Scotland’s senior Christian figures have come together to urge the country to vote in May’s elections.

The Church leaders are encouraging the public and politicians to examine their faith as they prepare to vote in the Scottish elections.

Churches and Christian organisations have produced a shared election resources website, www.churchesvote.org, to inform potential voters about Parliamentary and election processes; to collate information about party policies and inspire Christians of all political persuasions to participate in the debate.

The website is a joint initiative between the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office, Catholic Parliamentary Office, CARE for Scotland, Evangelical Alliance and Christians Count.

It is supported by the Baptist Union of Scotland, CARE for Scotland, Christians Count, Church of Scotland, Congregational Federation, Destiny Church Network,

Evangelical Alliance, Free Church of Scotland, Methodist Church in Scotland, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Roman Catholic Church, The Salvation Army, Scottish Episcopal Church, United Free Church of Scotland and United Reformed Church.

A joint statement in support has been issued by all of those organisations.

At a launch in Edinburgh today were:

• Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Right Reverend John Christie.
• Cardinal Keith O’Brien, President, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.
• The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
• Rev John Humphreys, Moderator of the National Synod of Scotland United Reformed Church of Scotland.
• Rev Fred Drummond, National Director for Scotland, the Evangelical Alliance.
• The Salvation Army: Lt Col Alan Burns, Scotland Secretary
• Rev Alexander MacDonald, Free Church of Scotland
• Methodist Church in Scotland, Rev Lily Twist, Chair of the Methodist Synod in Scotland
• Destiny Church Network, Andrew Owen, Senior Pastor

In a joint statement the church leaders said: “This website is about encouraging people to use their vote and helping them to understand the process involved. It provides information and links to individual churches resources.

“This is an initiative of a wide range churches and Christian organisations that are united in their commitment to encourage informed participation and real debate on the Scottish Election in May.”

The full statement issued on behalf of all the Church Leaders is as follows:

Church Leaders’ Statement ahead of the Scottish Election in May 2011

Elections to the Scottish Parliament take place on 5 May 2011. Church Leaders and representatives of Christian organisations across Scotland have come together ahead of these elections to challenge candidates and voters alike to remember that elections are community events in which “my” vote is not only for me but also an opportunity for each of us to express the needs of the whole community. Let us look beyond the selfish and fearful parts of ourselves and aspire to build a society where everyone has equal access to opportunities and can live with dignity.

A fair and just society must place the value of every human life at the centre of its thinking. This is only possible in a society which respects human life at every stage and supports the family in which life is born and nurtured. Families have a right and a need for sufficient material wellbeing to flourish; the right to sustainable work is an essential part of satisfying this need. Human choices are not value free; when making far reaching choices about the future of our economy we must understand the moral consequences of our decisions before we act. In our roles as consumers, workers, employers, investors and shareholders we must strive to create fair economic mechanisms that, while acknowledging that profit is a valid form of economic activity, place human outcomes above the need for ever greater financial rewards. Our current levels of consumption cannot be sustained. As a society we must aspire to a future in which, as a society, we live within our means and learn from the past.

There is a deep need for those with political authority to be a part of the communities which they serve and to act in the best interests of that community as a whole. Politicians must be accountable for the morality of their decisions and when we hold them accountable we must remember that we serve each other and not our own self interest. While many politicians work tirelessly in their communities there remains considerable scepticism in relation to political institutions and politicians. An awareness of human failings should not tempt us to abandon the political system. Dissatisfaction with politics should prompt Christians to be more involved in shaping political life so that it better serves the whole of society.

For generations Christians have served society and been at the heart of civil and political life, a tradition we are committed to continuing. Motivated by faith, Christians are particularly aware of the need, found at the heart of the Gospel message, for a just social order where the government and economy function properly in contributing to social harmony. Electing a government that is capable of doing this in a way compatible with the dignity of each human person is therefore a task of utmost importance. Churches and Christian organisations have produced a shared election resources website: www.churchesvote.org to inform potential voters about Parliamentary and election processes; to collate information about party policies and inspire Christians of all political persuasions to participate in the debate. It is up to us to respond to the needs of our communities, to be informed about the decisions that will be taken after this election, and fulfil our duty to vote.

