General Assembly 2021

ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS

SATURDAY 22 – THURSDAY 27 MAY

I. Assembly Office-Bearers and Procedure Committee ��������������������������������������������������03 II. Index of Presbyteries ���������������������������������������������������04 III. Roll of Commissioners �������������������������������������������������05 IV. Order of Business �������������������������������������������������������� 24 V. Information on Questions, Comments and Motions ����������������������������������������������� 26 VI. Proposed Committees ������������������������������������������������� 28 VII. Overtures ������������������������������������������������������������������� 29 VIII. Supplementary Reports ����������������������������������������������� 37 IX. Minutes ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 91 X. Standing Orders ����������������������������������������������������������94 XI. Proposed Amendments to Standing Orders for the Online General Assembly 2021 ������������������������� 117

Scottish Charity Number: SC011353 Order of Proceedings ......

NOTES

TRAINING Please ensure you sign up for the one of the training events, on which information will be emailed to you separately.

COMMISSIONERS’ TRAVELLING EXPENSES AND SUBSISTENCE EXPENSES Please note that as this is a fully online event, expenses will not be paid.

CONTACT US In the first instance please email: [email protected] with any queries.

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Assembly Office-Bearers and Procedure Committee ASSEMBLY OFFICE-BEARERS Title Name No Moderator Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair 739 Moderator-Designate Lord Wallace of Tankerness 744 Chaplains Rev Dr Marjory A MacLean 740 Rev Gordon Fraser H 742 MacNaughton Principal Clerk Rev Dr George J Whyte 745 Depute Clerk Ms Christine Paterson 743 Procurator Ms Laura Dunlop QC 738 Law Agent Miss Mary MacLeod 741 Precentor Rev Colin Renwick Chief Steward Mr Alexander F Gemmill Depute Steward Mr Neil Proven Assembly Officer Mr William Mearns Depute Assembly Officer Mrs Karen McKay

PROCEDURE COMMITTEE Title Name No Convener Rev Donald McCorkindale 746 Vice-Convener Mrs Susan Pym 747

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Index of Presbyteries 31 Aberdeen and Shetland 6 Jedburgh 36 Abernethy 49 Jerusalem 30 Angus 32 Kincardine and Deeside 7 Annandale and Eskdale 12 Ardrossan 13 Lanark 19 Argyll 44 Lewis 10 Ayr 38 Lochaber 42 Lochcarron – Skye 34 Buchan 3 Lothian 41 Caithness 4 Melrose and Peebles 14 Clyde 35 Moray 8 Dumfries and Kirkcudbright 45 Orkney 29 Dundee 27 Dunkeld and Meigle 28 Perth 5 Duns 39 Ross 1 Edinburgh 47 England 23 Stirling 40 Sutherland 22 Falkirk 24 Fife 43 Uist

16 Glasgow 2 West Lothian 33 Gordon 9 Wigtown and Stranraer

17 Hamilton

48 International Charges 37 Inverness 11 Irvine and Kilmarnock

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Roll of Commissioners 20. Rev Peter Nelson, Edinburgh: St John's Colinton Mains 1. Presbytery of Edinburgh 21. Rev Sheena Orr, Prison Chaplain* Minister 1. Rev Ian W Alexander, Interim Head 22. Rev Malcolm Ramsay, Edinburgh: of the Faith Impact Forum * Willowbrae 2. Very Rev Dr Russell Barr, (Edinburgh: 23. Very Rev Colin A M Sinclair, Cramond) Edinburgh: Palmerston Place 3. Very Rev Dr Derek Browning, 24. Very Ref Prof Iain R Torrance Kt, Edinburgh: Morningside (University of Aberdeen) 4. Rev Christine Clark, (Healthcare 25. Rev Samuel A R Torrens, Edinburgh: Chaplain) Slateford Longstone* 5. Rev Joanne G Foster, Edinburgh: 26. Rev Dr Fiona Tweedie, Mission Inverleith St Serf's Statistics Coordinator, OLM 6. Rev Neil N Gardner, Edinburgh: 27. Rev Ian J Wells, Ratho Canongate Elder 7. Rev Keith E Graham, Edinburgh: 28. Mrs Joanne Baird, Edinburgh: Leith St Murrayfield Andrew's 8. Rev Peter Graham, (Presbytery Clerk) 29. Mr Andrew Bathgate, Edinburgh: Craiglockhart 9. Rev James J Griggs, Edinburgh: Corstorphine St Anne's 30. Ms Matilda Boulogne, Edinburgh: Juniper Green 10 Rev Dr Jared W Hay, (Edinburgh: Priestfield) 31. Mr Ian R Buckingham, Edinburgh: Broughton St Mary's 11. Rev Elizabeth M Henderson, Edinburgh: Richmond Craigmillar 32. Mrs Lesley Burt, Balerno 12. Rev Dr James A P Jack, Edinburgh: 33. Mr James R Byers, Edinburgh: Duddingston Corstorphine St Ninian's 13. Rev Dr Thomas Kisitu, Edinburgh: St 34. Mr James Campbell, Edinburgh: St Nicholas' Sighthill Andrew's and St George's West 14. Rev Ian A MacDonald, Edinburgh: 35. Mrs Andrena Crawford, Edinburgh: St Holy Trinity Andrew's and St George's West 15. Rev Dr Rosie Magee, Edinburgh: St 36. Mr George B Dickson, Edinburgh: St Andrew's and St George's West David's Broomhouse 16. Rev Michael Mair, Edinburgh: St 37. Mr Duncan Douglas, Dalmeny David's Broomhouse 38. Mr David Drummond, Edinburgh: 17. Rev Cheryl McKellar-Young, Corstorphine Old Edinburgh: Fairmilehead 39. Mr John Duncan, Edinburgh: 18. Rev Russell McLarty, Edinburgh: Leith Palmerston Place North 40. Dr Alison Elliot, Edinburgh: Greyfriars 19. Rev Marjory McPherson, Presbytery 41. Mrs Isobel Gray, Clerk Edinburgh: Meadowbank

