The Scottish Churches Rural Group is hosting a one day conference entitled "Hope in the Rural Church".

It will take place on Wednesday 1st May 2019 at St Matthew's Church of Scotland, Perth.

The keynote speaker will be Revd Claire Maxim, CEO of Germinate Arthur Rank Centre.

For more information and to book please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hope-in-the-rural-church-tickets-55067325854

A poster for the event can be downloaded here

The Scottish Churches Rural Group (SCRG), which brings together churches within ACTS with rural interests, has attempted to tease out from the Census figures a rural orientated analysis.

Our report on the Census has a dual focus. We have looked at the church as it is now and assessed what we think are its ramifications for the future. We ask, what are the trends we currently see in the rural church? What conclusions can we draw? And what action needs to be taken to ensure a thriving future for rural ministry?

The information from the Census is not the only information which has recently become available. In 2016 Steve Aisthorpe published the results of a study he had undertaken into why some Christians no longer go to church, under the title 'The Invisible Church: Learning from the Experiences of Churchless Christians'.

In our report we have also tried to make use of this information in order to come to conclusions as to the way ahead, using all the information which has recently become available.

To download a copy of Hope in the Rural Church please click here

The Church of Scotland Church & Society, Education Committee have developed a new resource entitled,

"Guidance for School Chaplains"

A copy of the resource can be downloaded here.

'More Slaves Today than at any Time in Human History'

Exchanging Scottish and International Perspectives on Human Trafficking

We have an exciting programme that will allow us to explore current issues related to human trafficking from different contexts and perspectives. Speakers will include Ash Denham, MSP, Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston of Police Scotland and the investigative journalist Sam Poling whose BBC programme cast a spotlight on the trafficking of women to ​Scotland from eastern Europe.

We will also hear research reports from postgraduate students, academic staff, practitioners and theologians who will present papers on work undertaken in countries in Asia, Africa and Russia as well as closer to home in Ireland and here in Scotland.

The conference will conclude with a panel discussion from a range of different Christian denominations.

Further information about the programme and how to apply for your place at this free conference can be found at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/more-slaves-today-than-at-any-time-in-human-history-exchanging-scottish-and-international-tickets-37412771607?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing

Please join us on what promises to be a fa​s​cinating and thought provoking day.

Faith communities in post-industrial towns across Scotland are delivering social action to tackle the effects of poverty and to try to create a Good Society.
Many of these projects are dealing with ever-growing need and are stretched thin. Everyone is aware of the effects of poverty in big cities, but less attention is paid to the towns which were the heartlands of manufacturing industry.
This conference creates a space where 'faith-inspired social activists' from those towns can come together:

• • • • • Sharing stories
        • Critical reflection
        • Exploring existing aspects of what makes a Good Society locally and nationally
        • Sharing visions of a Good Society in Scotland from the perspective of post-industrial towns
        • Identifying the support required from the wider church, civil and civic society to make these visions real
        • Shifting the thinking about what constitutes 'the edge' and what a Good Society looks like from that perspective

To download a flier for the "Stories from the edge?" Conference please click here.

To download a booking form for the "Stories from the edge?" Conference please click here.

If you prefer, you can book online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stories-from-the-edge-tickets-36305399427?aff=eac2

Jesus said "I have come that you may have life in all its fullness" (John 10:10). Education is integral to the ability to live life in all its fullness; Scotland's churches therefore have a deep and long term interest in education.

"A Christian Vision for Education in Scottish Schools" is an update of a document approved by the nine Member Churches of Action of Churches Together in Scotland in 2008, drawing on work initially developed in 2000. Writing in 2016, much has changed during this period. The challenges of globalisation, rapidly changing information technology and economic uncertainty mean that the debate will never be static; against this the call to live a "life in all its fullness" remains unchanging and just as relevant.

To download a copy of the updated "A Christian Vision for Education in Scottish Schools", please click here 

The 2016 ACTS Advent material is now available for download.

Please click on this link to download a copy of the 2016 ACTS Advent resources

Faith group interest in criminal justice has traditionally been very prison-focused. Imprisonment will always be an important concern but there is much more to contemporary "community justice" on which faith groups could usefully ponder and speak. The Joint Faiths Board on Community Justice commends the following papers to you. We hope you will disseminate and discuss them at all levels of your organisation; the distribution is up to you. Neither are the final word on their subject - they are simply intended to invite reflection by people of faith on current ways of addressing crime in Scotland with which they may not be familiar. If your organisation wants more information in order to take discussion further, or to give us feedback, please contact Miriam Weibye

To download "CCTV and Community Safety in Glasgow", click here

To download "Electronically Monitoring Offenders in Scotland", click here

In this section of the website you will find resources that have been developed by a range of different Christian denominations to be used in prayer, contemplation and worship to help us to understand God's plan for us in addressing this affront to the dignity of all. They include materials for private worship, group discussion or church services. While the resources can be used at any time, they may be particularly suitable for use around the time of International Antislavery Day which takes place each year on 18th October.

To be silent is to be unfaithful

Broken for you resources

European Baptists anti-trafficking Resource Book

C of E Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery

Freedom Sunday Resource Pack

CAIRing for Scotland - the Churches contribution to Interfaith relations in Scotland is now available for digital downlad.

Sister Elizabeth Smyth writes "For 14 years the Churches in Scotland had a committee specifically dedicated to developing the work of interfaith relations among Christians. It was called CAIRS, the Churches Agency for Interfaith Relations . . . This is a story that tells of the many Christians who have made a significant contribution to the work of interfaith relations in Scotland. It is a memory that should be kept alive, honoured and celebrated."

To download a copy of CAIRing for Scotland click here