About the SCIM Council
Scottish Churches Industrial Mission is an activity of the Scottish Churches engaging with the working life of Scotland encompassing three main strands: workplace chaplaincy, engagement with civic institutions and engagement with churches.
SCIM is an Associated Ecumenical Group of Action of Churches Together in
Scotland (ACTS).
The Convener is Mr Ted Wallace Email:
The
Secretary is Mr John Thomson Email:
Constitution of the
Scottish Churches’ Industrial Mission [SCIM] Council
Preamble
SCIM has grown out of a theology of engagement with the life of the world. It has been the joint activity of the Scottish Churches for more than half a century relating principally to the realm of paid employment. Its work has three main strands, workplace chaplaincy; engagement with civic institutions and engagement with the churches. Its operation has been avowedly ecumenical, with the Church of Scotland acting as ‘the lead church’.
The purpose of the Constitution that follows is three-fold. Firstly to ensure the continuation of Industrial Mission in Scotland, secondly to underpin the ecumenical partnership and thirdly to build up new partnerships with commerce and industry at a time when the demand for workplace chaplaincies is steadily increasing.
The effect of adopting this Constitution would be to put greater responsibility for SCIM into the hands of a Council whose membership reflects the partnerships referred to above.
Name
The work of Industrial Mission in Scotland shall be called Scottish Churches’ Industrial Mission. [SCIM]
Objectives
To encourage and resource the mission of the churches within the economic and working life of Scotland and to bring to bear upon that life the light and insights of the Christian Gospel; to endeavour to increase the understanding of the world of work by the Churches.
Denominations and Christian Organisations
The undernoted Denominations and Christian organisations are presently interested in or are involved with SCIM. This list may be added to from time to time as decided by the SCIM Council: Angus Industrial Mission Trust, Baptist Union of Scotland, Church of Scotland, Congregational Federation in Scotland, Edinburgh City Mission, Methodist Church, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church, Salvation Army, Scottish Episcopal Church, United Free Church of Scotland, United Reformed Church.
Lead Church
The role of ‘the Lead Church’ shall be undertaken by the Church of Scotland.Scottish Churches’ Industrial Mission Council [the Council]
There shall be established a Council which shall operate as an Associated Ecumenical Group of Action of Churches Together in Scotland [ACTS]
The Council shall support and monitor the activities of SCIM. The day to day work of SCIM shall be carried out by the Team of Chaplains.
The Council shall report annually on the work of SCIM to the relevant departments of the denominations, the Industrial Mission Trust, ACTS and others as appropriate.
The Council shall have the authority to associate SCIM with other relevant bodies, e.g., The Industrial Mission Association
The Council shall comprise members who shall elect one of their number to be Convener for a three-year period. The Convener may be elected for a second three-year term, after which he or she shall retire. Members of the Council shall serve for a 3 year term.
Membership of the Council shall comprise:
- 1 nominee of the Church of Scotland
- 1 nominee of the Roman Catholic Church
- 1 nominee of the Methodist Church
- 1 nominee of the Baptist Union of Scotland
- 1 nominee of the Congregational Federation in Scotland
- 1 nominee of the Salvation Army
- 1 nominee of the Scottish Episcopal Church
- 1 nominee of the United Free Church of Scotland
- 1 nominee of the United Reformed Church Scotland Synod
- 1 nominee of the Aberdeen Oil Industry Chaplaincy Trust
- 1 nominee of the Angus Industrial Mission Trust
- 1 nominee of the Edinburgh City Mission
- 1 nominee of the Industrial Mission Trust
- 1 nominee of the Religious Society of Friends
- 2 members of the Team of Chaplains, one of whom shall be the Co-ordinator
Any of the above members shall be entitled to authorise an individual to be an alternate to attend and vote at meetings on his/her behalf.
- 2 other members may be co-opted by the Council from the world of employment
Church nominees must not be salaried members of the Team of Chaplains.
The Council shall appoint an officer of ‘the Lead Church’ to act as administrator (ex officio) to the Council.
- There shall be a quorum of 5.
- There shall be not less than 4 meetings annually.
- Every member shall have one vote, which (whether on a show of hands or a secret ballot) shall be given personally or by his/her alternate.
- If there are equal numbers of votes for and against a resolution, the resolution shall fall.
The Team of Chaplains
The Team of Chaplains comprises persons funded or seconded from ChurchAuthorities and other Christian organisations; and persons funded from sources available to SCIM.
Those persons seconded shall be appointed by, and their appointments terminated by the appropriate Church Authority or other Christian organisation after the fullest practical consultation between the Church Authority or other Christian organisation and the Council.
Where persons are to be appointed by SCIM, the Council shall invite one of the Church Authoritiesor other Christian organisations to act as legal employer.
Persons shall be responsible to their own Church Authority for the disciplines of life and doctrine.
- The Council shall appoint, in consultation with the employing Church Authority, one of the Team as Co-ordinator for a period of 3 years which may be extended by mutual agreement and to the satisfaction of the Council.
Amendments to Constitution of SCIM
The Constitution shallbe amended only at an extraordinary general meeting of the Council, the proposed amendment having been duly circulated in writingto all members at least 20 days prior to that extraordinary general meeting. Additionally, consultation with the relevant Church Authorities and Christian organisations of SCIM shall also be required in writing before any proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally approved by the Council.
Disposal of Assets of SCIM
In the event of SCIM being dissolved, any assets and funds, after all debts and liabilities have been paid, shall be ceded, assigned and transferred to a body or bodies of the Council’s choice having similar aims and objectives, for the body or bodies to use or deal with in a manner broadly consistent with the aims and objectives of SCIM.
January 2006