The prayer that Bishop Mark read in St Giles Cathedral at the dedication of the King and Queen is attributed to St Columba:

Lord Jesus Christ, who from everlasting rules over all earthly governors; we beseech you to strengthen our gracious Sovereign, King Charles, for the duties of the high estate to which you have called him. Exalt him that he may hold the Sceptre of salvation; enrich him with such gifts of your mercy as shall bring him holiness; and grant to him by your inspiration even so to rule his people in meekness and humility, as you did cause Solomon to obtain a kingdom of peace. May he be ever subject to you in fear, and fight for you in quietness; may he be protected by your shield, and remain ever victorious without warfare. And grant that the nations may keep faith with him, and that his counsellors in all his dominions may have peace and love charity. Establish his government in strength and righteousness; and in your mercy bestow upon him a kingdom without end, that he may rejoice to glorify you, who lives and reigns with the Eternal Father, together with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St Columba

At the recent meeting of the Scottish Episcopal Church General Synod, there was a presentation on the Provincial Net Zero Action Plan and in the motion concerning its adoption, Canon James spoke. This is what he said:

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I am encouraged by many of he words that I find in the plan before us, but …

The Environmental Crisis is very much more than global warming and CO₂ emissions hardly scratch the surface of the problem. The elephant in the room is that at it’s heart, the crisis arises from the abuse of God’s creation and in particular the over-consumption in the developed world and our consequently broken relationship with our neighbours worldwide, especially the poor and those in less developed countries.

Global warming and other forms of environmental degradation aren’t simply caused by using the wrong technology for energy generation. This is an inconvenient truth, frequently glossed over, because it needs real change, rather than attempting to ‘green up’ business-as-usual. The values and vision section doesn’t even hint at this.

There’s a radical inequality in how the earth’s resources are used.  The awkward reality is that there’s no solution, that isn’t underpinned by substantially reduced consumption in the developed world. Our lifestyles result from using more than our fair share of the gifts of God’s creation, a free gift held in trust by each generation. Our high rate of consumption produces environmental problems and the rest of the world faces the most severe consequences.

As Christians shouldn’t we treat the resources of the world as part of our relationship with God. Our access to and exploitation of them isn’t a right. Gratitude is central to our faith, thankfulness for God’s grace and generosity key features of that relationship and our discipleship. 

Social justice is a central value in all of this. Christian leaders such as Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis have pointed out the link between environmental destruction and poverty, between ecological justice and social justice:

“A church that neglects to pray for the natural environment is a church that refuses to offer food and drink to a suffering humanity. A society that ignores the mandate to care for all human beings is a society that mistreats the very creation of God. It is tantamount to blasphemy.”

Patriarch Bartholomew I

“We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but with one crisis both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an approach combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”

Pope Francis in “Laudato si”

The environmental crisis is a series of inter-related difficult and complex problems, that none of us has the answer to. Pope Francis writes in Laudato si:

“To seek only a technical remedy to each environmental problem which comes up is to separate what is in reality interconnected and to mask the true and deepest problems of the global system.”

Pope Francis in “Laudato si”

When faced with difficult and complex problems, the people of God have historically turned to God in Prayer and Lament. In an age where much of the prevailing narrative is that humanity can overcome all problems by scientific endeavour or technological advance, it’s counter-cultural to suggest that perhaps an important part of our response is to turn to God rather than engage in ceaseless activity. However Christianity has never shied away from being counter-cultural has it?

We can be easily convinced that solving the environmental crisis is simply a matter of acting differently, more effectively, more sustainably or taking more action. But let’s not forget that human action led to the crisis in first place.  So surely our approach has to start and end with God, as theologian John Zizioulas wrote:

“If faith is about ultimate things, about life and death issues, this particular problem certainly falls within that category. … Church and theology must have something constructive to say on a matter like this. Otherwise they risk being irrelevant and unable to live up to their own claim to the Truth. For a truth which does not offer life is empty of all meaning.”

John Zizioulas

Can our rather technocratic strategy help us to bring hope to an anxious world through the resources of the Christian faith and what makes us church? What is our hope-filled vision for the rest of the world? 

As Christians we have a responsibility not only to take action to contribute less to the problem, but to be prophetic voices in the world. In the words of Walter Brueggemann we have a threefold prophetic task:

“The prophetic tasks of the Church are to tell the truth in a society that lives in illusion, grieve in a society that practices denial, and express hope in a society that lives in despair.”

Walter Brueggemann

Lovely Evensong in Inverness Cathedral yesterday evening, the choir were in very fine voice and there were a slew of Canons in their stalls.

The Scottish Episcopal Church is deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at the age of 96 after reigning for 70 years. The Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said:

“Today we will gather in prayer and sorrow as we mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. For nearly all of us, she is the only monarch we have known, she has been part of our lives and part of our prayers always.

The Queen came to the throne at a moment of great hope. A time of rebirth following the difficulties of war. She dedicated herself to the service of this country and she has honoured that pledge, especially so when things were difficult. She never wavered from her service.

Queen Elizabeth was steadfast in her faith, in her prayers and worship. She spoke openly and often of her devotion to God, and to the Christian message of respect and the value of people, of all faiths and none.

Here in Scotland we know that the Queen found space to relax and to be amongst family and friends, we cherish the knowledge that she loved this place as much as we do. That knowledge brought a shared connection that many of us felt deeply.

Today we will share memories and sadness. Her Majesty understood and believed in the promises of God. In her many statements over the years she spoke always of moving forward, serving the country that she loved, and giving thanks to God for the life she lived.

“May she rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Go forth upon your journey from this world,
dear child of God,
into the hands of the Father who made you,
to find life in Christ who redeemed you.
to rejoice in the Spirit who renews you.
May the heavenly host sustain you
and the company of the redeemed enfold you;
may peace be yours this day,
and the heavenly city your home.

Yesterday in Inverness Cathedral, Philip Schonken (who is Chaplain at Gordonstoun School) was ordained Deacon by Bishop Mark.

Philip brought with him the school choir who sang the Eucharist, led the hymns and also gave us this wonderful short piece to honour the fact that Philip comes from South Africa.

A joyous occasion finished off with cake and fizz.