Here you can find information on the Health & Safety Policy Statements. Toolkit Contents Toolkit Home Health and Safety Policy Statements (current page) Risk Assessment Reporting Injuries Events Safety Food Hygiene Maintenance & Construction Safety Equipment Safety Checks Fire Risk Assessment
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Our church buildings act as places where the congregation and local communities come together for worship and other social activities. Not only should our buildings offer a welcoming and worshipful environment, but they must also be safe. This applies to the people who use them as well as the volunteers… read more >>
World Health Day was the subject of Thought For The Day on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme this week. The Rev Diana Hall, Rector of St Anne’s in Dunbar, highlighted the date that is set aside to draw attention to what we need to do to keep the… read more >>
The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Bishop Mark Strange, joined faith leaders across Scotland in signing a joint statement calling on people of faith across the country to engage with, and pray for, the many community efforts that have sprung up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement… read more >>
Sharing our emotions offers a way to find healing when faced with difficult news, said Father Philip Blackledge on BBC Radio Scotland’s Thought For The Day this morning, following news of King Charles’ cancer diagnosis. “A diagnosis like that of King Charles can be a frightening reminder that we don’t… read more >>
The Church in Society Committee of the Scottish Episcopal Church has submitted a response to the Scottish Parliament’s consultation on the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill. Introduced by Gillian Mackay MSP, the Bill aims to establish safe access zones around abortion service providers in Scotland. The Church in… read more >>
Changes to the way that a new bishop is elected in the Scottish Episcopal Church were debated on day two of General Synod 2023, with members asked to decide on a second reading of a revised Canon 4. Two years ago, Synod opted to pursue a revision of the existing… read more >>
Here you can find resources for Clergy wellbeing. Financial resources.
The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 places a responsibility on duty holders to carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and to identify risks and identify actions to control those risks. The duty holders in the Scottish Episcopal Church are the Vestries and Clergy. The duty holder must ensure… read more >>
Equipment should be inspected as part of your overall health and safety risk assessment. Such equipment ranges from hand-held power tools, ladders, hammers, drills, knives and screwdrivers to office equipment such as computers and photocopiers. You must ensure that: those using equipment have enough knowledge and training to use it… read more >>
Normally the maintenance and development of church properties is delegated to a Fabric sub-committee whose convener is responsible for overseeing activities and reporting to vestry. When planning “building” works, there are a number legal and administrative matters that need to be considered to ensure safe working, whether the work is… read more >>
Many charges offer food for sale, for example at fund-raising events, or provide food voluntarily as part of a community activity. Unfortunately, there are several instances in which the unsafe handling of food has led to cases of food poisoning. The Scottish Episcopal Church has provided comprehensive guidance on how… read more >>
Whether the event is small scale or large scale, indoors or outdoors, the organiser has a duty to plan, manage and monitor the event to make sure that workers and the visiting public are not exposed to health and safety risks. Usually the health and safety issues around a church… read more >>
Today at Lambeth The Bishops will spend today in a plenary session on Reconciliation, before taking part in two Lambeth Calls – the first on Reconciliation, then subsequently the Call on Human Dignity will take place this afternoon. The Plenary session on reconciliation can be streamed live here from 11.35am.… read more >>
First Aid Churches should provide first aid facilities and personnel able to administer first aid. If you have employees, then provision of first aid facilities is a legal requirement. A first aid box should be kept on the premises, and guidance as to what it should contain, and on first… read more >>
Here you can find the Risk Assessment training package. The course is hosted externally via a Google form. This course should take around 35-45 minutes to complete, and consists of a video which you must watch. After watching the video you will be invited to take a short quiz to… read more >>
This page contains links to the Risk Assessment Training Package, a video presentation which explains how to use the Risk Assessment booklet that all churches should have received. Having viewed the video it is recommended that you take the Training Package Test. Also below are links to the HSE Guidance… read more >>
Encouraging our young people back to church after the pandemic was the standout theme on the final day of General Synod 2022 in Edinburgh. A series of personal contributions from the Provincial Youth Committee gave honest assessments of where we find ourselves after lockdown, and inspiring visions of how we… read more >>
