ACTS Church and Society Network

Posted Tuesday 30 October 2007

The main points discussed at the meeting:

Possible union of Scottish Churches Community Trust and Faith in Community Scotland is proceeding.
Changes in organization at CTBI were brought to our attention by Mary Gandy of CTBI.
G Blount reported on the current position of new government in respect of its relationship with churches and faith communities.
New Government Equalities Office - The GEO has now been established as a separate department in its own right rather than forming part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).The major priorities for the GEO will be its sponsorship for the Equality and Human Rights Commission; carrying forward the Equalities PSA; developing an equality strategy in the light of the Equalities Review; and the Equality Bill. On the latter, Harriet Harman announced on 18 October that the Government remains committed to a Bill on equalities; but that a draft Bill (for pre-legislative scrutiny) will not be possible as they give further detailed consideration to the consultation responses received.
A Conference on Sectarianism in Scotland was being held on 26 November 2007.
Plans to bring together two special Sundays in Jan. as part of Poverty and Homelessness Action week. (Poverty Action Sunday and Homelessness Sunday). This would highlight the campaigns of several groups including the Living Wage Campaign; Churches would be encouraged to make use of the new Just Church material from Church Action on Poverty (CAP).
The Church of Scotland has just appointed Adrian Shaw to begin a two year contract to work on a ‘Responding to Climate Change’ project, as well as doing work on the Eco-Congregation Scheme.
Negotiations still taking place with ACTS about taking responsibility for the continued operation of the Eco-Congregation Project.
Amman Call to be taken to the Forum to discuss sending letter of solidarity with the Sabeel, the ecumenical organization in Jerusalem which has been at the centre of the WCC Amman conference.
the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly at Sibiu called for a ‘Creation’ month each year (1 Sept to 4 Oct).
We were reminded of the new website: www.resourcingchurches.org.uk.