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42. Dr Hazel Hastie, Edinburgh: Drylaw 61. Rev Dr Ian D Maxwell, Uphall: South 43. Mrs Doreen Jones, Edinburgh: 62. Rev Allison Quilter, Polbeth Harwood Duddingston l/w West Kirk of Calder, OLM 44. Mr David MacLennan, Edinburgh: 63. Rev Thomas S Riddell, Linlithgow: St Gorgie Dalry Stenhouse Michael's, Auxiliary Minister* 45. Mr Hugh McDiarmid, Edinburgh: Elder Newhaven 64. Mr Hugh Brown, Broxburn 46. Mr William McKay, Kirkliston 65. Mr David Cameron, Uphall: South 47. Mr Chris McNeil, Edinburgh: 66. Mr Alan Carruthers, Abercorn Morningside 67. Mrs Jean Kershaw, Pardovan, 48. Mrs Deirdre Shishodia, Edinburgh: Kingscavil and Winchburgh Cramond 68. Mr John McFadzean, Whitburn: South 49. Mrs Sandra Steedman, Edinburgh: St Andrew's Clermiston 69. Mr Darren Philip, Livingston: United* 50. Mr Ian A J Thom, Edinburgh: 70, Mr Keith Stirling, Torphichen Greenbank Deacon 51. Mrs Carol Turnbull, Edinburgh: 71. Mrs Kay McIntosh DCS, Edinburgh: Corstorphine Craigsbank* Mayfield Salisbury, Pastoral Assistant 52. Mrs Sheila Ward, Edinburgh: 3. Presbytery of Lothian Slateford Longstone Minister 53. Mr Duncan Wilson, Edinburgh: 72. Rev Robin N Allison, Cockenzie and Fairmilehead* Port Seton: Chalmers Memorial 54. Mr Gary C Winney, Edinburgh: High 73. Rev Geoff T Berry, Army Chaplain (St Giles') 74. Very Rev Dr John B Cairns, (Aberlady Deacon l/w Gullane) 55. Mrs Margaret Gordon DCS, 75. Rev Hayley L Cohen, Musselburgh: Edinburgh: (Currie) Northesk 56. Miss Elspeth McPheat DCS, 76. Rev Suzanne G Fletcher, Dunglass (CrossReach ) 77. Rev Dr David J Graham, Dirleton l/w 2. Presbytery of West Lothian North Berwick: Abbey Minister 78. Rev Ruth D Halley, (Logie) 57. Rev Alistair Cowper, Kirknewton and East Calder 79. Rev Dr Robin E Hill, Gladsmuir l/w Longniddry 58. Rev Derek R Henderson, Abercorn l/w Pardovan, Kingscavil and 80. Rev Keith L Mack, Dalkeith: St John's Winchburgh and King's Park 59. Rev W. Richard Houston, Linlithgow: 81. Rev Louise I Purden, Bonnyrigg* St Ninian's Craigmailen 82. Rev Gordon Stevenson, Dunbar 60. Rev A Scott Marshall, Abercorn l/w 83. Rev John D Vischer, Garvald and Pardovan, Kingscavil and Morham l/w Haddington: West Winchburgh

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Elder 104. Mrs Frances Heafield, Ashkirk 84. Mr A William Bell, Garvald and 105. Mrs Isobel Hunter, Skirling Morham* 106. Mr Peter Sandison, Galashiels: Old 85. Mr Robert D Burgon, North Berwick: and St Paul's Abbey 107. Mr Robert Scott, Innerleithen, 86. Mrs Joan E Cape, Penicuik: St Traquair and Walkerburn Mungo's 108. Mr Robert G Turnbull, Earlston* 87. Mrs Mary T Gordon, Cockenzie and Port Seton: Chalmers Memorial 5. Presbytery of Duns 88. Mrs Mary S M Graham, North Minister Berwick: Abbey 109. Rev Andy Haddow, Coldingham and St Abbs l/w Eyemouth* 89. Mr Connor MacFadyen, Tranent 110. Rev Mike A Taylor, Chirnside l/w 90. Mr John D McCulloch, Presbytery Hutton and Fishwick and Paxton Clerk 91. Mrs Abigail Morrison, Longniddry Elder 111. Mrs Susan Patterson, Ayton and 92. Mr Alexander P M Nightingale, District Churches* Dunglass 112. Mr David S Philp, Presbytery Clerk 93. Mrs Emma T Stewart, Musselburgh: St Andrew's High 6. Presbytery of Jedburgh 94. Mr Iain J Thomson, Bonnyrigg Minister 113. Rev Lisa-Jane Rankin, Hawick: Wilton 95. Mr Kenneth M Wright, Gullane l/w Teviothead* Deacon 114. Rev Anna S Rodwell, Kelso: North 96. Mrs Marilynn J Steele DCS, and Ednam (Edinburgh: Granton) 115. Rev Rachel Wilson, Hobkirk and 4. Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles Southdean l/w Ruberslaw Minister Elder 97. Very Rev David Arnott, (St Andrews: 116. Mr R S Elliot, Hawick: Burnfoot* Hope Park with Strathkinness) 117. Mr Stuart Kelly, Cheviot Churches 98. Rev Fraser Edwards, Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn 118. Mrs Morag McKeand, Oxnam 99. Rev Rosemary Frew, Bowden and 7. Presbytery of Annandale and Eskdale Melrose Minister 100. Very Rev Dr Finlay Macdonald, 119. Rev Morag Crossan, Canonbie United (Principal Clerk) 120. Rev Elsie Macrae, Kirkpatrick Juxta 101. Rev Sheila W Moir, Maxton and l/w Moffat: St Andrew's l/w Mertoun l/w Newtown l/w St Wamphray Boswells* 121. Rev Dr Robert Pickles, Langholm, 102. Rev Margaret D J Steele, Ashkirk l/w Eskdalemuir, Ewes and Westerkirk Selkirk 122. Rev David Whiteman, Annan: Old l/w Elder Dornock* 103. Dr Patsy Campbell, Carlops

