Feature on prostitution in Edinburgh and Glasgow, focusing on Ann Wallace and the Salt and Light bus run by a support group from Glasgow Elim Church.
Source: The Herald.

Adults are scared of working with youngsters because of strict child protection rules, MSPs were told. Children's commissioner Professor Kathleen Marshall told Holyrood's education committee that the measures were taking an "absolutely ridiculous" toll on adults. "People are just backing off from interaction with children and young people," she said. Examples cited were of workers who needed a mountaineering certificate to take a group of youngsters up Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, and a lifesaving certificate before being allowed to collect seashells with a group of children.
Source: BBC Scotland News.

The leader of Scotland's 800,000 Catholics yesterday claimed the Executive was failing to tackle the problem of "institutional sectarianism". Speaking at a summit on the issue in Glasgow, Cardinal Keith O'Brien said too much focus has been put on football and parades. He claimed scant attention was paid to targeting the biases that impede Catholics in day-to-day life and social problems which contribute to bigotry. His criticisms were backed by representatives on both sides of the religious divide, as well as campaigners - who stressed that little had been done to eliminate sectarianism at the "boardroom level".
Source: The Scotsman.

Her many friends have been saddened to learn of the death at the weekend of Kathleen McNeil after a short illness. She was awarded an MBE for her services to ladies’ golf and in 1991 became Honorary Life President of the Scottish Ladies’ Golf Association. A solicitor by profession, Miss McNeil had many other local interests and was a lifelong member of Ardgowan Parish Church.
Source: Greenock Telegraph.

Full text of remarks made by the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Rev Alan McDonald, to the Scottish Executive’s summit on sectarianism.
Source: Church of Scotland news release.

The leaders of Scotland's two main churches were told to stay away from an Old Firm game to avoid trouble. It was revealed today that police and security chiefs issued the warning to the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and the leader of the country's Catholics. Moderator Alan McDonald said he and Cardinal Keith O'Brien wanted to attend a Rangers v Celtic game at Ibrox as an anti-sectarian gesture.
Source: Evening Times, Glasgow.

People involved in sectarian behaviour could be sent on rehabilitation programmes to beat bigotry under new plans revealed today. The programmes will be designed to help those found guilty of sectarian-related offences understand the impact of their behaviour on victims, their families and communities.
Source: The Scotsman.

Church leaders attending a summit in Glasgow have said the social causes of sectarianism must be tackled. Roman Catholic Cardinal Keith O'Brien said attention should be given to those whose behaviour is the result of having nothing to do. He said: "I think that we should now begin to look at the wider social causes of sectarian animosity." The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland said the problem of intolerance is in society. The Right Reverend Alan McDonald said: "I believe that the problem is not in the churches, the problem is not in the football clubs, the problem is in society."
Source: BBC Scotland News.

First Minister Jack McConnell today vowed to step up the battle against bigotry as he hosted a second summit on sectarianism. He was joined by church leaders, football bosses, police, councils, unions, business leaders and representatives from Orange and republican groups to look at the next stage of combating what he has described as "Scotland's shame".
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.

Scottish football clubs would face fines and the deduction of points for any sectarian offences by supporters under new football legislation to be unveiled today by David Taylor, the head of the Scottish Football Association.
Source: The Herald.

The High School of Dundee will join a university, two miners' welfare clubs, a children's gala fund and Pollokshaws Methodist Church in Glasgow among the first eight groups to be investigated by the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) to find out whether they should keep the charitable status that gives them tax breaks and rates relief.
Source: The Scotsman.

Profits from a car park leased by the Catholic Church is helping to fund a £5million renovation of Glasgow's St Andrew's Cathedral. The Archdiocese has already secured £1m from a parish appeal and, in addition to the bank loan, hopes to get grants from Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Built in 1816 by Irish immigrants, St Andrew's was the first Catholic church built in Glasgow after the Reformation.
Source: Evening Times, Glasgow.

