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Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ page). Below, we have tried to answer the most common questions visitors to this our Web site may have before you even ask them. However, if you find that your question is not answered on this page, please email us webmaster@centralfife-episcopalchurches.co.uk |
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It is very difficult to be a solitary Christian. Fellowship and common growth is one of the hallmarks of our faith, for we are called to be the body of Christ on earth. Yet, sometimes churches can seem either overwhelming or stand-offish and remote. Either way, every church wants to make you welcome and it is important, for the sake of your spiritual wellbeing, to see what it is they are offering. Is there teaching, is there an energy, is there a sense of holy mystery as well as efficiency? We are blessed with Episcopal churches throughout Scotland, so that you can worship near to where you live. And, given the critical role your local church plays in the community (it often is the community), you can enrich not only yourself but your community as well by being an active part of your church. Developing your faith over time is your goal, so that you can, literally, love and serve the Lord and those whom you know. Within your church you may spot an opportunity to serve in a way which makes the most use of your God-given talents. Don't take on too much. Is it not better to do something well, rather than overextend yourself? And that opportunity to serve may be within church, helping with the worship, youth work, etc., or it may be representing the Church within your community, reaching out to help others, being involved with your local school maybe as a governor, etc., etc. secure in the knowledge that you are supported by your church. Asking some who are fulfilled in this serving role how they came in to it, the advice comes back to:
Here are some other opportunities... Finding out about the Christian faith
The Christian Enquiry Agency works in association with all the major Christian churches in the UK and seeks to provide information to people who wish to find out more about the Christian faith but are not at present in touch with a local church. If asked, we can refer people who contact us to a local church or christian, but this is only done at the specific request of the enquirer.
Opportunities for service overseas and at home A useful compendium of opportunities, will go here Voluntary societies Here are just some of the organisations with strong links to the Episcopal Church: First link here Whilst everyone in the Church is called to ministry, there are public (or licensed) ministries of the Episcopal Church which are, as the title suggests, nationally accredited. Information is available at the Episcopal Church Website Lay ministers Lay ministers serve as pastoral care workers, counsellors, and educators and in many other ways. Readers Under UK charity law, you can give the Church (or any charity) permission to increase the value of your contribution by almost a third by recovering the tax that you have already paid on your donation. All you have to do is complete a Gift Aid declaration, which says that you have paid tax and that you want the Church to recover the tax on your donations. Contact the vestry Secretary, or the parish treasurer for more details. And in preparing for your death, you may wish to consider the Church in your Will, either by a specific bequest or one where you leave what is left over when all your bequests are fulfilled. If that idea appeals, you simply instruct your solicitor that you wish to leave your residual estate to your local Church, CofE school or any other part of the Church of England as you wish.
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