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Elder Elder 123. Mr David Boncey, Kirkpatrick Juxta 142. Mr Angus Carrick-Buchanan, Ervie Kirkcolm* 124. Mrs Elaine I Irving, Hoddom, Kirtle- Eaglesfield and Middlebie 143. Mrs Sandra McDowall, Wigtown 125. Mr Anthony Lane, Canonbie United* 144. Mr Robert McKinnel, Glasserton and Isle of Whithorn l/w Whithorn: St 126. Mr Ian Scott, Lochmaben Ninian's Priory 8. Presbytery of Dumfries and 10. Presbytery of Ayr Kirkcudbright Minister Minister 145. Rev Lynsey Brennan, Dundonald 127. Rev Dr David Bartholomew, Balmaclellan, Kells and Dalry l/w 146. Rev Kenneth Elliott, Presbytery Clerk Carsphairn 147. Rev Brian Hendrie, Ayr: St Leonard's 128. Rev Donald Campbell, Dumfries: St l/w Dalrymple George's* 148. Rev Dr David Hume, Alloway, OLM 129. Rev John Notman, Dumfries: 149. Rev Neil McNaught, Alloway* Troqueer 150. Rev John Paterson, Lugar l/w Old 130. Rev Valerie J Ott, Gatehouse and Cumnock: Old Borgue l/w Tarff and Twynholm 151. Rev Dave Prentice-Hyers, Troon: Old 131. Rev Mark Smith, Dunscore l/w Glencairn and Moniaive 152. Rev Mandy Ralph, Annbank l/w Tarbolton 132. Rev Fiona Wilson, Dalbeattie and Kirkgunzeon l/w Urr 153. Rev Alastair Symington, Depute Presbytery Clerk Elder 133. Mrs Louise Finch, Kirkcudbright* 154. Rev Allan Vint, Mauchline l/w Sorn 134. Mrs Thelma Hart, Kirkcudbright Elder 155. Dr James Anderson, Girvan: South 135. Mrs Andrea Houston, Kirkmichael, Tinwald and Torthorwald 156. Mr Bill Duncan, Alloway* 136. Mr Robert J McBride, Kirkmahoe 157. Mr Gordon MacDonald, Prestwick: Kingcase 137. Mrs Elizabeth Tanner, Dumfries: St Mary's Greyfriars' 158. Mr Sandy Mavor, Dundonald 138. Mr David Townsend, Dumfries: 159. Mrs Irene McCallum, Annbank Northwest 160. Mrs Maureen McNae, Tarbolton 9. Presbytery of Wigtown and Stranraer 161. Mr Ian Watt, Mauchline Minister 162. 139. Rev Eric Boyle, Kirkcowan l/w Wigtown* 163. 140. Rev Alexander I Currie, Glasserton 164. and Isle of Whithorn l/w Whithorn: 11. Presbytery of Irvine and Kilmarnock St Ninian's Priory Minister 141. Rev Stephen Ogston, Inch l/w Luce 165. Rev Taylor Brown, Kilmarnock: South Valley

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166. Very Rev William Hewitt, (Presbytery 188. Ms Veronica A M Fitzpatrick, Clerk: Glasgow) Kilwinning: Abbey 167. Very Rev Dr David Lacy, (Kilmarnock: 189. Mrs Jean Hunter, Presbytery Clerk Kay Park) 190. Mrs Bea Nicholson, Saltcoats: St 168. Rev George Lind, (Irvine: Mure l/w Cuthbert's Irvine: Relief Boutreehill) 191. Mr Magnus Ross, Largs: Clark 169. Rev Alison McBrier, Caldwell Memorial 170. Rev James McNaughtan, Kilmarnock: Deacon St Andrew's and St Marnock's 192. Miss Fiona Blair DCS, Beith 171. Rev John Urquhart, Kilmaurs: St 13. Presbytery of Lanark Maur's Glencairn Minister 172. Rev Alec Wark, Presbytery Clerk* 193. Rev Iain D Cunningham, Carluke: Elder Kirkton 173. Mr Alan Beattie, Kilmarnock: St 194. Rev Bryan Kerr, Lanark: Greyfriars* Andrew's and St Marnock's 195. Rev Louise E Mackay, Lanark: St 174. Mr William Bremner, Irvine: St Nicholas' Andrew's 196. Rev Andrew D Rooney, Kirkmuirhill 175. Mrs Margaret Hamilton, Kilmarnock: South* Elder 197. Mrs Lesley Ewing, Carluke: Kirkton 176. Mrs Jane Johnston, Kilmarnock: St John's Onthank 198. Mr Scott M Paget, Lanark: Greyfriars* 177. Mr Les Kirk, Dunlop 199. Mr David M Waters, Kirkmuirhill 178. Mr Robbie Menzies, Kilmaurs: St 200. Maur's Glencairn 14. Presbytery of Clyde 179. Mrs Loraine Strang, Caldwell Minister 180. Mr David Whitelaw, Irvine: Old 201. Rev Gordon Armstrong, Paisley: Oakshaw Trinity Deacon 181. Mrs Barbara Urquhart DCS, (Deacon) 202. Rev Dr Sonia Blakesley, Paisley: St Mark's Oldhall 12. Presbytery of Ardrossan 203. Rev William Boyle, Port Glasgow: Minister New 182. Rev David Albon, Dalry: St Margaret's 204. Rev Stuart Davidson, Pioneer 183. Rev Scott Cameron, Stevenston: High Minister Paisley: North End 184. Rev James McNay, West Kilbride 205. Rev Gray Fletcher, Elderslie Kirk 185. Rev David Watson, Largs: Clark 206. Rev Andrew Frater, Milngavie: Cairns Memorial* 207. Rev Dr Christine Goldie, Bearsden: 186. Rev David Sutherland Stevenston: Westerton Fairlie Memorial* Ardeer l/w Stevenston: Livingstone 208. Rev Pamela Gordon, Barrhead: Elder Bourock 187. Mr Archie Currie, Kilbirnie: Auld*

