Launch of Minority Ethnic Churches Together in Scotland (MECTIS)
A special ecumenical Service is to be held in Wellington Church, University Avenue, Glasgow, on September 12th. The Service will mark the work of the Churches to promote racial justice and will also celebrate the launching of MECTIS – the organisation which will help the new minority ethnic churches in Scotland to work together and to develop closer links with the denominations which have operated in Scotland for many years.
The Service will have international and national support. It will be attended by national leaders of the major denominations in Scotland, who will extend a welcome to the leaders of MECTIS and the members of their congregations, and by Members of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches. The sermon is to be preached by a member of the World Council of Churches' Executive.
Brother Stephen Smyth, General Secretary of Action of Churches Together in Scotland, said
“The emergence of MECTIS as a body is highly significant. It provides a space for the many independent ethnic minority churches in Scotland to come together to share concerns and successes. Our hope in ACTS is, that as it grows in strength, MECTIS will provide a means by which these new churches and the established denominations can be brought into closer fellowship. ACTS is very pleased to support MECTIS and to encourage all churches in Scotland to ‘Witness to Christ Today’ - together.”
Brother Stephen added
‘This year’s Racial Justice Sunday Service will be really innovative and lively. We invite and encourage our many ecumenical friends to join ACTS, MECTIS and the WCC in Wellington Church for the event. See you there, then?’
The Service will begin at 18.00 on the 12th of September. Between 17.30 and 18.00 an African choir will be singing as the congregation assembles. Refreshments will be available at the close of the Service.
