McArthur responds to new Orkney Presbytery Mission Plan

Orkney's MSP, Liam McArthur, has welcomed the willingness of the Orkney Presbytery to listen to the concerns of local communities as it endorsed its new Mission Plan yesterday.

In August, the Church of Scotland announced their intention to close Kirks across the county, including Stromness and Sanday. At the time, Mr McArthur engaged with the local Presbytery to highlight concerns that had been raised by some of the congregations affected and sought more time for alternative options to be considered.

The new Mission Plan provides the Stromness and Sanday Kirks with a reprieve to allow them to draw up costed plans and undertake building work, before a final decision is taken by the new amalgamated Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles next year. Meantime, Flotta and Rousay Kirks are expected to close by the end of the year with worship in Hoy and Walls moving site.

Responding to the news, Mr McArthur said:

"I welcome the willingness of the Orkney Presbytery to listen and respond to the concerns that have been raised. By delaying a final decision for 12 months, the Kirk sessions, congregations and wider communities in Stromness and Sanday now have time to develop alternative proposals.

"Hopefully this will enable the future of these Kirks to be safeguarded, but that is now in the hands of the communities themselves. Given the role they play within their communities, I feel sure that there will be plenty of offers of help to develop plans that can put these Kirks on a more sustainable, long-term footing."