This Sunday churches throughout Scotland are being encouraged to make time in their services to show a short DVD on Christian citizenship.

'Make the Cross Count Scotland 07' has been produced by CARE for Scotland to encourage Christians to participate fully in the Scottish parliamentary and council elections on 3 May.

Featuring specially recorded interviews with prominent MSPs from each of the main political parties, the DVD attempts to demonstrate how faith inspires their political engagement and provides them with the opportunity to reflect on how they would like to see the church more engaged in the public square.

Other participants include CARE for Scotland's Education Officer, Dr Alastair Noble, who describes the responsibility for Christians to vote as a "sacred duty".

Cameron Rose, Project Manager of Carrubbers Christian Centre, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, which requested copies of the DVD for all its church members, commented, "Make the Cross Count Scotland 07 is an excellent resource. Informative and inspiring it helps prepare one for the election and, at just ten minutes in length, lends itself to easy incorporation in a church service or prayer meeting.

"I encourage churches to make full use of this important resource this Sunday and indeed right up until May 3."

Associated with the DVD are two other resources. The CARE for Scotland manifesto highlights a number of issues which CARE believes reflect some of the important issues for Christians in today's society. The hope is that candidates in the election will be presented with this manifesto by electors who are committed to the manifesto objectives.

Secondly, CARE for Scotland's election web site www.votescotland2007.org.uk provides "a wealth of resources" to enable Christians to be informed about, and engaged with, the elections.