FORMER deputy first minister Jim Wallace was “humbled and honoured” as he officially took up the role of Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland earlier today.
Jim Wallace was the first to hold the Scottish Parliament post after the 1999 election and now sits in the House of Lords.
Previously the LibDem leader of the House of Lords, he now sits an unaffiliated peer after suspending his party membership over the Church of Scotland role.
The Kirk revealed he’d taken up the post in October, but it only became official at the General Assembly today, where he was inducted at the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh.
His wife of 38 years, Rosie, their daughter Helen and his brother Neil were amongst the onlookers. Wallace’s other daughter Clare watched online.
The Orkney man will now act as the Kirk’s ambassador at home and abroad and is the second elder in modern times to take up the 12-month role.
After the induction, Green MSP Ross Greer tweeted: “Really chuffed to see Jim Wallace take up the role of @churchmoderator this year. He’s got the combination of diplomatic skills and creative thinking the Kirk needs right now.”
Really chuffed to see Jim Wallace take up the role of @churchmoderator this year. He's got the combination of diplomatic skills and creative thinking the Kirk needs right now.#GA2021
— Ross Greer (@Ross_Greer) May 22, 2021
Wallace, a member of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, told the General Assembly: “I stand before you, today, feeling both humbled and honoured and, I should add, with feelings of excitement and trepidation.
“Upon my nomination as Moderator-Designate, I received many messages of goodwill and many assurances of prayerful support.
“One of my predecessors described her experience as Moderator like ‘being carried along on a carpet of prayer’.
“Today, I ask for your prayers that during this Assembly and in the coming year, I may fulfil these responsibilities with love, grace and wisdom.
“And that if, or more likely when, I get it wrong, your prayers will be ones of forgiveness.”
The peer wore a robe that belonged to Very Rev Dr David Steel – Moderator in 1974-1975 – for the ceremony. He borrowed that from the late minister’s son Lord David Steel of Aikwood, a LibDem peer and former Presiding Officer.
READ MORE: Church of Scotland to consider allowing same-sex marriage ceremonies
Nicola Sturgeon also attended the General Assembly, where she greeted Prince William, who gave an opening address in his role as Lord High Commissioner for the Queen.
He told the event, his connection to Scotland “will forever run deep” as a result of connections to Balmoral and St Andrews. Recalling how he was in Balmoral when he was told his mother had died, he said Scotland “is a source of some of my happiest memories but also my saddest”, adding: “Scotland is incredibly important to me and will always have a special place in my heart.
“I’ve been coming to Scotland since I was a small boy.
“As I grew up I saw how my grandmother relishes every minute she spends here and my father is never happier than in walking among the hills.
“My childhood was full of holidays having fun in the fresh air, swimming in lochs, family barbecues with my grandfather in command, and yes the odd midge.”
The Earl of Strathearn is on a week-long visit to Scotland and his wife will join him for the rest of the tour tomorrow. It comes after his brother again criticised the royal family in an US TV interview.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel