Church and the Community
The committee’s role is outward-facing, identifying areas where the church can contribute meaningfully to issues affecting our communities at local, national and international levels. Its work reflects both emerging societal concerns and the experience and expertise of committee members.
The committee has consistently promoted Prisoners Week and has taken an active interest in prison-related matters, including raising awareness of the challenges facing the Perth Prison Visitors Centre. It has also collaborated with organisations such as Christian Aid and Eco-Congregation Scotland to host a conference on the church’s role in working towards net zero. In previous years, the committee has explored the particular challenges facing rural communities.
More recently, the committee’s report has focused on the church’s role in challenging prevailing narratives around asylum seekers and encouraging congregations to engage constructively with elected representatives in advance of the forthcoming Scottish Government elections.
The committee actively supports the church’s Mission Partners, including Ida and Keith Waddell in Zambia, encouraging congregations to learn more about and engage with their work. It also facilitated an address to Presbytery by Mission Partner Rev Muriel Pearson on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories during the conflict in Gaza.
The committee regularly considers matters referred to it by the Presbytery Clerk and by 121, including topics such as the Assisted Dying debate and the legacy of slavery.
Convener: Marjorie Clark
Responsibilities:Â
(a) To facilitate Presbytery engagement with and comment on local, national, international political and social issues where appropriate.
(b) To encourage and promote the work of CrossReach, Christian Aid, and Eco-Congregation
Scotland.
(c) To support the work of ecumenical bodies locally and nationally, promoting local inter-
church initiatives and activities.
(d) To support interfaith work, promoting the work of Interfaith Scotland and local
initiatives and activities.
(e) To work with the Property and Finance Committee and any other relevant committees
in responding to the challenge of climate change and the development of church buildings.