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Minute of the Scottish Churches Industrial Mission (SCIM) Council held on Wednesday 20 August 2008 at TOTAL E & P Ltd UK Offices, Aberdeen.
PRESENT:
Mr Ted Wallace (Methodist Church), Convener, Mrs Cate Adams (Team of Chaplains), Rev Jan Adamson (United Reformed Church), Mr Pat Foley (Roman Catholic Church), Rev Andrew Jolly (Aberdeen Oil Industry Chaplaincy Trust), Mr Lewis Rose, (Workplace Chaplaincy Scotland Co-ordinator) and Mr John Thomson (Secretary).
APOLOGIES:
Mr Robert Matthew (Angus Industrial Mission Trust), Ms Pamala Macdougall (Society of Friends), Mr George McSorley (co-opted) and Mr Matt Smith (co-opted).
RESIGNATION:
Rev Gordon MacRae had intimated his resignation and the Secretary advised that he would request the nomination of a successor from the Church of Scotland Ministries Council.
91 OPENING DEVOTIONS
The meeting was opened with prayer.
92 MINUTE
The minute of the meeting held on 6 May 2008 was approved.
93 MATTERS ARISING
All matters arising were contained within the remainder of the agenda.
94 CHURCH OF SCOTLAND REVIEW
The Secretary intimated the following terms of reference of the review:
To consider how best to reshape and redefine the SCIM appointments, to improve accountability and efficiency, increase geographical coverage of workplace chaplains, secure appropriate funding and have systems in place which provide adequate support and assistance.
These were noted by Council with some surprise as they were not what it had understood the remit of the review to be in the light of the report given to the previous meeting.
It was agreed that all present (with the exception of Mr Pat Foley who was unable to attend on that date) plus Mr George McSorley and Mr Matt Smith, would participate in the requested meeting on 16 September 2008 on behalf of Council. It was further agreed to respond to the Church of Scotland when the numbers attending on behalf of Council were known.
95 TAYSIDE AND NORTH FIFE APPOINTMENT
Mr Lewis Rose advised the appointment of the Rev Allan Webster as Full-Time Chaplain and Area Organiser in Tayside and North Fife with effect from 5 August 2008. He added that the Service of Introduction for Allan will be held on Monday 29 September at Dundee City Chambers at 6.15pm for 6.45pm.
96 ISSUES ARISING FROM AREA ORGANISER VACANCIES
Mr Lewis Rose reported considerable interest in the Glasgow vacancy though it was noted that the Church of Scotland has postponed recruitment until completion of the review (see 94 above).
Council expressed concern at the lack of cover in Glasgow and the West of Scotland as a result of the vacancy and the long term absence on sick leave of the Rev Alister Goss.
It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Ministries Council, to be signed by the Convener, urging action in the Glasgow appointment. The contents of the letter were to stress the acute position of no full time cover in the West of Scotland and to ask for a reason for the delay in commencing recruitment.
There then followed a period of discussion which explored how other denominations might jointly fund a post perhaps on a temporary basis.
97 REPORT FROM IMA CONFERENCE
Mr Lewis Rose gave a report of the conference held on 9 – 12 June 2008 and paid special thanks to Andrew Jolly and Cate Adams for their support in the arrangements.
Feedback received has been positive. Eighty people attended, speakers were excellent and they had been challenging, informative and educational. Time for networking and social activities had completed the overall success of the event.
A surplus of £3,000 had accrued which would be presented to the Industrial Mission Trust and the Industrial Mission Association to provide financial assistance for those to attend future events who might not otherwise be able to do so.
The Convener expressed warm appreciation to the team for all their hard work and efficient organisation which was a credit to Workplace Chaplaincy Scotland.
98 CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT
Mr Lewis Rose tabled his report (see Appendix) Council discussed the current developing situations in chaplaincy in Galashiels, Livingston and Scottish Water Solutions.
99 AREA REPORT – REV ANDREW JOLLY, UK OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
The Rev Andrew Jolly gave an excellent power point presentation which illustrated many aspect of his chaplaincy during the preceding 6 months. He also answered several questions from council members about his work
100 CHURCH IN THE CENTRE OF THE CITY
Council noted the recent publication of his book which included a contribution by Mrs Cate Adams.
101 NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting be held on Wednesday 3 December 2008 at Scottish Churches House, Dunblane, lunch at 1pm and business to commence at 2pm.
Additionally it was agreed that
- Lewis Rose make an approach to a major figure in Scottish Industry to facilitate the meeting.
- To invite Industrial Mission Trust Members to attend.
All invitations would be signed by the Convener.
The meeting was closed with the saying of the Grace together.