Dr Angus Morrison: Care offered by CrossReach is love incarnate

Organisation is the epitome of what the Church of Scotland means, writes Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison

CrossReach is one of the largest providers of social care in Scotland. Picture: Johnston Press

At the beginning of November, I will take part in CrossReach Week – an annual event during which the Church of Scotland recognises and celebrates devoted service rendered “in Christ’s name”to others. Through CrossReach the Church of Scotland is one of the largest providers of social care in the land, recognised by local authorities and regulators as being of the highest quality.

Social care is a vital part of our society. Our commitment to human rights places a justified priority on equality, yet some people in Scotland today still face barriers which threaten to prevent them from participating as equals in the life of their community. Social care is about overcoming those barriers – whether illness, disability or another circumstance – so that everyone has choice about, and control over, the way they live their lives. For me, CrossReach Week is an opportunity to reflect on the phenomenal service being given by those working in social care.

Through CrossReach, the Church of Scotland has been involved in social care for nearly 150 years, evolving to meet the changing needs of our society. Many thousands of lives have been transformed by this dedicated and determined service, people have been enabled to contribute to, and enrich, their communities.

CrossReach’s work in social care is a demonstration of practical, neighbourly love: love incarnated in the places where people most need such love. This is the motivation for the work of CrossReach and for the church’s involvement in social care. It is an expression of our faith.

The local church shares this motivation, and so my hope is that we can draw on the experience of CrossReach to make a positive difference in society. Social care is a means of liberation and empowerment, without it our society would be so much poorer.

• Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison is Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland