We had a really exciting three days when, on 15th and 16th October people from many distant lands came together for a meeting organised by the Scottish Churches Anti-Human Trafficking Group. We shared knowledge about human trafficking and began to explore how we can work together to address this evil. The following day, Saturday 17th October, we held a conference for members of churches and civil society from across Scotland.
We heard about important work being carried out in Christ's name in many countries - Malawi, Nepal, Bangladesh, Japan, Jamaica, the Czech Republic and of the Salvation Army's network across Europe. Closer to home, we learned how churches in Derby, Wales and Scotland are tackling trafficking and modern slavery.
The key message was that, no matter where in the world it is happening, it is people who live in poverty and are discriminated against who are vulnerable to traffickers. As Christian we have a duty to speak out against this crime against humanity. Jesus challenges us to love our neighbour and, like the Good Samaritan, help the stranger who is in need of compassion and care.
The events went really well. There was a really good buzz with lots of discussion and good informal feedback from people as they left. We distributed luggage labels, symbolic of people journeying, and asked delegates to write their 'take home' actions on one and leave actions for us on the other so we now have lots of suggestions for future action. We formed excellent relationships with people from home and abroad and look forward to working together in the future.

The Scottish Churches Anti-Human Trafficking Group is campaigning for the purchase of sex to be criminalised. Having sent a letter to the FM Nicola Sturgeon, signed by many of the church leaders of Scotland, they encourage individuals and local church groups to write to their MSPs about this issue. A set of guidelines has been prepared, along with a sample letter, and some text for inclusion in a newsletter or magazine.

To download these resources please click on the link above or see the download area below.

Spiritual Care in Further Education - A Handbook for Faiths in Further Education

Until recently, chaplaincies were largely a feature of the UK universities. In response to growing interest in the provision of spiritual care in the Further Education sector, and developments leading to a holistic approach to student care, this handbook is offered in order to provide a basis for discussion, and to provide practical guidance to colleges considering setting up a spiritual care or chaplaincy service, reviewing an existing provision or making plans for further development.

To read "A Handbook for Faiths in Further Education" please click here

A message from Elaine MacRae, convener of the Joint Faiths Board on Community Justice (26.01.15):

On the publication of the Report on Women Offenders by the Angiolini Commission, the Joint Faiths Board on Community Justice called on the Government to be brave enough to implement the recommendations of the Report. This week the Justice Secretary, Michael Matheson, has been brave and shown courage as the Scottish Government has turned its back on plans for a new prison at Inverclyde. This is a momentous decision which could lead to a new way of thinking about how we do prison, and a radical change to our attitude to prisoners. The Board will continue to support the vision of the Commission on Women Offenders and work towards making Scotland a better, safer place - especially for women.

If you would like to read the response to the Report on Women Offenders, please click here:

The Model Constitution for a Single Congregation Local Ecumenical Partnership was drawn up by the Constitution Group.

To download a copy, please click here

To help you through the minefield of ecumenical acronyms, here is a list of all the ones we could think of:

ACTS - Action of Churches Together in Scotland

CAIRS - Churches' Agency for Inter-faith Relations in Scotland
CIRN - Churches' Inter Religious Network (CTBI)
CRJN - Churches' Racial Justice Network (CTBI)
CEC - Conference of European Churches
CTBI - Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
CTE - Churches Together in England
Cytun - Churches Together in Wales. Cytun is the Welsh word for 'Together'

EDG - Ecumenical Developemnt Group (ACTS)

GMN - Global Mission Network (CTBI)

ICC - Irish Council of Churches
IICM - Irish Inter-Church Meeting

LEP - Local Ecumenical Partnership
LWF - Lutheran World Fellowship

NEWS - Network of Ecumenical Women in Scotland

SCEG - Scottish Churches' Education Group
SCEN - Scottish Churches' European Network
SCHA - Scottish Churches Housing Action
SCNSBLEP - Scottish Churches National Sponsoring Body for Local Ecumenical Partnerships
SCPO - Scottish Churches' Parliamentary Office
SCRE - Scottish Christian Resources Exhibition
SCRJG - Scottish Churches' Racial Justice Group
SCSIN - Scottish Churches' Social Inclusion Network
SIFC - Scottish Interfaith Council

WCRC - World Communion of Reformed Churches
WCC - World Council of Churches

If you know of any others, please contact the webmaster and we will add it to the list.

ACTS is also in membership of the World Council of Churches and the Conference of European Churches.

ACTS is one of the four national ecumenical instruments which, along with Churches Together in England (CTE), Cytun (Churches Together in Wales) and the Irish Council of Churches, comprise Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).

In consultation with the Members, the ACTS Trustees have formulated a number of policies for the organisation. These are reviewed on a regular basis. Copies of the policies are available to download below. For any further enquiries concerning the policies please contact the General Secretary.

Please find below the ACTS Policies as agreed by the ACTS Trustees:

• ACTS Application Form
• Capacity Building
• Capacity Building Fund Application Form
• Endorsement Implementation Guidelines
• Policy & Process for Membership
• Policy for Ceasing Employment
• Policy for Web Links, Web Events & Social Media
• Policy on Endorsements
• Policy on Minutes
• Publications Policy