Saturday 19th of May 2018: General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Day One: opening Ceremony of the General Assembly. Right Rev Dr Susan Brown is elected to office in the presence of the Lord High Commissioner the Duke of Buccleuch and the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon.
Monday 21st of October 2019: The Moderator-Designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (who will serve from May 2020-May 2021) Rev Dr Martin Fair was announced at the HQ of the Church in Edinburgh this morning
Moderator Designate of the Church of Scotland (2017) Rev Derek Browning of Morningside Parish Church, Edinburgh.
Bishops Conference of Scotland Photo by and copyright of Paul Mc Sherry 07770 393960
Free first use picture issued on behalf of The Church of Scotland. Please credit: Picture by John Young / © YoungMedia 2013 –
http://www.YoungMedia.co.uk The Reverend Dr Angus Morrison, Minister of Orwell and Portmoak Church in the Presbytery of Perth, has become Moderator Designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Dr Morrison will take up the office of Moderator in May 2014 at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. For further information please contact: Nick Jury Senior Media Relations Officer Communications Department The Church of Scotland 121 George Street Edinburgh EH2 4YN Tel: 0131 240 2268 Mobile: 07881 971 953 Free first use picture issued on behalf of The Church of Scotland. Please credit: Picture by John Young / © YoungMedia 2013 –
http://www.YoungMedia.co.uk The Reverend Dr Angus Morrison, Minister of Orwell and Portmoak Church in the Presbytery of Perth, has become Moderator Designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Dr Morrison will take up the office of Moderator in May 2014 at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. For further information please contact: Nick Jury Senior Media Relations Officer Communications Department The Church of Scotland 121 George Street Edinburgh EH2 4YN Tel: 0131 240 2268 Mobile: 07881 971 953
Saturday 18th of May 2019: Day one of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Edinburgh. Kirk Moderator installed at General Assembly 2019 Rt Rev Colin Sinclair has been installed as Moderator of the Church of Scotland’s 2019 General Assembly during Saturday’s opening ceremony. He takes on the year-long role from his post as minister for Palmerston Place Church in Edinburgh. “Let me thank you for affording me this singular honour at being appointed at the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland,” the newly installed Moderator told the Assembly. “For your grace, love, and forgiveness when I get it wrong, I thank all of you who have invested time into my life and my ministry. “It all started with a Scripture Union holiday, I little knew then how the story of Jesus and his life, death and resurrection would get under my skin and never get out. “I thank you to all who nurtured me in this faith. “I had no idea when Jesus said ‘Follow Me’ all those years ago, how exciting the adventure would be. “How it would take me around the world. And I thank You again – I pray I am worthy of the trust You have shown to me.” During the opening session of this year’s General Assembly, His Grace Richard Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott, The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, KBE, DL, FSA, FRSE, represented HM The Queen as the Lord High Commissioner to the Assembly. The Lord High Commissioner welcomed the new Moderator during his speech, saying: “I begin by offering warmest congratulations on your appointment and by wishing you a richly rewarding year in office. “Unlike your predecessor you have not had to travel far but for a year you will now be transported into a different world. “That you have the most wonderful family, all committed to the church, to support you, that there are legions of friends and colleagues here and across many lands, gained through the Scripture Union is testament to your powers of loving leadership and inspiration. “You are fitted indeed for this highest honour in the gift of your colleagues.” Following Colin’s election, retiring Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Very Rev Susan Brown, said “You and I first met a very long time ago, as students at New College together. “All throughout your years your commitment to the Scripture Union has continued, alongside all the other positions you have taken on. “You care passionately about communicating the Good News of Jesus Christ to all ages and all parts of the world. You like to see the impact Christ makes to all people. “This year, you will be asked to say much but I encourage you to listen, too, because you will hear so much. “My prayers are with You as you follow our Lord on this next stage of your journey with Him.” First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also attended the opening day along with Scotland’s Lord Provosts and distinguished visitors from around the world
Familiar faces on the Scottish Churches scene, where prayers have been called for to protect people from the coronavirus.
Churches have joined together in Scotland to sign a letter commending the Call for a National Day of Prayer in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Signatories include the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the United Free Church, the United Reformed Church, the Baptist Union of Scotland, the Methodist Church, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Congregational Federation in Scotland, the Salvation Army, the Church of the Nazarene, and Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Taking place on Sunday 22 March, people of faith are being encouraged to light a candle and place it in their window at 7pm.*
The letter asks that we “join in prayerful solidarity with this witness”, describing the candle as “a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, the source of hope in this life.”
The following prayer can be used when lighting the candle:
For all that is good in life, thank you,
For the love of family and friends, thank you,
For the kindness of good neighbour and Samaritan stranger, thank you.
May those who are vulnerable, hungry or homeless, experience support,
May those who are sick, know healing,
May those who are anxious or bereaved, sense comfort.
Bless and guide political leaders and decision-makers, with wisdom,
Bless and guide health workers and key workers, with strength and well-being, Bless and guide each one of us, as we adapt to a new way of living.
And may the light shining from our windows,
across road and wynd, glen and ben, kyle and isle,
be reflected in our hearts and hands and hopes.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
The signatories of the letter are:
Rt. Rev. Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly, Church of Scotland
Most Rev. Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Roman Catholic Church
Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus, on behalf of the College of Bishops, Scottish Episcopal Church
Rev. John Fulton, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
Rev. Dr David Pickering, Moderator, United Reformed Church (Scotland)
Rev. Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
Rev. Mark Slaney, District Chair, Methodist Church (Scotland)
Ms. Adwoa Bittle, Clerk to General Meeting for Scotland, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Rev. May-Kane Logan, Chair, Congregational Federation in Scotland
Rev. Jim Ritchie, District Superintendent, British Isles North District, Church of the Nazarene
Pastor Chris Gbenle, Provincial Pastor, Province of Scotland, Redeemed Christian Church of God
Lt. Col. Carol Bailey, Secretary for Scotland, Salvation Army
* Please take all necessary fire precautions when using a lit candle. Ensure you remain with the lit candle at all times, and do not leave it to burn if you leave the room. Ensure there are no fabrics or materials such as curtains near the candle.
