A special service has been held to mark the unification of 17 Church of Scotland congregations on Orkney into a single parish.
Scores of people gathered at St Magnus Cathedral yesterday to celebrate the newly formed Orkney Islands Church of Scotland, which will be led by one kirk session and five session clerks.
The service of union was led by Rev Shuna Dicks, Moderator of the Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles. Mrs Dicks said, “A union bringing together so many churches into one parish is a huge achievement. The work involved to bring this about is inspiring and has involved so many different people working together to shape the future of the church’s presence on the islands.”
Replacing the previous structure of 17 kirk sessions and 17 session clerks, the new arrangement streamlines administrative and financial operations while allowing local worshipping communities to retain their identity and manage day-to-day activities.
The congregations that united to form Orkney Islands Church of Scotland are: Birsay, Harray and Sandwick; East Mainland; Eday; Flotta; Hoy and Walls Parish Church; Kirkwall East Church; Kirkwall St Magnus Cathedral; Moncur Memorial Church, Stronsay; North Ronaldsay Parish Church; Orphir and Stenness; Papa Westray; Rousay; Sandy; Shapinsay; South Ronaldsay and Burray; Stromness; Westray Parish Church.
A steering group began preparations for the transition three years ago, aiming to ensure a seamless process.
Rev Kerr Wintersgill, Moderator of the Orkney Islands Kirk Session, compared the challenge to “reassembling a plane mid-flight,” acknowledging the complexity of such a change.
“This union isn’t about a takeover,” he said. “We’re allowing local communities to keep their identity and manage what they can, while supporting them where they struggle.”
Orkney will be served by a team of seven full-time Ministers of Word and Sacrament, an OLM (Ordained Local Ministry), readers and worship leaders.
In her sermon, the Moderator of the Presbytery noted, “you are well placed with not just a team of ministers but with many gifted individuals who will all play their part in leading the various worshipping communities across the isles. Together you will encourage each other in worship and mission.”
Mr Wintersgill explained: “Planning has rightly focused thus far on operational issues but we hope this focus will change once things are up and running to focus on mission and team working, something that can be challenging for ministers used to working in solo ministries.”
Smaller congregations are expected to benefit significantly from the new structure. For instance, one congregation, which had been without a minister for over a decade, now have one, albeit not on a full-time basis. Eday, another small congregation with only one elder, will no longer need to bring in elders from elsewhere in order to support the work of their kirk session. They can still contribute to the new kirk session as they have decision-making powers as part of the team.
Finances, often a delicate issue during such transitions, will be carefully managed by a team of five treasurers.
Bank accounts will remain unchanged for as long as necessary to ensure a smooth transition during the union process.
The software system the Orkney Islands are using for accounts allows them to keep track of each individual worshipping community. This ensures that contributions and financial needs are tracked individually, preventing them from getting lost in the broader church budget.
The union also opens the door for greater collaboration among ministers and congregations across Orkney.
Mr Wintersgill, Moderator of the Orkney Islands Kirk Session, emphasised the importance of empowering local worshipping communities.
“Ministers come and go, but the worshipping community is the heart of worship in Orkney,” he said.
The steering group and all those involved in the union have expressed pride in their work, particularly in achieving a smooth transition.
The gradual nature of the change has allowed worshipping communities to continue their activities with minimal disruption.
With the consolidation into a single kirk session, time and resources have been freed up for other important areas.
Highlighting the significance of the shift, Mr Wintersgill said: “This change is going to allow us to concentrate on what we should be doing - serving our local communities in a meaningful and loving way, and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Offering a message of encouragement, Mrs Dicks remarked, “Remember in the days ahead - you are loved by God, who only wants the very best for you. You have put your best foot forward and made some big leaps. Who knows what will be written into the narrative of these isles in the years to come, but as this new chapter in Orkney begins, I wish you all God’s blessing.”
The first kirk session meeting for the new Orkney Islands Church of Scotland is scheduled for 8 October when most of these decisions are expected to be formally approved.
From left to right: Rev Stella Campbell, Rev Iain MacDonald, Rev John Cowie, Sheila Garson Rev Julia Meason, Rev Shuna Dicks, Rev Marjory MacLean, Rev Moira Taylor-Wintersgill, Rev David Locke, Rev Kerr Wintersgill.