The Inter-Church Relations Committee of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Ecumenical Relations Committee of the Church of Scotland held their second annual meeting on 12 May 2016 in advance of the General Assembly and the General Synod. It was a lively and positive discussion during which the group explored ways in which the relationship between the two churches could be developed within the Scottish context.

There was a strong level of agreement and a desire to explore our common calling. A working group will be set up and hold its first meeting in the early autumn to take forward this new initiative. The conversation will have an emphasis on what is happening in local settings across the country as well as addressing the theology that underpins our shared mission.

A third meeting of the two committees is planned for next year.

The Rev Canon John McLuckie, Convener of the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Inter-Church Relations Committee, commented:

“Our Inter-Church Relations Committee was delighted to join with the Church of Scotland’s Ecumenical Relations Committee for the second of our joint annual meetings. Such meetings have been arranged with the enthusiastic support of our Faith and Order Board. This year we were able to develop proposals for a joint working group to undertake more focussed work for the future of our shared mission in a rapidly changing Scotland. The Faith and Order Board will be invited at its next meeting to make appointments to the proposed working group.”