Closing service: Two-thirds of Shetland churches to be shut

THE Church of Scotland is to close two-thirds of its churches on the Shetland Isles as it seeks to cope with dwindling congregations and a lack of funds.

Interim minister for the north east region, Reverend Ian Murray, has announced only 11 out of its 31 churches will be retained in an attempt to secure a more “sustainable” future for the islands’ faithful.

It is understood a shortage of minsters, reduced congregations and increasing financial constraints are behind the sweeping closures. The locations of the churches being closed are under wraps for the time being, with the plan expected to take several years to complete.

The move follows a meeting of the Presbytery of Shetland at the weekend.

Rev Murray said: “Shetland presbytery has been helping Church of Scotland congregations collaborate to meet the challenges of ministry and mission in the 21st century.

“The Presbytery has a legacy of many more church buildings than they need and has faced some difficult choices on which buildings should be retained and which should be let go.

“At the heart of our decision-making is the desire to see a sustainable future for the Church of Scotland, its mission and pastoral care for the whole of Shetland.”

Some of the churches due to close have been open since the 18th century. Earlier this year the church in Mid Yell was put on the market, while the Uyeasound kirk in Unst also closed its doors after a vote from members due to low attendances.

The Burra Isle Parish Church said on social media that the weekend’s meeting was a “day of difficult decisions” but one taken in “gracious spirit”.

The decision on Shetland comes amid a growing move away from the Kirk and other churches across Scotland, with the number of people who regularly attend services falling by more than half over the past three decades.

The most recent Scottish Church Census, published by Brierley Consultancy in 2016, found there are about 390,000 regular churchgoers north of the Border, down from 854,000 in 1984. The research also revealed 42 per cent of churchgoers were aged over 65.

However, attendance among the Pentecostals has doubled since 2002 and now stands at 19,000, making up 5% of all churchgoers in Scotland.

The census also revealed a growth in new churches – 12,000 people regularly attend about 300 new churches started since 2002.

Researchers said many immigrant churches and so-called “Messy Churches”, which are more informal gatherings, account for much of the new growth.

One leading cleric said the findings presented a “crisis and an opportunity” for Christians in Scotland.

Rev Murray said the Church of Scotland was exploring the idea of forming a new district of Aberdeen and Shetland, with the isles becoming a single parish.

“We have now identified 11 churches to retain out of 31 buildings throughout Shetland, and we will work with our congregations as we move towards a new model of ministry that will result in a single parish and the possible formation of a new presbytery of Aberdeen and Shetland,” he said.

“These are challenging but exciting times in Shetland as we explore a new model of ministry, which may in future years provide an example to the National Church.”

The Presbytery has a legacy of many more church buildings than they need and faces difficult choices