KIRK funds vanishing and the General Assembly being tweaked in the heated controversy over gays are somewhat jaundiced views of what is happening ("Funds lost as wealthy churches quit in new gay protest", The Herald, April 16, and Letters, April 17 & 18) .
The dozen or so congregations or part congregations that have recently left the Church of Scotland have a unifying factor. That is a sincere spirituality formed by the Christian scriptures. People who make up these congregations are concerned for their neighbours and community, and want to use their time, abilities and money to pass on the best news they have ever heard.
Because of this, such people do not simply disappear. Nor do they stop giving themselves for the benefit of others. Their attitude when facing regrettable church upheavals is similar to that of Thomas Chalmers, who left the Kirk to form the Free Church in 1843 but maintained: "Who cares for the Free Church compared with the Christian good of Scotland?"
Rev David EC Ford,
7 Foxes Grove, Lenzie.
GORDON Bell's gloomy nautical analogy (Letters, April 18) suggests that I deliberately misconstrued facts and figures. Not so.
My comments on Restalrig were based on reported figures. Church attendance and membership are regrettably quite separate considerations.
Mr Bell's suggestion that if Kirk leaders continue to head in the opposite direction..." must be rebutted. The Church of Scotland as a reforming church must be awake for the here and now.
The ordination of women, the continuing support of society's disadvantaged, international and national appeals, also recognising the laws of our land on discrimination, human rights and equality, highlight the integrity of our church. It is somewhat disingenuous of Mr Bell, as a representative of another Protestant church, to suggest that the Church of Scotland has lost anchorage and is on the drift.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue,
Giffnock.
I AM encouraged by the support I have received from many sources in response to my letter (April 7) on the refurbishment of New Govan Parish Church. One sympathises with the presbytery's dilemma, and it is a dilemma; some members at least must be aware of what is needed, but reversal of an arbitration decision is not to be entered into lightly, so just how do they overturn this decision while saving face and preserving the dignity of the arbitration panel members? The simple answer is to consider the costs involved and come to a decision based on harsh economics.
Notwithstanding the financial costs involved, the real cost in all this is the abandonment by the Church of Scotland of Govan Old, the widely acknowledged jewel in the crown of Govan's religious, spiritual and cultural heritage. Your correspondents Ainslie McIntyre (Letters, April 9) and KG Ross (Letters, April 11), among others, point to the trappings of history, culture, tradition, architecture and stained glass and so on associated with Govan Old and these are indeed a source of inspiration and strength for the foot soldiers in the pews. I must commend the work being done by Govan Workspace and its partners who are working tirelessly to develop and promote the visitor centre aspect of Govan Old and doing it very well. All that's needed to complete the picture is an active congregation.
I reiterate my view, which is almost universally shared, that Govan Old should be the place of worship for this congregation and once again call on presbytery to pull back from the brink before more good money is thrown after bad. Is there a Gideon in the house?
Alistair MacDonald,
Flat 1/3, 4 Mansionhouse Road, Paisley.
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