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209. Rev Kenneth Gray, Bridge of Weir: 232. Mr Alan Nimmo, Arrochar Freeland 233. Mrs Eileen Nish, Bridge of Weir: 210. Rev Dr Alan J Hamilton, Bearsden: Freeland Killermont 234. Mr Derek W Smith, Clydebank: 211. Rev Karen Harbison, Greenock: Kilbowie St Andrew's Westburn 235. Mrs Elizabeth Stewart, Dalmuir: 212. Very Rev Dr Lorna Hood OBE, Barclay (Renfrew: North) 236. Mr Douglas Thomson, Bonhill 213. Rev Colin I W Johnson, Dumbarton: 237. Mrs Moira Thomson, Bonhill St Andrew's 238. Mrs Maureen Walker, Cardross 214. Rev Margaret McArthur, Cardross 16. Presbytery of Glasgow 215. Rev Dr Peter McEnhill, Presbytery Clerk* Minister 216. Rev Christine M Murdoch, 239. Rev Norman Afrin, Glasgow: Craigrownie l/w Garelochhead l/w Sandyhills Rosneath: St Modan's 240. Rev Dr S Grant Barclay, Interim 217. Rev Gary Noonan, Houston and Presbytery Clerk Killellan 241. Rev Scott Blythe, Netherlee and 218. Rev Alastair Shaw, Johnstone: St Stamperland Paul's 242. Rev James A S Boag, Broom 219. Rev Ramsay B Shields, Dumbarton: St 243. Rev Richard Cameron, Glasgow: Andrew's Scotstoun Elder 244. Rev Stuart J Crawford, Newton 220. Mrs Sheila Atkinson, Baldernock Mearns 221. Mrs Ima Burnett, Barrhead: St 245. Rev Jane M Denniston, Campsie* Andrew's 246. Rev Ruth Forsythe, 222. Mrs Christine Cavanagh, Bearsden: Spiritual Formation Advisor Killermont 247. Rev Ian F Galloway, Glasgow: Gorbals 223. Mrs Linda Dye, Barrhead: Bourock* 248. Rev James Gemmell, Glasgow: 224. Mrs Elma Farr, Barrhead: St Andrew's Carnwadric* 225. Mr John O Hawthorn, Gourock: Old 249. Rev David Gray, Glasgow: Govan and Gourock and Ashton Linthouse 226. Mr Robert M Kinloch, Lomond* 250. Rev Roy J M Henderson, Glasgow: Pollokshaws 227. Mr John Kitson, Bearsden: Killermont 251. Rev Karen E Hendry, Glasgow: Yoker 228. Mr David Linley, Bearsden: Baljaffray 252. Rev Derek Hughes, Glasgow: 229. Miss Celia Massicks, Dumbarton: Easterhouse Riverside 253. Rev Margaret H Johnston, Glasgow: 230. Ms Anne Mcgregor, Kilmacolm: Old Kinning Park 231. Mr Campbell McGregor, Renfrew: 254. Rev Mark Johnston, University of North Glasgow: Pastoral Studies Tutor

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255. Rev Jonathan A Keefe, Glasgow: Elder Robroyston 276. Mrs Catherine Arbuckle, Glasgow: St 256. Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, University of James' Pollok Glasgow: Interfaith Chaplaincy 277. Mrs Wendy Armstrong, Eaglesham 257. Rev Stuart Love, Glasgow: 278. Mr Graeme D I Barrie, Glasgow: Clincarthill Easterhouse* 258. Very Rev Dr David W Lunan, 279. Mr Alastair Borthwick, Glasgow: (Presbytery Clerk: Glasgow) Baillieston Mure Memorial 259. Rev Dr Kleber Machado, Glasgow: St 280. Mrs Christina L Brownlie, Glasgow: Andrew's West Cardonald 260. Rev Alasdair R MacMillan, Glasgow: 281. Mrs Carole Campbell, Glasgow: Cathcart Trinity Baillieston St Andrew's 261. Rev Elaine H MacRae, Glasgow: St 282. Miss Morag Campbell, Glasgow: St Enoch's Hogganfield David's Knightswood 262. Rev Gordon MacRae, Stepps 283. Mrs Fiona Crawford, Newton Mearns 263. Rev Stuart C Matthews, Glasgow: 284. Mr Anthony C D Crow, Glasgow: Maryhill Sandyford Henderson Memorial 264. Rev I Scott McCarthy, Glasgow: 285. Mrs Agnes Dick, Glasgow: Garthamlock and Craigend Shettleston New 265. Rev (James) Andrew McIntyre, 286. Mrs Brenda Dickie, Glasgow: Glasgow: Partick South Cathcart Old 266. Rev David N McLachlan, Glasgow: 287. Ms Jane Drummond, Glasgow: Langside Broomhill Hyndland 267. Rev T Alastair McLachlan, Craiginsh 288. Mr Andrew Dunn, Glasgow: Tron St with Kilbrandon and Kilchattan l/w Mary's Kilniver and Kilmelford 289. Ms Rebecca Gebauer, Glasgow: 268. Rev Alan McWilliam, Wellington Glasgow: Whiteinch 290. Mrs Elizabeth Glen, 269. Rev Peter Nimmo, Cambuslang Glasgow: Blawarthill 270. Rev John S Purves, Glasgow: 291. Mr Bill Gray, Glasgow: Torrance Drumchapel St Andrew's 292. Ms Fiona Hay, Glasgow: Balshagray 271. Rev Christopher J Rowe, Glasgow: Victoria Park Colston Milton 293. Ms Una L Heaney, Glasgow: 272. Rev Robert M Silver, Glasgow: Sherbrooke Mosspark Croftfoot 294. Mr Robin C Hutchison, Glasgow: St 273. Rev Aquila R Singh, Fernhill and John's Renfield Cathkin* 295. Mr Raymond Jenkins, Glasgow: King's 274. Rev David G Slater, Gartcosh l/w Park Glenboig 296. Mr Ross Johnstone, Williamwood 275. Rev Ian Taylor, Bishopbriggs: Springfield Cambridge* 297. Mr Peter Liddell, Greenbank

