General Assembly 2026

ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS

FRIDAY 15 – MONDAY 18 MAY

I. Assembly Office-Bearers and Procedure Committee

II. Index of Presbyteries

III. Roll of Commissioners

IV. Order of Business

V. Proposed Committees

VI. Information on Questions, Comments, Motions and Voting

VII. Remits of GA Standing Committees and Other Bodies

VIII. Presbytery Overture

IX. Standing Orders

X. Other Information For In-Person Commissioners

Free WiFi is available throughout the Assembly Hall

Network: General Assembly

Password: ChurchGA26!

Scottish Charity Number: SC011353

NOTES

1. The General Assembly stand:-

(a) when The Lord High Commissioner or the Moderator enters the Hall before the constitution of any Session;

(b) when His Majesty’s Letter to the General Assembly is read;

(c) when The Lord High Commissioner addresses the General Assembly, or the Moderator addresses The Lord High Commissioner; and

(d) when a distinguished visitor is brought into the Hall to address the General Assembly.

2. The General Assembly do not stand when The Lord High Commissioner retires from the Hall.

IN PERSON COMMISSIONERS’ TRAVELLING EXPENSES
AND SUBSISTENCE EXPENSES

In person commissioners may claim up to £100 per night for accommodation and up to
£20 per day for out-of-pocket expenses. When commissioners are staying with family or
friends, a one-off allowance of up to £80 may be claimed towards a token gift for hosts.

Expense Claim Forms will be received in the Assembly Office
or can be emailed to: commissionerexpenses@churchofscotland.org.uk
within 21 days of the close of the General Assembly.

Voting Handsets must be returned to the Assembly Office or handed
in with Expense Claim Forms as above in order for claims to be processed.

Expenses will not be paid to those attending online.

TRAINING FOR ONLINE ATTENDANCE

If you are attending the Assembly online please ensure you sign up for the one of the training events, on which information will be emailed to you separately.

CONTACT US

In the first instance please email: pcoffice@churchofscotland.org.uk with any queries.

I. Assembly Office-Bearers and Procedure Committee

ASSEMBLY OFFICE-BEARERS
Title | Name | No.
Moderator | Rt Rev Rosie Frew | 442
Moderator-Designate | Rev Gordon Kennedy | 443
Chaplains | Rev Ian Cathcart | 441
| Rev Ramsay Shields | 446
Acting Principal Clerk | Rev Dr John L McPake | 152
Depute Clerk | Ms Christine Paterson | 445
Procurator | Mr Jonathan Brodie KC | 440
Law Agent | Miss Mary Macleod | 444
Precentor | Rev Alan Reid | 272
Chief Steward | Mr Neil Provan |
Depute Steward | Mr Simon Bolam |
Assembly Officer | Mr William Mearns |
Depute Assembly Officer | Mrs Karen McKay |

PROCEDURE COMMITTEE
Title | Name | No.
Convener | Rev Michael Mair | 439
Vice-Convener | Rev Sheila Kirk | 438

II. Index of Presbyteries

1 Edinburgh and West Lothian

3 Lothian and Borders

7 South West

14 Clyde

16 Glasgow

17 Forth Valley and Clydesdale

24 Fife

28 Perth

31 North East and the Northern Isles

42 Clèir Eilean Ì: Highlands and Hebrides

44 Lewis

47 England and the Channel Islands

48 International Charges

49 Jerusalem

III. Roll of Commissioners

1. Presbytery of Edinburgh and West Lothian

Minister

1. Rev Dr Nelu Balaj, Livingston: Old

2. Rev Rolf H Billes, Iona Community

3. Rev Sandra Boyd, Whitburn: Burnfield Valley North

4. Very Rev Dr Derek Browning, Edinburgh: Morningside

5. Rev Dr Karen K Campbell, Edinburgh: Blackford and Grange*

6. Rev Daniel Carmichael, Depute Presbytery Clerk

7. Rev Dr Liam J Fraser, Linlithgow and Avon Valley

8. Rev Keith E Graham, Edinburgh: Murrayfield

9. Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald, West Calder and Polbeth

10. Rev Derek R Henderson, Abercorn, Pardovan, Kingcavil and Winchburgh

11. Rev Hanneke Janse van Vuren, Broxburn and Uphall

12. Rev Sigrid Marten, Associate Minister, Edinburgh: High (St Giles’)

13. Rev Fiona M Mathieson, Edinburgh: St David’s Carrick Knowe

14. Rev Dr Allan McCafferty, Pastoral Support Operations Manager, Faith Action

15. Rev Moira McDonald, Edinburgh: Corstorphine Old and New

16. Rev Andrea E Price, Edinburgh: St Michael’s

17. Rev Dolly Purnell, Edinburgh: Leith Wardie

18. Rev Daniel Robertson, Edinburgh: Davidson’s Mains*

19. Rev Dr Fiona Tweedie, OLM, Statistician, Office of the Assembly Trustees

20. Rev William Watt, Uphall: South

21. Rev Dr Rita M Welsh, Edinburgh: Holy Trinity

Elder

22. Mr Douglas Bannatyne, Edinburgh: St Michael’s

23. Mrs Aileen Borrowman, Blackridge

24. Mrs Hilary Clydesdale, Edinburgh: Greyfriars

25. Mrs Andrena Crawford, Edinburgh: Canongate

26. Mrs Patricia A Fraser, East Calder Kirknewton and Ratho

27. Mr Ian Graham, Edinburgh: Newington Trinity

28. Dr Anette Hagan, Edinburgh: Newington Trinity

29. Dr Hazel Hastie, Presbytery Clerk*

30. Mr Andrew Job, Edinburgh: Corstorphine St Ninian’s

31. Miss Lizabeth A Mackie, Edinburgh: St John’s Colinton Mains

32. Miss Elizabeth Martin, Edinburgh: Drylaw

33. Mr Hugh McDiarmid, Edinburgh: North and South Leith

34. Mrs Alison McNaught, West Kirk and Polbeth

35. Mr Darren Philip, Bathgate: Boghall

36. Dr Anne Robertson, Edinburgh: St Cuthbert’s

37. Mr Jonathan Rowney, Armadale*

38. Mrs Jane Smart, Edinburgh: Murrayfield*

39. Mr Alan Summers, Edinburgh: Granton

40. Mr Tom Watson, Edinburgh: Corstorphine St Anne’s

41. Mr Keith Wilson, Edinburgh: Morningside United

42. Mrs Jaqueline Young, Edinburgh: St Stephen’s Comely Bank

Deacon

43. Mr Mark Evans DCS, Lead Chaplain, NHS Lothian

44. Miss Elspeth McPheat DCS, Manager,
St Margaret’s House, Crossreach*

3. Presbytery of Lothian and Borders

Minister

45. Rev Dr Kwame Ahaligah, Selkirk and Ashkirk l/w Ettrick and Yarrow

46. Rev Dr John Cowie, Interim Presbytery Clerk

47. Rev Dr Suzanne G Fletcher, Cockburnspath

48. Rev Graham Glover, Galashiels

49. Rev Bruce Neill, Maxton and Mertoun l/w Newtown l/w St Boswells

50. Rev Louise Purden, Bonnyrigg

51. Rev Anna S Rodwell, Kelso North and Country Churches

52. Very Rev Colin Sinclair, (Edinburgh: Palmerston Place)*

53. Rev Alastair Stark, Belhaven and Spott

54. Rev Leslie M Steele, (Galashiels: Old and St Paul’s)

55. Rev Dr Jock Stein, (Cockenzie and Port Seton: Old)

56. Rev Katherine Taylor, Tranent

57. Rev John C C Urquhart, Penicuik Trinity Community Church

Elder

58. Mrs Margaret Burgon, North Berwick: Abbey

59. Mr James F Couper, Longniddry

60. Dr Christine Donnelly, Eddleston

61. Mrs Allison Frostwick, Aberlady and Gullane

62. Mrs Fan Heafield, Selkirk and Ashkirk

63. Miss Helen Howden, Ruberslaw Country Churches

64. Mrs Abigail Morrison, Longniddry*

65. Mrs Susan Patterson, Ayton and District*

66.

67. Mrs Pauline Rumbles, Duns and District

68. Mrs Emma Stewart, Musselburgh: St Andrew’s High

69. Mrs Jacqueline Waugh, Haddington

70. Mr Gordon Wemyss, Lasswade and Roswell

Deacon

71. Mrs Marilynn Steele DCS, (Edinburgh: Granton)

7. Presbytery of the South West

Minister

72. Rev Karlien Becker, North Carrick

73. Rev Pam Bellis, OLM

74. Rev Lynn Brady, Gretna l/w Hoddom, Kirtle Eaglesfield and Middlebie

75. Rev H Taylor Brown, (Kilmarnock: St Marnock’s)

76. Rev David S Cameron, Kilmarnock: New Laigh Kirk

77. Rev David Donaldson, Irvine Valley

78. Rev Peter Gill, Girvan Valley

79. Rev Andrew Johnstone, Prestwick: St Nicholas

80. Rev Tim Linford, Dumfries: Troqueer and Caerlaverock

81. Rev John Murdoch, Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean

83. Rev Stephen Ogston, Luce Valley and Inch*

84. Rev Gary J Peacock, Dumfries: St Michael’s and South

85. Rev Mandy R Ralph, Annbank l/w Tarbolton

86. Rev Gillean Richmond, Troon*

87. Rev Dr Barbara Suchanek Seitz, Ardrossan

88. Rev Katrona Templeton, OLM, Ardrossan and Saltcoats Kirkgate

89. Rev John A Urquhart, Kilmaurs: St Maur’s Glencairn

90. Rev Alec Wark, (Mid Deeside)

91. Rev Norman Whyte, (Ayton and District)

Elder

92. Mr Ian Brown, Dalry

93. Mr David Clark, West Kilbride

94. Mrs Rhona Clark, West Kilbride

95. Mr Steve Flower, Leswalt

96. Mrs Maureen Graham, Kirkmaiden

97. Mrs Janice Grant, Kilmarnock: New Laigh Kirk

98. Dr Simon Hales, Ayrshire Kyle Community

99. Mrs Caroline Hull, Prestwick: St Nicholas

100. Mrs Jane Johnston, Kilmarnock: Kay Park

101. Mrs Paula Lennox, North Carrick*

102. Mrs Gillian Lynn, Stoneykirk

103. Mr Gordon MacDonald, Prestwick: Kingcase

104. Mr Derek Murdoch, Irvine: Old*

82. Mr Ian Murphy, Ayrshire: Kyle Community

105. Mrs Christine Murray, Presbytery Clerk

106. Mr Peter Neish, Stewarton: St Columba’s

107. Mr Stuart Notman, Dumfries: Troqueer and Caerlaverock

108. Mr Robert Wright, Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean

109.

110.

Deacon

112. Mrs Isobel Beck DCS, Kilwinning

14. Presbytery of Clyde

Minister

113. Rev Dr Sonia Blakesley, Paisley: St Mark’s Oldhall

114. Rev Jonathan Fleming, Greenock: Lyle Kirk

115. Rev Dr Alan J Hamilton, Bearsden: Boclair

116. Rev Eleanor Hamilton, Dumbarton

117. Rev Steven Henderson, Acting Presbytery Clerk*

118. Rev Bryan Kerr, Kilmacolm

119. Rev Sue MacGregor, Helensburgh l/w Rhu and Shandon

120. Rev Steven Owens, Houston and Killellan l/w Langbank

121. Rev Jeanette Peel, Inverclyde Hospital Chaplain

122. Rev Teri Peterson, Gourock: St John’s

123. Rev Corné Randall, Inverkip, Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay

124.

Elder

125. Mr Alistair Burrow, Bearsden: New Kilpatrick

126. Mrs Aileen Clark, Clydebank: Kilbowie St Andrews

127. Mr Hugh Crawford, Gourock: Old Gourock and Ashton

128. Mr Colin Houston, Kilmacolm

129. Mr Robert M Kinloch, Lomond*

130. Ms Anne McGregor, Kilmacolm

131. Mr Graham Philips, Helensburgh

132. Mr James Renfrew, Neilston

133. Ms Mairi Semple, Inchinnan

134. Mrs Elizabeth Stewart, Dalmuir Barclay

135. Mr George Taylor, Howwood

136. Mr Douglas Thomson, Bearsden Cross

16. Presbytery of Glasgow

Minister

137. Rev Dr S Grant Barclay, Presbytery Clerk

138. Rev Richard Cameron, Glasgow: Scotstoun

139. Rev Stuart J Crawford, Glasgow: King’s Park

140. Rev David Denniston, (Glasgow: Cambuslang)

141. Rev Adam J Dillon, Glasgow: Sherbrooke Mosspark

142. Rev Peter M Gardner, Glasgow: Pioneer Minister to the Arts Community

143. Rev Robbie Hamilton, Garthamlock and Ruchazie l/w Stepps

144. Rev Stuart Irvin, Torrance

145. Rev Jonathan A Keefe, Glasgow: Robroyston

146. Rev Gordon Kirkwood, Glasgow: Kelvin West

147. Rev Stuart Love, Glasgow : Clincarthill l/w Maxwell Mearns Castle

148. Rev Calum D Macdonald, Glasgow; Giffnock The Park

149. Rev Donald Michael M MacInnes, Glasgow: Gairbraid

150. Rev Murdo MacLean, Glasgow: Carmyle and Kenmuir Cornerstone

151. Rev Rhona E McDonald,
Glasgow: Carntyne and Cranhill*

152. Rev Dr John L McPake, Acting Principal Clerk

153. Rev Julie H C Moody, Milton of Campsie*

154. Rev Dr Ruth Morrison, Kirkintilloch: St Mary’s

155. Rev W Louis T Reddick, Glasgow: Sherbrooke Mosspark

156. Rev Gillian Rooney, Giffnock: Orchardhill l/w Merrylea

157. Rev Jillian Storrie, Glasgow: Netherlee and Stamperland

158. Rev Ian Taylor, Bishopbriggs: Springfield Cambridge*

159. Rev James Teasdale, Glasgow: Eastwood

160.

