Church Moderator looking forward to “celebrating congregational life” on Presbytery of Perth visit

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland will today begin a five-day trip to the Presbytery of Perth visiting congregations and community projects as well as Stirling Prison.

Rt Rev Rosie Frew will be welcomed to the Presbytery by Rev Dr John Ferguson, who is the presbytery clerk, at Lecropt Church hall followed by lunch at Comrie Church.

On the second day, Ms Frew will go to ‘Start Up Stirling', which was begun by three local congregations 31 years' ago initially to provide practical support for those moving into new accomodation after experiencing homelessness or leaving care. They now employ eight members of staff and have 110 volunteers helping to run a range of programmes assisting 400 people each week.

The following day she will go to Stirling Prison and lunch will be hosted by Forth Valley inclusion.

Later that day Ms Frew will attend ‘Music and Memories', a dementia-friendly event at Dunblane Cathedral followed by meeting members of the Boys' and Girls' Brigade in Dunblane.

Next she will take part in 200^th anniversary celebrations at Kippen Parish Church before going to Drymen Parish Church.

After this she will go to St Mary's Episcopal Church in Aberfoyle to learn about a new ecumenical partnership between the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church, the first agreement of its kind in the Presbytery of Perth.

On the final day, Ms Frew will preach and worship at St Mark's Stirling, a priority area congregation.

The visit will end with songs of praise at Dunblane Cathedral during which the Moderator will present long service awards.

Mrs Frew said: "Dave and I are looking forward to our visit to Perth Presbytery and a varied programme of visits, events and worship.

"We'll be experiencing and celebrating congregational life, seeing new initiatives as well as giving thanks for long and faithful service.

"The opportunity to visit the new Stirling prison and to meet with the governor, chaplain and volunteers is one I'm particularly excited about."

Rev Dr John Ferguson, presbytery clerk, said:

"The Presbytery of Perth is greatly looking forward to the visit from the Moderator of the General Assembly.

"This will be the first of two visits, with the one taking place from 1 October happening in the Stirling area of Presbytery.

"We have a wide-ranging number of visits planned, including visits to congregations, Stirling Prison, the Start Up Stirling Food Bank and a Songs of Praise service at which almost 70 long service certificates will be presented to Elders.

"We are hoping that the Moderator will find out more about the work of what is a fairly new presbytery, which is one of the largest geographically in Scotland.

"There are many ways in which our congregations are positively sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in new and exciting ways."