Two important roles in the General Synod Boards and Committees structure of the Scottish Episcopal Church are about to become vacant, with nominations now being sought for the posts of Convener of the Provincial Standing Committee and Convener of the Provincial Mission Board.

Standing Committee’s current Convener, Bridget Campbell, is coming to the end of her term of office and a successor is required from June this year.

Standing Committee members are the charity trustees for the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is both the legislative body of the Church and a registered charity. The Synod currently meets once a year in June. Between these annual meetings, Standing Committee follows through on the Synod’s decisions, and the directions it has set, to administer the SEC at the level of the Province. The Standing Committee is also responsible for the governance of the charity.

Standing Committee Convener is a significant leadership role, and nominees need to be resilient, determined and willing to take responsibility for difficult decisions.  The Committee oversees an annual budget of £3.7m, coordinating the Boards and Committees which undertake work to make sure that our clergy are trained, that support is available for the costs of ministry and maintaining places of worship, that education and mission work flourishes, and that relations with other churches and faiths are deepened.

Convening Standing Committee would offer the chance to help the SEC run itself well and the community of our church to grow.  As Convener, you would be the line manager for the Secretary General, Dr Dee Bird, who, with a new senior team, leads and manages some 30 staff in the General Synod Office (GSO).  This is an exciting time when we are setting a fresh strategic direction for the SEC at provincial level and overhauling the work of our boards and committees. There is a lot to think about and much to do.

The Standing Commitee Convener is elected for up to five years.  To be eligible you need to be a lay member of the Scottish Episcopal Church.  The closing date for nominations is Friday, 11 April 2025.  Further details are available in the February edition of Inspires Online. If you are attracted to this role and want to discuss whether it would make the most of your skills and experience, please contact Dr Dee Bird SecGen@scotland.anglican.org or Bridget Campbell SCConvener@scotland.anglican.org

The Provincial Mission Board is responsible for the strategic oversight of the Church’s mission in Scotland and overseas including engagement in Scottish life and society.

The Board consists of a Convener appointed by the General Synod, a Bishop appointed by the College of Bishops, one representative of each Diocese as appointed by each Diocesan Synod, the Conveners of its pendant Committees – Church in Society, Global Partnerships, Youth and Local Mission Development – and up to three further members co-opted by the Board.

Mission Board also oversees a number of inter-diocesan networks across a range of areas such as retreats and spirituality, mission planning, lay learning and discipleship, rural matters and children’s work.

The Convener of the Mission Board also sits on the Provincial Standing Committee. The current Convener, the Very Rev Sarah Murray, is coming to the end of her tenure having held the post since 2020, and will step down at General Synod in June.

Any expressions of interest or requests for more information about the role of Mission Board Convener should be sent to Dr Dee Bird SecGen@scotland.anglican.org or Miriam Weibye at ChurchRelations@scotland.anglican.org