Mission Board

The Mission Board is responsible for the strategic oversight of the Church’s mission in Scotland and overseas including engagement in Scottish life and society and has four pendant committees: Church in Society, Global Partnerships, Youth and Local Mission Development.

Mission and Ministry Board

Mission Board

Whole Church Mission and Ministry Policy

In inviting General Synod (2011) to welcome the Whole Church Mission and Ministry Policy paper prepared by the former Mission and Ministry Board (now replaced by the Mission Board), the Most Rev David Chillingworth (Convener of the former Board) said the attempt to shape a Whole Church Policy meant taking a holistic view and adopting a measured approach to policy making at a time of diminishing resources and also taking stock of the changing nature of the Church and of the new energy which was so clearly visible in the life of the dioceses.  He explained that the policy was ‘Whole Church’ because, in the complexity of any church, the potential to take decisions which impacted on mission and ministry was spread across a number of bodies.

At General Synods since 2011 the Most Rev David Chillingworth has spoken of the work of the Whole Church Mission and Ministry Policy and given updates on the work of the Next Steps Group in taking the policy forward.

Whole Church Mission and Ministry Policy Next Steps Report 2013

Whole Church Mission and Ministry Policy Next Steps Report 2012

Whole Church Mission and Ministry Policy 2011 


Board Members

  • Rev K Thomasson

    Convener

    Tenure: 2025 - 2030

  • Rt Rev the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway

    College of Bishops

  • Convener, Church in Society Committee

  • Rev Dr H Inbadas

    Convener, Global Partnerships Committee

    Tenure: 2021 - 2026

  • Vacancy

    Convener Local Mission Development Committee

  • Rev T N Rongong

    Convener, Youth Committee

  • Rev G Chimara

    Aberdeen and Orkney

    Tenure: 2024 - 2029

  • Rev Canon P Watson

    Argyll and The Isles

    Tenure: 2025 - 2029

  • Rev M Allwood

    Brechin

    Tenure: 2024 - 2029

  • Rev C Downey

    Edinburgh

    Tenure: 2024 - 2028

  • Glasgow and Galloway

  • Rev J Boothby

    Moray, Ross and Caithness

    Tenure: 2021 - 2025

  • Rev Canon L Baker

    St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane

    Tenure: 2022 - 2026

Local Mission Development Committee

The Local Mission Development Committee exists to:

  1. offer support to those catalysing, developing and nurturing local mission;
  2. provide a resource to serve and to be energised by the College of Bishops in their role as leaders of mission; and
  3. be tasked by Mission Board and/or the College of Bishops to undertake particular projects relating to local mission development.

The Committee recognises that mission essentially takes place locally rather than provincially. It therefore seeks to encourage and enable local and Diocesan work, and to help share the good news of this work to catalyse and nurture development across the Province.

The work of the Committee includes identifying and sharing information, resources, good practice and good news stories; and offering to Mission Board for its approval proposed initiatives to be offered across Dioceses of the Province and to the formal structures of the Church.

The Committee tends to work informally and is open to co-opting people who might not feel they could serve on the committee in the long-term but have gifts and skills to offer to help with particular projects. If you have an idea to share or a gift or skill to offer in this area of work, please do get in touch with the Convener, Rev Diana Hall at rector.stannesdunbar@gmail.com

The Local Mission Development Committee is part of the Mission Board of the Scottish Episcopal Church.


Committee Members

  • Vacancy

    Convener

  • Dr R Brett

    Member

    Tenure: 2023 - 2027

  • Rev E Charman

    Member

    Tenure: 2023 - 2027

  • Rev Dr J Holden

    Member

    Tenure: 2023 - 2027

  • Mr S Plant

    Member

    Tenure: 2023 - 2027

Church in Society Committee

Church in Society Committee

The Church in Society Committee is an advocate for positive and constructive change on issues where there is currently inherent injustice.

The Committee addresses major issues facing Scottish society and encourages positive change in government policy and within the global community.

The Committee can provide some small grant provision for local projects.

The Committee has produced a document with details of all the projects to which the Committee provides financial support. You can download the document here.

In the introduction to the document, the Committee says:

Our Church interacts with society in so many ways. With our size and limited resources, the number of things that we can deal with directly is limited. This has led to a model of focusing our resources on a small number of areas where we lead partnerships and where we feel we can make a real difference, but most of our aspirations seek to have effect through working with others. This community model seems appropriate and widens the impact of our church in its mission to be a Christian voice in current society.


Committee Members

  • Convener

  • Convener of Interfaith

  • Ms C Beel

    Member

    Tenure: 2022 - 2026

  • Rev R Bennett

    Member

    Tenure: 2024 - 2028

  • J Benvie

    Member

    Tenure: 2022 - 2026

  • Rev W J Shaw

    Member

    Tenure: 2021 - 2025

  • Mrs F Wright

    Member

    Tenure: 2024 - 2028

Global Partnerships Committee

The purpose of the Global Partnership Committee (GPC) of the Scottish Episcopal Church is to nurture and sustain our Church’s international relationships—guided by the principles of mutuality, shared discipleship, and global solidarity.

We are committed to walking alongside our global partners in friendship and faith, sharing in God’s mission as companions on the journey.

Acting on behalf of the whole Church, the Committee supports companion links, responds to global concerns, and strengthens our ties within the Anglican Communion and wider ecumenical networks.

“Building relationships of faith, solidarity, and mutual learning across the world.”

