From a netfriend:

Noting http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2644331.stm

“A proposal to create a “superchurch” in Scotland by merging the four main branches of Protestantism is due to be unveiled.

With congregations in sharp decline, supporters of the plan believe a united church is the best way forward.

Others are likely to disagree with the Scottish Church Initiative for Union proposal, which has taken seven years to formulate.

Due to be revealed next week, it will suggest bringing together the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the United Reform Church and the Methodists as a single religious institution.

The plan will propose the creation of so-called maxi-parishes, some encompassing one part of a city or all of a small town or rural area.

Bishops elected for an unspecified period of time by regional church councils would lead these parishes.

Individual church features would be recognised and resources would be pooled.

Eric Cramb, the convener of the Church of Scotland’s Ecumenical Relations Committee, told BBC Scotland that the “courtship” between the churches dated back 40 years.

He said: “What is being offered in this document is believed by the working party to be a weaving together of the best treasures of our separate traditions in a way that will make sense at a local level and will allow the church to continue to contribute at a national level to the well-being of Scotland.”

He acknowledged that the hierarchy of the Scottish Episcopal Church differed from the other three involved.

Forming an opinion

But he stressed: “On most points of doctrine there is as much significant agreement between the participating churches as is to be found within any of these churches.”

The Kirk’s committee will now start the process of forming an opinion on the document.

That view will be given to the General Assembly in May, which will decide whether to give its support to the proposals.

All four churches involved will seek their members’ views on the idea.

Interim reports on the blueprint have already led to claims that it is suicidal and has no grassroots backing.

Others argue that union through diversity is the way forward.”

(Having worshiped at a Church of Scotland Church several years ago where I found that experience a bit like turning the clock back 50 years; I wish them all the best)