Signatories List:

• Baptist Union of Scotland: Rev Alan Donaldson, General Director
• CARE for Scotland: Bill Baird, Manager
• Christians Count: Andrew Witty, Director
• Church of Scotland: Rt Rev John Christie, Moderator of the General Assembly
• Congregational Federation: Rev Malcolm Muir, Chair
• Destiny Church Network: Andrew Owen, Senior Pastor
• Evangelical Alliance: Rev Fred Drummond, National Director in Scotland
• Free Church of Scotland: Rev James Maciver, Clerk to the General Assembly
• Methodist Church in Scotland: Rev Lily Twist, Chair of the Methodist Synod in Scotland
• Religious Society of Friends (Quakers): Leslie Stevenson, Representative Friend
• Roman Catholic Church:  Cardinal Keith O’Brien, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
• The Salvation Army: Lieut-Colonel Alan Burns, Scotland Secretariat
• Scottish Episcopal Church: Most Revd David Chillingworth, Primus
• United Free Church of Scotland: Rev Robert O Owens, Moderator of the General Assembly
• United Reformed Church: Rev John LI Humphreys, Moderator of the National Synod of Scotland

The new translation, Soisgeul Eòin, is part of the translation of the whole of the New Testament from Greek into contemporary Gaelic and is being undertaken by a small committee, comprising of two Church of Scotland ministers, a Free Church minister and retired Catholic priest Canon John Macdonald, of Argyll and the Isles Diocese.

No more fitting a venue could have been chosen for the launch of Soisgeul Eòin than Scotland’s biggest celebration of Gaelic culture and life—which was formally opened in Thurso and is taking place in Caithness for the first time.

The book has been published by the Scottish Bible Society and, according to Canon Macdonald, could not have been completed without the help of Rev Paul Ellingsworth, eminent Biblical Greek scholar and Methodist minister.

• Full story at the Scottish Catholic Observer.

Referring to his predecessor’s visit to the same place nearly 30 years ago, he said: “I note with great satisfaction how Pope John Paul’s call to you to walk hand in hand with your fellow Christians has led to greater trust and friendship with the members of the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and others.  Let me encourage you to continue to pray and work with them in building a brighter future for Scotland based upon our common Christian heritage.

“In today’s first reading we heard Saint Paul appeal to the Romans to acknowledge that, as members of Christ’s body, we belong to each other (cf. Romans 12:5) and to live in respect and mutual love. In that spirit I greet the ecumenical representatives who honour us by their presence. This year marks the 450th anniversary of the Reformation Parliament, but also the 100th anniversary of the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh, which is widely acknowledged to mark the birth of the modern ecumenical movement.

“Let us give thanks to God for the promise which ecumenical understanding and cooperation represents for a united witness to the saving truth of God’s word in today’s rapidly changing society.”

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Earlier in the day Pope Benedict had been welcomed to Britain by the Queen in Edinburgh. Her Majesty told him: “I know that reconciliation was a central theme in the life of Cardinal John Henry Newman, for whom you will be holding a mass of beatification on Sunday. A man who struggled with doubt and uncertainty, his contribution to the understanding of Christianity continues to influence many.

I’m pleased that your visit will deepen the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the established Church of England and Church of Scotland.”

Pope Benedict’s visit had previously been welcomed by leaders from the member churches of Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS), describing it as an opportunity for the whole nation to reflect on questions of faith and as an opportunity to strengthen relationships among the churches.

Rev Lily Twist, Chair of the Methodist Synod in Scotland said it was an occasion of excitement and expectation which brought opportunity not just for the Roman Catholic Church but for all God’s people to be encouraged and challenged.  “The Holy Father’s time here is brief but my prayers are that God will bless and strengthen Christian faith and relationships as we seek to work together for the good of God’s world,” she said.

The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church said: “Pope Benedict is a world-renowned religious figure. His visit will place questions of faith at the forefront of people’s thinking. Our prayer is that the mission of all of our churches will be strengthened by his visit.”

The Rev Roberta Rominger, General Secretary of the United Reformed Church, said: “Our congregations enjoy warm relationships with Roman Catholic congregations at local level and we are grateful for the Christian witness we have been able to share regionally and nationally. We pray that the Pope’s visit will energise and inspire the Church for all that lies ahead.”

