A minister is battling job loss after church restructuring. Locals are opposing the plan, citing his vital community role.
Casey’s supporters advocate for his continued presence. He is slated to lead three merged parishes. However, church leaders claim one parish rejects him, suggesting he relocate. This dispute stems from low church attendance and a plan to have one minister for three churches in north Glasgow.
The Church stated that one church won’t accept Casey. A local activist believes Casey is being targeted as part of a plan to remove him despite strong support. They note that two churches want him as their minister and propose merging two other churches instead, questioning why this alternative isn’t being considered.
A parishioner questions the church’s ability to attract and welcome new members, expressing concern about a lack of respect from current ministers. They feel ministers and their congregations are unwelcome, alleging unfair treatment is ignored.
Rev. Brian Casey is actively fighting for his job. A petition launched by William McCool refers to Casey as a guiding light, inspiring faith, hope, and love. McCool believes the Church of Scotland should be proud of him.
Casey is known for assisting people through challenging times and advocating for them until better days. He also campaigned against drug deaths and spoke out on local industry closures. This work has galvanized community support, evidenced by over 500 signatures on the petition.
The petition urges the church to act wisely by allowing Casey to remain in north Glasgow, emphasizing that he is a vital spiritual beacon and that this isn’t just about saving a job; it is about keeping Casey where he is needed most. A politician supports Casey too.
Bob Doris, a local MSP, asserts that Casey serves with love and care, providing essential support to those in need. He emphasizes the church should value Casey’s spiritual and practical aid to refugees, people struggling with addiction, and grieving families.
Doris expresses disappointment that a petition was even necessary and offers his assistance in finding a positive resolution. He hopes the church will secure Casey’s future. The Church has explained its position, acknowledging declining income and the need to follow established guidelines.
The church needs to reduce staffing levels both nationally and locally. Under the restructuring plan, the three churches will share ministers, resulting in 1.5 full-time minister positions and 0.9 position for community work, for a total of 2.4 positions in the area.
The Church recognizes that these changes are difficult. It intends that, given the reforms, resources are being used wisely. Using the ministers to serve all of Scotland and equip it for its Christian mission. All church districts have gone through this process.
The church thoroughly examined mission plans, and while they understand the difficulty with the decisions, they also understand the emotional cost. One building will stay open. The Church believes these reforms will ultimately benefit from growth, more shared resources, with unified goals, less duplicated work, and new mission projects
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