Parents will be taught how to speak to their children about sex, and primary school children will learn about changes to their bodies, under a pioneering new sexual health strategy being introduced by Glasgow City Council. It is aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy rates, halting the rise in sexually transmitted infections and improving the quality of relationships. The Council carried out two key studies for the programme, gathering the views of more than 2500 young people and 1000 parents. Of the parents, 70% said schools and parents should assume responsibility for education on sex and relationships, with 93% calling for sex education to be the same in denominational and non-denominational schools. The research also shows that young people who can confidently discuss their relationships are more likely to delay becoming sexually active. The Roman Catholic church, which had objected to the graphic nature of the questions asked in the Glasgow research, is currently piloting its own sex education programme entitled Called To Love in two local authority areas, work paid for by the Scottish Executive.
Source: Sunday Herald.

Protesters opposed to dawn raids on asylum seekers have gathered outside a Home Office immigration centre. The organisation Positive Action in Housing claimed the demonstration at Brand Street, Govan, Glasgow, was to prevent vehicles used in the raids from leaving the compound. Rev Dr Iain Whyte, a Church of Scotland minister, said: "As members of a civilised society, we cannot stand by and allow these inhumane policies to take hold in Scotland."
Source: BBC Scotland News.

Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic has criticised public bodies which have avoided using the word 'Christmas' in recent years. In his Christmas message, Cardinal Keith O'Brien said he had a "sense of hope" that such "politically correct posturing" had now passed and that the Christian foundation of Christmas was finally being recognised. The cardinal also praised a message from a senior Scottish Muslim which wished Christians well for the season. "I am certain that there never was a real risk of alienating or marginalising those of other faiths, as was often claimed," he said.
Source: BBC Scotland News.

More than 200 babies were taken to Glasgow's George Square for a special event to celebrate their first Christmas. The city's Lord Provost Liz Cameron and church leaders led a torch-lit procession from the City Chambers for the blessing of the nativity scene.
Source: BBC Scotland News.

The Church of Scotland's presbyteries have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to enshrine ministers' right to bless gay weddings. Though not all of the 46 presbyteries have declared their results, 36 have voted against and just six for the proposal. Those supporting it so far are Aberdeen, Edinburgh, England, Europe, St Andrews and Melrose & Peebles. Last night, the Rev Ian Watson, the secretary of the Forward Together group, an evangelical body opposed to the proposal, said: "This is a massive rejection of the liberal leadership's agenda. It shows that our conservative moral message is the mainstream view, not a marginal one."
Source: The Scotsman.

The attempt by the Church of Scotland's general assembly to guarantee freedom of conscience to ministers wishing to bless same-sex relationships appears to have failed. This year's assembly voted narrowly in favour of clarifying the grey area so that ministers or deacons would be free from any threat of discipline if they acted in accordance with their conscience and conducted a blessing to celebrate a civil partnership between a gay or lesbian couple. The evangelical wing of the Kirk, however, used a mechanism called the Barrier Act to block the decision and have it referred back to the presbyteries. Now ForwardTogether, the grouping which wants to ban anything which smacks of "gay weddings", is claiming victory in that process. With only five presbyteries still to cast their votes, so far 34 have voted down the overture which was agreed by the assembly and only six have voted in favour.
Source: The Herald.

Appreciation of Stanley Mills, photographer; born January 14, 1914; died November 16, 2006. "Stan's dedication to doing things well was carried over into his private life. He became a Christian in his youth and he supported many missionary societies. His churchmanship was continued in Adelaide Place Baptist Church, Bath Street, Glasgow, from 1954 until after the death of his wife, Mara, when he moved to the Auchlochan House Nursing Home six years ago."
Source: The Herald.

Edinburgh University have backed down after being threatened with legal action for stopping Christian Union students holding classes branded "homophobic" on campus. The course deals with the Bible's attitude to sex and relationships. However, the Christian Union has rejected the university's offer of a room on campus after it was only made with the condition that other material, which offers a different point of view, is also made available. The stalemate means the threat of legal action continues to hover over the university.
Source: The Scotsman.

The names of two Motherwell churches are to disappear after lengthy talks about a merger. Local negotiations about a union of South Dalziel Church in Orbiston Street and Manse Road Church in Gavin Street failed to reach an agreement. Now the names of both churches will disappear and be replaced by a Motherwell South Church.
Source: Bellshill Speaker.