In light of changing global challenges and emerging opportunities, we have reimagined the way we work together—and we would be delighted to invite you to join us in this renewed approach to partnership.

These changes are the result of thoughtful consultation with our global partners and across the Scottish Episcopal Church. While our previous model, centred largely on responding to funding applications, has played a valuable role, we now see the need for a more dynamic, relational, and collaborative way of working.

Our new approach focuses on:

  • Building deeper relationships
  • Mutual sharing of resources, experiences, and learning
  • Collaborative project identification aligned with shared priorities
  • Regular reviews to ensure effectiveness and adaptability

Consequently, GPC is no longer accepting applications for one off support of projects as we have previously so we can focus on longer term support for a fewer number of partners.

The GPC advances global mission and partnership through four regional portfolios. Within each region, we collaborate closely with selected churches, dioceses, and organisations to cultivate deep and purposeful relationships. Our regional portfolios are:

  1. Asia
  2. Africa
  3. Middle East and Pacific
  4. Central & South America and the Caribbean.

In addition to the regional ones, the education portfolio promotes learning, theological and ministerial formation and exchange across cultures, dioceses, and traditions.

A key area of focus is supporting candidates for theological education—particularly those preparing for ordained ministry within their own churches. Through grants and partnership funding, we help enable the formation of future church leaders in ways that are contextually grounded and spiritually enriching.

To find out more and to apply for an education grant, please contact GPC@scotland.anglican.org.

The GPC in 2025 launched a new project which will offer two scholarships to applicants from the Global South, aimed at building and strengthening relationships within the Anglican Communion. The International Scholarship Programme supports Doctoral Studies in Divinity, Theology, and Religious Studies undertaken in Scotland at a Scottish university.

As well as strengthening ties within the Communion, it is envisaged that the new programme of financial support for students will assist theological research and encourage global theological discourse. Successful candidates will also act as ambassadors of their local church and engage with the theological community, including the Scottish Episcopal Institute. As part of their integration into the local SEC community, scholars will also be mentored during their studies.

Global partnerships are not acts of charity—they are mutual relationships, where all contribute and all are transformed.

As we encounter the faith and witness of Christians around the world, we are invited to a deeper spirituality, a broader understanding of the Church, and a more courageous discipleship in our own contexts.

These partnerships remind us that the Body of Christ transcends borders and that our mission is both local and global.

Whether you’re an individual, congregation, or diocese, there are many ways to participate:

  • Explore forming a new companion link or revitalising an existing one
  • Host a global partner or take part in a visit abroad
  • Apply for grants to support international partnership initiatives

To find out more or connect with a regional portfolio holder, please contact the Global Partnership Committee: GPC@scotland.anglican.org.


Committee Members

  • Rev Dr H Inbadas

    Convener

    Tenure: 2021 - 2026

  • Dr F Armstrong

    Member

    Tenure: 2023 - 2027

  • Ms C Beel

    Member

    Tenure: 2021 - 2025

Youth Committee

The Provincial Youth Committee (PYC) represents all young people in the Scottish Episcopal Church and oversees events and activities involving young people throughout the year.

The PYC has seats for a Youth Officer and three youth representatives from each diocese: two 12-18 reps and one 18-25 rep. The Provincial Youth Committee provides a safe space for young people to voice their opinions, be heard and have a role within the church. Only the youth reps are voting members.

The PYC is overseen by the Mission Board and led by the Convenor, Rev Tembu Rongong, who is also the Leader of the Provincial Youth Week. The work of the PYC is facilitated by the Provincial Youth Coordinator, Claire Benton-Evans.

The PYC is not responsible for the running of the Youth Week (“Yeek”), which is managed by the Youth Week leadership team: visit www.yeek.scot

For more information about children, young people and families in the Scottish Episcopal Church, visit our webpage here.

Photo: the PYC is running a “Bishop-Bagging” competition for young people to take a selfie with as many bishops as possible in 2024! Mia Shanks, youth rep for Brechin Diocese, set the record by bagging bishops from three continents at once – pictured here with Bishop Andrew of Brechin, Bishop Betsey of Iowa and Bishop Dalcy of Swaziland.

 

Provincial

Provincial Youth Committee Convener, Rev Tembu Rongong rector@trinityelgin.org

Provincial Youth Coordinator, Claire Benton-Evans ClaireBE@scotland.anglican.org


Diocesan

If there are no contact details for your diocese, please get in touch with the Provincial Youth Coordinator.

Brechin – Claire Benton-Evans, Children & Youth Officer youth@brechin.anglican.org

Edinburgh – Rev Fiona Reynolds, Advisor for Christian Life: freynolds@dioceseofedinburgh.org

Moray, Ross and Caithness – Ley-Anne Haigh-Forsyth, Youth Officer: leyanne.forsyth@gmail.com

St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane – James Gardner, Youth & Children Officer: youthandchildren@standrews.anglican.org

The Provincial Youth Newsletter is your way of keeping up with the news and thoughts of the young people in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Produced by the Provincial Youth Committee Enabler, it is a round-up of the activities that the young people in the Church have been doing, as well as articles and reflections from young people on the outreach and mission work they have been engaged with locally and nationally. The newsletter is published quarterly and is available to download: Current edition: Summer 2024

The latest Provincial Youth newsletter is a bumper edition, featuring photos and full reports on Yeek and the Provincial Young Adult Pilgrimage to Glen Esk. Be inspired and encouraged by this evidence of young people growing and supporting each other in faith.


Previous Editions:

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019