks on the Jewish community in Glasgow and made a public statement supporting

the Government’s statement saying they did not condone such behaviour. The

statement from the Church Leaders was shared on social media sites and websites.

The Church Leaders have also sought a meeting with the leader of the Council in Glasgow

regarding street closures for sporting events and other big events which sometimes

means there is no access for people to get to worship on either a Saturday or a Sunday.

Unfortunately, Cllr Matheson had to apologise on both occasions because a meeting had

been organised due to Council business. However, I am happy to report that Cllr

McAveety, the new leader of the Council will attend the December meeting for the first

hour.

This year we said goodbye to Rev Alan Anderson, the Methodist Circuit, who served on

the committee and the Church Leaders group of GCT for many years. We will miss his

valuable contributions and wish him well in his “retirement”. The Rev Andrew Baker is

replacing Alan. We welcome him and look forward to working with him in the years

ahead.

Ian Baillie also retired from the group this year and again had given many years of

service, support, advice and expertise. We wish him well and thank him for his valued

contributions. We welcome Rev Jake Tatton and Rev William Young who will share the

role between them.

Stuart Smith has completed his year as Moderator of the Presbytery of Glasgow. Stuart

has been a great support to the work of GCT and we value his contributions throughout

the past year.

We welcome the Rev Tom Pollock as Moderator and look forward to working with him

over 2015/16.

It will be another busy year for the Church Leaders group and we look forward to seeing

them at the services and events we have planned.

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Dancers at St. Mungo

service at Glasgow

Cathedral

Left: Life of Kentigern at the

Mitchell Library;

Below: Musicians from Glasgow

University assisting at the

children’s cantata.

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Forthcoming Events for your diary:

Tuesday 10th November (10.30 a.m.):

Schools Cantata at Wellington Church

Sunday 15th November (7 p.m.)

Celebration of St. Margaret of Scotland at St. Peter’s church, Partick

Sunday 29th November (7 p.m.)

St. Andrew’s Vigil at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Clyde Street

Wednesday 2nd December (6 p.m.)

Blessing of the crib in George Square

Sunday 13th December (3 p.m.)

Carols for Peace, Glasgow City Chambers

Thursday 31st December (11 p.m.)

Hogmanay Watchnight service at Glasgow Cathedral (in conjunction with

Hope Alba)

The St. Mungo Festival:

Saturday 9th January (12 noon) Mungo at the Mitchell

Sunday 10th January (4.30 p.m.) St. Mungo service at

Glasgow Cathedral

Friday 15th January (10.30 a.m.) Mungo’s Bairns at Wellington Church

18th– 25th January: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Monday 18th January (7 p.m.) Unity Service at St. Mungo’s, Parson St.

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