Bishop David has written this letter to all churches in the Diocese.

Dear Friends,

As the refugee crisis continues to escalate, many in our congregations are growing increasingly concerned, and are wondering what we might do.  In response to this, many of the Cathedrals of the SEC are holding events at the end of September to mark their solidarity with those who are suffering at this time as a result of this crisis.

For our part, St. Ninian’s Cathedral will be hosting a Day of Prayer and Action from 9am to 9pm on Thursday 24 September.  The day will begin with a service of Holy Communion at 9am, in which all in the diocese are invited to take part.  There will also be a letter written by myself to the First Minister, The Right Honourable Nicola Sturgeon, urging greater action be taken by our government (this is in addition to the letter already written to the Prime Minister).  All participants in the day will be invited to undersign the letter, and show their support for this call to greater action.

In addition, there will be information available regarding what charities and aid organizations are already doing to help mitigate the trials of this crisis, and information about how we might help as individuals and as churches.  Further, there will be people available all day to talk and pray with, and there will be a variety of stations for prayer available in the Cathedral throughout the day.

We would strongly encourage representatives from every congregation to take part.  For those who are not able to come to the cathedral on the day, we would ask that you uphold this Day of Prayer and Action in your own daily prayers, and more importantly, that you ask for God’s blessing and peace upon all those who are suffering at this time.

With kind regards,

+David

Most Revd David Chillingworth

Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane

Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church