revealed 18 Could 2024
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His Majesty the King expressed his admiration for the Church’s “deep concern” for society’s most weak individuals.
He mentioned it was “heartening” that it continues to advertise the values of the Kingdom of God and seeks justice and peace for all in occasions of division, discord, violent battle and warfare around the globe.
King Charles acknowledged that the work of the Church is carried out with out fanfare and that members are sometimes invisible as they do acts of compassion and actual love to achieve out to these in want.
The king reiterated the oath he had taken when he got here to the throne after the loss of life of his mom, Queen Elizabeth, that he would “protect and uphold the rights and privileges of the Church of Scotland.
He praised the Church’s interfaith and ecumenical work over the previous yr, citing the moderator’s fast previous go to to the Vatican in Rome to satisfy with Pope Francis.
The King expressed his ideas in a letter learn aloud to the Common Meeting by Principal Clerk, Rev Fiona Smith.
He’s represented on the Annual Meeting in Edinburgh by his brother, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, who’s Lord Excessive Commissioner.
He beforehand held the function in 2014 when he assumed the title of Earl of Wessex, representing his mom.
The Common Meeting runs from Saturday 18 Could to Thursday 23 Could and the theme is ‘Constructing Collectively’.
The letter reads:
We gladly renew on this event our pledge, made at our accession, to protect and uphold the rights and privileges of the Church of Scotland.
In so doing, we gratefully acknowledge to Almighty God, the Church’s steadfast witness to the Christian religion and its companies to our individuals in Scotland and plenty of international locations overseas.
At a time of such division and discord, violent battle and warfare throughout our world it’s heartening to know that the Church of Scotland continues to advertise the values of the Kingdom of God and search justice and peace for all individuals.
After our coronation, we spoke of the significance of “the respiration area we afford one another, permitting us to assume and communicate freely… and the politeness and respect we now have for one another; to place others first and deal with them as we’re.” We wish to behave. They wish to behave with us.”
These values are of excessive and enduring worth and we warmly welcome the Church of Scotland’s work to advertise and defend them.
Particularly, we recognize the inter-faith and ecumenical work that has taken place over the previous yr. We had been delighted to study of the current Moderator’s go to to Pope Francis final autumn in addition to the general public assist of Jewish and Muslim religion leaders in Scotland.
The worth of constructing robust international and interfaith friendships born out of mutual respect for various faiths is a basic basis for a protected and safe nation. The introduction of the Judeo-Christian glossary is a milestone in interfaith dialogue as a result of it doesn’t keep away from variations, however does so in a spirit of true friendship that at all times acknowledges that we share a standard humanity.
We’ve lengthy admired the Church of Scotland’s deep concern for essentially the most weak in our society.
This work is finished with out fanfare and infrequently goes unnoticed in parishes throughout Scotland and past as congregations attain out to these in want with compassion and sensible love by meals banks, heat areas, assist teams, advocacy work, friendship golf equipment for the lonely and remoted. In addition to a deep dedication to youngsters and younger individuals.
We’re glad to know that you just proceed to hunt partnerships with different church buildings, companies and religion teams as you proceed this necessary work. We additionally recognize the work carried out within the title of Christ by Crossreach, Kirk’s social care company.
We’re aware of the continuing challenges going through the Church of Scotland as you proceed to serve individuals in Scotland and past in our ever-changing world.
Could you discover refreshment, braveness, renewal, and hope, as collectively, you discern God’s name to comply with the trail of Christ, the Prince of Peace, within the weeks forward and within the occasions to return.
Could the sunshine that Kirk brings to so many individuals proceed to shine brightly and function an encouragement to you to persevere in prayer, persevere in your religion, and proceed in your dedication to serve others with love.
As we’re unable in our personal individuals to attend your meeting this yr, we now have chosen our pricey brother His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, as our consultant, being positive that our selection will meet with yours. approval
And due to this fact, praying that the blessing of Almighty God could attend your deliberations, we bid you a hearty farewell.