The Brussels-based commission representing Catholic bishops in the European Union will urge EU leaders to recognise the continent's Christian heritage when they publish a major declaration next March.
Source: The Tablet.

"'He comes the prisoners to release.' Let him come again into this world through our own commitment to 'set all free'; and let us give thanks that we are set free by Jesus in all he is and says and does, from Bethlehem to Calvary and beyond."
Source: Anglican Communion News Service.

Following the success of last year’s Narnia-themed Christmas service, MethodistChildren have come up with a selection of new services for use in churches across Britain designed to illustrate the gospel through sounds, stories and prayers. The service outlines are available online and the sounds can be downloaded in mp3 format for free from the MethodistChildren website, which also has a Christmas resources page with books and CD recommendations and links to online resources.
Source: Methodist Church news release.

Four Glasgow churches are set to close because of a shortage of priests and dwindling congregations. Archbishop Mario Conti has announced plans to shut St John Ogilvie in Easterhouse, St Saviour in Govan, Our Lady of Loretto in Dalmuir, and St Monica in Milton. John Caw, 66, a member of the 200-strong congregation at St Monica's, attends the church every day and was shocked when he heard the news. He said: "We were told they are closing the church because of a shortage of priests. Our church is more than a church and it's not just used by Roman Catholic people. Archbishop Conti is breaking the heart of the community. The old people and many others are going to lose their only way of life." In the 1950s and 60s, the Church's ambition was to have a church in every housing scheme. But leaders say communities are changing rapidly and the number of the people attending church has fallen.
Source: Evening Times, Glasgow.

Gay couples in Scotland will be able to adopt children for the first time under controversial new laws passed by the Scottish Parliament yesterday. The Adoption Bill, which will also allow unmarried couples to adopt, sparked furious debate in the Scottish Parliament and protests from religious organisations. The left-wing SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham, an unmarried Roman Catholic who has voted for the repeal of Section 28 and in favour of civil partnership, tabled an amendment to try to stop same-sex couples trying to adopt. She was backed by just ten other MSPs, but said the point was to voice an opinion widely held in Scotland that a traditional family is the best place to bring up children, rather than to discriminate. "I may sound old-fashioned and perhaps I am old-fashioned, but so is the majority of Scotland," said the MSP for Perth, who pointed out that the majority of submissions on the bill during consultation were against gay adoption. "I have concerns about pushing so far ahead of public opinion. I do think there is a considerable body of evidence that suggests that the best place for a child is in an intact, standard family background."
Source: The Scotsman.

A migration themed patchwork tapestry is the winning design by Edinburgh primary school pupils for the first minister's Christmas card. Jack McConnell said: "I am delighted to be able to share with others the moving stories of the children from Bruntsfield Primary.
Source: BBC Scotland News.

Celtic Football Club have suspended 17 fans from attending matches for making "offensive and sectarian" chants. They face an indefinite ban from games if the club finds them guilty.
Source: BBC Scotland News.

A row has broken out in the Cabinet over how far the Government should go in outlawing discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, has pushed through regulations in the province that will be tougher than the Government plans for England, Wales and Scotland. He has defied a call by Ruth Kelly, the Cabinet minister responsible for equality, to hold fire until a common approach has been agreed. Colin Hart, the institute's director, said: "Peter Hain talks about equality. But he should read his own regulations, which elevate gay rights above all other rights for religious people, and rights on the grounds of age, sex and disability. It is a preferential status which will drive a coach and horses through religious liberty." Colin Hart, the director of the Christian Institute, said: "Peter Hain talks about equality. But he should read his own regulations, which elevate gay rights above all other rights for religious people, and rights on the grounds of age, sex and disability. It is a preferential status which will drive a coach and horses through religious liberty."
Source: The Independent.