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298. Mr Robert Macdonald, Glasgow: 318. Rev Leslie N Brunger, Uddingston: Yoker Burnhead 299. Mr Gordon J MacFarlane, Glasgow: 319. Rev Stewart Cutler, Stonehouse: St Clincarthill Ninian's LEP 300. Ms Patricia Mackenzie, Broom 320. Rev Dr Peter H Donald, Airdrie: Cairnlea 301. Mrs Isabel McDerment, Glasgow: Scotstoun* 321. Rev Lorna Fyfe, Coatbridge: New St Andrew's OLM* 302. Mr David Mclachlan, Glasgow: Shawlands Trinity 322. Rev Joanne C Hood, Hamilton: St John's 303. Mrs Janette McMaster, Glasgow: Barlanark Greyfriars 323. Rev Lorna I MacDougall, Overtown 304. Mrs Margaret O'Neil, Glasgow: 324. Rev Iain M T Majcher, Bothwell Thornliebank 325. Rev Dr Alistair S May, Motherwell: 305. Ms Lorraine Robertson, Stepps Dalziel St Andrew's* 306. Mrs Margaret Robertson, 326. Rev Dr Gordon A McCracken, Williamwood Presbytery Clerk 307. Mr Harry Sime, Glasgow: Robroyston 327. Rev Fiona Nicolson, Coatbridge: New St Andrew's 308. Miss Jean O Smith, Glasgow: Dennistoun New 328. Rev Gordon R Palmer, East Kilbride: Claremont 309. Mrs Helen Sturrock, Glasgow: Wellington* 329. Rev Shaw J Paterson, Strathaven: Trinity 310. Mrs Fiona L Watson, Glasgow: Kelvinside Hillhead 330. Rev Graham Raeburn, Newmains: Bonkle l/w Newmains: Coltness 311. Ms Edith Watt, Glasgow: Bridgeton Memorial St Francis in the East 331. Rev Ecilo Selemani, Hamilton: South 312. Mr Andrew Wilkin, Kirkintilloch: St l/w Quarter David's Memorial Park 332. Rev S Lindsay A Turnbull, Hamilton: Deacon Trinity 313. Ms Ann Lyall DCS, Parish Assistant Glasgow: Baillieston Mure Memorial Elder l/w Glasgow: Baillieston St Andrew’s 333. Mr David S Alexander, Uddingston: Viewpark 314. Miss Anne MacDonald DCS, Glasgow Royal Infirmary: Hospital Chaplain 334. Mr Samuel Clark, Bellshill: West 315. Mrs Margaret D McLellan DCS, 335. Mr David Findlay, Calderbank (Glasgow: Merrylea) 336. Mrs Susan Forbes, Overtown 17. Presbytery of Hamilton 337. Mr William Howson, Hamilton: St Minister John's 316. Rev Ross Blackman, Hamilton: Old 338. Mrs Roberta E Hutton, Wishaw: 317. Rev John Brewster, East Kilbride: Craigneuk and Belhaven Greenhills 339. Mrs June Irvine, Newmains: Coltness Memorial

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340. Mrs Lynette Jardine, Uddingston: Old 360. Miss Maureen M Mackinnon, North and West Islay 341. Ms Marion McElroy, Airdrie: St Columba's 361. Mr Ron McInnes, Ardrishaig 342. Mr John McGeary, Wishaw: South 362. Mr James I Miller, Strathfillan Wishaw 363. Ms Helen Pearson, Kilmore and Oban 343. Mr Hugh R McGregor, Larkhall: 364. Mrs Maura Rae, Kilbrandon and Trinity Kilchattan 344. Dr David Moreland, Strathaven: 365. Mr W Stewart Shaw, Presbytery Avendale Old and Drumclog Clerk* 345. Mrs Marion Murray, Larkhall: 366. Mrs Jeneffer Zielinski, Cowal Kirk Chalmers 22. Presbytery of Falkirk 346. Mr Douglas Pearson, Uddingston: Burnhead Minister 347. Mr Steven Preston, East Kilbride: 367. Very Rev Albert O Bogle, Sanctuary Claremont First 348. Mr George Robertson, Hamilton: 368. Rev James Cowan, (Barrhead: St Old* Andrew's) 349. Mr Andrew Williamson, Blantyre: St 369. Rev Dr Jean Gallacher, Dunipace Andrew's 370. Rev Aftab Gohar, Grangemouth: Deacon Abbotsgrange 350. Mr Colin Ogilvie DCS, Coatbridge: 371. Rev Elspeth McKay, Cumbernauld: Calder l/w Coatbridge: Old Old* Monkland, Locum 372. Rev Andrew J Moore, Bothkennar and 19. Presbytery of Argyll Carronshore Minister 373. Rev Julie Rennick, Larbert: West 351. Rev David Carruthers, Ardrishaig l/w 374. Rev William Thomson, Stenhouse South Knapdale and Carron 352. Rev William Crossan, Campbeltown: 375. Rev Kipchumba Too, Denny: Lorne and Lowland Westpark 353. Rev Chris Fulcher, Team Minister, 376. Rev David Wandrum, Carriden South Argyll, OLM 377. Rev Anne White, Falkirk: 354. Rev Steve Fulcher, South Kintyre Grahamston United 355. Rev Elizabeth A Gibson, North Mull Elder 356. Rev Dr Robert K Mackenzie, Upper 378. Mr Alastair Blackstock, Camelon Cowal* 379. Miss Alison Cooke, Denny: Westpark 357. Rev Lyn Peden, Skipness l/w Tarbert, 380. Mrs Anne Coulter, Airth Loch Fyne and Kilberry 381. Mrs Janette M Craig, Slamannan 358. Rev Sibyl Tchaikovsky, Rothesay: Trinity 382. Mr Christopher Dunn, Cumbernauld: Kildrum Elder 359. Mr Douglas Lindsay, Bute: United