Elder

161. Ms Alison Allan, Glasgow: Greenbank

162. Mr Graeme D I Barrie, Glasgow: Easterhouse

163. Mr John Bradley, Glasgow: Kelvin West

164. Mrs Christina L Brownlie, Glasgow: Cardonald

165. Miss Laura Buist, Glasgow: Sandyford Henderson*

166. Mr Robin Bulmer, Glasgow: Busby

167. Mrs Margaret Burton, Milton of Campsie

168. Mr Alastair Campbell, Broom*

169. Mrs Helen Cuthbertson, Glasgow: Possilpark

170. Dr Jane Drummond, Glasgow: Broomhill Hyndland

171. Mr Fraser Douglas Ellis, Glasgow: Gorbals

172. Mr Alexander Glen, Glasgow: Sandyford Henderson

173. Mr George J Kelly, Glasgow: Campsie

174. Miss Fiona Macdougall, Glasgow: Castlemilk

175. Mr Graham MacGregor, Glasgow: Cambuslang

176. Mrs Isabel McDerment, Glasgow: Scotstoun

177. Mrs Janette McMaster, Glasgow: Barlanark Greyfriars

178. Miss Lynne Semple, Kirkintilloch: St Columba’s Hillhead

179. Mr Alastair Sim, Glasgow: Stepps

180. Mrs Margaret A Tindall, Campsie

181. Mr David Smith, Rutherglen: West and Wardlawhill

182. Mrs Edith Watt, Glasgow: Bridgeton St Francis in the East

183. Mr John Wright, Glasgow: Carmunnock

184. Mr Gary Wylie, Glasgow: Burnside Blairbeth

Deacon

185. Mr J Paul Cathcart DCS, Peripatetic Missions Worker

186. Ms Joanna Love DCS, Glasgow Presbytery

17. Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale

Minister

187. Rev Fiona Anderson, OLM, Dalserf

188. Rev Raheel Arif, Denny: Old and Haggs United

189. Rev Ross Blackman, Hamilton: Old

190. Rev Bryce Calder, Motherwell: St Mary’s

191. Rev Charlene Condeco, OLM, Falkirk Laurieston l/w Redding and Westquarter

192. Rev Fiona Crawford, Presbytery Clerk

193. Very Rev Sally Foster Fulton, UK and Global Church Ambassador, Christian Aid

194. Rev Michael Fucella, Biggar District Parish Church

195. Rev Stuart M Fulton, (Glasgow: Newlands South)

196. Rev Morag Garrett, Coalburn and Lesmahagow

197. Rev Drew Gebbie, Hamilton: New

198. Rev Alan W Gibson, Motherwell: South

199. Rev Kay Gilchrist, Airdrie: Jackson

200. Rev Sumit Harrison, Carnwath l/w Carstairs

201. Rev Joanne C Hood, Hamilton: St John’s*

202. Rev Lorna I MacDougall, Overtown

203. Rev Dr Ian R W McDonald, Airdrie: High l/w Caldercruix and Longriggend

204. Rev Alison Meikle, Grangemouth: Parkview

205. Rev Terence C Moran, Wishaw: South Wishaw

206. Very Rev Dr Shaw J Paterson, Strathaven: Trinity

207. Rev Muriel Pearson, Interim Minister, Holytown l/w New Stevenston: Wrangholm Kirk and Kirk O’Shotts l/w Chapelhall*

208. Rev Sarah L Ross, East Kilbride: Moncreiff

Elder

209. Mrs Janice Balshaw, Bonnybridge: St Helen’s

210. Mr Keith Black, Biggar District

211. Mrs Janet Callander, Dalserf

212. Mrs Anne Cochrane, Carnwath

213. Mrs Wilma Davidson, Airdrie: The New Wellwynd

214. Mrs Helen Duffy, Coalburn and Lesmahagow

215. Mr David Findlay, Calderbank

216. Dr Rosmairi Galloway, Cairngryffe

217. Mrs Karen Gillon, Carluke and Law

218. Mr Barry Gordon, Blantyre Livingstone Memorial

219. Mr James Hutchison, Hamilton: New

220. Mr David Kennedy, Airdrie: High*

221. Mr Neil MacLennan, Bo’ness*

222. Mr Andrew Main, Airdrie: Jackson

223. Mrs Edith McIntyre, Airdrie: New Monkland

224. Mr Douglas Pearson, Uddingston: Burnhead

225. Mr George Robertson, Hamilton: Old

226. Mrs Martha Rodger, Bellshill and Bothwell

227. Ms Zandra Swan, Bellshill: Central

228. Mr Andrew Williamson, Blantyre: St Andrew’s

Deacon

229. Mr Colin Ogilvie DCS, Coatbridge: Calder l/w Coatbridge: Old Monkland

24. Presbytery of Fife

Minister

230. Rev Michael Allardice, (East Fife Rural Parish)

231. Rev Hugh Conkey, (Newtonhill)

252. Rev Andrea Fraser, Fife: Forthview

232. Very Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Dunfermline: St Margaret’s

233. Rev Dr Jonathan Humphrey, Leuchars: St Athernase and Tayport

251. Rev Alan Kimmitt, Heart of Fife

234. Rev Donald Lawrie, Auchterderran Kinglassie

235. Rev Michael Okpara, Eden Tay

236. Rev Gillian Paterson, Wellesley

237. Rev Nigel Robb, (Presbytery Clerk, St Andrews)

238. Rev Alec Shuttleworth, Presbytery Clerk*

240. Rev Michael Weaver, Dunfermline: Gillespie Memorial

Elder

242. Mr John Bain, Cowdenbeath: Trinity

243. Lady Sheila Boyd, Leuchars: St Athernase and Tayport

244. Mr Alasdair Campbell, Cairneyhill

245. Mrs Patricia Davidson, Kirkcaldy: Hope

246. Mrs Pauline Hoey, Gillespie

247. Mrs Gayle Lennon, Cupar: St John’s and Dairsie United

248. Mr Geoff Miller, Burntisland and Kinghorn

239. Mr Jack Shuttleworth, West Fife: Trinity

249. Mr William Sweenie, Burntisland and Kinghorn

250. Mr Stephen Taylor, Auchterderran Kinglassie

241. Miss Lisa Whyte, Methil: Wellesley*

Deacon

253. Mrs Jacqueline Thomson DCS, (Levenmouth: New Hope)

28. Presbytery of Perth

Minister

254. Rev Chris Barlas, Dundee: Craigowl

255. Rev Marc F Bircham, St Madoes and Kinfauns l/w Errol

256. Rev Alison Britchfield, Tillicoultry

257. Rev Craig Dobney, Comrie and Dundurn

258. Rev Brenda Elwell Sutton, Dundee: Northeast

259. Rev Dr John Ferguson, Presbytery Clerk

260. Rev Joanne Foster, Loch Tay and Glenlyon l/w Rannoch

261. Rev Mark Foster, Blair Atholl and Struan l/w Pitlochry

262. Rev Dr Andrew Gardner, Dundee: Broughty Ferry

263. Rev Michael S Goss, Carnoustie: Trinity*

264. Rev Dr Roderick J Grahame, Dundee: Westgate

265. Rev Philip Hacking, East Hillfoots

266. Rev Christine Hay, Arbroath and District

267. Rev Donna M Hays, (Sidlaw)

268. Rev Dawn A Laing, Alloa: Ludgate

269. Rev Judith Macleod, Arbroath and District

270. Rev Gary J McIntyre, Stirling: St Ninian’s Old

271. Rev Mairi Perkins, Ardoch and Blackford

272. Rev Alan D Reid, Kinross shire*

273. Rev Prof Lesley Stanley, University of Stirling, Chaplain

274. Rev James C Stewart, Perth: Letham St Mark’s

275. Rev Graham Taylor, (Dundee: Broughty Ferry and Queen Street)

276. Rev Susan Thorburn, Auchtergaven and Moneydie l/w Redgorton and Stanley

277. Rev Adriaan J J Van Tonder, Brechin and Farnell

Elder

278. Mrs Barbara Chalmers, Dundee: Craigowl

279. Miss Marjorie Clark, Perth: St Matthew’s

280. Mrs Donna Kerri Dobney, Comrie and Dundurn

281. Mr Thomas Drennan, Auchtergaven and Moneydie

282. Mrs Heather Edwards, Brechin and Farnell

283. Mr Michael Ellacott, Perth: St Matthew’s

284. Dr David Frame, Pitlochry

285. Mrs Brenda Fraser, Kinross shire

286. Miss Yvonne M Grant, Monifieth South Angus*

287. Mrs Margaret Hagan, Arbroath and District

288. Mr Alan S Hunter, Tillicoultry

289. Mr David Inglis, Monifieth South Angus

290. Mrs Tricia A Inglis, Monifieth South Angus

291. Mrs Anne A Lamond, Scone and St Martin’s

292. Ms Elizabeth McCruden, Aberfeldy

293. Mr Ian McVean, Balfron and Fintry

294. Mrs Margaret McVean, Sidlaw*

295. Mr Ian Mills, Strathblane

296. Mrs Joan Murdock, Comrie and Dundurn

297. Mrs Jean O’Connor, Dundee: Craigowl

298. Mr George Russell, East Hillfoots*

299. Mrs Johan Stirling, Stirling: Park Church

300. Mrs Rosemary Tolson, Kinross shire

301. Mrs Karin Wilson, St Madoes and Kinfauns

Deacon

302. Ms Patricia M Munro DCS, Perth: Riverside

31. Presbytery of the North East
and the Northern Isles

Minister

303. Rev Katrina M Blackwood, OLM, Hospital Chaplain

304. Rev Keith T Blackwood, Aberdeen: Mannofield

305. Rev Sarah Brown, Aberdeen: St Machar’s Cathedral

306. Rev Dr Benjamin D W Byun, Aberdeen: Springfield

307. Rev Alison Dickie, Orkney Islands

308. Rev Robert A Fowlie, Crimond l/w Lonmay

309. Rev Carl Irvine, Inverurie: St Andrew’s

310. Rev Ian Manson, Insch Leslie Premnay Oyne

311. Rev Stella L McBurnie, Presbytery Clerk

312. Rev Julia M Meason, Orkney Islands

313. Rev Deon F Oelofse, Elgin*

314. Rev Dr Julia Pizzuto Pomaco, Peterhead: New

315. Rev Aquila Singh, Formartine

316. Rev George Sneddon, Stonehaven: Fetteresso

317. Rev Dr Daniel Spencer, Kingshill

318. Rev Wiekus Van Straaten, Keith: St Rufus, Botriphnie and Grange

319. Rev Tanya J Webster, Aberdeen: Fountainhall

320. Rev Patricia M Whittaker, Aberdeen: Devana

Elder

321. Mrs Ann M C Bowie, Bellie and Speymouth

322. Mr Charles Clark, Inverurie: St Andrew’s

323. Mrs Maureen Cumming, Shetland

324. Mr Jim Donald, Shetland

325. Mr Stuart Lynch, Elgin*

326. Miss Ursula (Ruth) Mackenzie, Peterhead: New*

327. Mr John McCafferty, Maryculter: Trinity

328. Mr Matthew Philip, Aberdeen: Springfield

329. Mr Brian J Wood, Braemar and Crathie

330. Mr Nicholas Shanks, West Gordon (Alford, Strathdon, Rhynie)

331. Mr Mike Jamieson, Banchory-Ternan East

332. Mrs Gillian Jamieson, Banchory-Ternan East

333. Mr Robert M Esson, Cruden

334. Mrs Maureen Esson, Cruden

335. Mr Matt Sinar, Stonehaven: Fetteresso

336.

337.

338.

Deacon

487. Miss Fiona Blair DCS, Kingshill

42. Clèir Eilean Ì

Minister

339. Rev James Bissett, Presbytery Clerk*

340. Rev Sandor Fazakas, Portree

341. Rev Charles Finnie, Alvie and Insh

342. Rev Phil Gunn, Alness

343. Rev Ann Inglis, (Langton and Lammermuir)

344. Rev Dr Malcolm Kinnear, South Lochaber

345. Rev Drew Kuzma, Kiltarlity and Kirkhill

346. Rev Dewald Louw, West Moray

347. Rev Janet MacKellar, The Shore Kirk

348. Rev Jade Maclean, Grantown on Spey and Dulnain Bridge l/w Cromdale and Advie

349. Rev Dr Alasdair Macleod, Easter Ross Peninsula

350. Rev Hector Morrison, Inverness: Hilton

351. Rev Everisto Musedza, Cowal Kirk

352. Rev Donald McCorkindale, Ardgour, Morvern and Strontian l/w Acharacle and Ardnamurchan

353. Rev Monika Redman, Urray and Kilchrist

354. Rev Matthew Z Ross, North West Lochaber*

355. Rev Stephen Saas, South Kintyre Parishes

356. Rev David Scott, Inshes East

357. Rev Dorothy Wallace, West Lochfyneside:Cumlodden, Inveraray and Lochgair

Elder

358. Mr Douglas Allan, Isle of Bute*

359. Mrs Cath Chambers, Alness

360. Mrs Georgina Dalton, Netherlorn

361. Mrs Elizabeth Geddes, Pentland

362. Mrs Ella Gill, Acharacle and Ardnamurchan l/w Ardgour, Morvern and Strontian

363. Mrs Doreen Henderson, Kilmore and Oban

364. Mr William Leigh Knight, Colonsay and Oronsay

365. Mrs Aline Aitkin, West Lochfyneside

366. Mrs Ina Macpherson, Central and East Sutherland

367. Mr Jimmy Maxwell, Easter Ross Penisula*

368. Mr Murray McCheyne, Inverness: St Columba

369. Mr Markus Meier, Kiltarlity and Kirkhill

370. Mrs Liz Ross Bartell, Kilmuir and Logie Easter

371. Mrs Jean Rutherford, North and West Islay

372. Mrs Lorraine Sinclair, East Caithness

373. Mr Raymond Smart, Alness

374.

375.

376.

44. Presbytery of Lewis

Minister

377. Rev Iain Murdo Campbell, Lochs

378. Rev Murdo Campbell, (Strathblane)

Elder

379. Mr John Hebditch, Cross Ness

380. Mr DJ MacLeod, Carloway*

47. Presbytery of England and the Channel Islands

Minister

381. Rev Dr David G Coulter, (Presbytery Clerk, Fife)

382. Rev Alistair Cumming, Presbytery Clerk*

383. Rev Angus MacLeod, London St Columba’s l/w Newcastle St Andrew’s

384. Rev Canon Prof Paul Middleton, University of Chester

385. Rev Fiona Ogg, (Acharacle with Ardnamurchan)

386. Rev Justin Taylor, Guernsey: St Andrew’s in the Grange

Elder

387. Dr Hilary Boyle, Guernsey: St Andrew’s in the Grange

388. Mrs Sheena Clark, London: Crown Court*

389. Miss Elizabeth Fox, London: St Columba’s l/w Newcastle St Andrew’s

390. Mrs Linda Lowseck, Jersey: St Columba’s

391. Mrs Gillian McLean, Corby

392. Mrs Susan Pym, London: St Columba’s l/w Newcastle St Andrew’s

48. Presbytery of International Charges

Minister

393. Rev Graham Austin, Rotterdam: Scots International Church

394. Very Rev Dr W Martin Fair, Bermuda: Christ Church, Warwick

395. Rev Scott MacSween, Presbyery Clerk*

396. Rev Laurence Twaddle, (Geneva)

Elder

397. Mrs Valerie Prieur, Paris: The Scots Kirk*

398. Mr Ruud Witte, Rotterdam

485. Mr Robert Kenneth, Lausanne

49. Presbytery of Jerusalem

Minister

399. Rev Dr Stewart Gillan, Jerusalem and Tiberias:
St Andrew’s*

Elder

400. Mrs Joanna Oakley Levstein, Tiberias: St Andrew’s*

* denotes membership of the Commission of Assembly 2026-2027

UK ECUMENICAL DELEGATES

Church of England

409. Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, Bishop of Carlisle

United Reformed Church

411. Ms Catriona Wheeler, Moderator

Presbyterian Church of Wales

405. Miss Glynis Owen, Moderator

Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

403. Most Rev Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh

Scottish Episcopal Church

406. Rt Rev Ian Paton, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane

United Free Church of Scotland

404. Rev Martin Keane, Moderator and Senior Principal Clerk

United Reformed Church (National Synod of Scotland)

408. Rev Lindsey Sanderson, Moderator

Methodist Church in Scotland

407. Rev James Patron-Bell, Ecumenical Officer

Religious Society of Friends – General Meeting for Scotland

412. Mary Woodward (Friday and Saturday)

401. Elizabeth Allen (Monday)

The Salvation Army

402. Major David Burns

Congregational Federation in Scotland

410. Rev Alister G Weighton, Chair

DELEGATES FROM ECUMENICAL BODIES

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

414. Dr Nicola Brady, General Secretary

OVERSEAS DELEGATES

AFRICA

Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana

418. Rev Dr Lawson Dzanku, Synod Clerk

Presbyterian Church of Nigeria

416. His Eminence, Dr Ekpenyong Akpanika, Prelate and Moderator

AMERICAS

United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

422. Mrs Rose Wedderburn, General Secretary

ASIA

Presbyterian Church of Korea

417. Rev Dr Sangdo Choi, General Secretary

Church of Bangladesh

419. Rev Dr John Probhudan Hira, Synod Secretary

EUROPE

Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, Czechia

421. Mr Ondřej Titěra, Secretary for Ecumenical and International Relations

Waldensian Church, Italy

420. Mr Ulf Koller, Member of Waldensian Board

VISITOR

Church of England

484. Rev Tim Norwood, National Officer for Local Ecumenism

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS

Assembly Trustees

426. Mrs Jean Couper

427. Mr Crawford Gillies

428. Mr David Harrison

436. Mr Michael Yuille

437. Rev Dr Philip Ziegler

Chief Officer

434. Rev Norman Smith

Faith Action Programme Leadership Team

431. Rev Tommy MacNeil

Church of Scotland Pension Trustees

430. Miss Lin Macmillan

Stewardship and Finance

435. Ms Pauline Wilson

Legal Questions Committee

429. Rev Dr Marjory MacLean

Social Care Council

424. Dr Michael Cantlay

The Guild

425. Mrs Kay Coull, National Convener

Theological Forum

432. Prof Paul Nimmo

Church of Scotland Housing and Loan Fund

433. Ms Lynsey Orbegozo

STAFF MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

Head of Ministries and Mission

453. Mrs Kay Cathcart

Secretary of the Social Care Council

454. Mrs Viv Dickenson

Chief Executive and Clerk, General Trustees

458. Mr Brian Waller

General Treasurer

457. Mrs Leanne Thompson

Head of Human Resources

455. Mrs Elaine McCloghry

Scottish Churches’ Parliamentary Officer

452. Mr David Bradwell

Head of Communications

456. Mr Edd McCracken

PRESBYTERY YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES

Clyde

477. Miss Louise Freya Pattison

Edinburgh and West Lothian

463. Miss Jessica Beveridge

Fife

460. Miss Grace Alexander

461. Miss Helen Alexander

466. Mr David Buik

468. Mr Alexander William Coutts

Glasgow

465. Mr Nicholas Allan Budgen

470. Miss Danielle Gray

474. Mr Johnathan McArdle

475. Mr Brendan N McNab

Clèir Eilean Ì: Highlands and Hebrides

464. Miss Lizzie Brayshaw

Lothian and Borders

472. Mr Kevin Jack

471. Miss Beth Hudson

476. Miss Kaitlyn Middlemass

481. Mr Samuel Torrance

North East and the Northern Isles

459. Miss Cheryl Alexander

462. Mr Shawn Alexander

467. Mr Joe Clark

478. Ms Anna Pizzuto-Pomaco

473. Mr John Pizzuto-Pomaco

480. Miss Sofia Sokolova

Perth

469. Miss Susie Dalgleish

482. Mr Arran Hart Walker

South West

479. Mr Rory Sloan

483. Mr Wilhelm Wildner

PROBATIONERS AND ADMISSIONS
CANDIDATE ON FAMILIARISATION

Perth

448. Rev Jacob Lehman, Admissions Candidate on Familiarisation

Edinburgh and West Lothian

450. Dr Janet Shepherd, Probationer

451. Mr Jamie Sutherland, Probationer

Lewis

447. Mr Sandy Gillies, Probationer

South West

449. Mr Simon Mann, Probationer

IV. Order of Business

FRIDAY 15 MAY 2026 –DAY 1

Session 1: 10am to 11am OPENING CEREMONY

1. Constitution of Assembly.

2. Submission of the Standing Orders, the Roll of Commissioners and the Report of the Standing Committee on Commissions.

3. Election of Moderator.

4. Homologation of appointment of Acting Principal Clerk.

5. His Majesty’s Commission to the Lord High Commissioner.

6. His Majesty’s Most Gracious Letter to be read and order given for recording it.

7. Address by the Lord High Commissioner and reply by the Moderator.

8. Appointment of Committees: (1) to Prepare Answer to His Majesty’s Most Gracious Letter, (2) to Prepare a Minute on Deceased Ministers, Missionaries and Deacons and (3) of the Procedure Committee.

9. Intimation of arrangements for a celebration of Holy Communion on Monday 18 May, at 9.15am in the Assembly Hall and online.

Circulation Break

Session 2: 11.30am to 12.30pm

1. Speeches from Delegates and Visitors.

2. Section 2 of the Report of the Legal Questions Committee regarding proposed changes to Standing Orders.

3. Report of the Assembly Business Committee (Reports 1/1).

4. Presentation of Bible to Moderator by the Scottish Bible Society (Reports 1/4).

5. Minutes of Appeal Hearings (Reports 2/1 & 3/1).

6. Report of the Legal Questions Committee (Reports 4/1).

Lunch

Session 3: 2pm (with comfort break midway, aim to finish by 5.30pm)

1. Report of the Procedure Committee – to include Consent Agenda (see page 13 below).

2. Report of the Assembly Trustees (Reports 5/1), including the Overture from the Presbytery of Perth as to vacancy allowance (Order of Proceedings, page 29).

3. Joint Report of the Assembly Trustees and the Church of Scotland Trust on the Scots Hotel, Tiberias (Reports 6/1).

4. Report of the Church of Scotland Trust (Reports 7/1).

Dinner

Session 4: 7pm (aim to finish by 9pm)

1. Report of the Theological Forum and the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team on the Causes of Decline of the Church (Reports 8/1)

2. Report of the Presbytery Review Committee (Reports 9/1).

3. Report of the Safeguarding Committee (Reports 10/1)

SATURDAY 16 MAY 2026 - DAY 2

Session 5: 9.15am

1. Constitution of Assembly

2. Report of the Procedure Committee.

3. Report of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team (Reports 11/1).

Circulation Break

Session 6: 11am

1. Report of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team (Reports 11/1) contd.

Lunch

Session 7: 2pm (with comfort break midway)

1. Report of the Procedure Committee –confirmation of Consent Agenda (see page 13 below).

2. Report of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team (Reports 11/1) contd

3. Joint Report on Legacies of Slavery (Reports 12/1) (Order of the Day 3pm).

4. Report of the Church of Scotland Guild (Reports 13/1).

SUNDAY 17 MAY 2026- DAY 3

Session 8: 3pm – 5pm

1. Constitution of Assembly.

2. Report of the Procedure Committee.

3. Report of the Social Care Council (Reports 14/1).

4. Report of the Ecumenical Relations Committee (Reports 15/1).

5. Report of the Registration of Ministries Committee (Reports 16/1).

6. Report of the Iona Community Board (Reports 17/1).

MONDAY 18 MAY 2026 – DAY 4

The Sacrament of Holy Communion at 9.15am.

Session 9: 10.30am

1. Constitution of Assembly.

2. Report of the Procedure Committee.

3. Report of the Committee to draft a reply to His Majesty’s Most Gracious Letter.

4. Report of the Committee on Chaplains to HM Forces (Reports 18/1).

Circulation Break

Session 10: 11.30am

1. Report of the General Trustees (Reports 19/1).

2. Report of the Nomination Committee (Reports 20/1).

Lunch

Session 11: 2pm

1. Report of the Church of Scotland Pension Trustees (Reports 21/1).

2. Report of the Chalmers Lectureship Trust (Reports 22/1).

3. Consent Agenda Reports and remaindered business, both if required.

4. Draft Minutes of Sederunts not yet submitted to be read if required.

5. Appointment of Principal Clerk.

6. Report on the Printing of Acts.

7. Protestations called for.

8. Appointment of Committee to Prepare Minutes.

9. Act appointing the Commission of Assembly.

10. Pass an Act appointing the Commission of Assembly to meet in Autumn 2026 to determine the date, duration and format (in person with whether online to be determined) for the next General Assembly, which Assembly will meet in Edinburgh in May 2027.

