Highland pastor appeals for urgent review of singing in places of worship – and asks whether Tartan Army will be required to remain silent
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A HIGHLAND church pastor is urging the Scottish Government to urgently review the rules around congregational singing in places of worship.
Chris Dowling, co-pastor of King’s – an independent church based at Smithton – has written to Highlands and Islands MSPs saying that clarification is needed as coronavirus restrictions are eased.
He maintained as well as places of worship, it could also impact on the Tartan Army supporting Scotland’s football team.
The latest guidance states congregational singing, both indoors and outdoors, should continue to be avoided.
But singing, chanting and/or the playing of instruments will be permitted in small groups in areas designated level 0 to two. A small choir or band, for example, would be permitted to perform.
Mr Dowling said the guidance was causing confusion and pointed out that in England outdoor worship and singing could take place, as was seen at the FA cup final last weekend.
"Across the spectrum of the different expressions of church we have seen many creative ways to worship in this last year which did not include singing, which has been great, but at the same time we need to recognise that singing is a significant part of our corporate worship, as outlined in scripture, and is a huge part of the outworking of our faith in day to day life," he said.
"Singing is hugely important to us as Christians but the plea to allow corporate singing extends beyond Christian worship as this restriction also has an impact on other faiths such as worship practices in mosques."
Mr Dowling also maintained corporate singing brought known health benefits such as helping with anxiety and depression and offered a sense of belonging.
"We are very aware that the nature of the Covid-19 virus has meant that singing was simply not an option for the last year, but I feel it now needs to be looked at again given the easing of lockdown and the success of the vaccine rollout," he said.
"So far it’s been disappointing to see no end date being proposed for the ban on corporate/congregational singing indoors or outdoors despite other choirs being allowed to sing outside and given singing in places of worship in England has been allowed now for a number of weeks."
Mr Dowling said urgent clarification was also needed as the Tartan Army would be taking their seats at Hampden for the country’s first major football tournament since 1998.
"Will they also be told not to sing and remain quiet?" he said.
"In England outdoor worship and singing can take place, as was seen at the FA cup final this weekend.
"It would appear unfair that English supporters can sing their national anthem, but the Tartan Army have to sit quietly."
Mr Dowling said there had been no answers to what control measures would bring the risks involved in singing down to an acceptable level.
He said the vast majority of his congregation would understand if they needed to wear face coverings for a while yet while singing, but with no indication of an end date there appeared to be no active discussion around appropriate and proportional control measures.