A teacher who won a landmark tribunal after being turned down for a post because he was not a Roman Catholic has reacted angrily after it emerged the Church was to play a key role in a follow-up legal case. Dave McNab, an atheist, was awarded £2,000 in March after an employment tribunal found he had been unlawfully discriminated against by Glasgow City Council on the grounds of his religion. Last night it emerged that the Catholic Church had applied to have its own lawyers involved in the city council's appeal, due to be heard next month. Mr McNab said: "The argument is between me and my employer, not between me and the Catholic Church, so I don't know why they're getting involved." Michael McGrath, the director of the Catholic Education Service, said: "We weren't a party to the original tribunal hearing, but there were frequent references to the rights of the Church. The purpose of applying to join the employment tribunal is to ensure that the Church's interests are adequately represented and that any references to our position are accurate."
Source: The Scotsman.

Alison Landale has become a Reader for the Church of Scotland at a special service at Abbey St Bathans, one of the parish churches of Lammermuir and Langton and Polwarth, when she was "set apart" by Duns Presbytery. Mrs Landale's husband, Bill, is a part-time auxiliary minister with Duns Presbytery, and also helps out at the bed and breakfast they run at Ellemford. Her sister, Linda Broadley, is a Church of Scotland minister at Hillside and Dunn, near Montrose.
Source: Berwickshire News.

An independent opinion poll commissioned by the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship has shown that the government’s efforts to push through the new Sexual Orientation Regulations are out of step with public opinion. More than seven out of 10 in a poll of 1000 adults across Britain agreed with the statement, ‘Any law requiring people to promote homosexual practice should be applied selectively so as to ensure that people with strong religious beliefs are not forced to act against their conscience.’
Source: Christian Today.

"Luton council, we are told, has banned people from celebrating Christmas. Birmingham has renamed the season Winterval. A Reading man has been told to take his decorations down. There's only one problem with the 'PC campaign' against Christmas - it's pure nonsense."
Source: The Guardian.

Profile of the Rev Dr John Ross, moderator designate of the 2007 General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland. 'He is well aware that the Free Church has a reputation as a dour, joyless kirk and acknowledges that, in the past, the denomination may have been its own worst enemy, but believes that at the start of the 21st century the true picture is somewhat different. "It is a caricature, the impression most people have of the Free Church," John said. "But when people come through the door of the church they meet warmth and friendliness and discover something else."'
Source: Inverness Courier.

Church leaders will meet in Glasgow tomorrow to consider how they can challenge stigma and discrimination suffered by Africans living with HIV in Scotland. The summit was organised by HIV charity Waverley Care and the Church of Scotland HIV/AIDS Project.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.

A charity worker has been stoned to death in the Indian village where he was helping poverty stricken children. Brit Mike Blakey was working for Edinburgh-based charity Tong-Len when he was attacked by a mob after leaving church. The 23-year-old's body lay undiscovered for five days after he went missing from the monastery where he had been staying. The Christian was found with rocks piled on his head and shoulders after a tip-off.
Source: Daily Record.

Obituary of Eric Ridehalgh, former secretary of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association; born 8 September, 1930, in Keighley, Yorkshire; died 6 November, 2006, in Edinburgh, aged 76. "He was a well-known figure in Dornoch and a regular attender at Dornoch Cathedral. At the time of the cathedral's 750th anniversary, Ridehalgh sponsored concerts and worked with his usual gusto on behalf of many local charities. This entrepreneurial zeal was again manifested at St George's West Church, in Edinburgh, where Ridehalgh was an elder for many years and ran the Friends of St George's West. "Eric was a real gentleman," the Rev Peter MacDonald, minister of St George's, recalled. "His work for the church saw no bounds."
Source: The Scotsman.

The Abbot of Buckfast Abbey - home of the tonic wine - has resigned following charges of indecent assault on young boys. William Manahan, 79, also known as Father Phillip, denies 19 charges which relate to allegations made by former pupils of Buckfast Abbey School in Devon between 1968 and 1981.
Source: Daily Record.

Profile of transport tycoon Brian Souter. "His devout faith is the anchor that has held him steady during the violent ebb and flow of the business world. It has also inspired his charitable work. His own organisation, The Souter Charitable Trust, has focused on both poverty relief and the promotion of Christianity, providing grants to organisations such as Save The Children." ... "The Monopolies and Mergers Commission would describe their behaviour [that of Souter and his sister Ann Gloag in building the Stagecoach company] as "deplorable, predatory and against the public interest." When asked how he squared his Christian values with his business practices he explained: "Ethics are not irrelevant, but some are incompatible with what we have to do, because capitalism is based on greed.""
Source: The Scotsman.