Circulation Break

Session 12: 4.30pm CLOSING CEREMONY

1. Constitution of Assembly.

2. Report anent Deceased Ministers, Missionaries and Deacons.

3. Presentations to the Moderator.

4. Moderator addresses the General Assembly.

5. The Lord High Commissioner addresses the General Assembly.

6. National Anthem.

7. Dissolution.

THE BENEDICTION

Note It is hoped that this timetable will be adhered to but items could arise earlier or later than the times specified.

CONSENT AGENDA - PROVISIONAL REPORTS – proposer Procedure Committee

Report of the Church Hymnary Trustees (Reports 23/1).

Report of the Church of Scotland Housing and Loan Fund (Reports 24/1).

Report of the Church of Scotland Investors Trust (Reports 25/1).

Report of the Delegation of the General Assembly (Reports 26/1).

Report of the Ethical Oversight Committee (Reports 27/1).

Report of the Theological Forum (Reports 28/1).

V. Proposed Committees

Committee to Prepare an Answer to His Majesty’s Gracious Letter

Very Rev Rosie Frew 442

Mrs Ann M C Bowie 321

Rev Dr David G Coulter 381

Committee to Prepare Minute on
Deceased Ministers, Missionaries and Deacons

Very Rev Rosie Frew
Principal Clerk
Depute Clerk

VI. Information on Questions, Comments, Motions and Voting

The Standing Orders govern how business is conducted at the General Assembly. They are included at Section IX in this Order of Proceedings; please familiarise yourself with them before the Assembly opens.

Below is a summary of how you can do some key things at the Assembly.

ASKING QUESTIONS

You will see from the Standing Orders that questions are always in order. However, the usual time for asking general questions on the Report or on the work of the Committee is immediately after a Convener has presented the Report and moved the deliverance. At this point the Moderator will ask for questions, before moving to section 1 (“Receive the Report”) of the proposed deliverance.

Questions which relate to specific sections of proposed deliverance should be asked when the Assembly is considering the relevant section of deliverance.

If you are in-person: If you have a mobile, or portable, device, you can use it to register a “request to speak” on the Assembly Hub as set out in the subsequent paragraph. Alternatively, there will be stations placed in the Hall where you can use your commissioner number to enter a “request to speak”, choosing to ask your question either at the start or against the relevant section(s) of deliverance. Be ready to speak at a microphone in the Hall.

If you are online: To ask a question you should register a “request to speak” on the Assembly Hub, choosing to ask it either at the start or against the appropriate section of deliverance. Details of how to do this through the Hub will be shared at the training events and in a video to be made available to you.

You can register your “request to speak” at any time in advance of the debate taking place, or “on the spot”.

MAKING COMMENTS

General comments should be made when section 1 (“Receive the Report”) is being considered; more specific comments should be made when the Assembly is considering the relevant section of deliverance.

If you are in-person: Again, if you have a mobile, or portable, device, you can use it to register a “request to speak” on the Assembly Hub as set out in the subsequent paragraph. Alternatively, there will be stations placed in the Hall where you can use your Commissioner Number to enter a “request to speak” against the relevant section(s) of deliverance. Be ready to speak at a microphone in the Hall.

If you are online: Again, you should register a “request to speak” on the Assembly Hub against the appropriate section of deliverance. Details of how to do this through the Hub will be shared at the training events and in a video to be made available to you.

You can register your “request to speak” at any time in advance of the debate taking place, or “on the spot”.

MOVING MOTIONS

At each Assembly various “motions” are considered. These mainly consist of the sections of proposed deliverance appearing in Reports from Standing Committees. However, any Commissioner can move a motion to amend a proposed section of deliverance, offer an alternative section to the one proposed or to add a new section of deliverance. (To remove a section of deliverance, see below).

If you want to do any of these things, you need to submit a “Notice of Motion” to the Clerks. It helps everyone if you can give as much advance notice as possible of your motion. The Clerks may contact you about the text of your proposed motion.

Types of motion

When you prepare a Notice of Motion, you need to decide what sort of motion you want to propose. Options are:-

1. amendments – adding words to or removing words from a section of proposed deliverance but leaving the basic meaning intact. You can also propose an amendment to another commissioner’s amendment.

2. counter-motions – proposing an alternative to an existing section of proposed deliverance which, if approved, would be distinctly different from the section proposed by the Standing Committee (i.e. if your counter-motion is accepted by the Assembly it would mean that the originally proposed section falls).

3. new section of deliverance altogether – adding to the Standing Committee’s work or affirming a priority. Such a motion needs to fall within the relevant Standing Committee’s remit. For a motion which relates to a matter falling within a Committee’s remit but to which no reference is made in the Report, you must give the relevant Convener reasonable notice in writing.

4. If you simply don’t think that the Assembly should accept a section of proposed deliverance, there is no need to move a motion stating the direct negative. Instead, when the Assembly is considering that section of deliverance, you should speak to explain why you encourage a vote against it.

The Moderator is the final judge of the category into which a motion falls.

How to submit a Notice of Motion:

If you are in-person: If you are in the Hall with a device enabling you to do so, you can use the Assembly Hub as in the subsequent paragraph. Alternatively you can email a duly completed notice of motion form to the Clerks of Assembly using pcoffice@churchofscotland.org.uk, or you can complete and return to the Clerks at the top table or to the Assembly Office a paper notice of motion form.

If you are online: You should use the Assembly Hub to register a notice of motion in advance in respect of the relevant section(s) of deliverance. Details of how to submit a motion through the Hub will be shared at the training events and in a video to be made available to you.

Information on Questions, Comments, Motions and Voting

Procedure for taking Notices of Motion:

If you submit a notice of motion, by whatever method, a notification that you wish to speak will automatically be generated.

If you are in-person: You should be ready to speak at a station in the Hall.

If you are online: You should be ready to be called to speak by the Moderator.

When the Assembly reaches the appropriate place in the debate for your motion to be moved, the Moderator will call you to speak. The advantage of using the Assembly Hub will be that other Commissioners will be able to see your motion in advance.

The Moderator will ask you to read what you propose (or the Clerks will do this) and the text will be shown on the screens in the Hall and the live feed. The Moderator will then invite you to tell the Assembly why you believe your proposal is the right one. You have up to five minutes to speak.

All motions must be seconded. Ideally you should arrange a seconder in advance. A fellow commissioner will be able to second your motion using the Assembly Hub, or alternatively, a motion can be seconded by an in person commissioner in the Hall. If no one is willing to second it, your motion falls.

Seconding can be formal so a seconder does not need to speak in support of a proposal but if they wish to do so, they should also be ready, depending on whether they are in person or online, to speak at a station in the Hall or should register a “request to speak” on the Assembly Hub.

Once you your motion has been moved and seconded, there will be debate at the end of which you will be asked if you wish to say anything else to convince the Assembly. After that, the Convener presenting the Report will be asked to give their response and then the Assembly will decide on the matter by voting.

VOTING

If you are in person: You will vote using a Bluetooth handset supplied to you at the Hall.

If you are online: You will vote using the Assembly Hub.

Also, we may use a process for quick approval of certain sections of proposed deliverance rather than taking a formal vote on every occasion. This will involve the Moderator ascertaining the view of the Assembly by asking in person commissioners to stamp their feet or stand and at the same time asking online commissioners to “raise a hand” on Zoom.

A further note for General Assembly 2026 as to Notices of Motion:

Over the last few years, the Assembly Business Committee has been under strong pressure to reduce the financial costs of holding the General Assembly. This, combined with a desire to see more elders of working age or with family commitments engage with our business, saw the Assembly of 2025 approve a plan to see this year’s General Assembly held over a long weekend. Commissioners will appreciate that it would be impossible to replicate all that the General Assembly has done in past years in a shorter timeframe, and the Committee has had to find ways to focus Assembly business into a shorter time-frame without losing commissioners’ ability to direct work.

This year standing committees have been asked to put forward only sections of deliverance relating to those matters which, in the view of the Assembly Business Committee (acting through the Clerks), must be decided by the General Assembly this year. If committees wish to publicise initiatives or events, commend resources, thank people, or note work done or in progress, they have been asked to do this in a different way: to use a section in the Report headed “Points for Information”.

All commissioners should note that the Clerks will be reviewing proposed notices of motion very carefully with this background in mind and with an eye to the time-pressure on business which inevitably exists this year. In addition, your co-operation in framing motions which are clear and succinct would be greatly appreciated.

VII. Remits of GA Standing Committees and Other Bodies

A | COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES WHICH CAN BE INSTRUCTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
B | COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES WHICH DO NOT REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
C | TRUSTS WHICH REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUT CANNOT BE INSTRUCTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Note: The tables below aim to set out the Remits for the General Assembly’s Standing Committees and Other Bodies, as agreed by the General Assembly up to and including GA 2025. Where there is a proposal for a Remit to be changed by GA 2026, this is noted in relation to the relevant Committee or Other Body.

A – COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES WHICH CAN BE INSTRUCTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Committee or Other Body | Remit

Assembly Business Committee

To make all necessary arrangements and to order the business for the General Assembly and Commissions of Assembly.

To have oversight of and keep under review the functions, the membership, the processes and procedures of the General Assembly.

To advise the Moderator on his or her official duties if so required and to have oversight of the election, role and function of the Moderator.

To be responsible to the General Assembly for the care and maintenance of the Assembly Hall and the Moderator’s residence and for all arrangements in connection with the letting or other use of the Assembly Hall.

To act in routine matters not the business of other General Assembly Standing Committees or the Trustees in accordance with the accepted practice and procedure of the Church.

[source: Appendix 2 of the Report of the Special Commission on Structural Reform to GA 2019]

Assembly Trustees

To hold the entire heritable and moveable property, assets, securities, investments and income held by or for the Church for the following objects:

a. To offer Christian worship, fellowship, instruction, mission and service;

b. To bring the ordinances of religion to the people in every parish of Scotland through a territorial ministry;

c. To labour for the advancement of the Kingdom of God throughout the world.

In doing so:

a. To seek to build and strengthen local congregations as centres of worship, care, nurture, service, witness and mission;

b. To promote, in partnership with other churches, the ministry and mission of the Church throughout all of Scotland, with particular reference to its poorest and most remote areas;

c. To support the work of ecumenical bodies and other agencies in Scotland and elsewhere in the world;

d. To be able to make such provision of support, if any, to other charitable bodies having similar aims as those foregoing, as may seem appropriate in a common pursuance of the foregoing objects.

[source: Assembly Trustees Constitution as set out in Appendix 7 of the Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2025]

Assembly Trustees – Central Services Committee

To act as one of the employing agencies of the Church and make recommendations to the Assembly Trustees on the staffing and resourcing requirements of the employing agencies of the General Assembly (other than staff directly employed by the Councils) and on the terms and conditions of the staff for whom it is the employing agency.

[source: Assembly Trustees]

Assembly Trustees – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group

To offer assistance and advice to the Assembly Trustees in the development of strategies, programmes and projects on matters of Equality, Diversion and Inclusion.

To promote and develop work to improve awareness and understanding around issues of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Church of Scotland.

Report to the Assembly Trustees on progress made in discharging the remit.

[source: EDI Terms of Reference]

Assembly Trustees – Finance Group

To advise and assist in the analysis of the Church’s income and expenditure plans, including:

o budget preparation;

o the funding of presbyteries;

o the financial strategy of CrossReach;

o the financial viability of other key activities;

o income generation and cost reduction options;

o spending priorities; and

o the management of Church funds.

To advise and assist on any financial matters that the Assembly Trustees, General Treasurer and the Finance Department wish to bring to the Group.

[source: Assembly Trustees/Stewardship and Finance]

Assembly Trustees – Israel Palestine Committee

To have delegated authority from the Assembly Trustees for:

a. Oversight of the Church’s work and relationships in Israel and Palestine;

b. Management, maintenance and oversight of the Church’s establishments in Israel (“the Establishments”), which are:

The Scots Hotel, Tiberias

St Andrew’s House Hotel, Jerusalem

Tabeetha School, Jaffa

St Andrew’s Memorial Church, Jerusalem

St Andrew’s Church, Tiberias;

c. Management, maintenance and oversight of land owned by the Church in Safed (currently leased to the Israeli Ministry of Health) and a cemetery in Tiberias.

[source: Schedule E to the Assembly Trustees Constitution, as set out in Appendix 7 of the Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2025]

Assembly Trustees – Seeds for Growth

To administer the provision of funding to support the numerical and spiritual growth of the Church through:

Developing mission through new worshipping communities;

Developing and nurturing faith in those under the age of 40; and

Fostering discipleship and revitalisation within established congregations, with the aim of growing an existing congregation or developing a new worshipping community.

[source: Seeds for Growth Fund Regulations 2022]

Assembly Trustees – Trustees’ Governance Group

To ensure that the Assembly Trustees fulfil their legal and functional responsibilities in all respects.

To advise and assist the Assembly Trustees in the exercise of the supervisory function of the component elements of the Church as required by the Church’s Designated Religious Charity status, and shall oversee compliance by Forums, Committees, Congregations and Presbyteries in the proper discharge of their duties and responsibilities under charity and accounting legislation and General Assembly Acts and Regulations.

To assist the Trustees in their duties to: a. maintain a Code of Conduct for all Agencies of the Church as defined in clause 70 of the Constitution and Remit and supervise compliance with that Code by all members of such Agencies; b. maintain a Code of Conduct for the Trustees, adhere to it and supervise compliance with that Code by all Trustees; c. maintain, and in consultation with the Agencies subject to a periodic review, an appropriate Scheme of Financial Delegation such as that set out in Schedule F of the Constitution and Remit to be followed by the Agencies; d. maintain, and in consultation with the Agencies subject to a periodic review, an appropriate Scheme of General Delegation; e. ensure that all necessary policies are in place and regularly reviewed.

To receive regular reports from the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee should in turn receive copies of the Minutes from the Governance Group.

To keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of risk management arrangements of the Unincorporated Entities.

To advise and assist the Trustees on the governance aspects of management, resourcing, organisation and administration and shall undertake such other functions as may from time to time be delegated to or referred to it by the Trustees

To ensure that:

(a) each Trustee is aware of the terms of this Constitution;

(b) each Trustee is aware of the deliverances from the most recent General Assembly;

(c) each Trustee is aware of her or his role as an Assembly Trustee;

(d) each Trustee is aware of the need to act with independence of mind and with probity;

(e) the delivery of the work of the Charity and the Agencies is founded upon good operational and financial plans;

(f) the effective working of the Trustees is enabled through the body of Trustees having appropriate skills, experience and diversity;

(g) the Trustees exercise the controls necessary to ensure that the strategic priorities, policies and decisions of the Assembly are implemented effectively and efficiently and establish appropriate checks on management, financial control mechanisms and risk appraisal; and

(h) the Trustees and the Agencies are open and accountable in their actions, enabling good communication among themselves and with staff, with others working within the Church, with members of the Church and with those with whom the Trustees and the Agencies engage.

To establish, maintain and keep under review an appraisal system for the Trustees which is in accordance with current good governance practice, as provided for in Schedule B of the Constitution and Remit.

To deal with complaints regarding possible material breaches of duty by Trustees.

[source: Schedule D to the Assembly Trustees Constitution, as set out in Appendix 7 of the Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2025]

Audit Committee

The General Assembly has established the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) to advise and assist the Assembly Trustees in the oversight of financial reporting, systems of internal control and processes related to these systems.

Membership of the Committee shall be as set out in [the Standing Orders of the GA]. The Committee shall review its terms of reference and its own effectiveness annually and shall recommend any changes to the Trustees. The Committee’s review and work shall be appraised by the Governance Group of the Trustees.

The Convener of the Committee shall be entitled to attend a meeting of the Trustees or their Governance Group of the Trustees on any matter which the Committee believes to be of sufficient importance.

The Convener of the Committee shall be entitled to report directly to the General Assembly on any matter which the Committee believes to be of sufficient importance.

[source: Appendix II to the Report of the Commission of Assembly in 2019 concerning the merger of the Ministries Council with the Mission and Discipleship Council and the merger of the Church and Society Council with the World Mission Council; as amended by the Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2022]

Chaplains to His Majesty’s Forces Committee

To keep abreast of Ministry of Defence policy and make a contribution to the formulation of this as it concerns the spiritual well-being of the women and men of the Armed Forces of the Crown.

To take an interest in the recruiting of chaplains and in their welfare.

[source: Church of Scotland website]

Church of Scotland Housing and Loan Fund | The Fund exists to support retired Church of Scotland ministers, and widows, widowers, separated or divorced spouses and separated or former civil partners of Church of Scotland ministers, in need of help with housing. [source: GA 2024 Report and Guidance on website]
Delegation of the General Assembly | To issue a Unitary Constitution to congregations which have adopted that constitution. [source: Congregational Constitutions Act 1964]

Ecumenical Relations Committee

Serve the General Assembly, and the bodies appointed by the General Assembly, in advising it with respect to the ecumenical life of the Church of Scotland, with particular reference to Article VII of the Articles Declaratory of the Church of Scotland.

Articulate the Ecumenical Policy of the Church, and review the Policy as necessary.

Brief and advise the Moderator of the General Assembly and the Principal Clerk of the General Assembly, through the Ecumenical Officer, with respect to the ecumenical life of the Church.

Facilitate engagement with the presbyteries of the Church with a view to encouraging the development of local and regional ecumenical initiatives.

Facilitate the establishing of mission-orientated local ecumenical partnerships in conjunction with the presbyteries of the Church and other partner churches.

Maintain and develop the relationship of the Church of Scotland with: the Church of England, in the light of the Columba Declaration (2016); the Scottish Episcopal Church, in the light of the Saint Andrew Declaration (2021) and the Catholic Church in Scotland, in the light of the Saint Margaret Declaration (2022).

Facilitate engagement with the member churches of Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) (and with any successor body), and with other churches in Scotland.

Facilitate engagement with the member churches of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), Churches Together in England (CTE), and with other churches in the United Kingdom.

Facilitate engagement with the member churches of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), the World Council of Churches (WCC), and with other churches and ecumenical bodies.

Facilitate theological and doctrinal engagement in Faith and Order dialogue in conjunction with the Theological Forum.

Nominate representatives of the Church of Scotland to represent the Church in the Assemblies and Synods of other churches, and on ACTS, CTBI, CTE, CEC, CPCE, WCRC and WCC, and to receive reports from them.

Support the work of the Ecumenical Officer in their representative and administrative functions.

[source: Appendix 5 of the Ecumenical Relations Committee Report to GA 2023]

Ethical Oversight Committee

To be an advisory group to help the Church of Scotland Investors Trust (COSIT) to focus on the theological and ethical background of what the Church should be investing in, consider the complexities of the investment options, and be a space for intelligent conversations that can support the COSIT to provide the investment managers with very specific briefs, in line with the Church’s values.

