Faith |
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COME TO CHURCH
How to find a local church
To really get to know the Church of Scotland and our love
and following of the Lord God through his son, Jesus Christ,
why not join us for worship. Most services take place
on a Sunday, once or twice in the day, but more and more
mid-week services are also taking place with worship and
outreach seen in many more walks of life, through the
work of our hospital, university, industrial and forces
chaplains.
A warm welcome awaits
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You can be assured of a warm welcome
in our churches where a common thread of learning
more about the teachings of Jesus Christ bind us
all. You are free to attend as many services as
you like, at as many of our churches as you like,
and you do not need to become a member to attend.
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More information about the road to becoming a member
is listed below, but to come to church this Sunday,
simply click here
to use our interactive online map to find a church nearest
to you, including service times and church address.
As we have churches across Scotland, England, Europe
and Jerusalem you don't need to miss a church service
when on holiday or visiting another area.
Becoming a member
The usual pattern within the Church of Scotland is that
infant children of Church members are received into the
Church through Baptism. In time it is hoped
| that the child will come
to make his or her own public profession of faith
and by the congregation to support the family in
this task. In time it is hoped that the child will
come to make his or her own public profession of
faith. |
Baptism is a time for joy
in the Church |
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Click
here to read our guide to life events, including
Baptisms and the thanksgiving and blessing service
of a child, from our Worship on the Web pages. |
This public profession of faith is sometimes referred
to as confirmation. It occurs, from around the age of
16, and, admits the individual to all the rights and
privileges of Church membership. The person's name is
then added to the congregation's communion roll and
they become eligible to vote in Church meetings and
be elected to offices such as the eldership. Traditionally,
confirmation has involved admission to Holy Communion
for the first time, which explains why the ceremony
is sometimes known as Admission to the Lord's Supper.
However, since 1992 the Church has allowed children
to receive communion as part of their Christian nurture.
Prior to confirmation or admission to the Lord's Supper
a course of instruction is given to the candidates.
Normally, this is given by the minister through a weekly
class over a period of six to eight weeks. These are
usually referred to as communicants' classes.
When Church members move from one congregation to another
they take with them a Certificate of Transference, commonly
known as 'lines'.
Members of other denominations can also transfer to
the Church of Scotland. There is no standard procedure
and, in these circumstances, an approach should be made
to the minister of the congregation it is desired to
join, and he or she will advise.
While infant baptism is the norm, the Church of Scotland
also baptises many who were not baptised as infants.
Someone seeking such believer's baptism (also referred
to as adult baptism) should approach their local parish
minister who will either give specific instruction or
invite them to join in the communicants' class. They
would then be baptised and confirmed in the same service
and have their names added to the communion roll of
the congregation.
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