Legislation giving unmarried and same-sex partners the legal right to adopt has been approved at Holyrood. MSPs overwhelmingly rejected an amendment to the new adoption bill by SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham to prevent gay couples adopting together. The law, which aims to reverse the decline in numbers offering to adopt, was opposed by the Catholic Church. The Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill was approved by 101 votes to six, with six abstentions.
Source: BBC Scotland News.

Scottish Borders is considering plans for the area's Roman Catholic primary schools to use the same catchment zones as local secondaries. The four schools, in Galashiels, Hawick, Peebles and Selkirk, currently have no such areas designated. It would mean that the council would have no obligation to pay for or provide transport for pupils living outside the catchment zones.
Source: BBC Scotland News.

Personal article on civil partnerships by the Rev Dr Iain Whyte, a Church of Scotland minister who has been a parish minister, university chaplain, and mental health community chaplain. "I look forward to the day when ministers, elders, and members of all varieties in their God-given sexuality will be accepted, included, and free to be themselves and to love and serve others without fear."
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.

The government is to write to schools [in England] telling them that controversial teaching materials promoting creationism should not be used in science lessons.
The packs include DVDs and written materials promoting intelligent design, a creationist alternative to Darwinism, that were sent to every school in the country by the privately-funded group Truth in Science.
Source: The Guardian.

Profile of former racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart. "I'm Church of Scotland, from the day I was born 67 years ago in Milton, Dunbartonshire. While I'm not a great churchgoer, I deeply believe in God. From time to time I'll go into a church, synagogue, mosque or whatever and pray."
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.

Artist Alison Kinnaird has donated a set of stained glass panels to a new centre at Marchmont St Giles Church in Edinburgh in memory of her father John, who was a church elder, clerk and treasurer there for 50 years until his death in 1995.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.

Daniel McManus, a trainee priest who sexually assaulted a schoolboy, has been placed on probation for two years and ordered to carry out 200 hours' community service.
Source: BBC Scotland News.

Obituary of Kenneth Newis CB CVO, civil servant and conservationist; born 9 November, 1916, in Manchester; died 19 November, 2006, in Edinburgh, aged 90. "Among his other interests were music and the Methodist Church, in Nicholson Square. He sang in the choir and gave invaluable advice to Methodist Homes For the Aged. He served as chairman of the Friends of Scottish Churches' Council from 1984-7. In 1979, Newis was particularly proud when the former Hope Park Chapel was refurbished and opened as the Queen's Hall."
Source: The Scotsman.

A once quiet Glenrothes church is being plagued by vandalism and the boorish attentions of yobs, claims an under-siege minister. The latest incident was among the most serious with a group of young men “attacking” the Free Baptist Church as an evening service was under way, according to the Rev Jon Gleason.
Source: Dundee Courier.

Profile of Rev Julie Wilson, the new minister of Milton of Campsie Parish Church.
Source: Kirkintilloch Herald.

The future of an Edinburgh homeless shelter has been plunged into uncertainty after a charity Christmas tree appeal flopped. Bethany Christian Trust has less than a week to sell 4000 trees after reaching just a third of its target so far.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has held talks with British Airways over the check-in worker at the centre of a row sparked by wearing a cross outside her uniform.
Source: The Herald.

A new £4.3million elderly residential complex of 20 flats has opened on the site of the former Yarrow's shipyard in Yoker, Glasgow. Tenants will have access to 24-hour care and support in the joint project between West of Scotland Housing Association, Glasgow City Council and Church of Scotland social care agency Crossreach.
Source: Evening Times, Glasgow.

Almost 1,000 same-sex couples have held weddings in Scotland since the new law allowing civil partnerships came into force a year ago. However, the Catholic Church in Scotland has remained opposed to the legislation. A spokesman said: "The principle of recognising same-sex marriage is, as far as the Catholic Church is concerned, deeply flawed and against the interests of society." Dr Dan Boucher, of Christian group CARE, said the habit of government to equate civil partnerships to "gay marriage" and treat them as the same has led to "some unfortunate slippage" in the concept of marriage.
Source: The Scotsman.