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383. Mrs Helen Moir, Cumbernauld: 407. Mr David Scott, Dunblane Cathedral Condorrat 408. Mr Michael G S Yuille, Dunblane: St 384. Mrs Rena C Moore, Blackbraes and Blane's Shieldhill 409. 385. Mrs Eleanor Neilson, Grangemouth: Kirk of the Holy Rood Deacon 410. Mrs Jean T Porter DCS, Stirling: St 386. Mrs Morag M Patterson, Stenhouse Mark's and Carron* 24. Presbytery of Fife 387. Mr James C Slater, Falkirk: Bainsford Minister 388. Mr Eric C Smith, Brightons 411. Rev Jane Barron, Moderator of the Deacon Presbytery of Fife* 389. Mr David Nicholson DCS, Deacon, 412. Rev Graeme Beebee, Cameron l/w St Cumbernauld Kildrum l/w St Andrew's: St Leonard's Mungo's 413. Very Rev Dr John Chalmers, (Principal 23. Presbytery of Stirling Clerk) Minister 414. Rev Amos Chewachong, Newport- 390. Rev Dr Valerie L Allen, Presbytery on-Tay Chaplain 415. Rev Douglas Creighton, East Neuk 391. Rev Alison E P Britchfield, Trinity l/w St Monans Tillicoultry* 416. Rev Andrew C Donald, Kirkcaldy: 392. Rev Dr Anthony Foley, Dollar Pathhead 393. Rev Barry Hughes, Stirling: St Mark's 417. Rev John Duncan, Leuchars: St Athernase 394. Rev Alison M Jack, New College 418. Rev Elizabeth A Fisk, Culross and 395. Rev Dawn A Laing, Alloa: Ludgate Torryburn 396. Rev Sigrid Marten, Balfron 419. Rev Peter S Gerbrandy-Baird, 397. Rev Scott McInnes, Stirling: North Aberdour: St Fillan's 398. Rev Alan F Miller, Presbytery Clerk 420. Rev Donald Lawrie, Auchterderran: Kinglassie 399. Rev Colin C Renwick, Dunblane Cathedral 421. Rev Jeffrey Martin, Cupar: Old and St Michael of Tarvit l/w Monimail Elder 400. Mr David Briggs, Stirling: North 422. Rev Eileen Miller, Glenrothes: St Margaret's 401. Mrs Marjory Davidson, Tullibody: St Serf's 423. Rev Andrew Morrice, Dunfermline: East 402. Mrs Mary Gillies, Tullibody: St Serf's 424. Rev Allan Morton, Kennoway, 403. Mr Daniel Gunn, Dunblane: St Windygates and Balgonie: St Blane's* Kenneth's 404. Mr Ian McVean, Balfron 425. Rev Gillian Paterson, Methil: 405. Miss Isobel Munro, Menstrie Wellesley 406. Mrs Val Rose, Alloa: Ludgate

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426. Rev Alec Shuttleworth, Tulliallan and Deacon Kincardine l/w Saline and 447. Mrs Pamela Scott DCS, Lochgelly and Blairingone* Benarty 427. Rev David J Smith, Glenrothes: St 27. Presbytery of Dunkeld and Meigle Ninian's Minister 428. Rev Muriel F Willoughby, Dunfermline: St Andrew's Erskine 448. Rev Benjamin Abeledo, Blairgowrie Elder 449. Rev Michael J Erskine, Alyth* 429. Ms Marion J Baldie, Falkland 450. Rev Peggy Ewart-Roberts, Kinclaven l/w Caputh and Clunie 430. Lady Sheila Boyd, Leuchars: St Athernase 451. Rev Neil M Glover, Aberfeldy l/w Dull and Weem l/w Grandtully, Logierait 431. Miss Elizabeth Bracher, East Neuk and Strathtay Trinity* 432. Mrs Sheena S T Briggs, Glenrothes: St Elder Ninian's 452. Mr Clifford Cooke, Blairgowrie 433. Mrs Ella Brown, Ceres, Kemback and 453. Mr Alan Dunlop, Aberfeldy Springfield 454. Mrs Sheila Mannion, Dunkeld 434. Mr Kenneth Brown, Dunfermline: 455. Mr Steven Tait, Alyth* East 28. Presbytery of Perth 435. Mrs Clementina B Dodds MBE, Culross and Torryburn Minister 456. Rev Marc F Bircham, St Madoes and 436. Mr Louis Douglas, Dunfermline: St Kinfauns Andrew's Erskine 457. Rev Grant MacLaughlan, Community 437. Mrs Margaret Dow, Kelty* Worker with Tulloch Net 438. Mrs Linda Gartshore, Methil: 458. Rev Lynn McChlery, Auchterarder Wellesley 459. Rev Alex M Millar, Presbytery Clerk* 439. Mr Ian Hamilton, Auchterderran: Kinglassie 460. Rev Elisabeth M Stenhouse, Fossoway: St Serf's and Devonside 440. Mr William Henderson, Aberdour l/w Cleish 441. Mr Hugh Mackenzie, Kirkcaldy: 461. Rev Anne E Stewart, Chaplain at HMP Pathhead Castle Huntly 442. Mr Philip Owen, Newport-on-Tay 462. Rev Anne Stott, Community 443. Mr George G Owenson, Dalgety Minister, Bertha Park 444. Miss Iona M Pringle, Kennoway, 463. Rev Kenneth D Stott, Perth: North Windygates and Balgonie: St Kenneth's Elder 464. Mr Kenith Barclay, Perth: Letham St 445. Mrs Catriona J Reidpath, Glenrothes: Mark's St Margaret's 465. Mrs Margaret Bell, Dunbarney and 446. Mr Peter Robinson, Cameron Forgandenny 466. Miss Marjorie Clark, Perth: St Matthew's*

