By Cameron Brooks
The Queen has praised Church of Scotland members for the “commendable” way in which they have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter read to the General Assembly this evening, she said she “greatly admired” congregations for their work to support the communities they serve.
Her Majesty said the Kirk has touched the lives of many people through online services during these “difficult” days and provided help and support for those who need it most.
More than 730 people from across the UK and around the world are currently watching the Church of Scotland’s first remote General Assembly online.
The Queen is usually represented by a Lord High Commissioner at the annual event in May which was cancelled his year for only the second time in 330 years due to the pandemic.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged every aspect of our common life and has caused much suffering and heartbreak,” the letter said..
“We greatly admire the ways in which the Church of Scotland has responded to these difficult days.
“Care has been offered to the bereaved whose grieving has been constricted by restrictions on funerals while churches have kept open their doors to feed the poor and offer safe space to the children of key workers.
“Many congregations have taken their worship on-line and touched the lives of people who did not in normal times attend church services.
“The Kirk’s care workers have remained faithful in sustaining the services upon which so many older people and their families depend.”
The Queen’s letter was read aloud to the General Assembly by Rev Dr George Whyte, Chaplain-in-Ordinary and Principal Clerk of the Church of Scotland.
“We know that the dangers posed by the Coronavirus are not yet over and we commend the Church as she seeks ways in which she can be true to her calling in the present while looking to the future,” it read.
“We wish those who lead the Church wisdom and foresight at this pivotal point in her history and may your faith and courage be strengthened during the days ahead and through the times to come.
“And so, praying that the blessing of Almighty God may attend your deliberations, We bid you heartily farewell.”
Proceedings in the General Assembly Hall in Edinburgh are being chaired by Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly, with only urgent business to be considered during the short two-day event.
Strict social distancing and hygiene measures mean only a small number of representatives of the Church’s committees and councils are in attendance to present reports.
The Queen’s grandson, Prince William Earl of Strathearn, was scheduled to take up the role of Lord High Commissioner this year.
The role of Chaplain-in-Ordinary dates back to the 15th century and is a largely a ceremonial honour with chaplains taking part in formal state occasions and conducting services at significant national events.
There are a total of 10 chaplains to the Queen in Scotland and Dr Whyte will hold this post for 10 years.
The chaplains, along with a physician, a surgeon, an apothecary, a sculptor, an astronomer, an historiographer and others form part of Her Majesty’s Household in Scotland.
They are all personally known to the Queen and are people in whom she has placed her trust.
Church of Scotland apologises to child migrants
The Church of Scotland was involved in the British Child Migrant programme between 1950-1963. They have given evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry about our participation in the programme, which is now recognised to have failed many children and their families. In recognition of this we have issued this full apology:
The Rev. Thom Riddell, convener of the Church of Scotland’s Social Care Council said: “The Church of Scotland took part in the Child Migrant programme between the years of 1950-1963.
“We recognise the hurt caused and are deeply and profoundly sorry for the actions which were taken and for the impact that those actions had on the lives of those affected.
“We fully accept that the programme which we embarked on was ill conceived and understand that children and their families experienced trauma and suffering as a result. We believe that it is right and proper that we are held to account for this at The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
“Although those involved at the time set out to give children a better opportunity for the future than it was thought they would have in Scotland we acknowledge that this was not what happened, and that in reality children were sent into an unfamiliar and often harsh and abusive environment.
“We unreservedly apologise to every migrated child who suffered as a result of our actions.”