Assembly Trustees Update September 2025

Hello everyone,

Another month and another update to let you know what the Assembly Trustees have been doing on your behalf. Our September meeting started as usual with opening devotions because although we are involved with the financial aspects of the Church, the Church is not all about finances. Rev David Cameron, Convener of the ATs in his opening devotions reminded us all that the "real resource is not financial but people" and that "God's work is not limited by budget."

He drew attention to a presentation by Rev Tommy MacNeil at the last meeting of the New Directions group which took place on 3rd September on a FAPLT initiative called the Good News Collective. There is a lot of Good News out there, our day to day activity is the Good News of Jesus and we are ultimately required to grow his Kingdom and glorify God. How we can be about the calling of sharing God's Good News is one of our primary tasks.

As part of that meeting the group considered a number of principles that might underly any future financial model of ministry. These are very early top-level discussions and releasing them without them being fully worked out will actually be counterproductive. Everyone there was acutely aware there are real people affected by any decisions we make who have given their lives in service to the church and to whom the church has a covenant of care. The need for financial sustainability must be held in balance with our mission to respond to human need with loving service. This is one of the main reasons these discussions are progressing slowly and carefully. Please keep everyone involved in them in your prayers. We need God's guidance to find not just a new direction but the direction God would want us to go. This is as much a discernment process as anything else.

Moving on to the monthly meeting on 11th September, after devotions we were treated to a presentation on the current position of various Church of Scotland pension funds, given by Stuart Stephen, the Chair of the Pension Trustees. Having a trustworthy pension is part of the covenant between minister/employee and Church which the Church of Scotland takes seriously. Our whole team of Pension Trustees work hard on our behalf to ensure those who have served are taken care of. On behalf of the Assembly Trustees we want to thank them for all they do.

We had the usual update on the management accounts and were pleased to see an improved financial position. We are still running a deficit for the year but at this point it is not as bad as originally projected, however the instruction of the General Assembly to achieve a balanced budget by 2027 remains a key priority for us.

Kay Cathcart gave an update from FAPLT where they are considering a National Day of Prayer. Prayer is essential to all Christians and the Assembly Trustees are wholeheartedly behind this initiative. There was also another plug for the Vivid Vision which you can find more out about here: Vivid Vision: A vivid vision for the Church of Scotland - Ascend

Kay's update went on to describe the vivid vision thus: "It is a picture of what might be as we follow the promptings and guidance of the Holy Spirit in witnessing to Christ in our nation and beyond. It comes as part of a set of resources to help congregations and Presbyteries imagine and prepare for this future. Set time aside to journey together through them with your people and create a compelling vision for your congregation and community."

Interestingly Kay informed the Assembly Trustees that FAPLT have introduced a new agenda segment at their meetings called Stopping to Listen. This again ties into our calling to discern God's will rather than just be busy with business. This idea of pausing may be something that Presbyteries or Kirk Sessions would wish to try out themselves.

Viv Dickenson shared exciting news from CrossReach about the opening of Nevis House in Inverness. She also told us the good news story of someone who had been supported at one of their Residential Recovery Services who had been selected to take part in the Homeless World Cup in Norway last month – you can read more here . CrossReach produce a newsletter specifically for Presbyteries to disseminate news that has lots of information in it. Ask your Presbytery administrator for a copy!

Rev Fiona Smith then gave an update on Assembly Business Committee plans for General Assembly 2026. Whilst there were a number of questions asking for clarification of different aspects of the GA, the Assembly Trustees look forward to seeing and being part of a new look General Assembly.

The overall sense of the September meeting is that as always change is in the air. Just two examples: as a denomination we are looking at financing ministry differently and running a different style of General Assembly. Of course, there are many more changes happening at all levels of the church.

For all the change we undertake, our faith in Jesus remains steadfast. For all the challenges tomorrow brings our calling in Jesus stands. For all that lies ahead, our hope in Jesus is unshaken.

Norman Smith

Administrative Trustee