Commissioners encouraged to attend General Assembly fringe events

A comprehensive programme of fringe events aimed at inspiring people committed and determined to moving a transformed Church forward are being held at the General Assembly next week.

Described as varied and informative, they are hosted by Church departments and other organisations and individuals and touch on important themes including growing a discipling culture and how far symbolic actions can aid or impede worship devotion.

Aimed at complementing the main business of the Assembly, which opens tomorrow, commissioners are encouraged to attend as many fringe meetings as possible.

They are being held in venues close to the Assembly Hall between Sunday, 19 May and Thursday 23 May and lunch will be provided at many of them.

One of the events will explore a "fresh and uplifting" publication from the Church's Stewardship Team called Living Generously – stories of abundance from around the Church.

It encourages people to recognise and respond to God's generosity in all areas of our lives.

Christians believe that God is endlessly generous to us and that we are called to be generous in turn.

The mission and life of the Church is only possible because of the generous giving of our members and the wider community.

The event is being held at Augustine United Church on George IV Bridge on Monday, 20 May from 12.30pm - 2pm.

Some of the book's contributors will share how generosity is transforming congregations and communities across Scotland.

Power of collaboration

Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly, said: "The fringe events -so much more than an ‘extra' or ‘bolt on', but part of the rich tapestry of The General Assembly.

"Come and be inspired by insight, imagination, innovation and the power of collaboration.

"Plan to make it part of your General Assembly journey."

The full programme of fringe events is available here.

Highlights include: -

Sunday.

St Cuthbert's Church of Scotland on Lothian Road - 7:00pm - 9pm.

The Church of Scotland is celebrating the publication of its new hymnary supplement, God Welcomes All.

It is a collection of over 200 hymns and songs covering contemporary themes such as the climate crisis, ageing and dementia, and migration, in a wide range of styles by well-known writers.

Monday.

Augustine United Church on George IV Bridge - 12.30pm - 2pm.

Alpha for Youth will explore how we empower young people in our churches to share their faith with their friends and family on their terms.

The Alpha Youth Series creates a space for teenagers to have meaningful conversations about life, faith and purpose.

Quaker Meeting House on Victoria Terrace - 12.30pm - 2pm.

The Poverty in Scotland event will discuss the Minimum Income Guarantee policy, which aims to ensure every household in Scotland has enough to live on through a range of measures.

The Seeds of Growth team will be on hand in the Martin Hall between 12.30pm and 2pm daily and also available via a webinar with Rev Neil Glover, Seeds For Growth convener, from 7pm-8pm on Monday 20 May to explain how to access funding to resource new worshipping communities.

To take part in the webinar, please email grants@churchofscotland.org.uk

Tuesday.

Augustine United Church - 12.30pm - 2pm.

The Cairn Learning Communities team will share ideas on how the Church can make new disciples in order to flourish and grow.

Quaker Meeting House - 12.30pm - 2pm.

The General Trustees invite commissioners to join them for lunch and a presentation on their work and information on the different funding streams available to congregations will be shared.

St Columba's by the Castle on Johnston Terrace - 12.30pm – 2pm.

The Church in the World Today event will enable commissioners to find out about some of the issues affecting the Church's partners around the world. Delegates from partner churches will share their unique experiences.

General Assembly Hall – 7pm.

The Guild Big Sing event - a great evening of worship, praise, fellowship and celebration.

Tickets are available from the Guild office – contact: guild@churchofscotland.org.uk

Wednesday.

St Giles' Cathedral on High Street - 12pm.

Church of Scotland Military Chaplains' Association's Annual Service of Remembrance to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Augustine United Church - 12.30pm - 2pm.

The Disability Inclusion Working Group of the Church of Scotland offers an opportunity to learn and share disabled people's experiences of church.

St Columba's by the Castle - 12.30pm – 2pm.

Rev Neil Glover, parish minister and convener of Seeds for Growth, will be launching his new book "Finding Our Voice - Searching for Renewal in the Mainline Church".

A panel of speakers including Mrs Foster-Fulton, will explore how the Church and similar mainline churches can transform and reverse the steep decline in worship numbers they have experienced for over half a century.

Thursday.

Quaker Meeting House – 12.30pm -2pm.

Living Peace is a joint initiative between the Church of Scotland and Place for Hope to support a culture of peace and reconciliation that builds on our work together since 2009.

St Columba's by the Castle - 12.30pm – 2pm.

Members of the Spill the Beans Resource Team will introduce the Scottish intergenerational worship and learning resource which has been producing contemporary and creative ideas for over a decade.

Exhibitions will be staged in the Martin Hall within the Assembly building from 8.30am until the close of business each day, including the Heart for Art Galley from CrossReach.

The Cornerstone Bookshop will be open in the Rainy Hall.