News

Scotland's first Local Ecumenical Partnership Gathering a great success

November 29, 2005

More than 115 people from Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) across Scotland gathered in Livingston on 26 November for the first LEP Gathering. The event was organised by the Scottish Churches National Sponsoring Body for Local Ecumenical Partnerships which brings together the member churches of Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) and the Baptist Union of Scotland to offer support and guidance to churches involved in or working towards becoming LEPs.

The event was entitled ‘Celebrate Together’ and this set the atmosphere for the day - beginning in worship which included lighting sparklers from central candles and closing with a ceilidh that evening.

Participants were challenged by the key note speaker, Revd. Dr. Mary Cotes, Ecumenical Moderator in Milton Keynes, to welcome the stranger, learn from the ways that others see us and share in the ecumenical dance even if we are not always sure where the dance will lead us.

The day also included workshops on Worshipping together, Acting together for social justice, Learning together through the work of the local ecumenical audit that ACTS has commissioned this year and Being churches together which explored the work of ACTS and many LEPs had brought visual displays of their life and work for the marketplace.

Commenting on the day, Revd. Lindsey Sanderson, Secretary to the National Sponsoring Body said: "What has clearly emerged is the value of people from different situations coming together to share stories and experiences. The task for the Sponsoring Body is to ensure that this continues and that the people who are involved in denominational structures also share in such gatherings so they are fully aware of the hopes and concerns of people in LEPs."