[source: GA 2023 Report of the Special Committee on the Ethics of Investment Practice]

Faith Action Programme Leadership Team

FAPLT shall lead and deliver the Faith Action Programme to enable the delivery of the Church’s identified priorities. It shall implement the strategic objectives of the General Assembly and the strategic priorities of the Assembly Trustees and shall work with the Assembly Trustees, the General Trustees, Presbyteries and other parts of the Church to achieve a collaborative approach with the purpose of nurturing the people of the Church in their witness, worship and service. In particular, it shall:

Support the ministries of the Church

Review recruitment processes for the recognised ministries of the Church, creating pathways that attract and allow the Church to recruit the required number of leaders for the recognised ministries for which they are suited and called

Review and administer the selection processes for recognised ministries

Provide pastoral support for the recognised ministries

Equip inspirational leaders and disciples

Create a single, integrated training programme supporting all levels and aspects of Church life

Provide support to the local as required in respect of education, worship and mission and discipleship

Assist Presbyteries as requested to create accessible platforms for the sharing of good practice across the Church

Support and enable digital ministry both in delivery and roll-out

Engage with congregations

Resource congregations in the work of campaigning and advocacy for justice, peace, inclusion, neighbourliness and the integrity of creation

Support and enable congregational engagement with the work of the Church outside Scotland and congregational involvement with Christian Aid

Engage with the wider world

Develop and maintain mutually enriching relationships with partner churches at home and in the wider world

Identify appropriate opportunities to engage with those displaced

Identify appropriate opportunities to support peacemaking and peace-building

Build appropriate interfaith relationships which lead to mutual understanding and respect

Public Witness

Share the ideas and experience of the Church with government, parliamentarians, ecumenical partners, faith groups, and civil society and support the exchange of information and opinions between national institutions and Presbyteries and congregations in the pursuit of justice, peace, and the integrity of creation

Speak truth to power on issues of poverty, marginalisation, violence, peace and justice, environmental protection and sustainability

Work with Presbyteries on Mission Planning

Together with the General Trustees, assist in ensuring appropriate and robust Presbytery Planning and necessary readjustments in the context of the Presbytery Mission Plan Act (Act VIII 2021) or replacement legislation

Assist in the provision of Specialist Ministries

Ensure appropriate MDS recruitment, deployment and management processes

Identify needs for planting and growing of new contextually relevant worshipping communities

Work with other agencies to develop fresh expressions of Church.

[source: GA 2024 Report of Assembly Trustees]

FAPLT – The Mission Support Programme Group

Equipping, inspiring, resourcing and supporting the Church locally, at Presbytery and at the National level in mission.

Engaging with congregations through international education and support.

Supporting new ways of being Church.

Overseeing international partnership support.

Support congregations to walk together with people locally and globally, building relationship and learning and sharing practice.

[source: GA 2024 Report of Assembly Trustees]

Note: this remit may change if proposals in Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2026 are agreed.

FAPLT – The People and Training Programme Group

The recruitment, training and formation of those in the Recognised Ministries of the Church of Scotland.

The training, discipleship and support of members and elders of the Church of Scotland and maintaining key partnerships including those with Presbyteries and Academic Partners.

Alongside Presbyteries, recruiting, resourcing and training people intentionally for the mission of God, especially nurturing those who are new to faith.

Supporting ministries and learning through the ASCEND programme.

[source: Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2024]

FAPLT – The Public Life and Social Justice Programme Group

Equipping the Church to pursue God’s mission of inclusivity, social justice and care for creation in Scotland and around the world.

Supporting activities of Presbyteries and congregations in engaging with national and international issues of justice, peace and the integrity of creation, with a priority for inclusion of those who are marginalised or struggle against poverty.

Engaging policies which contribute to public life by developing and sharing the witness of the Church with government, parliament, ecumenical partners, faith groups, and civil society, and supporting the exchange of information and opinions between national institutions and Presbyteries and congregations.

Providing a space in which to explore theologically, reflect, discuss and respond as a Church to important public matters that arise.

[source: Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2024]

FAPLT – Presbytery and Partnership Support Programme Group

To sustain and develop the Church of Scotland’s national and international partnerships.

To resource and equip those in recognised national ministries through the provision of appropriate support.

To support the deployment of all ministries – Full Time Ministers of Word and Sacrament, including Interim and Transition Ministers; Ordained Local Ministers; the Diaconate; Readers; Ministries Development Staff (MDS); and Ministry to the Deaf congregations, in delivering the mission of God.

To work with Presbyteries and the Office of the General Assembly in developing and disseminating best practice in the areas for which Presbytery and Partnership Support is responsible.

To ensure that all Mission Plans are being visibly implemented, including advising on bases of adjustment and reviewable charge, with regards to their consistency against the Presbytery Mission Plan.

To support Presbyteries in evaluating their Mission Plans.

To support the development of 100 new worshiping communities to equip those taking part to live out the mission of God by 2028.

To provide oversight and governance of Safeguarding arrangements for the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team (FAPLT) and those in recognised ministries.

To liaise with the General Trustees (who are the lead body) in the classification and use of buildings and on other matters including the Manse Adjudication process.

To take such actions as required for it to carry out its duties and functions, including but not limited to offering advice, consulting with, and issuing guidance to the national Church, Presbyteries and Congregations.

To provide oversight and governance of the FAPLT partnership with Place for Hope.

FAPLT may call in any decision or matter for its own consideration. The Group may remit any decision or matter to FAPLT for its consideration.

Except in so far as retained by the FAPLT, to exercise the duties of the Team in respect of Presbytery Planning and Presbytery Mission Planning including but not restricted to those set out in:

Vacancy Procedure Act (Act VIII 2003)

Presbytery Mission Plan Act (Act VIII 2021)

Section 31 of the Faith Nurture Forum’s Deliverance to General Assembly 2021

Call, Election & Appointment of Ministers of Word & Sacrament Act.

[source: Appendix 2 of the Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2025]

Note: this remit may change if proposals in Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2026 are agreed.

FAPLT – The Resource and Presence Programme Group

Ensuring that net revenues are maximised through the resources available within the Faith Action Programme.

The business output for Life & Work.

Maximising the use of furlough properties.

Overseeing the place of John Knox House/ Scottish Storytelling Centre.

[source: GA 2024 Report of Assembly Trustees]

Note: this remit may change if proposals in Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2026 are agreed.

Iona Community Board | To report to the General Assembly, and, through the Assembly, to the wider Church, on the activities, concerns and current aspects of the life and work of the Iona Community. [source: Information for new members form]

Legal Questions Committee

To advise on legal questions, whether of Church or civil law, referred to it by the General Assembly, by the Principal Clerk or by any agency of the General Assembly.

To assist in formulating responses to consultations opened by the Scottish and UK Governments and other bodies.

To provide the legislative drafting service for agencies of the General Assembly.

To advise on reform to Church law in terms of practice and procedure.

To report to the General Assembly on proposed amendments to Standing Orders.

To inspect annually records of Agencies of the General Assembly.

[source: Appendix 3 of the Report of Assembly Trustees to GA 2021, as amended by the Presbytery Review Act 2025 which brings inspection of Presbytery records into the remit of the Presbytery Review Committee]

Nomination Committee

To identify Ministers, Deacons, Elders and Members of the Church of Scotland with particular skills and experience for serving on the Standing Committees of the General Assembly.

To work with the Standing Committees to ensure an open and transparent process for identifying the Convener or Vice Convener as suggested by the relevant Standing Committee.

In the case of some Committees, Groups or other bodies, where the Nomination Committee does not itself select nominees, to assist with the appointment process in another way.

[source: Report of the Nomination Committee to GA 2025]

Presbytery Review Committee

To be responsible for Presbytery Review through a flexible five-year cycle in which two or three Presbyteries are reviewed each year by a Review Group which reports back to the Committee.

Provide a Summary Report to the GA for Presbytery Reviews carried out each year.

To be satisfied that:

o each Presbytery Review is thorough and forward looking;

o good practice is highlighted and shared across the Church;

o problems are faced and tackled with appropriate support and input; and

o non-compliance is addressed and rectified.

Inspect annually the records of Presbyteries.

[source: GA 2024 Report of LQC and Presbytery Review Act 2025]

Registration of Ministries Committee

To deal with various applications related to the Registration of Ministry under the Registration of Ministries Act 2017, including:

Receiving applications for Category O Registration and interviewing the applicant;

Dealing with applications from individuals registered in Category S;

Dealing with applications for change of Category of registration from persons who left a post for reasons of ill health.

[source: Registration of Ministries Act 2017 and Church of Scotland website]

Safeguarding Committee

To agree and ensure the implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures to secure the protection of Church communities, including volunteers, paid office holders, employees and members of the public.

To oversee the Safeguarding Service to ensure satisfactory performance and service delivery.

To provide information and advice about good safeguarding practice to all agencies of the Church including congregations, Presbyteries, General Assembly standing committees and statutory corporations and to individuals within these bodies.

Working with Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries, to ensure that all agencies of the Church work within the parameters of, and comply with, the Safeguarding Act 2025.

To ensure that safe recruitment practices are implemented across the Church, including appropriate overseas checks.

To carry out risk assessments as required in relation to conviction and vetting information and ensure that covenants are in place for managing those who pose a risk.

To ensure that the Safeguarding Service has sufficient resources in place for efficient and effective running of the service.

To ensure that suitable safeguarding training is provided to all ministers, volunteers and paid workers undertaking regulated work, to staff of the national office, trustees and other relevant parties.

To provide safeguarding services to connected third party organisations as may be determined from time to time by the Committee.

To liaise with internal and external stakeholders on safeguarding matters. 

[source: Safeguarding Service]

Social Care Council

To demonstrate Christ’s love in action by offering high quality care and support which will empower people across Scotland to live full and fulfilling lives;

To provide specialist resources and services to further the mission of the Church expressing its care for communities across Scotland;

To identify existing and emerging areas of need and to guide CrossReach services and the Church in pioneering new approaches to relevant problems through collaborative partnerships both from within the Church and externally;

To enable the people CrossReach supports and its employees to raise issues of concern to them and to amplify their voices through appropriate channels within the Church structures and externally.

[source: Constitution of Social Care Council included in Appendix 8 of the Report of Assembly Trustees and agreed by GA 2025]

Theological Forum

To articulate and develop the doctrinal understanding of the Church in accordance with Holy Scripture and with reference to the confessional standards of the Church of Scotland.

To express the theological vision of the Church in its worship, fellowship, witness, and mission in and beyond contemporary Scotland.

To respond to particular theological requests as and when these arise from the General Assembly, the Council of Assembly, and the ecumenical partners of the Church.

To draw to the attention of the General Assembly theological matters which the Theological Forum considers to be of pressing contemporary relevance.

To stimulate wider theological reflection throughout the Church on key doctrinal, ethical, and apologetic matters through the provision of appropriate materials and other activities.

[source: Joint Report of the Council of Assembly and Mission and Discipleship Council on the Place of Doctrine and Theological Reflection in the Life of the Church of Scotland to GA 2013]

B – COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES WHICH DO NOT REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Committee or other Body | Remit

Committee to Nominate the Moderator

To receive recommendations of names of ministers, deacons or elders proposed as the next Moderator.

To decide on the gifts, experience and other qualities which are required for the post of Moderator at the relevant time, prepare a shortlist from among the recommendations which the Committee has received, meet with all persons on the shortlist; and select a nominee from among those on the shortlist.

To inform the Principal Clerk of the name of the Moderator-Designate no later than 31 October each year.

C – TRUSTS WHICH REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUT CANNOT BE INSTRUCTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Name of Trust | Remit

Chalmers Lectureship Trust

To appoint a lecturer (or joint lecturers) to hold the Chalmers Lectureship for a period of up to 4 years.

To arrange for a series of at least six lectures to be delivered publicly by the lecturer(s) on the doctrine of the Church and the Kingdom of Christ or any subject relating to that; and endeavour to arrange for publication of these lectures.

[source: The Chalmers Lectureship Conditions of Trust]

Church Hymnary Trustees

A trust whose purposes include the advancement of the Christian faith through the promotion and development of hymnody in Scotland with particular reference to the Church of Scotland by assisting in the development, promotion, provision and understanding of hymns, psalms and paraphrases suitable for use in public worship… to enable the Church, and in particular the Church of Scotland, to worship in ways which are relevant to individual congregations or groups of congregations.

[source: Church of Scotland website]

Church of Scotland Investors Trust | A trust whose purpose is to offer the councils, committees and congregations of the Church of Scotland a simple and economical medium for the investment of their funds. [source: Church of Scotland website]
Church of Scotland Trust | A trust whose purpose is to hold Church of Scotland properties outwith Scotland and to act as trustee in a number of third-party trusts. [source: Church of Scotland website]

General Trustees

A statutory body (in terms of civil law) whose purposes include the holding of titles to land and buildings on behalf various councils and committees of the Church of Scotland.

The management and administration of congregational land and buildings, the purchase and disposal of heritable property, the application of sale proceeds, technical and financial assistance to congregations, buildings and insurance, care of and work to buildings, property letting and other related areas of work.

Operating the Central Fabric Fund: (a) in making grants and loans to congregations for costs relating to the purchasing, building, repairing and improving of Churches, Church Halls and Manses; (b) at the discretion of the General Trustees, meeting the cost, wholly or partially, of employing Presbytery Buildings Officers; and (c) in certain other special cases as determined by the General Trustees.

Holding a restricted sub-fund for each Presbytery within the Central Fabric Fund.

Operating the Consolidated Fabric Fund for the benefit of individual congregations and consisting of: (i) Capital Accounts holding funds derived from the sale of heritable properties where title is held in the name of the General Trustees or where title is held in the name of local trustees but is subject to the direction and regulation of the General Assembly as regards to management and disposal; and (ii) Revenue Accounts holding rental receipts from heritable properties and investment income.

Holding within the Consolidated Fabric Fund all congregational heritable properties vested in the General Trustees.

[source: The Church of Scotland General Trustees (Properties, Funds and Endowments) Act 2024]

Pension Trustees

To be responsible for the Church’s three defined benefit pension schemes, which are now closed to future accrual and new members. The schemes are for:

o Ministers and Overseas Missionaries (including sections for Ministers Main Pension Fund, Widows and Orphans and the Contributors Fund);

o Staff (including sections for staff of the Social Care Council and of the Central Services Committee);

o Ministries Development Staff (previously known as the scheme for Presbytery and Parish Workers).

[source: Church of Scotland website]

Note: The Trustees of these schemes have decided to appoint a third-party provider, XPS Group, to provide administration services to the schemes from 1 April 2026.

VIII. Presbytery Overture

Presbytery of Perth with the support of the Presbytery of the South West

Overture as to Vacancy Financial Support and the Congregational Contributions (Giving to Grow) Regulations (Regs I 2022) (as amended)

Whereas:

1. The 2025 General Assembly approved changes to legislation in regard to the Vacancy Allowance which covers the cost of a Locum or Pulpit Supply.

2. It was agreed that only congregations with Permission to Call a minister would be entitled to financial support to cover the above costs.

3. The changes to the Congregational Contributions (Giving to Grow) Regulations (Regs I 2022) were put forward under the Report of the Assembly Trustees and were described in the Report as ‘light touch’ and minimal. (Section 4.27). In fact, the changes had major implications for vacant congregations. Section 4.31 detailed further changes to Vacancy Allowance, but not by reference to the Giving to Grow Regulations, i.e.: “4.31 There will be further changes to Vacancy Allowance due to the proposed new definition of vacancy in the new Call, Election and Appointment of Ministers of Word and Sacrament Act and the revised Presbytery Mission Plan Act. This sets out that a charge is only vacant if Presbytery has given permission to call. Further details can be found within the FAPLT report”.

4. The Assembly Trustees Report stated that there were further details about vacancy and Permission to Call in the FAPLT Report of the Faith Action Programme Leadership team (FAPLT). In fact, the FAPLT report itself did not say anything about these changes, although the new Call, Election and Appointment of Ministers of Word and Sacrament Act (Act XI 2025) was appended to the report and it included the new definition of vacancy by reference to Permission to Call.

5. The Convener of the Assembly Trustees, the Rev David Cameron, made a brief reference in his speech to the need to make changes to the Vacancy Allowance, but did not explain what these were and what the implications would be for congregations. The Convener stated: “… we have implemented measures we had hoped to avoid, a Voluntary Exit Scheme, and proposals for compulsory redundancies, modification to the Seeds for Growth budget, and changes to the Vacancy Allowance”. There was no further mention of the Vacancy Allowance.

6. The Assembly therefore agreed to the following under the Assembly Trustees Report: “Pass Regulations amending the Congregational Contributions “Giving to Grow” Regulations (Regs I 2022), as amended, as set out in Appendix 1 (Section 4.26 and Appendix 1).”

7. Section 26 of the Congregational Contributions (Giving to Grow) Regulations was replaced with the new section below, as outlined in an Appendix to the Assembly Trustees Report: “26. Where a Charge has a ministerial vacancy and has been granted Permission to Call in terms of the Call, Election and Appointment of Ministers of Word and Sacrament Act (Act 11, 2025), an allowance within limits determined by the Assembly Trustees shall be given towards extra costs incurred for locum provision during the vacancy.”

8. This decision was made without any questions or debate from the floor during the Report of the Assembly Trustees.

9. The changes to the conditions regarding Permission to Call were enacted through amendments to the Presbytery Mission Plan Act, (Act VIII 2021) and within the new Call, Election and Appointment of Ministers of Word and Sacrament Act (Act XI 2025). In the case of the latter Act, there was a new definition of what constitutes a vacancy.

10. These changes were approved under a Joint Report of FAPLT and the Legal Questions Committee.

11. The Assembly agreed to: “Pass an Act amending the Presbytery Mission Plan Act (Act VIII 2021), as amended, as set out in the Appendix (Section 1.2).”

12. In terms of debate, there was one question from the Rev Stella McBurnie which related primarily to the timing of the proposed changes and the Vice Convener, the Rev Dr Karen Campbell, confirmed they would be implemented from January 1st 2026.

13. The matter of the Vacancy Allowance also came up during the debate on the report of FAPLT. The Rev Donald McCorkindale asked a question seeking more information on the change to the definition of vacancy under the proposed new Call, Election and Appointment of Ministers of Word and Sacrament Act. The Vice-Convener (the Rev Dr Karen Campbell) answered saying “The Giving to Grow Regulations were amended yesterday and makes it explicit that Vacancy Allowance will only be paid where there is Permission to Call. When the PMP Act was passed in 2021, it was on the basis of 600 posts plus 60 vacancies. As of April 2025, there are 314 vacancies. This is all about the Church’s ability to fund things and we are nowhere near 60 vacancies. So what can we afford? We must link ministry costs and mission planning. So congregations which have Permission to Call in this Act will get Vacancy Allowance”.

14. There was no consultation on any of the above changes, such as with Presbytery Clerks, Locums and Interim Moderators, prior to them appearing in the Blue Book.

15. Subsequent informal soundings of Commissioners who were present for this debate indicates that some did not fully appreciate the implications of the decision or even understand what it was they were agreeing to.

16. It is assumed that the intention behind the decision was to save money for the Church, while also being seen as a means of encouraging congregations who were not engaging in the Presbytery Mission Planning process to begin doing so. Examples of the latter might include refusing to meet with the Planning Committee or not cooperating to arrange dates for consultation meetings, refusing to enter into discussions with neighbouring congregations, offering frivolous or vexatious reasons against a readjustment proposal and in any way seeking to undermine the proposal in the Presbytery Mission Plan.

17. The fundamental problem with these changes to Vacancy Allowance is that the new system penalises congregations which do not yet have Permission to Call through no fault of their own, by removing payment of vacancy allowance from them.

