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The General Assembly

The Assembly Hall

SPEECHES AND BIOGRAPHIES

Conveners of each council and committee present their reports to the General Assembly, and brief biographies of the conveners and their speeches are published here during the Assembly.

Please note that some speeches and convener biographies may not be made available online. All speeches are embargoed and should be checked against delivery.

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Assembly Arrangements Committee (Support and Services Council): the Rev A David K Arnott

Rev David Arnott is Convener of the Assembly Arrangements Committee and Business Convener of the Assembly. He is currently minister at St Andrews: Hope Park linked with Strathkinness and formerly served as minister at Netherlee Parish Church in Glasgow Presbytery.
Rev Bill Hewitt, convener
Rev David Arnott, convener
Mr Arnott is a former Senior Director of Assessment Conferences and a former Convener of The Committee on Education for Ministry and he also served the Board of Ministry as joint convener for one year. He is a regular presenter on BBC Radio Scotland's Thought for the Day.
Assembly Arrangements Committee speech:

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(16KB)

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Central Services Committee : Stewart Roy

Stewart was educated at Kilmarnock Academy then Glasgow University where he studied Modern Languages. He worked in University Administration, first in Glasgow University, then Warwick, and finally Strathclyde. He took early retirement in 1999.

Stewart and his wife have been members of Jordanhill Parish Church since 1977. He was ordained as an elder in 1981 and served as Clerk to the Congregational Board from 1983 to 2001. As a member of Glasgow Presbytery he has served on the Presbytery Council, Communications Committee, Ministry and Stewardship Committee, and is currently on Superintendence and Education for the Ministry. He is Secretary for the New Charge Commission in Robroyston.

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Chaplains to HM Forces: the Rev James M Gibson

James Gibson, convener of the Church of Scotland's Committee on Chaplains to HM Forces will deliver the committee's speech.

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Church and Society Council: the Rev Ian Galloway

Ian Galloway has been a minister for more than thirty years. He has served as the Church of Scotland's National Youth Adviser, as Warden of Iona Abbey and for the past twelve years has been parish minister of Gorbals in Glasgow.

Ian Galloway, convener
Rev Ian Galloway,
convener
He founded, and chairs the Board of, Bridging the Gap, set up to work jointly with the local Catholic church to tackle sectarianism through forging relationships across divides in the community. Ian has served terms as Convener of the Council of the Iona Community and Chair of Glasgow Council for Single Homeless. He is married, has five children and plays in a ceilidh band.

Church and Society Council speech:

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(54KB)

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Church Hymnary Trust: George W. Penrose

George Penrose, chairman of the Church Hymnary Trustees, will deliver the Trust's speech.

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Church of Scotland Trust: Robert Brodie

Robert Brodie is the chairman for the Trust and will deliver the Trust's speech.

Church of Scotland Trust speech:

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(9KB)

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Council of Assembly: the Rev Alan Greig

Alan is minister at Kintore in the Presbytery of Gordon. A former Mission Partner in Zambia, he has served as a member, Vice-Convener and Convener of the former Board of World Mission. He was then Convener of the World Mission Council in its first year following the restructuring of the central administration.
Alan Greig, convener
Rev Alan Greig, convener
He became Vice-Convener of the Council of Assembly in 2007 and its Convener in 2008. He is married to Ruth, and has two grown-up sons.

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Ecumenical Relations Committee: the Rev Alan D Falconer

Alan is currently the minister at St Machar's Cathedral in Aberdeen. His first ministerial role was as assistant in St Machar's until 1974, when he left to go to the Irish School of Ecumenics in Dublin acting successively as lecturer, senior lecturer, and Director.
Alan Falconer, convener
Rev Alan Falconer,
convener
He then joined the World Council of Churches in Geneva in 1995, where he was Director of the Commission on Faith and Order, negotiating the resolution of the churches' historical theological differences.

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General Trustees: Rev Dr James Jack

The Rev Dr James Jack is vice-chairman of the General Trustees.

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Guild: Elizabeth M Dunn

Elizabeth Dunn lives in Lenzie, Glasgow, and was born and educated in Glasgow. Her career background is in design, manufacture and retail, becoming Sales Director and travelling the world. In 1990, Betty was given the MBE for services to the Export and Textile Industry.

Elizabeth Dunn, convener
Elizabeth Dunn, convener
Betty has a husband, Ian, and 3 grown up children. Heavily involved in her local church as an elder, Betty is also former convener of her local Guild Presbyterial Council, and has also served on the Guild's Finance and General Purposes Committee.

Guild speech:

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(28KB)

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HIV/AIDS Project: the Rev Dr Robin Hill

Since 2004, Robin has served as minister of Gladsmuir and Longniddry in the Presbytery of Lothian. He trained in public international law and has a doctorate in aviation terrorism. Before entering the ministry, he was editor of Life & Work for five years. He is married to Ailsa. Their family is completed by Katie and Michael.
Robin Hill, convener
Rev Dr Robin Hill, convener
Robin enjoys playing mandolins and saxophones and very much likes relaxing on the Isle of Arran.

