ACTS

Convener: Rev Bill Brown

Launched on the 29 October 2004, the Scottish Churches National Sponsoring Body for Local Ecumenical Partnerships exists to provide a means whereby those involved in LEPs in Scotland can share their stories and learn from each other, carrying forward a process begun previously by ACTS in its Local and Regional Unity Committee by providing advice and guidance to those who seek to develop LEPs in Scotland.

The National Sponsoring Body seeks to achieve these aims through three channels:

The Scottish Churches National Sponsoring Body, consisting of church-appointed leaders, meets at least twice a year and:

• enables the establishment of Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) through agreed procedures, guidelines and models;
• supports LEPs through the production of resource materials
• initiates reviews and oversee terminations of LEPs

Local Ecumenical Partnership Gatherings are organised by the Sponsoring Body under the auspices of ACTS in order to:

• provide space for sharing and reflection for those involved in LEPs;
• bring together those involved at local, regional and national levels;
• address particular themes related to life in an LEP;
• enable a focus from time to time on LEPs outside Scotland;
• enable the involvement of other interested churches, including those not organised on an association basis.

Regional Support mechanisms will be established to:

• give direct support to individual LEPs.
• ensure that the superintendancy requirements of the denominations are met.

The Sponsoring Body's membership comprises the nine member churches of ACTS together with the Baptist Union of Scotland, and its work is facilitated by ACTS through the staff support of the Assistant General Secretary.

A Convener is appointed for three years by the ACTS Members' Meeting and currently this post is held by Revd Bill Brown from the Church of Scotland. A Vice Convener is appointed by the Sponsoring Body itself, again for a three year period. This post is currently held by Mrs Norma Higgott from the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Further information about the work of the Scottish Churches’ Sponsoring Body can be obtained from the Ecumenical Officers (or their equivalents) of the participating churches or from the Secretary to the National Sponsoring Body, Revd Lindsey Sanderson.