Fears that teenage crime in Scotland is reaching crisis point have led a youth charity to condemn the Scottish Executive for spending too much money on punishment and too little on offering long-term support for teenagers who are struggling with drug and alcohol-related problems. The YMCA currently works with more than 14,000 young people in Scotland, running more than 100 projects. The story includes a profile of Paula Lowther, 18, described as "a YMCA success story". She is studying for a theology degree in Glasgow, after four years under the devastating influence of alcohol and cannabis.
Source: The Scotsman.

A campaigning group for the rights of gay people in Scotland has hit back at comments made by a leading Inverness clergyman. Rev Dr John Ross, the moderator designate of the Free Church of Scotland, accused the Government of forcing sexual orientation regulations through Parliament with “reckless speed”. But Stonewall Scotland, which campaigns for equality and justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, said Dr Ross’s statement contained inaccuracies.
Source: Inverness Courier.

"Put Christ back into Christmas? Light the blue touch-paper and retire," writes Ron Ferguson. "The Christ that many want to put back into Christmas is a domesticated, toothless religious pet. The anarchic prophet who was such a disturber of the peace that he was hung from a tree outside the city walls of respectability has been banished from decent society and replaced by a sanitised icon of mind-numbing blandness. More tea, vicar?"
Source: The Herald.

Scotland's top Catholic churchman has revealed he marched behind Orange parades as a boy. Cardinal Keith O'Brien described it as "a social thing". He said that he believes problems caused by sectarianism have got worse since he lived in Northern Ireland.
Source: Daily Record.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland speaks to Christian Today on his opposition to Trident, same-sex relations and the secularisation of Christmas.
Source: Christian Today.

The Moderator Designate of the Free Church of Scotland, the Rev Dr John S. Ross, has appealed to the government to modify its Sexual Orientation Regulations, currently being forced through Parliament. Preaching in Inverness on Sunday, Dr Ross described the regulations as "a disturbing assault on liberty of conscience". "Christians operating Bed and Breakfast accommodation are afraid of falling foul of the law by refusing a double room to an unmarried couple, whether heterosexual or homosexual," he said. "Churches are anxious of the implications of refusing the use of their premises to groups promoting a view of family life contrary to Christian values. Ministers fear being sued if they should refuse to bless a same sex partnership."
Source: Christian Today.

The Queen’s official composer of Christmas carols has launched a stinging attack on “happy-clappy” modern hymns, likening them to supermarket Muzak. John Rutter, who was commissioned to write a carol for the Queen which will be performed at Sandringham on Christmas day, has branded the pop-tinged compositions “shallow and uninspiring”, and singled out 'Shine, Jesus, Shine' as one of the worst examples.
Source: Sunday Times.

Fife-born artist David Mach, an unbeliever who is still struggling to read the Bible for the first time, has just begun the extraordinary task of creating an illustrated King James Bible - 2,011 copies to be precise, each containing copies of 66 images, one for every book of the old and new testaments. It will be published in 2011, on the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Mach is creating 14ft by 8ft collages that will contain thousands of individual cut-out images. Every canvas will be reproduced as an illustration within a huge folio that will make up the Bible, measuring 17in by 13in. The edition will sell for an estimated £5,000 a copy.
Source: Sunday Times.

The Archbishop of Glasgow is bringing together academics, politicians and religious leaders to examine poverty "realistically" at a major conference next February. Archbishop Mario Conti has organised the Transcending Poverties event in conjunction with the Royal Society of Edinburgh to explore why poverty has not been eradicated in the west of Scotland despite billions of pounds having been spent on social work, education and health initiatives. Hosted by Baroness Helena Kennedy, the archbishop will be joined by Professor Lindsay Paterson, a noted authority on Scottish education; historian Professor Michael Pacione, health expert Professor Phil Hanlon and John Miller, former moderator of the Church of Scotland's general assembly.
Source: Sunday Herald.

