Thought for the Week

Prime Minister Boris Johnson married Carrie Symonds on May 29 in Westminster Cathedral.

Many have asked how this was possible since Boris has been married twice before and the Roman Catholic church does not marry people who have previously tied the knot. Well, Boris did not marry in a Catholic ceremony the previous two occasions so his earlier marriages were not recognised. This might seem harsh, but it is consistent with Roman Catholic teaching.

The Church of Scotland takes a different view on divorce and re-marriage. And that is my point today: Christians, who read the same Bible, sometimes come to different conclusions. Yet we are still Christians.

The church is often compared to a family and families do not always agree. Yet the Bible says we are all God’s children (Romans 8:16) and records a prayer of Jesus that His followers be ‘one’ (John Chapter 17).

The Church of Scotland meeting last week agreed to sign up to an organisation called the Scottish Christian Forum, where Christians of all persuasions around Scotland will meet together and work to improve the lives of people in our nation.

There is plenty to do, with so many suffering the effects of Covid in mental, physical and spiritual health. Christians do so much caring work in Scotland, in drug rehabilitation, food banks and social care. Church people take leading roles in action for climate change and fair trade.

That Church of Scotland meeting also approved the ‘St Andrew’s Declaration’, an agreement to work with the Scottish Episcopal Church in future.

Sometimes the church gets a (deservedly?) bad press, but please remember in your prayers sincere and devout Christian people trying to help others and share the love of Jesus in Scotland, around the world...and even in Kintyre.

Reverend Steve Fulcher, Church of Scotland, South Kintyre Team Ministry.