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467. Mrs Elizabeth Cunningham, Dundurn 30. Presbytery of Angus 468. Mr George G Hayton, Kinross Minister 469. Mr Ian A Roy, Crieff 489. Rev Stephen Blakey, The Isla Parishes 470. Mrs Karin Wilson, St Madoes and 490. Rev Fiona C Bullock, Dun and Hillside Kinfauns 491. Rev Michael S Goss, Barry l/w 471. Carnoustie Deacon 492. Rev Christine Hay, Arbroath: West Kirk 472. Miss Patricia M Munro DCS, (Perth: Riverside)* 493. Rev Dr Ian A McLean, Presbytery Clerk* 29. Presbytery of Dundee 494. Rev Brian Ramsay, Aberlemno l/w Minister Guthrie and Rescobie 473. Rev Colin Brough, Dundee: Fintry* 495. Rev Geoffrey Redmayne, Montrose: 474. Rev Gordon A Campbell, Chaplain, South and Ferriden Dundee University Elder 475. Rev Dr James Connolly, Dundee: 496. Mrs Elizabeth Aiken, Arbroath: West West Kirk 476. Rev Donna Hays, Fowlis and Liff l/w 497. Mrs Joyce Brown, Carnoustie: Lundie and Muirhead Panbride 477. Rev Anita Kerr, Dundee: Meadowside 498. Mrs Meg Cowan, Montrose: South St Paul's l/w Dundee: St Andrew's and Ferryden 478. Rev Marc Prowe, Invergowrie 499. Mr Douglas Gow, Edzell Lethnot and 479. Rev Graham Taylor, (Dundee: Glenesk Broughty Ferry St Luke's and Queen 500. Mrs Elizabeth Kidd, Brechin: Gardner Street) Memorial 480. Rev James Wilson, Dundee: Whitfield 501. Mr Ronald Leslie, Forfar: Lowson Elder Memorial 481. Mr James Colville, Broughty Ferry 502. Mrs Irene McGugan, Dunnichen, New Kirk Letham and Kirkden* 482. Miss Catherine Coull, Dundee: 31. Presbytery of Aberdeen & Shetland Lochee Minister 483. Mr Ken McAra, Lundie and Muirhead 503. Rev Keith Blackwood, Aberdeen: 484. Mr Gordon McBean, Dundee: Lochee Mannofield 485. Mrs Margaret McVean, Fowlis and 504. Rev Dr John A Ferguson, Presbytery Liff Clerk* 486. Mr Tim Podger, Monikie and 505. Rev Dr Frances Henderson, Transition Newbigging and Murroes and Minister, Shetland Tealing* 506. Rev David S Hutchison, (Chaplain, 487. Mr Alastair Robertson, Monifieth University of Aberdeen) 488. Mr Timothy Xenophontos-Hellen, 507. Rev J Peter N Johnston, Aberdeen: Dundee: St Andrew's Ferryhill

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509. Rev Manson C Merchant, Dyce 531. Mrs Marion McNeil, Drumoak-Durris 510. Rev Scott M Rennie, Aberdeen: 532. Mr David Middleton, West Mearns Queen's Cross 533. Mrs Gloria Potter, Stonehaven: 511. Rev David J Stewart, Aberdeen: South Fetteresso Holburn 33. Presbytery of Gordon 512. Rev Prof John Swinton, University of Aberdeen Minister 534. Rev Dr John A Cook, Howe Trinity* 513. Rev Maggie Whyte, Aberdeen: St Stephen's 535. Rev Dr Mary Cranfield, Culsalmond and Rayne l/w Daviot Elder 536. Rev Dr Kay Gauld, Insch-Leslie- 514. Miss Pauline M Alexander, Aberdeen: Premnay-Oyne Woodside 537. Rev Euan Glen, Presbytery Clerk 515. Mr Jim Donald, Shetland* 538. Rev Douglas McNab, New Machar 516. Mr Robert Gunn, Dyce 539. Rev Sheila Mitchell, Echt and Midmar 517. Mrs Hazel Hewitt, Aberdeen: South Holburn 540. Rev Dr William Stalder, Methlick 518. Mr Ronald Johnstone, Aberdeen: Elder South Holburn 541. Miss Ann Brown, Kemnay* 519. Mrs Eunice McConnach, Aberdeen: 542. Mrs Anne M Campbell, Insch-Leslie- Rubislaw Premanay-Oyne 520. Miss Alice Merrilees, Aberdeen: 543. Ms Susan E S Hogg, Daviot Ferryhill 544. Mrs Pat Patrone, Meldrum and 521. Mr William Rae, Aberdeen: Bourtie Ruthrieston West 545. Mrs Somersal Shepley, Howe Trinity 522. Dr J Graeme Roberts, Aberdeen: Ferryhill 546. Mrs Jeannie Price, Methlick 523. 547. 32. Presbytery of Kincardine and Deeside 34. Presbytery of Buchan Minister Minister 524. Rev David Barr, Glenmuick* 548. Rev James M Cook, Turriff: St Andrew's l/w Monquhitter and New 525. Rev Dr Melvyn Griffiths, Maryculter Byth Trinity 549. Rev David I W Locke, Banff l/w King 526. Rev Andrew Morrison, Stonehaven: Edward Fetteresso 550. Rev Dr Alan Macgregor, Marnoch 527. Rev Brian D Smith, West Mearns 551. Rev Aileen McFie, Maud and Savoch 528. Rev Holly Smith, Mid Deeside l/w New Deer: St Kane's Elder 552. Rev Colin A Strong, New Pitsligo l/w 529. Mr James M Clark, Glenmuick Strichen and Tyrie* 530. Mr David E Laing, Banchory-Ternan: 553. Rev Sean Swindells, Cruden East*