18. In recognition of the above fact, Presbyteries were able to seek an extension of the financial support and certain scenarios were outlined and solutions put forward by FAPLT (by a note of 10th December 2025) where an extension of payment of vacancy allowance might be granted, upon application. These were:

a) Minister Invoking Tenure/Vote against a sitting minister - Under existing rules, a minister of a charge which is not subject to a financial sustainability review in terms of sections 10 to 12 of the Presbytery Mission Plan Act (Act VIII 2021) and who has unrestricted tenure may decline to adjust. This can result in situations where, through no fault of their own, congregations will lose funding for a locum. It is also possible that a congregation votes against a sitting minister in an adjustment situation.

b) Congregations Awaiting Outcome of Review - There may also be situations where a review under Act VIII 2021 is pending, leading to other congregations not being able to complete adjustment until the review is determined.

c) Timing Considerations - Where an adjustment is in process but has not quite completed yet.

19. In addition to the above, there are other scenarios where a congregation may not be given Permission to Call, through no fault of their own. Examples of these other situations include the following:

(a) The Basis of Union Ministry clause is rejected by the other congregation and the readjustment cannot proceed.

(b) As a result of Act XI 2025, there are those who have adjusted but cannot get Permission to Call until the tenants in their manse quit.

(c) One congregation can be cooperating wholeheartedly but another is employing delaying tactics. Both are penalised.

(d) There could be congregations who have temporarily inherited or accumulated financial shortfalls in Giving to Grow contributions following a union and are trying to clear these. They are further disadvantaged by having to do so whilst now having to pay a locum or pulpit supply.

20. It could be argued that this seemingly small and financially driven change undermines the Third Article Declaratory whereby it is our duty to bring the ordinances of religion to the people of every parish and, if congregations struggle to afford a locum then the congregation’s ability to fulfil these ordinances are, at best, compromised. In addition. In addition, the fact that congregations cannot have elders or worship leaders conducting the Sacraments means that there is further pressure on congregations to afford pulpit supply.

21. A large number of congregations were successful in receiving a six-month extension. However, this leads to uncertainty for congregations and Locums whose position is dependent on an Appeal (in terms of an application as outlined in paragraph 18 above) being upheld.

22. The Presbytery of Perth, as supported by the Presbytery of the South West, seeks to narrow the circumstances where a congregation will not receive financial support and also place the authority to make a determination on whether a congregation should receive such support with the Presbytery, as opposed to the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team.

23. The proposed change to Section 26 of the Giving to Grow Regulations will not affect the new definition of a vacancy.

24. A Presbytery would be given the authority to determine if the reason for a delay in moving the readjustment process forward is due to the fact that the congregation has held up the readjustment process, such as in cases including those listed at paragraphs 18 and 19 above.

Therefore:

It is humbly overtured by the Presbytery of Perth, as supported by the Presbytery of the South West, to the Venerable the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, that Section 26 of the Congregational Contributions (Giving to Grow) Regulations (Regs I 2022) (as amended) should be replaced with the following:

“An allowance within limits determined by the General Assembly shall be given towards extra costs incurred for locum provision (or pulpit supply) during a ministerial vacancy for all Charges, regardless of whether or not Permission to Call has been granted, unless the Presbytery determines that failure to progress readjustment in terms of the Presbytery Mission Plan Act (Act VIII 2021) (as amended) is the responsibility of the congregation.”

Or to do otherwise as to your Venerable Court may seem good.

Proposed Deliverance

The General Assembly:

1. Receive the Overture.

2. Agree to replace Section 26 of the Congregational Contributions (Giving to Grow) Regulations (Regs I 2022) (as amended) with the following: “An allowance within limits determined by the General Assembly shall be given towards extra costs incurred for locum provision (or pulpit supply) during a ministerial vacancy for all Charges, regardless of whether or not Permission to Call has been granted, unless the Presbytery determines that failure to progress readjustment in terms of the Presbytery Mission Plan Act (Act VIII 2021) (as amended) is the responsibility of the congregation.”

IX. Standing Orders

Note: Please read these Standing Orders alongside Appendix B to the Report of the Assembly Business Committee, in which certain amendments to Standing Orders are proposed.

I | Conduct of General Assembly Business
II | Order of Debate
III | Participation and Assembly Hub
IV | Asking Questions & Making Comments
SCHEDULES |
A | Commissioners to the General Assembly
B | Other Members and Attendees of the General Assembly
C | Overtures from Presbyteries and Commissioners
D | Conduct of Cases (including Appeals, Dissent and Complaints and Petitions)
E | Committees of the General Assembly and their Membership
F | Alteration and Suspension of Standing Orders

Note: Generally, references to “laid on the table” shall include “circulated electronically in advance”.

I. CONDUCT OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUSINESS

1. The General Assembly consists of various sessions taking place over several days, with matters of business taken in those sessions as set out in the Order of Business, which is found in the Order of Proceedings.

(a) OPENING SESSION

2. Convening. The Commissioners elected to serve in the Assembly shall convene on the day and at the hour fixed for the meeting of the Assembly, and, after prayer by the Moderator of the preceding Assembly, the List of Commissioners shall be laid on the table.

3. Election of Moderator. The election of a Moderator shall then be made.

4. His Majesty’s Commission. His Majesty’s Commission to the Lord High Commissioner shall then be laid on the table and ordered to be recorded.

5. His Majesty’s Letter. His Majesty’s Letter to the Assembly shall then be read and a Committee shall be appointed to prepare an answer thereto.

6. Standing Orders. The Standing Orders shall be laid on the table.

7. Committee on Commissions. The Report of the Committee on Commissions (SO A5) shall be called for and disposed of.

8. Order of Business. The Assembly Business Committee shall prepare and circulate electronically before the commencement of the Assembly, in the Order of Proceedings, a proposed Order of Business for the Assembly. The proposed Order of Business shall be put to the Assembly for approval on the opening day.

(b) PROCEDURE COMMITTEE AND SELECTION COMMITTEE

9. The Procedure Committee. The Assembly shall appoint a Procedure Committee consisting of the Convener and Vice-Convener of the Assembly Business Committee, plus the Moderator, the Clerks, the Procurator and the Law Agent.

10. Remit. The Procedure Committee shall be wholly responsible for any amendments to the Order of Business, ie for any re-ordering (or additional ordering) of the business of the General Assembly.

11. The Selection Committee. The Assembly shall also appoint a Selection Committee. Commissioners to the General Assembly shall be free to nominate other commissioners to serve on the Selection Committee. The names of those proposed shall be brought before the first meeting of the Procedure Committee which, in turn and without being limited to those names proposed by commissioners who are not among its members, shall nominate a Selection Committee of twenty commissioners, including a Convener and Vice-Convener, whose function it shall be to select and submit to the Assembly for their approval names of persons to serve on all Special Commissions and Committees appointed during the sittings of the Assembly. Such persons selected need not be commissioners.

(c) DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES

12. The Lord’s Supper. The Assembly shall celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at a time appointed by the General Assembly in the Order of Business.

13. Acts of Worship. The Moderator shall be responsible to the Assembly for the conduct of all acts of worship, and shall consult the Assembly Business Committee or the Procedure Committee as to any proposed innovation in such conduct.

(d) COMMITTEE ON OVERTURES AND CASES AND RETURNS TO OVERTURES UNDER THE BARRIER ACT

14. Committee on Overtures and Cases. The Committee on Overtures and Cases shall consist of the Clerks, Procurator and Law Agent of the Church (with the Principal Clerk as Convener).

15. Papers. All papers lodged with the Clerks in Overtures and Cases of every sort shall be laid by them before the Committee on Overtures and Cases, which shall consider the same and report to the Assembly.

16. Decision not to Transmit. If the Committee on Overtures and Cases shall decide not to transmit to the Assembly any papers in Overtures or Cases duly lodged with the Clerks of Assembly it shall report the same to the Assembly no later than the second Session, with its reasons for not transmitting the papers, and parties shall be entitled to be heard thereon at the bar of the Assembly. Intimation of a decision not to transmit papers shall be made to the parties concerned as soon as possible, and in time to allow of their being represented at the bar when the decision not to transmit is reported to the Assembly.

17. In Private. The Procedure Committee shall, in its first Report, specify any Overture or Case which in its judgement requires to be conducted in private, and any case which does not appear to it to be of that character although the Clerks of Assembly may have reported it as such. The Assembly shall thereupon determine by a special Deliverance, at what stage in the proceedings the papers in such a case shall be issued to the Commissioners. In every Overture or Case which the Assembly appoint to be conducted in private, the instruction to issue the papers shall be accompanied by a special exhortation to the Commissioners to keep them private.

18. Overtures under the Barrier Act.

(a) The Committee on Overtures and Cases shall also advise any Committee or individual on the procedure to be followed in respect of measures requiring process under the Barrier Act.

(b) Measures remitted to Presbyteries by an Overture under the Barrier Act shall be accompanied by a note of the voting figures in the General Assembly, the text of the relevant Report and a note by the Clerks explaining any technical or legal matters contained in the Overture.

(c) All Presbyteries shall make a return in respect of every Overture sent down under the Barrier Act. The return shall be made upon the schedule sent electronically to the Presbytery Clerk for the purpose, transmitted to the Clerks of Assembly, and then submitted to the Committee on Overtures and Cases. The Committee shall classify the returns and make a report to the next Assembly. It shall be the duty of the Committee to report not only the number of Presbyteries for and against an Overture, but also the numbers voting in the Presbyteries as reported in the schedule.

(d) The Report of the Committee shall include the text of such Overtures as have been approved by a majority of Presbyteries.

(e) The Assembly Business Committee shall ensure that the Committee’s Report classifying returns is ordinarily taken by the General Assembly no later than session 2 thereof, save where the Procedure Committee decides otherwise, and in any case before any debate that in the opinion of the Committee on Overtures and Cases would more usefully follow consideration of the Committee’s Report.

(f) The Report of the Committee shall be given in to the Assembly by the Principal Clerk, with the reply to the debate on the merits of the measure given by the relevant Convener. Both should be available to answer questions, as appropriate.

(e) MISCELLANEOUS

19. Minutes. The minutes of each day’s proceedings, if available, together with the Order of Business for the following day or days, intimations of meetings of Committees, and miscellaneous intimations, shall be circulated to Commissioners as the Assembly Paper. The Minutes, being taken as read and full opportunity having been given for correction, shall be approved as available. Before the dissolution of the Assembly a small Committee, appointed for the purpose, shall be authorised to approve the Minutes not already approved by the Assembly.

20. Quorum. The quorum of the Assembly shall be thirty-one, of whom at least ten shall be Ministers and at least ten shall be Elders. Any Member may at any time call the attention of the Moderator to the fact that there is not a quorum present, and if, on a count being made, it is found that such is the case, it shall be the duty of the Moderator to suspend or adjourn the session.

21. Acts and Regulations of Assembly. The Committee on Commissions (SO A5) shall arrange for the text of the Acts of Assembly and of Regulations of Assembly to be finalised and shall arrange for a list of the proposed Acts of Assembly and Regulations of Assembly to be circulated in advance in the Assembly Paper, which shall be considered on the last day of the Assembly.

22. Examination of Records. Minutes of the Standing Committees of the Assembly shall be examined by the Legal Questions Committee in advance of the Assembly, and that Committee shall report on its examination to the General Assembly.

23. Special Commissions and Committees.

Special Commissions or Committees will only be appointed where the General Assembly has no existing Standing Committee to which the matter under consideration can, in all the circumstances, properly be remitted. In normal circumstances, business proposed by Standing Committees of the General Assembly or proposed by Commissioners in the course of debate shall be remitted to one or more of the appropriate Standing Committees listed in SO E4.

24. Conference Sessions. The Assembly Business Committee, or the Procedure Committee, in consultation with other Standing Committees as appropriate, may invite the General Assembly to meet in conference sessions and may arrange for guest speakers to address such sessions. When the General Assembly is meeting in conference no resolutions shall be framed or decisions taken.

25. Closing of Assembly.

When the business set down for the last day of the Assembly has been disposed of, the Assembly shall be closed by addresses by the Moderator to the Assembly and to the Lord High Commissioner, and by an address by the Lord High Commissioner to the Assembly, during an act of worship, and dissolved according to the practice of the Church.

[Numbers 26 to 30 not used]

II. ORDER OF DEBATE

Note: Commissioners will normally receive the following information electronically: the Volume of Reports of Standing Committees/individual Reports, the Order of Proceedings (containing, amongst other things, the Roll of Commissioners, the Order of Business, any Presbytery Overtures, any Supplementary Reports from Standing Committees and these Standing Orders), and the Assembly Paper (containing, amongst other things, details of Assembly Worship, Minutes of proceedings as available, and amendments/corrections to other published information). A list of Notices of Motion will be published and updated regularly on the Church website (www.churchofscotland.org.uk), although Commissioners should note that the most up to date information as to Notices of Motion will be found in the Assembly Hub. Commissioners will also find details of the remits of Standing Committees on the Church website.

31. The Assembly will deal with Reports from its Standing Committees in accordance with the following Standing Orders.

(a) REPORTS

32. Transmission. Reports of all Special or Standing Committees reporting to the Assembly shall be transmitted to the Clerks of Assembly by a date in early March notified in advance by the Clerks to all Secretaries. All Reports shall be accompanied by the Deliverance to be proposed to the Assembly, and when the Proposed Deliverance exceeds two sections each section shall be numbered consecutively.

33. Circulation of Reports and Proposed Deliverances. The Clerks shall arrange for all such Reports and Proposed Deliverances to be circulated to each Member of Assembly at least one week before the opening day of meeting. All Reports so distributed shall be held as read.

34. Oral Reports and Reports of Sub-Committees. Oral Reports shall not be received, and no Sub-Committee shall give any Report to the Assembly except with the Assembly’s permission.

35. Record-keeping. Reports shall not be engrossed in the Minutes, but the Clerks of Assembly shall arrange for a copy of each Report to be preserved among the other Records of the Assembly.

(b) DECLARATORY OR INTERIM ACTS

36. Declaratory or Interim Act. The draft of any proposed Declaratory or Interim Act, as also the draft of any Overture which it is proposed to transmit to Presbyteries in terms of the Barrier Act (other than any Overture circulated in the Volume of Reports), shall be circulated to Members and laid on the table of the Assembly at least one day before a Motion for the passing of such Declaratory or Interim Act, or for the transmission of such Overture to Presbyteries, is made in the Assembly.

(c) MOTIONS

37. Time-bound

On the Motion of the Procedure Committee or moved as part of the deliverance of the Assembly Business Committee, the General Assembly may resolve that the Report and Proposed Deliverance relating to a particular Special or Standing Committee’s Report be taken in a time-bound process of debate and decision. Such a Motion shall be moved at least 24 hours in advance of the presentation of the Report concerned.

Having so resolved the General Assembly shall operate the following timetable:-

a) Start times shall be allotted to specified Sections of the Report and to the related sections of the Proposed Deliverance. Discussion of any Section of the Report shall not commence later than its allotted start time, but may begin earlier if debate of the previous Section has been completed.

b) If discussion and debate of a particular Section of the Report has not been concluded within its allotted time, then further consideration of associated sections of the Proposed Deliverance shall be sisted and the General Assembly shall take up the next Section of the Report.

c) If, at the close of the debate on the last Section of the Report, there is still time before the Order of the Day requires to be implemented or business is due to conclude, then the General Assembly shall return for further debate of any outstanding sections of the Proposed Deliverance remaining relative to each Section of the Report.

d) If the Order of the Day or anticipated close of business is imminent, then any outstanding sections of the Proposed Deliverance shall be voted upon without debate, except that other Motions shall also be taken, without debate, the Convener simply having the right to indicate whether or not the Special or Standing Committee is willing to accept the Motion.

e) Where Motions do not relate directly to the Report and Proposed Deliverance proposed by the Special or Standing Committee, they will be taken either at the end of the appropriate Section, if there is time available according to the allotted timetable, or at the end of the appropriate Section when the procedure leading to the Order of the Day (or close of business) is being implemented.

38. Right to Move. Any Commissioner to the Assembly may make a Motion upon any matter coming regularly before the Assembly; and on rising to do so he or she shall read the terms of the Motion (or may ask the Clerks of Assembly to do so), having previously submitted the Motion in accordance with SO 41. It shall be in order to move a Motion regarding any matter in the care of a Special or Standing Committee to which no reference is made in the Report of that Committee, provided that reasonable notice has been given in writing to the Convener before presentation of the Report. The mover of any Counter-Motion or amendment may reply to the discussion of his or her Motion, immediately before the Convener closes the debate.

39. Withdrawal. When a Motion has been duly seconded it shall not be competent to withdraw it, or to make any alteration upon it, without the permission of the Assembly.

40. Committee Convener. The Convener of a Special or Standing Committee when a Commissioner, on giving in the Report of that Committee, shall move the Deliverance proposed in terms of SO 33. A Convener, when not a Commissioner, shall be allowed to submit the Report of the Special or Standing Committee, and to give explanations in the subsequent discussion. In such a case the Principal Clerk, whom failing, the Depute Clerk, shall formally move the Proposed Deliverance. In all cases the Convener shall have the right of replying to the debate.

41. Notice of Motion. Commissioners are encouraged to give advance Notice of Motions. Any Commissioner may, during the sittings of the Assembly, give advance notice of Motion on any subject due to come regularly before the Assembly, other than a contentious case. The fact of giving Notice of Motion shall confer no right of priority of moving same, the Moderator being the sole judge of the order in which Members are entitled to address the Assembly. For the avoidance of doubt, it is open to the General Assembly to decline to consider any Motion of which it believes inadequate notice has been given, considering the nature of its content.

42. List of Notices of Motion. A list of Notices of Motion shall regularly, in the days preceding the opening of the Assembly and during it, be placed on the Church’s website. The most up to date information as to Notices of Motion shall however be found in the Assembly Hub.

43. Submitting a Notice of Motion

[If attending in person]: If such a person has a device enabling them to do so, they may use the Assembly Hub to register a Notice of Motion as in the subsequent paragraph. Alternatively an in person attendee may email a duly completed Notice of Motion form to the Clerks of Assembly using pcoffice@churchofscotland.org.uk, or may complete and return to the Clerks at the top table or to the Assembly Office, a paper Notice of Motion form.

[If attending online]: Members should use the Assembly Hub to register a Notice of Motion in advance in respect of the relevant section(s) of Proposed Deliverance.

[For all attendees]: All persons entitled to do so are asked to register a Notice of Motion before the start of the relevant Special or Standing Committee’s business slot, i.e. before debate on the relevant Report starts.

(d) ORDER OF THE DAY

44. When the Assembly have resolved that a case or other piece of business shall be taken up at a certain hour mentioned in the Order of Business, such case or other piece of business shall be taken not later than the hour fixed and the business before the Assembly, if not finished at the hour named, shall be adjourned. If, in the opinion of the Moderator, it would be in accordance with the general convenience of the Assembly, the Moderator may allow the transaction of the business then actually under discussion to continue for a period of not more than fifteen minutes beyond the specified time, but no fresh business shall be commenced.

(e) THE DEBATE

45. The Chair. Every speaker shall address the Assembly through the Moderator, and the correct address is “Moderator”.

46. In Support. When a Motion or Motions have been made and seconded, any Member (including a formal seconder in terms of SO 50) may take part in subsequent debate.

47. Speeches.

(1) Except as provided in SOs 38 and 40, no Member may speak twice on the same question except in explanation, and then only by special permission of the Assembly.

(2) Members shall make relevant declarations of interest where the topic of debate makes it appropriate to do so.

