1 May 2026

I am working as a facilitator in the Presbytery. I had a preliminary meeting with two congregations to explore the possibility of union. One of the initial exercises involves remembering the Christmas carol, ‘O little town of Bethlehem’ and in particular, ‘The hopes and fears of all the years …’

One of the hopes which is often articulated in these situations relates to increased membership and the hope of more worshippers, more energy, more ideas, the  opportunity to spread the base of responsibility and greater care of the parish. In this regard bigger  would be better.

In this meeting, I was delighted to hear that one of their hopes was to prioritise work amongst young people and their families and to develop working relationships with the Primary Schools in this expanded parish.  This is critical and essential work.

There was the hope that  in a bigger parish more care would be taken to communicate with people and to keep people together on the journey towards union. Thankfully, there is often someone who hopes  ‘to move forward in faith and love’ adding the adverb ‘quickly’.

Some congregations have not had a good experience working with the Presbytery and among  the fears is the undoubted possibility that the goal posts will be changed, the process drags on and becomes unpleasant. This does happen and is a legitimate fear.

There is also the fear of polarisation, division, fragmentation. With an increased portfolio of buildings, there is the fear that finances will be stretched and that the more rural corners of the parish will be neglected. It is not a straightforward process and requires  prayer, discernment and faith, intangible things that cannot be touched.