HIV/AIDS Project speech:

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(34KB)

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Housing and Loan Fund: J G Graham Lees

Grahame is a member, and an Elder, in Dunblane Cathedral Church of Scotland and Convenor of its Worship Group. He has also been Vice-Chairman of the Judicial Commission of the Church of Scotland, Vice Convenor of the Board of Practice and Procedure of the Church of Scotland, and Convenor of the Personnel Committee of the Church.
J G Graham Lees, chairman
J G Graham Lees, chairman

He was appointed a Trustee of the Housing & Loan Fund in 2003, and became the Chairman of the Trustees in 2008.

Grahame recently retired as Senior Partner in the rural legal Firm of McLean & Stewart, Solicitors, at the end of March this year and is now a Consultant with the Practice. He is married, and has two grown up daughters and a son, and has lived in Dunblane since 1972.

Housing and Loan Fund speech:

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Investors Trust: Isobel J Hunter

Isobel was an Investment Manager with Ivory and Sime for ten years and was in a senior role with Adam & Company Investment Management for over sixteen years. She was appointed a Trustee in 2002, Vice-Chairman in 2003 and Chairman in 2008.

Investors Trust speech:

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(66KB)

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Iona Community Board: Stewart Smith

Stewart Smith is the acting convenor for the Iona Community Board.

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Legal Questions Committee (Support and Services Council): Carole Hope

Carole is dual qualified as a solicitor in Scotland and England, a WS and a partner in an Edinburgh legal firm where she deals with succession, tax, trusts and charities.
Carole Hope, convener
Carole Hope, convener
She is an elder in St Giles Cathedral, and a board member of the Franco British Lawyers. Carole is married to an advocate and her interests include singing, music and travel in France.

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Ministries Council: the Rev Graham Finch

Graham Finch was born and brought up in Falkirk, educated at Laurieston Primary and Falkirk High Schools. Studied mediaeval history at St Andrews and divinity at Aberdeen. Served as probationer minister at St Giles in Edinburgh from 1975 to 1977, and was minister in Sanday and North Ronaldsay in Orkney from 1977 to 1983, Stonehaven Fetteresso from 1983 to 1989 and since 1999 he has been
Rev Graham Finch, convener
Rev Graham Finch, convener
minister at Cadder in Bishopbriggs. Graham is married to Louise, a primary school headteacher in Clydebank and they have a son and a daughter. His interests include include following Falkirk Football Club, watching sport, playing golf, music and reading.

Ministries Council speech:

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Mission and Discipleship Council: the Rev Mark Johnstone

Mark has been the minister at St Mary's Parish Church, Kirkintilloch, since 2001. He was born and brought up in Drumchapel,Glasgow, and studied at Glasgow University. He was minister at Denny and Chaplain at Stirling Royal, Falkirk Royal and Strathcarron Hospice.
Rev Mark Johnstone, convener
Rev Mark Johnstone, convener
He then moved to the United Church of Canada in North Toronto. Mark was vice convenor of the Mission and Discipleship Council, and convenor of the Education and Nurture Task Group. with responsibilities for the educational and nurturing work with children, youth and adults of the church.

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Nomination Committee: the Rev Colin Sinclair

Colin has been a minister at Palmerston Place Church, Edinburgh since 1996, and was previously a minister in Ayr from 1982 - 1988. He is Chair of the International Council of Scripture Union and was the General Director of Scripture Union from 1988-1996.

Colin Sinclair, convener
Rev Colin Sinclair, convener
He was training officer for Scripture Union Zambia from 1974 - 1977. Colin is married to Ruth, and they have four children aged from 25 to 13.

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Panel on Review and Reform: the Rev David S. Cameron

David Cameron was born in Glasgow and brought up in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire. In 1980, he embarked on a career in Civil Engineering, moving to Commercial Management 10 years later. A graduate of Glasgow University, he served as Probationer Assistant at Sandyford (Thread Street) Church in the Presbytery of

Rev David S Cameron, convener
Rev David S. Cameron, convener
Paisley and was called to Laigh West High Kirk, Kilmarnock in 2000.A further union with Grange Church in 2009 resulted in the congregation of New Laigh Kirk being formed. He is married to Laura and has two sons and a daughter.

Panel on Review and Reform speech:

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Parish Development Fund: the Rev Dr Martin Fair

Martin Fair was born in Johnstone in 1964 and raised on the South Side of Glasgow. He was educated at Thornliebank Primary and Woodfarm secondary schools before going on to pursue an Arts and Social Science degree in Politics and Geography at Strathclyde University. Following his
Rev Dr Martin Fair, convener
Rev Dr Martin Fair
graduation, there followed a period of employment as a youth worker with the Church of England in Leeds, before his return to Glasgow to commence training for the Church of Scotland ministry. He studied at Glasgow University and completed his BD in 1989. Married to Elaine, and father to three sons, he has been minister at St Andrew's Church in Arbroath since 1992. In free time, he loves mountaineering, football and golf and listening to music and collecting classic films on DVD. He completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at Princeton Theological Seminary in 2004 and, in terms of his ministry, is passionate about preaching and breaking down barriers between the church and wider community.

