Moderator's diary
During their year in office, the Moderator visits two Church of Scotland Presbyteries; represents the Church of Scotland on historic and national occasions; supports the work of Committees, congregations and organisations; and engages with interfaith and ecumenical bodies.
Below are details of the engagements in the moderatorial diary this month.
- 1 November 2026
In the morning the Moderator will travel to Lenzie, to preach at service to mark CrossReach Sunday, before joining the congregation at a Fundraising Lunch for CrossReach. In the evening, Mr Kennedy will preach at a service in Palmerston Place, Edinburgh to mark the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
- 3 November 2026
The Moderator will be the Guest of Honour at the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society’s Pitch to Plate community meal, held at Easter Road Stadium in Edinburgh.
- 4 November 2026
The Moderator will travel to Innerleithen to visit the congregation’s Alpha and Discipleship Groups.
- 5 November 2026
The Moderator will meet with the joint Principal Clerks and the Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland.
- 6 November 2026
The Moderator will share a reflection at a Remembrance Event in Edinburgh organised by the Scottish Government.
- 8 November 2026
The Moderator will lay a wreath on behalf of the General Assembly at Edinburgh City Chambers’ Stone of Remembrance, before leading the prayers of intercession at the Remembrance Sunday service in St Giles’ Cathedral.
- 9 November 2026
The Moderator will attend a service being held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, for the blessing and installation of the icon given to His Majesty The King on the State Visit to the Vatican.
- 10 November 2026
The Moderator will meet with Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, in the Scottish Parliament. The Moderator hopes to meet with the Leaders of all Scottish Political Parties during his year in office.
- 16 November 2026 - 20 November 2026
The Moderator will visit London. The week’s programme will include preaching in the Houses of Parliament; meeting with: the Lord Speaker, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chief Rabbi; attending the Inauguration of the Twelfth General Synod in Westminster Abbey; and speaking at a Fundraising Dinner in support of the homelessness charity, ScotsCare.
- 21 November 2026 - 26 November 2026
The Moderator will engage in the first of two visits during his year in office to the Presbytery of England and the Channel Islands. Mr Kennedy’s programme will include preaching at a joint service for the London congregations, visiting a community ecumenical centre, engaging with the St Andrews Book Festival, as well as meeting with the Kirk Sessions of both Corby Church of Scotland and Newcastle St Andrews Parish Church.
- 29 November 2026
On the first Sunday in Advent, the Moderator will preach at Greenbank church in Glasgow, before officially opening 'The Annexe', their new community facility.
- 30 November 2026
In the morning the Moderator will meet online with Dr Ed Kessler MBE, to discuss interfaith relations. In the afternoon, Mr Kennedy will attend a meeting of the Scottish Church Leaders Forum.