48. Point of Order. Any Member may rise to speak to a Point of Order. A speaker is not to be interrupted unless upon a call to order. When so interrupted he or she shall cease speaking, and shall resume his or her seat until the Point of Order is decided. The Member calling to order shall state the grounds for so doing; and the speaker who has been interrupted may briefly reply in explanation, to show that he or she is not out of order, but no other Member may speak to the Point of Order unless with the permission or at the request of the Moderator, with whom the decision of the point rests, though the Moderator may put the point to a vote of the Assembly.

49. Right of reply. There shall be no right of reply to a debate except as provided for by SOs 38 and 40.

50. Time Limits. All speeches shall be limited to 5 minutes, with the following exceptions:

(i) COMMITTEE REPORTS |
Convener giving in the Report of his or her Special or Standing Committee and moving thereon (seconding to be formal) | 10 minutes
Convener responding to a question | 4 minutes
(ii) OVERTURES FROM PRESBYTERIES |
Introducing an Overture and moving thereon | 10 minutes
(iii) PETITIONS |
Speeches of Petitioners | 10 minutes

51. No Time Limit. The time limits shall apply, except in the following cases:

(a) when the Assembly are debating specific proposals for change under Barrier Act procedure;

(b) when the Assembly are exercising judicial functions;

(c) when the Assembly are discussing a matter of doctrine;

(d) in Petitions when, for special reasons, the Committee on Overtures and Cases reports that the circumstances demand an extension, and when the General Assembly adopt that opinion;

(e) in any other matter when the Procedure Committee declares that, in its opinion, such matter is of exceptional importance, and when the Assembly adopt that opinion.

(f) DEALING WITH MOTIONS

52. Character of Motions. Motions shall be considered as belonging to one of the following categories, and shall be dealt with as prescribed, viz:

1. The original Motion.

2. Counter-Motions – being Motions contradictory or negative of the original Motion or of a substantial part of the original Motion.

3. Amendments being Motions not substantially contradictory of the original Motion or Counter-Motion, but for making deletions, alterations, or additions thereto without defeating its main object.

4. Amendments of amendments already moved and seconded.

53. Moderator to Judge. The Moderator shall be the judge of the category to which any Motions shall be considered to belong, and the ruling of the Moderator shall be final.

54. Grouping of Amendments. When to any Proposed Deliverance there has been given notice of amendments which differ from each other only slightly in their general tenor, the Moderator shall decide whether or not to permit more than one of such amendments to be moved.

55. Voting on Amendments. When an amendment (Category 3) has been proposed it shall be disposed of by the Assembly before any other Counter-Motion or amendment is proposed. However, it shall be in order for an amendment of an amendment (Category 4) to be proposed, seconded and debated, after which the Moderator shall take a vote “For” or “Against”. When all such Category 4 Motions have been so disposed of, the Assembly shall complete its consideration of the original amendment (Category 3) and the Moderator shall take a vote “For” or “Against” the original amendment amended or unamended as the case may be. For the avoidance of doubt, it is affirmed that the order of debate for Category 3 and Category 4 Motions shall be the same except as herein provided and that the provisions of SO 40 shall apply to both.

56. Voting on Motions. After all amendments, if any, have been disposed of, the Moderator shall take a vote on the Motion which remains. If there are Motions in Categories (l) and (2), the Moderator shall adopt the following procedure. A vote shall be taken in one of the methods provided below, between all the Motions in the order in which they were made, beginning at the first. Each Commissioner may vote for one Motion only. If, on the numbers being announced, one Motion has obtained a clear majority of votes, all the other Motions shall fall; but if no Motion has obtained a clear majority, the Motion having the smallest number of votes shall be struck off and a vote taken between the remaining Motions until only one remains. A vote for or against that remaining Motion shall then be taken.

57. Deliberative Vote. The Moderator or Acting Moderator in the Chair shall have no Deliberative Vote (meaning a vote cast for the purpose of deciding a matter under deliberation).

58. Casting Vote. If the outcome of any vote is a tie, the Moderator may give a deciding (casting) vote; or he or she may decline to do so, in which case the Motion (and/or any Counter-Motion, as the case may be) shall not pass. Other options open to the Moderator are to direct that the Standing Committee in question give the matter further consideration or to seek further Motions on the matter.

(g) VOTING

59. (a) The Moderator may, in any circumstances and at his or her sole discretion, ascertain the mind of the Assembly by combining the following indications and forming a view: asking in person Commissioners to stamp their feet or stand in their places, and at the same time asking online commissioners to “raise a hand” electronically, and shall intimate to the Assembly on which side there is in his or her opinion a majority. Unless the opinion of the Moderator so intimated is at once challenged, it shall become the decision of the Assembly. If any Commissioner challenges the opinion of the Moderator, the Assembly shall proceed to take an electronic vote using a system approved

by the Assembly Business Committee. Alternatively, it shall be open to the Moderator, again at his or her sole discretion and in any circumstances, to ascertain the mind of the Assembly by recourse to the use of electronic voting. The Procedure Committee shall ensure that Commissioners are familiar with the method of electronic voting.

(b) Where an electronic vote is used, it shall proceed as follows:

[If attending in person]: An in person attendee shall vote using a Bluetooth handset supplied to them at the start of the Assembly. Voting for such persons via the Assembly Hub will be disabled.

[If attending online] An online attendee shall use the Assembly Hub to vote. In the event of a failure in the technology operating the Assembly Hub, online attendees shall vote using the voting system within the application which facilitates their online attendance, or shall use such other voting mechanism as may be prescribed at the time by the Procedure Committee.

[For all attendees]: The votes from both from in-person attendance and the Assembly Hub shall be added together and the result shall be announced by the Moderator, which shall become the decision of the Assembly. The voting figures shall be minuted where the Moderator, in his or her discretion, specifically requests this, or where the Clerks of Assembly decide that it would be appropriate to do so. In no circumstances shall a second vote be taken on a matter which has already been the subject of a vote by electronic voting.

(h) DISSENTS

60. Entering. Any Commissioner dissatisfied with a judgement of the Assembly, which has not been unanimous, has the right to enter his or her dissent against it; but no dissent can be given in until the matter to which it refers has, for that session, been disposed of, the Minute adjusted, and the Assembly is ready to proceed to other business.

61. Adhering. When a dissent has been entered, it is in order for any other Commissioner present when that judgement was pronounced to adhere to such dissent. No other’s adherence may be entered.

62. Reasons. A person dissenting may do so with or without giving in reasons of dissent. If he or she dissent for reasons given in at the time, or to be afterwards given in, such reasons shall, if received by the Assembly as proper and relevant, and provided they are given in before the close of the next session (or, when made on the last day of the Assembly, before the close of the same session), be recorded in the Minutes.

63. Answers. If the Assembly appoint a Committee to prepare answers to reasons of dissent, the Report of that Committee shall, if possible, be published in the Assembly Paper; and, as approved by the Assembly, shall be included in the Minutes, if the reasons of dissent have been so circulated.

64. Record of Dissents. Reasons of dissent and answers thereto when not entered in the Minutes, shall be kept in a separate Record of Dissents.

65. Submitting a Dissent.

[If attending in person]: If such a person has a device enabling them to do so, they may email their dissent as in the subsequent paragraph. Alternatively, an in person attendee may sign the list provided by the Assembly Office.

[If attending online]: A dissent shall be entered or adhered to by sending an email to: pcoffice@churchofscotland.org.uk with the subject line stating “Dissent against….[insert name of Standing Committee and number of relevant section of Proposed Deliverance]”. To be recorded in the minute, any such email must be received by the Clerks by the close of the last session of the Assembly.

(i) STIPEND AND PROPOSALS WITH BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

66. Matters Relating to Stipend. It shall not be competent for the Assembly, without due notice of Motion in the hands of Commissioners in proper form (for example as a Proposed Deliverance, Notice of Motion or Crave of a Petition), to debate any proposal which might impact directly on or which might bring about binding changes to the terms and conditions of ministers which relate to stipend or stipend scales.

67. Proposals with Budgetary Implications. Prior to making any Motion, Commissioners should give due consideration as to whether this will incur the use of additional resources or affect the incoming resources for the Church’s work, ie whether the Motion has budgetary implications. Advice on any Motion can be sought from the General Treasurer. A proposal with budgetary implications must be in the hands of Commissioners in proper form providing due notice (for example, as a Proposed Deliverance, Notice of Motion, or Crave of a Petition). Specifically, to ensure sensible budget controls:

(a) Any Motion which involves potential new or additional expenditure whether of a one-off or recurring nature, must be accompanied by a statement specifying where funding will be found, whether by a reduction of existing expenditure; funding external to the Church or from additional funding provided by congregations.

(b) Any Motion which results in a potential reduction in income, including a reduction in the funding provided by congregations, must be accompanied by a statement of where replacement funding will be found or expenditure reduced to compensate for the reduction in the income.

The Assembly Trustees and/or the General Trustees, as applicable, shall have the right to comment upon any Motion in category (a) or (b) before any decision is taken.

[Numbers 68 to 70 not used]

III PARTICIPATION AND ASSEMBLY HUB

71. In person or online participation

Members may participate in person or online at the General Assembly. A person shall be designated in advance by the commissioning Presbytery as either an in person or an online attendee for the entire duration of the Assembly. No change to a person’s status as an in person or online attendee shall be possible after 28 March, save only in the following circumstances: if an in person attendee becomes ill and unable to attend the Assembly in person, they shall advise the Office of the General Assembly as soon as possible by emailing pcoffice@churchofscotland.org.uk. When doing so they may request to change to being an online attendee and the Office of the General Assembly shall enable this if possible.

72. Assembly Hub for online attendees.

All Members attending the General Assembly online shall require to use the Assembly Hub software application (the “Assembly Hub”) to participate in the General Assembly as set out below. All such persons shall be supplied in advance with login details to the Assembly Hub and training on its use shall be made available. In particular, the Assembly Hub shall be used by online attendees throughout the General Assembly to do the following:

to follow the business of the General Assembly, read sections of Proposed Deliverance and vote on them;

to submit Notices of Motion (to amend an existing section of Proposed Deliverance, to propose a Counter-Motion to an existing section of Proposed Deliverance, or to propose a new Motion);

to second a Notice of Motion; and

to indicate a request to speak (ask a question, make a comment or raise a point of order).

[Numbers 73 to 80 not used]

IV ASKING QUESTIONS AND MAKING COMMENTS

81. Questions on Reports. After the Proposed Deliverance on the Report of any Special or Standing Committee has been moved and seconded the Assembly, before dealing with any other Motions or amendments thereon, shall have opportunity for asking questions on the Report, this being without prejudice to the right of Members to put questions, with the leave of the Assembly, at any subsequent stage.

82. Questions requiring Notice. It shall be in order to ask questions of the Convener regarding any matter in the care of the Committee to which no reference is made in the Report but in such cases timeous notice shall be given to the Convener.

83. Asking a question or making a comment

[If attending in person]: If such a person has a device enabling them to do so, they may use the Assembly Hub to ask a question or make a comment on a Report as in the subsequent paragraph. Alternatively an in person attendee may use one of the stations placed in the Hall to enter a “request to speak” against the relevant section(s) of Proposed Deliverance.

[If attending online]: Members who wish to ask a question or to make a comment on a Report should use the Assembly Hub to enter a “request to speak” against the relevant section(s) of Proposed Deliverance.

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE A

COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

A1. Roll of Presbytery. Each Presbytery Clerk shall, by 15 December of each year, transmit to the Clerks of Assembly the number of charges, appointments and deacons specified in section 21 of the Church Courts Act (Act VI 2023) – all as at 30 November immediately preceding.

A2. Presbyterial Representation. The Clerks of Assembly will thereafter intimate to Presbyteries what will be their representation in the ensuing Assembly. Any queries shall be settled by the Assembly Business Committee at the request of the Clerks. The decision of the Assembly Business Committee shall be subject to review by the Assembly on Petition by the Presbytery concerned.

A3. Question Arising. Should there arise between the month of December and the opening of the Assembly any question regarding representation not provided for in these Orders, the Assembly Business Committee shall have power to dispose thereof.

A4. Transmission of names and details of Commissioners. The names, in alphabetical order, full postal addresses, email addresses, charges and types of commission (ie minister, deacon or elder) of Commissioners from Presbyteries, shall be transmitted by Presbytery Clerks to the Clerks of Assembly not later than 31 January in each year so far as they have been elected by that time. In transmitting the names of Commissioners to the Clerks of Assembly, the Clerk of each Presbytery is certifying that to the best of his or her knowledge the Elders named therein are bona fide ruling Elders and are commissioned by the Presbytery.

A5. Committee on Commissions. The Committee on Commissions shall consist of the Clerks and the Convener of the Assembly Business Committee; the Principal Clerk shall be Convener. The Committee shall prepare and circulate a list of Commissioners for submission to the Assembly. Along with the said list a copy of the Standing Orders of the General Assembly shall be made available to each member. The Clerks shall arrange to make available to each Commissioner, at least one week before the opening day of the Assembly, an electronic copy of the volume of Reports and Proposed Deliverances and an electronic copy of the Order of Proceedings.

A6. Objections. During the sittings of the Assembly, the Committee on Commissions shall, if called upon, or if it shall appear to it necessary or expedient so to do, hear any person whose Commission is objected to in support of his or her Commission, and also any person or persons who may object to such Commission, and the Committee on Commissions shall have power to settle any such matters.

A7. Late Commissions. It shall be competent at any time prior to the opening of the Assembly to lodge with the Clerks of Assembly Commissions which have not previously been transmitted to them; and the Committee on Commissions shall settle any queries as to whether or not such Commissions are valid. Once the Assembly has opened and the Roll of Commissioners has been laid on the table, no further Commissions may be received.

SCHEDULE B

OTHER MEMBERS AND ATTENDEES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

(a) MEMBERS ex officiis

B1. These are the Moderator of the Assembly, on election, and the immediately preceding Moderator, the Clerks, Procurator, and Law Agent, and also the Convener and Vice-Convener of the Procedure Committee upon their election.

They have all the rights and privileges of Commissioners.

(b) CORRESPONDING MEMBERS, STAFF MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE, DELEGATES, VISITORS AND OTHER SPEAKERS

B2. Definitions

Corresponding Members and Staff Members in Attendance. Representatives of Departments and Standing Committees as stated in SOs B3 – B5.

Delegates from other Churches. Representatives of other Churches who come in response to an invitation from the Principal Clerk sent at the request of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team or from the Ecumenical Relations Committee to their Church to send a delegate or delegates to the General Assembly and who are duly accredited by the Courts or equivalent authority of their Churches.

Visitors. Visitors from other Churches who come with a Letter of Introduction from Assembly or Presbytery Clerks or equivalent officer of their Church.

B3. Corresponding Members

1. (a) Where neither the Convener or Vice-Convener is already a Commissioner, each of the following bodies may appoint for each day of the General Assembly, one member, failing which one staff-member, to act as a Corresponding Member: the Church of Scotland Guild, the Church of Scotland Housing and Loan Fund, the Church of Scotland Pension Trustees, the Ecumenical Relations Committee, the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team, the General Trustees, the Legal Questions Committee, the Nomination Committee, the Safeguarding Committee, the Social Care Council, the Stewardship and Finance Department, and the Theological Forum.

(b) Each such body will advise the Clerks of Assembly not less than one week before the commencement of the General

Assembly of the name of the Corresponding Member appointed for each day. The names of Corresponding Members appointed under this Standing Order shall be included in the Order of Proceedings or the Assembly Paper.

2. The Assembly Trustees, being the Charity Trustees of the Unincorporated Councils and Committees of the General Assembly, and the Chief Officer, shall be Corresponding Members when not Commissioners.

B4. Status. Corresponding Members of Assembly shall be entitled to attend all sessions of the same and to speak on any matter before the Assembly affecting the interests of their Special or Standing Committee, where applicable, but shall not have the right to vote or make a Motion.

B5. Staff Members in Attendance. The Head of Ministries and Mission, the Secretary of the Social Care Council, the Ecumenical Officer, the Chief Executive of the General Trustees, the Editor of Life and Work, the General Treasurer, the Head of Human Resources, the Convener of the Nomination Committee, the Scottish Churches’ Parliamentary Officer and the Head of Communications, when not Commissioners, shall attend the General Assembly as required to enable them to answer questions put to them by the Assembly or, when asked by the General Assembly, to make comment for clarification.

B6. Other Speakers. Where any Special or Standing Committee wishes that one of its members or staff members, not being a Member of Assembly nor otherwise entitled to speak in terms of SOs B3 to B5, should have an opportunity of addressing the Assembly in connection with the discussion of its Report, the Convener shall seek the permission of the Moderator; for the avoidance of doubt, such permission may be sought during a debate.

Where any Special or Standing Committee wishes that a person, not being a Member of Assembly or member or staff member of that Committee, should address the Assembly, the Convener shall submit the name of such person for approval to the Assembly Business Committee before the Assembly opens, or to the Procedure Committee during the sittings of the Assembly, and the decision of the Assembly Business Committee or Procedure Committee shall be final, unless the Assembly themselves shall resolve in terms of SO F2 hereof to dispense with the observance of Standing Orders in respect of that particular matter.

(c) YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES

B7. Status

(i) Presbyteries shall be entitled to appoint persons to serve as Youth Representatives as follows:

(a) Each Scottish Presbytery other than Clèir Eilean Ì (the Presbytery of the Highlands & Hebrides) and the Presbytery of Lewis may appoint up to four Youth Representatives.

(b) Clèir Eilean Ì (the Presbytery of the Highlands & Hebrides) and the Presbytery of Lewis may together appoint up to four Youth Representatives.

(c) The Presbyteries of England and the Channel Islands, International Charges and Jerusalem may each appoint one Youth Representative.

(ii) Each Youth Representative shall be between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five on the opening day of the General Assembly. They shall be involved in the life of a congregation within the bounds of the Presbytery and shall be regularly involved in the life and worship of the Church of Scotland. The minister of the congregation shall provide confirmation of this involvement if asked by the Presbytery of the bounds.

(iii) The names of Youth Representatives shall be passed to the Clerks of Assembly by 31 January each year. If a Presbytery does not use fully use its entitlement to appoint Youth Representatives in any given year, its unused entitlement may be allocated to another Presbytery or Presbyteries at the discretion of the Clerks of Assembly.

(iv) Youth Representatives shall be entitled to speak and move Motions but not to vote:
during debates on Committee reports, and
during debates on Overtures.

(v) Youth Representatives shall not be entitled to speak, move Motions or vote:
during debates on Petitions or Cases, and
during debates on matters affecting General Assembly procedure or Standing Orders.

(vi) Youth Representatives shall not be members of the Commission of Assembly.

Oversight

(vii) The Faith Action Programme Leadership Team shall take responsibility for Youth Representatives and shall extend to them appropriate hospitality.

(d) PROBATIONERS AND FAMILIARISATION CANDIDATES

B8. Status

(i) Persons who are, or have very recently been, (a) in training for Ministries of Word and Sacrament or for the Diaconate and undertaking a Probationary placement (“Probationers”), or (b) Admissions candidates undertaking a Familiarisation placement (“Familiarisation Candidates”), shall be entitled to attend the General Assembly with rights as set out below.

(ii) The Faith Action Programme Leadership Team shall supply to the Assembly Clerks by 31 March each year the names of those Probationers and Familiarisation Candidates which it proposes attend that year’s Assembly. Each Probationer and Familiarisation Candidate shall attend only one Assembly in that role.

(iii) Probationers and Familiarisation Candidates shall be entitled to speak and move Motions but not to vote:

during debates on Committee Reports, and

during debates on Overtures.