Lieutenant Colonel Alan Burns, Scotland Secretary for the Salvation Army, said: “His visit, coinciding with the feast of St Ninian, will give Christians throughout the nation opportunity to collectively celebrate the life and work of the Churches throughout the ages.”

Pope Benedict later joined the Archbishop of Canterbury and leaders of other churches in an ecumenical celebration at Westminster Abbey in London.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh, an independent charity set up by Royal Charter in 1783, says Margo MacDonald’s Bill would mean such a significant and controversial change that it should include a clause requiring a fresh debate in five or ten years’ time.

Ms MacDonald’s Bill would allow people who feel their lives have become intolerable through terminal illness or a degenerative condition to ask for assistance to end their life, subject to a range of safeguards.

More than 600 individuals and organisations sent in their views on Ms MacDonald’s Bill and 87 per cent of the submissions were against it.

The Catholic Church made clear its opposition to the Bill: “It will strike a blow against the fundamental sanctity of human life and will permit many lives to be put at risk through varying degrees of psychological, social or cultural coercion.”

A joint statement from the Church of Scotland, Methodist Church and Salvation Army said the Bill would breach the prohibition on the taking of human life, but a working group from the United Reformed Church in Scotland said assisted dying, as conceived in the terms of the Bill, could be viewed as “a loving act”.

• Full story at The Scotsman.

Methodist iPhone app

It uses the ‘Word in Time Bible’ study course which is authored by a different person every week in order to offer a unique reflection on the day’s chosen passage. Users can either read the material or download each passage as a podcast.

The app, which is free to download from Apple’s App Store and was created by the appropriately-named Chapel Studios, also offers the latest news, topical podcast and tweets from the Methodist Church.

The app is not the Methodist Church’s first foray into digital media; for it already offers online bible studies, publishes several blogs and regularly updates its Twitter account.

• Full story at the Daily Telegraph.

• Original story at the Methodist Church.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Right Reverend Bill Hewitt (centre) with Rev John Humphreys, Synod of Scotland Moderator of the United Reformed Church; Father Chris Boles SJ, representing Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Scottish Catholic Church; Leslie Stevenson of the Religious Society of Friends; and Dr William Reid, representing Rev Lily Twist, Chair of the Methodist Church of Scotland.

Scottish Clergy Against Nuclear Armaments (SCANA), a new pressure group which aims to place Trident at the heart of the General Election campaign, was launched at Holyrood today.

Those taking part included representatives of the Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Church, Religious Society of Friends, United Free Church, United Reformed Church and Methodists.

A Church of Scotland spokesman said: “For a long time the Christian community has led the way in challenging the morality of nuclear weapons. This upcoming General Election offers an opportunity in a way that has rarely been seen before to challenge the philosophy that nuclear weapons are necessary for modern warfare.”

The Moderator of the Kirk’s General Assembly, Right Reverend Bill Hewitt said: “There is a real chance that the renewal of the Trident system, which is due very soon, could be overturned if enough political pressure is applied. Especially, at a time when voters are asking hard questions about how we best use our tax revenues for the benefit of the maximum number of citizens.”

The initiative also includes a specially produced post card for members of congregations to send to prospective candidates and MPs in the run up to the election, urging them to put nuclear weapons and Trident at the forefront of their campaign.

• Find out more about the Trident postcard campaign.

The Rev John Humphreys, the Rev Lily Twist, and the Most Rev David Chillingworth signing the Statement.

A partnership between the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Methodist Church in Scotland and the United Reformed Church’s National Synod of Scotland has been sealed by church leaders at a special service at St Ninian’s Episcopal Cathedral, Perth.

The partnership agreement was signed for the SEC by the Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

He said: “Our General Synod has whole-heartedly welcomed this developing relationship with our partner churches.

“Many relations of this kind are aspirational in character. What makes this relationship so encouraging is that it is rooted in work which we already share in training and mission development. We look forward to a further sharing of resources and ministry as together we address the mission challenges of our times.”

Joining Bishop David in the signing of the Agreement were the Rev Lily Twist, Chair of the Methodist Church in Scotland, and Rev John Humphreys, Moderator of the United Reformed Church, National Synod of Scotland.

• Full story at the Scottish Episcopal Church.