June’s SEI Newsletter is themed around ‘Endings and beginnings’. Four of the six students graduating from SEI share reflections on the past three years. The service which bade farewell to them is featured in a pictorial article about the final Residential Weekend of the academic year. Adieus are likewise paid… read more >>
The Rt Rev Edward Luscombe, former Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, has died at the age of 97 after a period of illness. Bishop Ted, as he was best known, was Bishop of Brechin for 15 years and served as Primus from 1985 until his retirement in 1990. The… read more >>
The Diocese of Edinburgh has sadly lost two members of its clergy in the past week, with the deaths of the Rev Canon Ruth Innes and the Rev Margaret Pedersen. Canon Ruth retired as Synod Clerk last September having served in the diocese for nearly 20 years. After her curacy… read more >>
A special COP26 service involving Christian churches and organisations from around the world was held at Glasgow Cathedral (St Mungo’s). The event, organised by Glasgow Churches Together, was attended by guests from countries including Australia, Fiji, and Zimbabwe, as a show of solidarity for global climate justice. Many of those… read more >>
(The Policy relates to investments in the Scottish Episcopal Church Unit Trust Pool) As noted in the Ethical Investment Policy detailed below, General Synod approved a separate policy relating to the use of Pooled Funds. One of the requirements of that Policy is that the Investment Committee reports annually to… read more >>
The Episcopal Synod, comprising all seven diocesan bishops, met online as planned this morning to consider the setting up of an independent mediation process to help the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney move forward from its current difficulties. The Synod voted to meet in private and then unanimously agreed to… read more >>
Bishop Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, was a guest on the ‘Sunday’ programme on BBC Radio 4, where he discussed the Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration. Faith leaders across the UK have united ahead of COP26, the climate change conference in Glasgow next month, in a move they hope… read more >>
The Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church joined faith leaders across the world in signing a statement calling for: “The same spirit of unity and common purpose that has driven scientists to develop Covid-19 vaccines at breathtaking speed, that drives the care of those tending to… read more >>
A return to physical worship was welcomed last month as the country took its first steps out of lockdown. However, the online broadcasting of worship services appears to be here to stay as chuches adapt to a new future, post-Covid. In the short term, access to online worship remains essential… read more >>
The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Most Rev Mark Strange, makes the following statement on behalf of the College of Bishops: “This weekend we will re-open church buildings to welcome some of our congregations back to in-person worship for the first time in almost three months. “Many of… read more >>
Young Episcopalians from all over Scotland are booking their places at Glen 21. The annual Provincial Youth Week will go ahead, no matter what! Whatever form it takes, Glen remains a place where young people can be themselves, explore their faith and encourage each other to take on leadership roles… read more >>
Today, 23 March 2021, marks the one-year anniversary of Britain going into the first coronavirus lockdown. A National Day of Reflection is to take place, including a minute’s silence at 12pm followed by a bell toll. In the evening, there will be a national doorstep vigil when people are being… read more >>
The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church is one of 28 religious leaders in Scotland to sign a statement of commitment ahead of the CoP26 event in Glasgow this year. The 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (CoP 26) was scheduled to… read more >>
Download PDF Download Word Document MAINTAINING GRAVEYARDS CHECK LIST OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR THE SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH The following points identify the key issues that need to be considered when undertaking conservation and maintenance of graveyards. Published 2020 Maintenance Strategy Prepare appropriate documentation for the graveyard. This will include a… read more >>
On behalf of the College of Bishops, the Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church writes: To the Churches and congregations of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Many of us have watched, with growing concern, the rise in the number of those testing positive for Coronavirus. This rise… read more >>
The Scottish Episcopal Church and 13 other denominations join together in prayer at 7pm on Sunday 15 November, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of those joining together in prayer, which appears in English and Gaelic below, will also light candles. Churches Together In England continue to pray each… read more >>