(iv) Probationers and Familiarisation Candidates shall not be entitled to speak, move Motions or vote:

during debates on Petitions or Cases, and

during debates on matters affecting General Assembly procedure or Standing Orders.

(v) Probationers and Familiarisation Candidates shall not be members of the Commission of Assembly.

Oversight

(vi) The Faith Action Programme Leadership Team shall take responsibility for Probationers and Familiarisation Candidates and shall extend to them appropriate hospitality. Their accommodation, travel and subsistence expenses will be met as if they were Commissioners.

(e) DELEGATES AND VISITORS

B9. Reception. Delegates from other Churches shall be received and welcomed by the Moderator. The Assembly Business Committee is authorised, after consultation with the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team and the Ecumenical Relations Committee, to recommend to the Moderator to invite two specified delegates to convey greetings briefly after all the delegates have been received and welcomed by the Moderator.

B10. Status.

(i) Delegates to the Assembly shall have the right to attend all sessions and to speak on all matters before the Assembly, except when the Assembly are exercising judicial functions, but shall not have the right to make Motions or to vote.

(ii) Visitors shall have the privilege of seats in the Assembly but without the right to speak, make Motions or vote. As in the case of Delegates, the officials of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team, the Ecumenical Relations Committee, or other relevant Council or Committee shall extend appropriate hospitality to Visitors.

B11. Oversight. The officials of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team, the Ecumenical Relations Committee, and other Standing Committees which may be interested in Delegates, shall see that Invitations to Assembly functions are procured for the Delegates, and that the Members of Assembly shall do everything in their power to make the visits of all the Delegates pleasant and profitable.

SCHEDULE C

OVERTURES FROM PRESBYTERIES AND COMMISSIONERS

C1. Overtures. An Overture from a Presbytery or a Commissioner shall have as its subject a matter which is of concern to the whole Church, rather than a matter of particular interest to a Petitioner. An Overture from a Commissioner must, in addition, relate to a matter which does, in the opinion of Committee on Overtures and Cases, not fall within the remit of any Standing or Special Committee.

C2. Transmissions. All Overtures from Presbyteries passed on or before 24 April shall be sent to the Clerks of Assembly not later than that date in each year. Overtures from Commissioners shall be lodged with the Clerks not later than the Wednesday before the opening day of the General Assembly.

C3. Circulation of Overtures. If the Committee on Overtures and Cases gives leave to transmit in respect of an Overture, (see SOs 14 - 17) the Clerks shall arrange for the circulation of the Overture to Commissioners, in the Order of Proceedings or in the Assembly Paper.

C4. Form. An Overture shall commence “It is overtured by [the Presbytery of X/ Commissioner Y] to the General Assembly, to….“. An Overtures shall contain a brief statement of the matter to be brought before the Assembly, giving reasons for so doing, together with a Proposed Deliverance in numbered sections, of which the first section shall be “The General Assembly receive the Overture”.

C5. Proposed Legislation. An Overture from Presbyteries or from Commissioners which proposes the introduction of new or the amendment of existing Acts (or Regulations) shall contain the precise terms of the legislation which they propose; and the Committee on Overtures and Cases shall not transmit to the Assembly any Overture which is deficient in this respect, provided always that the Clerks and Procurator shall be available to assist with the framing of such proposals.

C6. When Taken. Overtures relating to matters under the care of Standing Committees shall be assigned by the Assembly Business Committee or the Procedure Committee (unless the Committee on Overtures and Cases decides not to transmit) to the place in the discussion at which they shall be introduced to the Assembly. When the Proposed Deliverance of an Overture is capable of being treated as a Counter-Motion or amendment to the Proposed Deliverance of a Standing Committee, or as a new section of such Proposed Deliverance, it shall be so treated.

C7. Grouping. Overtures on the same or cognate subjects shall be grouped by the Assembly Business Committee or Procedure Committee of the Assembly and only one speaker shall be heard introducing each group.

C8. Introduction. An Overture from a Presbytery may be introduced and spoken to by any member of that Presbytery, specially appointed for the purpose, at the bar; or by any one of its Commissioners to the Assembly in his or her place as a Commissioner. An Overture from a Commissioner shall be spoken to by that Commissioner.

C9. Debate on Overture. The Introducer of an Overture, if a Commissioner, shall move the Proposed Deliverance; and if he or she is not a Commissioner the Principal Clerk, whom failing the Depute Clerk, shall formally move the Proposed Deliverance. The Introducer, whether a Commissioner or not, may answer questions or give explanations in the course of the debate and may reply to the discussion immediately before the relevant Convener closes the debate. In the normal way, the relevant Convener may answer questions or give explanations during the debate provided that he or she makes it clear that in so doing he or she is not closing the debate.

SCHEDULE D

CONDUCT OF CASES (INCLUDING APPEALS, DISSENT AND COMPLAINTS AND PETITIONS)

D1. Commission of Assembly. The rules of procedure for the Appeals Committee of the Commission of Assembly shall be as set out in Schedule 2 to the Appeals Act (Act I 2014). SOs D2 – D4 apply where a matter is being brought before the Commission of Assembly in terms of those powers of the Commission of Assembly not being exercised by the Appeals Committee, or before the General Assembly, being a Petition, a Reference or an Appeal on a matter of doctrine. In SOs D2 – D4 references to the General Assembly shall be taken to refer where appropriate to the Commission of Assembly and all references shall be so construed mutatis mutandis.

(a) LODGING OF PAPERS

D2. Appeal; Dissent and Complaint; Petition. The papers in all cases intended to be brought before the Assembly, whether Appeals or Dissents and Complaints against the judgement of inferior courts, or Petitions, should be lodged with the Clerks of Assembly not later than 24 April, and must be lodged not less than fourteen days before the opening session of Assembly; except in the case of judgements pronounced within sixteen days of the meeting of Assembly, in which case they shall be lodged within forty-eight hours of the judgement being pronounced.

Petition. A Petition to the Assembly is distinguished from an Overture from a Presbytery or a Commissioner in that it shall concern a matter of particular interest to the Petitioner, rather than a matter of concern to the whole Church. The Petitioner must be able to show a legitimate interest in the action requested.

D3. (a). Reference. In the case of Reference of a matter from an inferior court for the judgement of the Assembly the same limits as to time for lodging of papers in the case shall apply as in SO D2.

(b). Reference of Matter Previously Considered. Where the matter of a Reference has previously been under consideration of the Assembly, the Reference shall state the date when the matter was previously before the Assembly and shall narrate the Assembly’s Deliverance thereon.

D4. Answers. It shall be competent for all parties claiming an interest in the subject matter of an Appeal, Dissent and Complaint or Petition to lodge Answers thereto complying with the requirements of this SO D4. Answers may be lodged any time after the Appeal, Dissent and Complaint or Petition is received by the Clerks, but not later than seven days before the opening meeting of Assembly. Answers shall be in the form of articulate numbered Answers to the narrative contained in the Appeal, Dissent and Complaint or Petition, indicating in particular matters of fact that are admitted and denied, and shall set forth a concise statement of the Respondent’s case, together with a crave specifying the action the Assembly are invited to take in that respect.

(b) PROVISION OF PAPERS

D5. Circulation. It shall be the duty of the Clerks on receiving papers that are to come before the Assembly in connection with cases to arrange to have these circulated to Members in authorised form.

D6. In Private. Papers relating to business dealt with by Presbyteries in private, or which the Committee on Overtures and Cases (SOs 15 - 17) consider should be taken in private, shall be circulated separately and may be dealt with by the Assembly in private.

D7. In Retentis. A copy of every circulated paper shall be kept by the Clerks of Assembly to be retained among the Records of Assembly.

(c) CIRCULATION OF PAPERS

D8. Date of Dispatch. A copy of all papers transmitted to the Clerks of Assembly not later than 24 April shall be forwarded by them to each Member of Assembly at least one week before the opening day of the Assembly.

D9. In Private. The Clerks of Assembly shall not issue in advance to Members the papers in cases which they think require to be conducted in private, until specially instructed by the Assembly so to do; but shall report such cases to the Convener of the Procedure Committee, for the information of that Committee, immediately after its appointment.

(d) INTIMATION TO PARTIES

D10. Appeal; Dissent and Complaint. In all cases coming before the Assembly by Appeal or Dissent and Complaint it shall be the duty of the Clerks of Assembly to inform the parties on both sides as soon as possible of the time at which such case is likely to be taken by the Assembly. Such intimation shall, unless in a specific case the Assembly determine otherwise, be regarded as sufficient notice.

The Clerks shall further be bound, on application made to them for the purpose, to supply a copy of all papers circulated in pursuance of the foregoing Orders to the opposite party or parties in any case, or to his or her or their duly accredited Agents.

D11. Petition. In every Petition it shall be the duty of the Petitioner to make such intimation of the Petition as may be necessary having regard to the nature of the Petition. Such intimation shall be made not more than seven days later than the time when the Petition is lodged with the Clerks of Assembly as provided in SO D2 above; and along with the Petition there shall be lodged a certificate signed by the Petitioner or his or her Agent setting forth the names of the parties to whom such intimation has been made or is to be made. The Assembly may refuse to dispose of any Petition if in their opinion sufficient intimation thereof has not been made.

(e) HEARING OF CASES

D12. Announcement. Before parties are heard in any contentious case the Clerk shall read the following announcement, viz – “The Commissioners are reminded that justice requires that all the pleadings at the bar should be heard by all those who vote in this case, and that their judgement should be made solely on the basis of the pleadings.” Immediately before a vote is taken in such a case, the Clerk shall read the following further announcement, viz – “The Commissioners are reminded that only those who have heard all the pleadings at the bar are entitled to vote in this case.”

D13. Appeal; Complaint; One Appellant. In cases brought before the Assembly by Appeal, where there is only one appellant (or one set of appellants concurring in the same reasons of Appeal) and only one respondent (or one set of respondents concurring in the same answers to the reasons of Appeal) the case for the appellant (or set of appellants) shall be stated by him or herself or by his or her counsel, who at the same time shall submit such argument upon the case as he or she shall think fit. The party or counsel so stating the Appeal shall be followed by the respondent or his or her counsel who likewise shall submit such arguments upon the case as he or she shall think fit. At the close of the statement for the respondent the appellant shall be entitled to be again heard, and the respondent shall also be entitled to be heard in answer to the second speech for the appellant and if, in his or her final answer, the respondent shall state any fact or submit any argument not adverted to in his or her answer to the opening statement for the appellant, the appellant shall be entitled to a reply upon the new matter introduced in the final answer for the respondent. With the exception of this right of reply, so limited, more than two speeches shall not be allowed to any party at the bar.

D14. Appeal; Complaint; More than one Appellant. In such cases as those referred to in SO D13 if there is more than one appellant (or set of appellants) insisting on the Appeal, or more than one respondent (or set of respondents) supporting the judgement appealed against, (a) on different grounds, or (b) in separate reasons or answers, each appellant shall be entitled to open and state his or her separate case, and each respondent shall be entitled to make his or her separate answer, and the debate shall be closed with a reply for the several appellants; provided always that it shall be competent to the parties, with consent of the Assembly to make any arrangement for conducting the debate other than herein prescribed, if it shall have the effect of limiting, further than is herein done, the number of speeches to be made from the bar.

D15. Appeal; Complaint; Who may appear. Any Member of an inferior court whose judgement is brought under review of the Assembly may appear at the bar in support of the judgement; but, when Commissioners have been specially appointed by the inferior court to support its judgement, the Assembly shall not hear any Member of such court other than the Commissioners so appointed, unless any Member not so appointed but wishing to be heard can show a separate and peculiar interest to support the judgement; and in all such cases it shall be competent to the Assembly to limit the number of Members of an inferior court who shall be heard in support of the judgement under review.

D16. Dissent and Complaints. In SOs D13 – D15, “Appeal” includes “Dissent and Complaints” and “Appellant” includes “Complainer”.

D17. Petition: Who may appear. In cases brought before the Assembly as the court of first instance by Petition, the party promoting the application shall be entitled to be heard in support of the same; and the Assembly shall also hear an answer from any party at the bar claiming to be heard whom it shall consider to be a proper respondent, and the debate at the bar shall be closed with a reply from the person promoting the application.

D18. Reference: Who may appear. In cases brought before the Assembly by reference from a Presbytery the reference shall be stated to the Assembly by a Member of the referring court, specially appointed for the purpose, at the bar if not a Commissioner, or in his or her place as a Commissioner if a Commissioner from the Presbytery. The Assembly shall thereafter hear the parties in the case referred in such order as the nature of the case may seem to require, keeping in view the regulations in SOs D12 - D17.

SCHEDULE E

COMMITTEES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THEIR MEMBERSHIP

(a) COMMITTEES

E1. Committees. The Committees of the General Assembly shall be those listed in SO E4 (“the Standing Committees”) together with such Special Committees (see SO 23 as the General Assembly may appoint from time to time. Clerical services for the Special Committees shall normally be provided by the staff of the Office of the General Assembly.

E2. Quorum. Save for those bodies where provision is already made for a quorum, the quorum of Standing and Special Committees shall be three. When a meeting ceases to be quorate, business must be suspended. The quorum shall apply also to sub-committees and other bodies constituted from the relevant Standing and Special Committees where such sub-committees and other bodies have decision-making powers, but not otherwise.

E3. Co-opting. When, from time to time, a Standing Committee requires to co-opt relevant expertise in order to fulfil the work remitted to it by the General Assembly, it may do so (save where otherwise stated) and the Standing Committee should acknowledge the co-option in its report to the General Assembly.

E4. Membership. The Standing Committees of the General Assembly shall have membership as follows, General Assembly appointments being made on the nomination of the Nomination Committee except where otherwise stated.

1. Assembly Business Committee 16/17

Convener, Vice-Convener, 2 members of the Legal Questions Committee (Convener and another member involved more in judicial matters to be nominated by the Legal Questions Committee), a further 6 members made up of ministers and elders with experience of the General Assembly appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, with the following members ex officio: the Moderator and the Moderator Designate, the Principal Clerk, the Depute Clerk, the Solicitor, the Procurator and the General Treasurer. The Convener and Vice-Convener shall also serve as Convener and Vice-Convener respectively of the Procedure Committee.

2. Assembly Trustees 12/14

12 trustees appointed (from which shall be drawn the Convener, Vice-Convener, and Administrative Trustee). In addition to appointed Trustees, the Assembly Business Committee and the General Trustees shall each appoint one of their members as a representative who shall be entitled to attend all meetings as a corresponding member but without a right to vote or make a Motion, such member being eligible to serve for a maximum period of three years.

3. Audit Committee 6

Convener, who shall not be an Assembly Trustee, three other voting members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, all of whom shall be independent of the Unincorporated Entities and at least one of whom shall have recent and relevant financial experience, and two additional voting members appointed by the Assembly Trustees. The quorum shall be three voting members, at least one of whom is a Trustee member. The Chief Officer and the General Treasurer shall attend without a right to vote or make a motion. In addition, other officials, as required by the Committee, may be in attendance from time to time without a right to vote or make a motion. Representatives of the External and Internal Auditors, shall be entitled to attend all meetings but without a right to vote or make a motion.

4. Church Hymnary Trust

Trustees, including a Chairperson, are appointed as required, by the General Assembly on the nomination of the Trust.

5. Church of Scotland Housing and Loan Fund Up to 11

Up to 3 ministers and 1 other member appointed by the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team, who having served a term of 4 years shall be eligible for re-appointment for a second 4 year term;

Up to 4 appointed by the General Assembly on the nomination of the Trustees, who having served a term of 4 years shall be eligible for re-appointment for a second 4 year term;

Up to 3 appointed by the Baird Trust, for a term of office determined by that Trust.

Any Trustee (other than one appointed by the Baird Trust) may serve for up to a further two four-year terms if elected also as Chairperson or Depute Chairperson

6. Church of Scotland Investors Trust

Trustees, including a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, are appointed as required, by the General Assembly on the nomination of the Trust.

7. Church of Scotland Pensions Trust

Trustees are appointed as required, by the General Assembly on the nomination of the Trust in accordance with the relevant Pension Schemes, with a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from their number elected by the Trustees.

8. Church of Scotland Trust

Trustees, including a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, are appointed as required, by the General Assembly on the nomination of the Trust.

9. Committee on Chaplains to HM Forces 6

Convener, Vice-Convener and four other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee. There is also 1 non-voting member: a representative from and appointed by the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team.

10. Delegation of the General Assembly 4

The Clerks of Assembly, the Principal Clerk as Chair, the Procurator and the Solicitor of the Church, ex officiis.

11. Ecumenical Relations Committee 10 plus representatives and co-optees

a) Convener, who will act as a personal support for the Ecumenical Officer, and Vice-Convener, both appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee.

b) 8 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, 1 to be attached, for the purposes of ecumenical accompaniment, to the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team.

c) A representative of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland appointed in virtue of the Saint Margaret Declaration; a representative of the Scottish Episcopal Church appointed in virtue of the Saint Andrew Declaration; a representative of the Church of England appointed in virtue of the Columba Declaration, and 1 representative from each of 2 churches drawn from the following: the Baptist Union of Scotland, Congregational Federation (Scotland), Methodist Church; Religious Society of Friends, Salvation Army; United Free Church of Scotland and the United Reformed Church, each to serve for a period of four years.

d) The Committee shall co-opt Church of Scotland members elected to the central bodies of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the World Council of Churches (WCC), the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE, formerly the Leuenberg Fellowship of Churches).

e) Meetings of the Committee shall normally be held with all members, representatives and co-optees invited, but a meeting may also be called only for voting members, being those appointed under paragraphs a) and b) above. Where the full Committee is meeting, only those persons appointed under paragraphs a) and b) above shall be entitled to vote, but before any vote is taken the views of members representing other churches shall be ascertained.

12. Ethical Oversight Committee 9

Convener, Vice-Convener and 7 other members, each of whom shall serve no more than two three-year terms, to be populated as follows: 3 persons who shall be trustees of the Investors Trust, 1 person from the General Trustees, and 5 appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee; of these 5, 3 will have a social justice and/or world church background; 1 will be a parish minister; and 1 will be thirty years of age or under at first appointment.

13. Faith Action Programme Leadership Team 48

The Leadership Team will comprise

a) a Convener appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee,

b) 5 Vice Conveners, appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, to deputise for the Convener when unavailable and lead Programme Groups (with 1 of the Vice Conveners to be designated, on the recommendation of the Nomination Committee, as Depute Convener),

c) 5 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee,

d) 12 other members appointed by Presbyteries. There will be 1 such member for each Presbytery or Presbytery grouping,

e) The Convener, or substitute, of the Theological Forum, and

f) The Convener, or substitute, of the Ecumenical Relations Committee.

No Assembly Trustee, member of another Standing Committee or employee of the Church will be eligible to be a member. The quorum will be 5 members. The Convener will have a casting vote. The Convener will be appointed for a term of four years. Of the Vice Conveners 2 will be appointed for two years and 3 for three years as decided by the Nomination Committee. Subsequent to those first appointed, the Convener and Vice Conveners may be appointed from existing members and will conclude service at the conclusion of their term as Convener or Vice Convener. Of the other members of the Leadership Team first appointed, one third will serve for four years, one third for three years and one third for two years as decided by the Nomination Committee.

Five Programme Groups will report to the Leadership Team and will have written delegated authority from the Leadership Team to take forward their respective elements of the Faith Action Programme. This will include the development of strategy and policy, and working alongside staff members in their implementation.

