Action of Churches Together in Scotland

Action of Churches Together in Scotland
Name	Action of Churches Together in Scotland
Formation	1990
Type	Ecumenical Christian body
Headquarters	Stirling, Scotland
Region served	Scotland
Membership	9 member churches
Leader title	Moderator of the ACTS Council
Leader name	Rev. Dr. George Whyte
Website	https://www.acts-scotland.org/

Contents

History
Member churches
Governance and structure
Activities and initiatives
Ecumenical relations
See also

Action of Churches Together in Scotland is the principal ecumenical body in Scotland, facilitating cooperation and joint mission among its member denominations. Formed in 1990, it succeeded the Scottish Churches Council and has its offices in Stirling. ACTS serves as a national expression of the ecumenical movement, working on issues of social justice, inter-church relations, and public theology within the Scottish context.

History

The formation of Action of Churches Together in Scotland in 1990 marked a significant restructuring of formal ecumenical cooperation in the nation. It emerged from the earlier Scottish Churches Council, which was itself a successor to bodies like the Scottish Churches' Ecumenical Committee. This reorganization was influenced by the broader Churches Together in Britain and Ireland model, seeking a more action-oriented partnership. Key milestones include its instrumental role in the 1999 re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament, where it advocated for the inclusion of a Time for Reflection slot in parliamentary business. ACTS has also been a pivotal platform for member churches to issue joint statements on national events, such as following the Dunblane massacre and during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

Member churches

The nine member churches represent a broad spectrum of the Christian tradition in Scotland. The full members are the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, the United Reformed Church (Synod of Scotland), the Methodist Church of Great Britain (Scotland District), the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers in Scotland), the Salvation Army (Scotland Division), the Scottish Congregational Church, and Congregational Federation in Scotland. These bodies work together through ACTS while maintaining their distinct doctrinal and governance traditions, from the Presbyterian polity of the Church of Scotland to the episcopal leadership of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Governance and structure

The work of Action of Churches Together in Scotland is directed by the ACTS Council, which includes representatives from each member church. The Council is chaired by a Moderator, a position held by senior figures such as former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Rev. Dr. George Whyte. Day-to-day operations are managed by a small secretariat based in Stirling. Key committees focus on areas like Church and Society, World Mission, and Interfaith Relations, ensuring the collaborative work addresses both domestic and international concerns. This structure enables coordinated responses to government consultations on issues ranging from poverty in Scotland to ethical investment.

Activities and initiatives

ACTS coordinates a wide range of joint activities that embody its commitment to common witness and service. A flagship project is the Scottish Bible Society's "Pass It On" campaign, which it supports alongside initiatives like Christians Against Poverty. It facilitates the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity events across Scotland and publishes resources for the Season of Creation. Through its Church and Society committee, it engages in public policy advocacy on issues such as climate change, refugee rights, and social inclusion. ACTS also runs the Scottish Churches' Parliamentary Office in Edinburgh, which monitors the Scottish Parliament and UK Government on behalf of the churches.

Ecumenical relations

Action of Churches Together in Scotland maintains vital links with other ecumenical organizations across the British Isles and globally. It is the Scottish member of the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland network and is linked to the Conference of European Churches. Through its member churches, it has connections to worldwide communions such as the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the Anglican Communion, and the World Methodist Council. ACTS also fosters dialogue with other faith communities in Scotland through its involvement with the Scottish Interfaith Council and engages with the work of the World Council of Churches on international justice and peace issues.