Each of our member church is also a member of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Five of our member churches are present in the three nations of Scotland, England and Wales and therefore bring to ACTS not only the perspective of being churches in Scotland but also in the wider United Kingdom.
ACTS welcomes opportunities to work with churches which are not in membership of the organisation. For example the Baptist Union of Scotland shares in the work of the Scottish Churches’ National Sponsoring Body for Local Ecumenical Partnerships which ACTS facilitates on behalf of the churches and the Scottish Unitarian Association has membership of two of ACTS Associated Ecumenical Bodies. We are in currently in very preliminary discussions about how ACTS may strengthen its relationship with the Orthodox Community in Scotland.
ACTS Officebearers
The principal officebearer of ACTS is the Convener of the Scottish Churches’ Forum. This post is held for three years, in turn, by a member of: the Church of Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church and a representative drawn from the other member churches. The current Convener is Rev Mary Buchanan, the Ecumenical Officer of the URC, who took up post in May 2007.
In addition to the Convener there are two Vice Conveners, drawn from the two categories not represented by the Convener. They also serve three year terms and take on specialist areas of responsibility. Currently the Vice Conveners are Rt Rev Philip Kerr from the Roman Catholic Church and the Rev Norman Hutcheson from the Church of Scotland.
Mr. Sandy Laurie is the Convener of ACTS Finance Committee and ACTS Treasurer. This post is also held for three years.
The Convener, Vice Conveners, Treasurer and General Secretary comprise the ACTS Trustee Body.
ACTS Staff
Br Stephen Smyth FMS took up the post of General Secretary of ACTS in July 2007.
Overseeing the work of ACTS, he is responsible with his colleagues for implementing the ecumenical vision of the Scottish Churches' Forum.
Revd Lindsey Sanderson is the Assistant General Secretary.
Mr Tom Moyes is the Network Officer for Church & Society and Faith Studies.
Mrs Shona Paterson is the Network Officer for Church Life and Mission.
Dr. Nelu Balaj is the Scottish Churches Racial Justice Officer working with the Scottish Churches Racial Justice Group.
Mr Andrew Sarle is the Interfaith Education Officer for CAIRS.
The office of ACTS is based in Alloa. To see a photograph taken at the dedication of the office click here.