Vicky Allan, who hasn't attended church since childhood, visits five Edinburgh churches 'to find out more about those who have resisted the trend towards secularity, which has seen once vibrant congregations reduced to a Sunday trickle'. Her travels took her to Charlotte Chapel, St Paul's And St George's Episcopal Church, St Giles' Cathedral, Carrubbers Christian Centre and St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral. 'Certainly, none of the services I attend gives any indication that this is a religion in decline. There is a vibrancy, a sense of solidarity against the rest of the world. Indeed, sometimes it seems that these modern-day church-goers revel in their outsiderness. As Peter Grainger [of Charlotte Chapel] puts it: "We are living in a post-Christian society now, where I think the church thrives best. Christendom is a very mixed blessing, where you impose religion on people. So all this stuff about attacking Christians in the media and Christian Unions, I think that's good. We'll all have to stand up and be counted rather than waffling along. Bring back the lions."'
Source: Sunday Herald.

Devolution is causing the moral disintegration of Scotland, with the passing of gay rights legislation a potential “slippery slope” to the legalisation of paedophilia and bestiality, according to the leader of the country’s Roman Catholics. Cardinal Keith O’Brien has launched his most outspoken attack yet on Jack McConnell’s government, accusing it of presiding over the moral “destruction of society”.
Source: Sunday Times.

The Spiritual Identity Of Britishness by Dr Tony Bradley, a reader in divinity at St Andrews University, will refuel the debate over national identity sparked by recent opinion polls favouring Scottish independence. Bradley says leading Scots intellectuals played a major part in constructing the concept of Britishness both before and after the Act of Union in 1707, because being British was a means of advancement. As the concept developed, the Welsh contributed spirituality, the English tolerance and fairplay and Scots a moral fibre, muscular Christianity and sense of duty - qualities that underpinned the formation of the British Empire.
Source: Scotland on Sunday.

Profile and interview. "For a 68-year-old with a penchant for Jacob’s Club biscuits, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, leader of Scotland’s 750,000 Catholics, takes a bit of keeping up with. In the past few weeks, Scotland’s most out- spoken religious leader has waded into the debate on the wearing of religious symbols, given his blessing to an independent Scotland, marched against Trident, defended Catholic schools and caused a storm in the Muslim community by asking it to apologise for terrorist atrocities."
Source: Sunday Times.

Is Santa Claus just a commercial invention who spoils the true spirit of Christmas? Among those giving their views are Major Ivor Telfer, Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army's West Scotland Division; Maggie Lunan, co-ordinator of Glasgow-based Alternativity; Archbishop Mario Conti; and the Rt Rev Alan McDonald.
Source: Sunday Mail.

A Kirk-run counselling service which has supported people with mental health problems in Edinburgh for the last 22 years is to close later this month. Therapists today told of the anger over the Church of Scotland's decision to shut the Number 21 Counselling and Arts Therapy Service, which helps around 400 people a year.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News.

MSPs have asked for clarification from the Crown Office over whether it can be an offence for Catholics to cross themselves. The move came after the Scottish Catholic Observer newspaper brought a petition before parliament urging ministers to ensure making the sign of the cross does not lead to prosecution under any circumstances. The petition was promoted by the case of Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who received a caution letter from prosecutors amid claims he crossed himself at an Old Firm game earlier this year. It was made clear at the time that the caution was in relation to other gestures made towards Rangers fans and did not relate to him crossing himself. Observer editor Harry Conroy told MSPs on the Holyrood public petitions committee the paper had been contacted by a large number of concerned readers. "Nobody other than a bigot would think that crossing yourself is something wrong," he said.
Source: Dundee Courier.

Ten years after it was officially opened, a 62-mile cross-Border walkway through the most stunning scenery of Roxburghshire and Northumberland, is continuing to pull in the punters. In each of the spring, summer and autumn months this year, an average of 500 walkers from home and abroad accepted the challenge of St Cuthbert's Way, following the route from Melrose, where the humble monk (635-687) started his ministry, to Holy Island where he ended his days as Bishop of Lindisfarne.
Source: Southern Reporter.

A defiant congregation has vowed that Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Elgin will remain open to the public, even though its sanctuary could have been destroyed by a fire that was started deliberately this week.
Source: Northern Scot.