In her latest column for the Press & Journal newspaper, Bishop Anne Dyer reminds us that lockdown was a way of life for many people long before coronavirus, and asks that we do not forget them as restrictions are eased for the rest of the country. “Age and various kinds… read more >>
The Archbishop of Canterbury has announced that the next Lambeth Conference will be in the summer of 2022, following the postponement of this year’s scheduled event because of the coronavirus epidemic and global restrictions on travel and mass gatherings. When postponement of this year’s gathering in Canterbury was announced in March,… read more >>
The College of Bishops has previously announced the intention to issue guidance to the Scottish Episcopal Church in connection with the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions. An Advisory Group has now been established in the province for the purpose of producing guidance for local churches on the implications of the… read more >>
Rev Dr Michael Hull, Director of the Studies at the Scottish Episcopal Institute, reminds us in the reflection below that the printed page can still “bridge our physical distances in a way different from the internet”. The Covid-19 pandemic challenges Christians like no other crisis in living memory in terms… read more >>
I was minded last week to make a personal call to the Lead Chaplain at the NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital in Glasgow, Canon Iain Macritchie, writes Bishop Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Canon Iain is one of the clergy in my diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness,… read more >>
The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church has called for thanks and for prayer as the UK prepares for a minute’s silence to remember key workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus. At least 90 NHS staff have died since 25 March, as have many care and transport workers,… read more >>
In an unprecedented move, church leaders from around Britain and Ireland came together last week by video conference to share the current situation over coronavirus in each of their jurisdictions. The initiative originated with Archbishop Justin Welby of the Church of England, who wanted to offer an opportunity for leaders… read more >>
The Liturgy Committee have created the following intercessions for use during the pandemic: Download PDF Version Download Word Version Intercessions for use during the pandemic Words in italics are suggestions, to be used, adapted, or added to, as necessary. We pray to the LORD, to the God who is our… read more >>
The Scottish Episcopal Church will broadcast the second of its weekly Eucharistic services on Sunday (29 March). The service will be held in private, in line with SEC guidelines following government advice to suspend church services as part of the national effort to halt the spread of coronavirus. At the… read more >>
In light of the latest Government guidance over the coronavirus pandemic, and the number of queries being fielded by Bishops and clergy seeking clarification on certain areas, the College of Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church today issues updated guidance on how to respond. This guidance supersedes any previous guidance… read more >>
UPDATE NOTE, 24/03/20: The following guidance was issued ahead of new government measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus which were introduced on Monday night, including a ban on public gatherings of more than two people and the requirement that people should leave home only for four specified reasons. Yesterday’s… read more >>
This year’s Lambeth Conference has been postponed until next year because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The decennial meeting of bishops from all parts of the Anglican Communion was last held in 2008, and this year’s hosting had already been delayed by two years in a bid to… read more >>
Churches have joined together in Scotland to sign a letter commending the Call for a National Day of Prayer in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Signatories include the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Scotland, the United Free Church, the United Reformed Church, the Baptist Union… read more >>
During the current period of uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus concerns, the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Provincial Safeguarding Officers will continue to be available to deal with safeguarding situations as they arise. Contact with the Safeguarding Team should be via e-mail on protection@scotland.anglican.org or, in the event of urgency, by telephone… read more >>
To: All Clergy, Lay Readers, Vestry Secretaries and Treasurers Coronavirus – Additional Guidance The College of Bishops is aware that the current situation in relation to Coronavirus raises all sorts of questions about matters of practice and theology. We will endeavour to respond to queries as best we are able… read more >>
The College of Bishops continues to follow closely the developing situation in relation to coronavirus. The rapidly changing picture brings about changes on an almost daily basis. The College continues to hold in its prayers the clergy and laity of the Scottish Episcopal Church and the people of Scotland and… read more >>