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Pension Trustees: W John McCafferty

W John McCafferty is chairman of the Church of Scotland's Pension Trustees will deliver the trustee's speech.

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Safeguarding Committee: the Rev John Christie

John Christie was born in Glasgow in 1947 and graduated in Biology from the University of Strathclyde and is a member of the Institute of Biology, he taught science in Glasgow, Tiree and Inverness before being called to full time ministry. John also graduated from the University of Glasgow with BD (Honours) in New Testament and Systematic Theology.
Rev John Christie, convener
Rev John Christie, convener
John was minister of Hyndland church, Glasgow for 14 years before joining the Interim Ministry team and served in Old Cumnock Trinity church, Kilmacolm Old Kirk, Arisaig and the Small Isles linked with Mallaig St Columba and Knoydart, now North West Lochaber, currently John is interim minister in West Kilbride: St Andrews and Scots Kirk, Lausanne. John served on the former Board of Parish Education, which he convened from 2001 to 2005, with a particular interest in those with learning difficulties and commitment to the development of readership. John also served on the Joint Boards Group for the Safety and Protection of Children 2001 to 2005, and was appointed convener of Safeguarding in 2005. He is the Moderator Designate for the General Assembly 2010.

Safeguarding Office speech:

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Social Care Council: the Rev Sydney S Graham

Syd has recently retired as minister of Iona linked with Kilfinichanen, Kilvickeon and the Ross of Mull and was previously minister at Auchterhouse, Murroes and Tealing. He was ordained as an auxiliary Minister in 1987 whilst working as Depute Director of Social Work for Social Planning and previously Child Care for Strathclyde Region until 1993.
Rev Syd Graham, convener
Rev Syd Graham, convener
Syd obtained an M.Phil in Urban Policy at Glasgow University in 1995 and his BD in 1996, and was Vice President of the Association of Directors of Social Work. He has served on the Ecumenical Relations Committee, was appointed Vice Convener of the Social Care Council in 2007 and Convener in 2009. Syd is married to Edna and has two sons, Peter in Veterinary Medicine, and Alastair who is an MSLO and has in addition to his family, Abbie, a flat coat retriever.

Social Care Council speech:

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Special Commission of the Third Article Declaratory: the Very Rev Alan D McDonald

The Very Rev Alan McDonald is the convener of the Special Commission. He is a former Moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly, and currently a minister at Cameron linked with St Andrews: St Leonard's.
Very Rev Alan McDonald, convener
Very Rev Alan McDonald, convener
He was previously minister at Aberdeen: Holburn Central and Community Minister at Edinburgh:Drylaw, Muirhouse and the Old Kirk (Pilton).

Special Commission speech:

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Special Committee on the Review of Charity Governance: the Very Rev David Lacy

The Very Rev David Lacy is the convener of the Special Committee. He is a former Moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly, and has been minister at Kilmarnock: Henderson Parish Church since 1989.
Very Rev David Lacy, convener
Very Rev David Lacy, convener
He was ordained at St George's West, Edinurgh, in 1976, and inducted to Knightswood: St Margaret's, a charge which subsequently united with Netherton: St Matthew's.

Special Committee speech:

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World Mission Council: the Rev Colin Renwick

The Rev Colin Renwick was born in Perth, Scotland and was educated at Breadalbane Academy, Aberfeldy, Perthshire. In 1984 Colin graduated from Glasgow University with a bachelor of music degree and then in 1988 graduated from Aberdeen University with a bachelor of divinity degree.
Rev Colin Renwick, convener
Rev Colin Renwick
From 1988 to 1989 Colin was an assistant minister at Trinity Church in Rothesay, Isle of Bute, and then in 1989 went on to become minister at Maybole Old Church, Ayrshire, Scotland where he spent seven years. In 1996 he became minister at Jordanhill Parish Church, Glasgow, Scotland where he continues to be a minister. Colin was a former vive convener of the Panel on Worship and a member of the committee to produce CH4, he became a member of the former Board of World Mission now the World Mission Council in 2001 and he was also a convener of the Middle East Committee. Colin's interests include music, walking, reading, travel, cooking and ornithology.

World Mission Council speech:

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Professor Mona Siddiqui

Mona Siddiqui is Professor of Islamic Studies and Public Understanding at the University of Glasgow. You can also watch her address on our webcast pages. Professor Siddiqui
Professor Siddiqui's address:

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Lord High Commissioner's closing speech:

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Lord High Commissioner's opening speech:

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The Retiring Moderator's address:

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In this section

Introduction
Welcome to the General Assembly pages

Webcast highlights
Watch some of the highlights from the General Assembly 2010

Daily agenda
Each day's timetable including the daily papers and minutes of Assembly business
- Thursday 20 May
- Friday 21 May
- Saturday 22 May
- Sunday 23 May
- Monday 24 May
- Tuesday 25 May
- Wednesday 26 May

Reports and background
Reports and background information to download from the councils and affiliated committees

Speeches and biographies
Conveners' speeches as delivered to the Assembly, and their biographies

Press releases
General Assembly specific press releases

Updates from the Assembly Hall
News and information from the General Assembly

Events guide
A full list of the Assembly fringe events

 

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