Family and friends were this week mourning the death of distinguished Lanarkshire librarian Andrew Miller, aged 69. A former director of Glasgow City Council libraries and archives, he was an active member of Hamilton’s Cadzow Parish Church and had been an elder there for more than 30 years.
Source: Hamilton Advertiser.

Mossneuk Parish Church enjoyed a colourful celebration as members unveiled East Kilbride’s newest stained glass window, dedicated to the memory of Girls’ Brigade Captain Mrs Pauline Maclean, who lost her fight against cancer last December.
Source: East Kilbride News.

The people of Gorbals in Glasgow are still in the dark over the future of the St Francis Centre, despite being told at a meeting on October 12 to expect a decision within a fortnight. Hutchesontown Councillor James Mutter told a public meeting in the St Francis Centre, a £1.3 million conversion from a historic church into a public and community venue, that he expected the Archdiocese of Glasgow to decide whether they wanted to move back into the St Francis building within a ‘couple of weeks’.
Source: Local News for Southsiders, Glasgow.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is to take part in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the week before Christmas. Dr Williams will join the other presidents of Churches Together in England: Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor; the Free Churches Moderator, the Revd David Coffey; and the Primate of the Armenian Orthodox Church, the Rt Revd Nathan Novhannisian. The group is to visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem between 20 and 23 December.
Source: Church Times.

Pastor Makieokele Daly, who preaches at the Pentecostal Church of Redemption in Royston but faces being deported back to war-torn Angola, today began a fresh battle to stay in Glasgow. Accompanied by wife Isabella and their four children, he said: "The main thought in my head is that I hope God will be with the judge today so he will understand." His case was being heard at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in Bothwell Street and a decision is not expected for three to four weeks.
Source: Evening Times, Glasgow.

Obituary of Rev Dr Noel O'Donoghue, priest; born 14 November, 1920, in Co Kerry, Ireland; died 22 September, 2006, aged 85. "Born in Glenfesk, Killarney, Co Kerry, Ireland, he crossed the sea to Scotland in 1971, taking up the post of lecturer in systemic theology and director of studies, New College, Edinburgh University. He was the first Roman Catholic priest in a Faculty of Theology in Scotland since the Reformation."
Source: The Scotsman.

Appreciation of TRL Robertson, furniture designer; born 2 June, 1917, in Grangemouth; died 15 November, 2006, in Kirkcaldy, aged 89. "Customers for chairs he designed included Princess Margaret, the Moderator of the General Assembly and a chair for Pope John Paul II on his visit to Scotland in 1982."
Source: The Scotsman.

Some 5.2 million people in the developing world need life-saving anti-retroviral drugs yet are unable to access them, according a report issued by the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund today, World Aids Day. Only 5% of children with the disease are receiving treatment. Abi Dymond, Sciaf policy analyst, said: "For the 40 million people living with HIV/Aids, this year's theme - Stop Aids: Keep the Promise - is not just a nice slogan. Of all the promises made, one of the most important is the G8 commitment, made at Gleneagles, to ensure all people living with HIV/Aids can access anti-retroviral treatment by 2010."
Source: The Herald.

Policing protests at Faslane naval base on the Clyde cost the taxpayer almost £1.75m in October. It means the total police bill for the year-long Faslane 365 protest, which began on October 1, could rise to more than £20m. However, Angie Zelter, one of the founders of Faslane 365, said: "We are totally non-violent. There is no reason to have civilian police there at all. We are trying to stop the greatest breach of the peace there is, mass murder."
Source: The Herald.

A special service was held in Lairg Parish Church last Friday evening to welcome lay member Derek Innes, of Lairg Post Office, as a newly-qualified reader in the Church of Scotland – the fourth in Sutherland in recent weeks. Readers are church members who, after an intensive three-year period of training, are commissioned by the Kirk to lead worship when an ordained minister is not available. They may also conduct funeral services and act as locums in vacant charges. Their role is an increasingly important and appreciated one in the Church of Scotland.
Source: Northern Times.

Christian relief and development charity World Vision has called on Christians and churches to download an interactive Advent calendar screensaver to kick off the charity’s Take2 Campaign aimed at encouraging Britain's churches to focus their attention on the AIDS pandemic.
Source: Christian Today.