Each Vice-Convener will lead a Programme Group. No other members of the Leadership Team will be a member of a Programme Group.

Programme Groups, with the exception of the Presbytery Mission Plan Implementation Group (PMPIG), will each consist of 4 members, appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee plus their Programme Group Leader. Of the 4 members, 2 will serve for four years and 2 for three years as decided by the Nomination Committee. PMPIG will consist of six members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee plus their Programme Group Leader. Subsequent to the initial appointments, all Programme Group members other than Leaders, will serve four years. Programme Groups will have power to co-opt members to their Group, subject to approval by the Leadership Team. The number of co-opted members will not exceed the number of General Assembly appointed members, and only General Assembly appointed members will have the right to vote on decisions of the Programme Group.

Programme Groups may form short-life Task Groups to assist or advise them in the delivery of the Faith Action Programme. With the exception of the Presbytery Mission Plan Implementation Group, such Groups will comprise no more than 5 individuals (of whom no more than 2 may be non-members of the Church), and be headed by a Programme Group member, with freedom to select other persons, including members of staff, as co-opts. The remit and composition of each such Group will be agreed by the Leadership Team and reviewed annually, should the task for which it is formed not be completed within a year. Task Groups will report to the relevant Programme Group. The number, size, remits and activities of such Groups will be approved by the Leadership Team Convener and reported to the General Assembly.

14. General Trustees

Trustees, including a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, are appointed as required, by the General Assembly on the nomination of the Trust.

15. Iona Community Board 20

Convener and 5 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee;

6 members appointed by and from the Iona Community, 2 changing each year;

The Leader of the Iona Community;

1 member appointed by and from Clèir Eilean Ì, the Presbytery of the Highlands and Hebrides.

In addition the Board will invite 6 member churches of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) to appoint a representative member to the Board, such members being eligible to serve for a maximum period of 4 years.

16. Judicial Panel 30

30 people being ministers, elders, deacons and members nominated by the Nomination Committee and appointed by the General Assembly. All members of the Judicial Panel shall be qualified to practise as lawyers or shall be experienced in the law and practice of the Church.

17. Legal Questions Committee 16

Convener, Vice-Convener and 10 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, plus Clerks of Assembly, the Procurator and the Solicitor of the Church.

18. Life and Work Editorial Advisory Committee 9

Convener and 7 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee together with the Principal Clerk as an ex officio member. The members should represent a wide range of theological opinion and perspectives, with an interest and particular gifts to offer the Committee, for example journalism, magazine production, former contributors. The Committee may co-opt members with particular gifts or information.

19. Ministries Appeal Panel 5

Convener, Vice-Convener and 3 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee. At least 1 member shall be legally qualified, at least 1 shall be a minister and at least 1 shall be an elder.

20. Mission Plan Review Group 15

A group of fifteen persons appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee and in line with the process for appointing persons to other legal bodies. Additionally, the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team and the General Trustees shall be entitled to make suggestions to the Legal Questions Committee as to persons who are suitable for appointment to the Group, but the final decision as to nominees shall rest with the Legal Questions Committee. The members of the Group shall be suitably experienced members of the Church.

21. Nomination Committee 20

Convener, Vice-Convener and 18 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee. Notwithstanding SO E7, no member of the Committee, having served a term of 4 years, shall be eligible for re-election until after a period of 4 years, except for special cause shown. The Convenership of the Committee shall be for 3 years.

22. Nomination of the Moderator Committee 12

Twelve persons comprising eleven ministers and elders nominated by Presbyteries plus one deacon selected at random by the Clerks of Assembly. The ministers and elders on the Committee shall be selected as follows: each Scottish Presbytery (provided that in the case of Clèir Eilean Ì (the Presbytery of the Highlands & Hebrides) and of Lewis, this means the two Presbyteries working together) shall nominate 1 minister and 1 elder to populate the Committee; the Presbyteries of England and the Channel Islands and of International Charges shall nominate 1 minister or elder for the Committee in each alternate year, the first nomination being made in 2024 by the Presbytery of England and the Channel Islands. Upon receipt of all the nominations, the Nomination Committee shall select for appointment 1 or other of the nominees from each Scottish Presbytery, and shall appoint the nominee from the Presbytery of England and the Channel Islands or International Charges, to create a Committee which is representative of the diversity of the whole Church. The Committee is to be convened by the immediate past-Moderator of the General Assembly, failing which by another former Moderator of the General Assembly.

23. Personnel Appeal Group 12

12 members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee with the Solicitor of the Church as Secretary, each appointed to serve a four-year term with the option of appointment for a further four-year term. Members shall not include any former or current members of staff of any of the Church’s Employing Agencies (including the Social Care Council), nor any current Standing Committee member.

24. Presbytery Review Committee 15

Convener, Vice-Convener and 11 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, together with the Principal Clerk and the Depute Clerk as ex officio members. In making nominations to the Committee, the Nomination Committee shall seek to ensure a balance of ministers, elders and members on the Committee, and also shall aim for geographical balance. Membership of the Committee shall include persons with considerable experience of Presbytery life, of Church life, of regulatory functions, of charity governance, of Church law, practice and procedure and of the operation of Church courts. Appointments shall be for a three-year term with some initial appointments being of shorter terms to stagger those stepping down from the Committee in future years. No current employee of a Presbytery shall be a member of the Committee or co-opted onto a Review Group.

25. Registration of Ministries Committee 7

Convener, Vice-Convener and 5 other members. Of the 7 members, 1 member is appointed by the Legal Questions Committee, 1 member is appointed by the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team and 5 members (including the Convener and Vice-Convener) are appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee. The 5 members appointed by the General Assembly shall include one member who is legally qualified, at least one Minister of Word and Sacrament and at least one elder. One or other of the Clerks to the General Assembly and the Head of Ministries and Mission attend the Committee ex officiis in an advisory capacity but are not members. The Committee is clerked by a staff member of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team; this person is not a member of the Committee.

26. Safeguarding Appeal Panel 6

A Panel of 6 persons appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, being persons with Safeguarding and other relevant experience, and including at least two persons who shall be qualified to practise as lawyers or who are experienced in the law and practice of the Church, and at least two ministers. None of the Panel shall be a current or former employee of any of the Employing Agencies or a current member of the Safeguarding Committee. The Panel will be clerked by the Principal Clerk or the Depute Clerk.

27. Safeguarding Committee 11

Convener, Vice-Convener and 6 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, 1 representative (voting member) from and appointed by each of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team and the Social Care Council, the Solicitor of the Church, the National Adviser (Head of Safeguarding) as Secretary to the Committee, the Chief Officer and up to 4 members co-opted by the Committee for their expertise. For the avoidance of doubt it is declared that only the following persons will be entitled to vote: Convener, Vice-Convener, the six Assembly appointed members and the representatives from each of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team and the Social Care Council.

28. Social Care Council 12

Convener, Vice-Convener and 9 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, with the Chief Executive Officer of CrossReach as a non-voting ex officio member. At least one member shall be a Church of Scotland minister.

29. Theological Forum 13

Convener, Vice-Convener and 11 other members appointed by the General Assembly through the Nomination Committee, the membership being selected to provide an appropriate balance of (a) ministers of Word and Sacrament, (b) members of academic staff from the Divinity Schools (or equivalent) of Institutions of Higher Education in Scotland, (c) elders and (d) members drawn from the wider membership of the Church chosen for their particular expertise, experience or provenance.

(b) GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES (OTHER THAN THE LEGAL BODIES)

E5. Meaning of Member. “Member” shall refer in this section (b) of Schedule V to any member of a Standing Committee or Special Committee, including the Convener and Vice-Convener except where stated otherwise.

E6. Membership of Church of Scotland. Each Member of a Standing Committee and Special Committee shall normally be a minister, elder, deacon or member of the Church of Scotland.

E7. Period of Service and reappointment.

(a) Members of the Standing Committees shall initially be appointed for a term of four years and shall retire after serving for four years; however, such Members shall be eligible for reappointment subject to the following rule: where more than one Member is due to retire then not more than one-half of the retiring Members may be so re-appointed (“the 50% rule”).

(b) A Member appointed in the place of one deceased, resigned or removed, or of one appointed as Convener or Vice-Convener, shall serve for the remainder of the period for which the person was appointed whose place he or she takes.

(c) A Member retiring from a Standing Committee having served eight consecutive years, or having his or her name removed for non-attendance, shall not be eligible for re-appointment to that Standing Committee until the expiry of one year thereafter, unless the General Assembly are satisfied that there are circumstances which make re-appointment desirable.

(d) No Member shall normally serve for more than eight consecutive years.

(e) This SO E7 shall not apply to Conveners and Vice-Conveners, to whom SO E16 below applies.

E8. Under 35. If possible 20 per cent of the Assembly appointed members of Standing Committees should be under the age of 35 at the time of their appointment.

E9. Representatives and appointments other than by the General Assembly. Bodies entitled to appoint representatives shall be permitted to make changes in their representation for special reasons in any year. This shall also apply to direct appointments made by Presbyteries to the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team. The rules in SO E7, save for the 50% rule, shall apply to representatives and direct appointments.

E10. Non-attendance. The name of a Member shall be removed from any Standing or Special Committee which has met three times or oftener between 1 June and 1 March unless he or she has attended one-third of the meetings held within that period, unless the Nomination Committee is satisfied that there was a good reason for the non-attendance which has now been rectified. Attendance at meetings of Sub-Committees shall for this purpose be reckoned as equivalent to attendance at the meeting of the Committee itself.

E11. Replacement. When a Member of any Standing or Special Committee is unable to accept the appointment, or where from any cause vacancies occur in Committees during the year, that Committee, with the permission of the Convener of the Nomination Committee, may appoint a Member to take the place of the Member whose non-appointment or retirement has caused the vacancy. All such appointments, if for a longer period than one year, shall be reported for confirmation through the Nomination Committee to the General Assembly.

E12. Eligibility to serve on more than one Committee. No person shall be a Member of more than three Standing or Special Committees at the same time. Appointments ex officio shall not be reckoned in this number. This rule shall not apply to those for whom the Nomination Committee is prepared to give special reason to the General Assembly for their appointments to more than three Committees.

The Nomination Committee shall not nominate for Standing or Special Committees any of its own number except in special circumstances which must be stated to the General Assembly.

E13. Secretaries and Deputes. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of each Committee to attend the meetings thereof, to provide information and advice as requested, and to provide a depute for any meeting that the Secretary cannot attend.

E14. Expenses. Reasonable expenses incurred by Members of Committees, consisting of travel charges and a sum for maintenance when required, shall be defrayed.

(c) SPECIFIC PROVISIONS RELATING TO CONVENERS AND VICE-CONVENERS

E15. Appointment.

Conveners and Vice-Conveners of Committees shall be appointed by the General Assembly on the nomination of the Nomination Committee. When the Convener or Vice-Convener of a Committee is completing their term of office, the Committee shall be invited by the Convener of the Nomination Committee to suggest the name of one who may be appointed in succession. The Nomination Committee shall satisfy itself that an open and transparent process has been followed in identifying the Convener or Vice-Convener so suggested.

E16 Period of service and reappointment.

(a) Conveners of Standing Committees shall hold office for not more than four consecutive years (in the case of the Nomination Committee, three consecutive years) and Vice-Conveners of Standing Committees shall hold office for not more than three consecutive years, unless the General Assembly are satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which make the reappointment of Conveners and Vice-Conveners desirable.

(b) The period of reappointment shall be for one year only.

(c) Reappointments may not be made if the Convener or Vice-Convener has already served more than four years (in the case of a Convener) or three years (in the case of a Vice-Convener) as a result of having been appointed in place of a previous Convener or Vice-Convener to complete their term.

(d) If at the time of their appointment, a Convener or Vice-Convener is already a Member of the Committee, a new Member shall be appointed in their place for the remainder of the period of their original appointment.

(e) A retiring Convener shall be eligible for re-election as an additional member of the Committee concerned to serve for one year only immediately following tenure of office as Convener.

E17. Replacement. In the event of the death, resignation, non-attendance or supervening incapacity of the Convener or Vice-Convener of any Committee the Convener of the Nomination Committee shall have the delegated authority to make a mid-year appointment, in consultation with the Committee concerned, whose Convener may be invited to suggest the name of one who may be appointed in succession. Where the appointment is for longer than one year an open and transparent process shall be followed in identifying the replacement Convener and/or Vice-Convener. All mid-year appointments of Conveners and Vice-Conveners shall be reported by the Nomination Committee to the General Assembly.

(d) NOMINATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS

E18. Conveners and Secretaries to Attend Nomination Committee Meeting. Conveners and Secretaries of Committees shall be entitled to be present at meetings of the Nomination Committee when the composition of their respective Committee is under consideration, but not to vote.

(e) THE LEGAL BODIES

E19. Meaning. The “Legal Bodies” means the Appeals Committee of the Commission of Assembly, the Discipline Tribunal, the Judicial Commission, the Judicial Panel, the Ministries Appeal Panel, the Mission Plan Review Group, the Personnel Appeal Group and the Safeguarding Appeal Group.

E20. Conveners and Vice-Conveners: period of appointment. Conveners of the Legal Bodies shall initially be appointed for a term of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment for further terms of four years. Vice-Conveners of the Legal Bodies shall initially be appointed for a term of three years and shall be eligible for reappointment for further terms of three years.

E21. Members: period of appointment. Members of the Legal Bodies shall initially be appointed for a term of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment for further terms of four years.

E22. Nomination process for Legal Bodies (including Conveners, Vice-Conveners and Members).

(a) In parallel with the Nomination Committee processes, the Legal Questions Committee will draw up a list of people whom it considers suitably qualified to serve on the Legal Bodies and will approach these people to ascertain whether or not they agree to serve. If any forms are submitted through the wider nomination process, these forms will be passed direct to the Convener and Secretary of the Legal Questions Committee for consideration as to suitability.

(b) At its January/February meeting, the Nomination Committee will receive the list of names proposed by the Legal Questions Committee. The Convener and Secretary (Principal Clerk and/or their Depute) of the Legal Questions Committee, and the Solicitor will appear at the Nomination Committee to discuss the list of names and to answer any questions thereon. Thereafter, subject to that discussion, Nomination Committee will approve the list of names. For the avoidance of doubt, the Nomination Committee as a whole will not receive any names other than those being put forward for nomination on the list of names. The approved names will then be proposed to the General Assembly in the Report of the Nomination Committee, for appointment.

E23. Special rules for Legal Bodies. The rules in SOs E19 - E22 apply in preference to the normal rules set out in SOs E7 - E17 above, which shall not apply to the Legal Bodies.

(f) THE TRUSTS

E24. Meaning. The Trusts means the Church Hymnary Trust, the Church of Scotland Housing and Loan Fund, the Church of Scotland Investors Trust, the Church of Scotland Pension Trust, the Church of Scotland Trust and the General Trustees.

E25. Special rules for Trusts. The rules in SOs E7 - E17 above shall not apply to the Trusts.

(g) NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORTING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

E24. List of Nominations. The Nomination Committee shall include in its Report its list of nominations to be submitted to the General Assembly. The Report, so prepared, shall be included in the Volume of Reports issued to Members of the General Assembly.

E25. Amendment to Report.

(a) No amendment to the Report of the Nomination Committee shall be in order of which due notice has not been given.

(b) All Notices of Motion proposing amendment to the Report, including such as propose the omission or insertion of any name or names, or the addition of a name or names where the full number eligible has not been nominated by the Committee, must be given in to the Clerks before midday on the penultimate day of the General Assembly. All such Notices of Motion shall be circulated in the list of Notices of Motion.

SCHEDULE F

ALTERATION AND SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

F1. Alteration. Any proposal for alteration of Standing Orders shall be either (a) on the Report of the Legal Questions Committee and included in the Volume of Reports or (b) by Overture and the subject of at least one day’s notice in the list of Notices of Motion. This Standing Order shall not apply to SO E4 which may be amended by the Principal Clerk in accordance with the decisions of the General Assembly.

F2. Suspension. It shall always be competent for the Assembly, on the Motion of any Commissioner and on cause shown, summarily to dispense with the observance of the Standing Orders, or any part of them, in any particular case: provided that such Motion shall receive the support of not less than two-thirds of those voting on the question when put from the Chair, and that such suspension shall not contravene any Act of Assembly.

X. Other Information For In-Person Commissioners

IMPORTANT: FIRE PROCEDURE

Fire plans are displayed around the building – please take a moment to look at these on arrival to familiarise yourself with the various exit routes to Mound Place and the Lawnmarket.

The following arrangements must be strictly adhered to:

A – ON DISCOVERING A FIRE

1. Sound the alarm by operating the nearest break-glass call point, then leave the building by the nearest safe exit.

2. Report the reason for sounding the alarm to the nearest fire marshal with a radio, in order that the information can be passed on to the emergency services.

B – ON HEARING THE ALARM

Leave the building in an orderly fashion by the nearest safe exit, following the stewards’ directions and the directional signage arrows.

Do not use the lift in event of an emergency.

Do not stop or divert to collect personal belongings, i.e. coats, briefcases, handbags etc.

Once outside, keep moving and follow the direction of the stewards to the Assembly Points.

Exit doors must remain clear at all times.

Please wait at the designated Assembly Points and do not re-enter the building until you have been told it is safe to do so by the Evacuation Controller or Emergency Services personnel.

(Note: the above-mentioned arrangements relate to the Assembly Hall building. If present within New College when the fire alarm sounds, leave the College by the nearest available exit. New College areas include the Assembly Office, Stewards’ Office, Media Rooms, Martin Hall and Rainy Hall.)

SMOKING/VAPING is not permitted anywhere on the premises or in the quadrangle.

THE FASTI – Some hard copies of Vol XII of the Fasti (the latest volume of the record of ministries in the Church of Scotland since the Reformation) will be available for purchase at the Assembly. These will be held in the Assembly Office and any person who wishes to purchase one should visit the Office to arrange this.

FIRST AID ROOM – This room is off the “black and white” corridor of the Assembly Hall.

REPORTS – The Volume of Reports can be downloaded here. Individual Reports can be downloaded here.

TIME LIMIT FOR SPEECHES – A bell will notify Speakers that they are approaching the time limit and are expected to finish their speeches within one minute.

HEARING AIDS – These should be switched to “T” for best results from the induction loop. BSL interpreters will cover each session of the General Assembly. Please advise the Office of the General Assembly if you would find this facility helpful so that a seat can be reserved for you in the appropriate area.

SEATING FOR COMMISSIONERS – Commissioners should sit in the ground floor and in the west gallery.

FILMING/PHOTOGRAPY – We draw to your attention that cameras are used to film and photograph the General Assembly throughout its meeting and that the footage will be streamed live on the Church of Scotland website and used in other media including social media. In addition, the footage and live stills obtained may, at some future point, be broadcast on national or international television and/or be used in other publications. If you do not wish to be filmed/photographed in this way, you should sit out of range of the cameras in the corners against the back wall on the ground floor of the Assembly Hall, and not behind any of the microphones which are located around the Hall. If you are unsure where this is, please ask a steward.

LOST PROPERTY – Please report or hand this in to the Assembly Office.

LUGGAGE AND COATS – Luggage may be left in a cloakroom opposite the Assembly Office on the Friday and Monday mornings; bags and coats may be left in this space on other days. All items are left at your own risk.