Church finances put under the spotlight

The Kirk’s finances will come under fresh scrutiny as its social care arm faces a £3.6 million deficit this year.

The shortfall comes despite the Church shedding 18 jobs, saving £300,000 in its central services department at Charis House in Edinburgh.

Called CrossReach, the social care council is responsible for areas including care of the elderly, children and addicts. It has 17 residential homes for older people across Scotland.

The Kirk said a year of cuts such as the closure of Florentine House for vulnerable adults in Glasgow came “not so much as a wind of change but a force-nine gale”.

It also faces axing 100 ministers to reduce a Ministries Council shortfall of £5.7m. The Church lost nearly £90m as a result of the economic downturn.

Reverend Syd Graham, convener of the Social Care Council, said the deficit for 2010 has been reduced through a number of initiatives designed to make CrossReach fit for purpose.

“These include making efficiency savings in our central services. For example, staffing in central services has been reduced by 25%,” he said.

The Kirk will also this week debate plans to abandon the poorest parishes in Scotland.