Cornerstone No. 194, page 3
As a Church of Scotland minister, it has been my privilege to exercise three
different aspects of ministry.
For 20 years I served on the staff of the Irish School of Ecumenics, based in
Dublin. This is a postgraduate institute – now a department of Trinity College,
Dublin – bringing together Protestant and Roman Catholic ministers, priests,
teachers to explore ways of overcoming theological differences. We were very
involved in finding ways to bring about
reconciliation in a situation of conflict
and
division,
through
writing,
conferences, international colloquia and
long term projects with parishes,
addressing issues of Sectarianism and
Reconciliation.
In 1995 I was invited to become
Director of the Faith and Order
Commission of the World Council of
Churches, based in Geneva. This
Commission
brought
together
theologians of all Christian traditions to
address issues of unity and division.
The First World Conference of Faith and
Order was held in Lausanne in 1927 –
a plaque testifies to this in Lausanne cathedral. One of the founders of the
movement was Bishop Charles Brent who is buried in Lausanne Cemetery.
During this time the Commission took part in working with persons with
disabilities to provide a framework for their greater inclusion in the life and
witness of the church. Staying in Geneva enabled us to take part in the life and
worship of the Scots Kirk in the Auditoire Jean Calvin.
In 2004 we returned to Scotland where I was called to minister at the Cathedral
Church of St Machar in Aberdeen. Founded on the site of a Celtic Church saint’s
cell, the Cathedral was completed in 1520. This call afforded the opportunity to
celebrate the heritage of worship in our tradition, and to develop the church as
an eco-congregation, as well as initiating monthly evening reflections on
worship, prayer, poetry, music and the visual arts. Inevitably I was also involved
in the ecumenical committees of the church throughout these years.
Since 2011 we have retired to Ardrossan, looking over to the island of Arran.
We have three children and six grandchildren, scattered in the North of Ireland,
the Republic of Ireland and in Berkshire. I continue to do some work with the
World Council of Churches.
We look forward to journeying with you at this time of transition for you.
Alan Falconer