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554. Rev Dr Jeffrey Tippner, St Fergus Deacon Elder 574. Miss Margaret R King DCS, (Bellie and Speymouth) 555. Mrs Isabel Cumming, Maud and Savoch 36. Presbytery of Abernethy 556. Mrs Maureen H Esson, Cruden Minister 557. Mr Robert M Esson, Cruden 575. Rev Graham Atkinson, Abernethy l/w Boat of Garten, Carrbridge and 558. Miss U Ruth R Mackenzie, Peterhead: Kincardine New 576. Rev Charles Finnie, Alvie and Insh l/w 559. Mr Kenneth Sim, Sandhaven* Rothiemurchus and Aviemore* 560. Mrs Elizabeth Slaven, Longside Elder 561. Mr Steven Wilson, Strichen and Tyrie 577. Mrs Margaret Dick, Cromdale and Advie* 35. Presbytery of Moray 578. Mrs Wilma Grierson, Alvie and Insh Minister 562. Rev Jennifer M Adams, Duffus, Spynie 37. Presbytery of Inverness and Hopeman Minister 563. Rev Anne Attenburrow, (Auxiliary 579. Rev Robert E Brookes, Cawdor l/w Minister, Duffus, Spynie and Croy and Dalcross Hopeman) 580. Rev Thomas M Bryson, Auldearn and 564. Rev Eduard Enslin, Cabrach and Dalmore l/w Nairn: St Ninian's Mortlach 581. Rev Ian A Manson, Kilmorack and 565. Rev Richard G Moffat, Dyke and Erchless Edinkillie 582. Rev Alison C Mehigan, Nairn: Old* 566. Rev Douglas F Stevenson, Cullen and 583. Rev Fiona E Smith, Inverness: Ness Deskford* Bank 567. Rev Wiekus Van Straaten, Keith: St 584. Rufus Botriphnie and Grange Elder Elder 585. Mrs Annie Burtwell, Nairn: Old* 568. Mrs Ann M C Bowie, Bellie and Speymouth 586. Miss Christine Mackenzie, Inverness: Old High St Stephen's 569. Mrs Iona Kielhorn, Lossiemouth: St Gerardine's High 587. Mrs Grace McCloy, Auldearn and Dalmore l/w Nairn: St Ninian's 570. Mr Stuart Lynch, Elgin: St Giles' and St Columba's South* 588. Mr Michael Ronaldson, Inverness: Trinity 571. Mr Alastair Rossetter, St Andrew's- Llanbryde and Urquhart 589. Mr Geoffrey Thomson, Inverness: Ness Bank 572. Mrs Jane Rossetter, St Andrew's- Llanbryde and Urquhart 590. 573. Mrs Janet S Whyte, Bellie and Deacon Speymouth 591. Mrs Dorothy Getliffe DCS, Inverness: Old High St Stephen's

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38. Presbytery of Lochaber 609. Rev Hilary M Gardner, Kincardine, Croick and Edderton Minister 592. Rev Sandy Stoddart, Duror l/w 610. Rev Lorna Tunstall, Clyne* Glencoe: St Munda's* Elder 593. Rev Ann Winning, (Morvern) 611. Mrs Rachel Allan, Rogart Elder 612. Mrs Angela DeBoer, Durness and 594. Mr John Arnold, North West Kinlochbervie Lochaber 613. Mrs Ina Macpherson, Kildonan and 595. Mrs Mabel W Wallace, Fort William: Loth Helmsdale Kilmallie* 614. Mrs Kim McCarthy, Dornoch 39. Presbytery of Ross Cathedral Minister 615. Mrs Fiona Risk, Clyne* 596. Rev Andrew Fothergill, Fearn Abbey 41. Presbytery of Caithness and Nigg l/w Tarbat* Minister 597. Rev Michael J Macdonald, Alness 616. Rev Andrew Barrie, Wick: 598. Very Rev Dr Alan D Mcdonald, Pultneytown and Thrumster* (Cameron l/w St Andrews: St 617. Rev David Malcolm, Thurso: St Leonard’s) Peter's and St Andrew's 599. Rev James Munro, (Urray and 618. Rev Lyall Rennie, Pentland. OLM Kilchrist) Elder 600. Rev Bruce Dempsey, Dingwall: St 619. Mrs Sheila Cormack, Halkirk Clement's Westerdale Elder 620. Mrs Angela Lewis, Pentland 601. Mrs Cath Chambers, Presbytery Clerk* 621. Mrs Lorraine Sinclair, Latheron* 602. Mr Duncan Cromb, Urray and 42. Presbytery of Lochcarron – Skye Kilchrist Minister 603. Mr Douglas Gordon, Fearn Abbey and 622. Rev Sandor Fazakas, Portree Nigg l/w Tarbat 623. Rev Dr Rory A R MacLeod, Strath and 604. Mr Peter McLoughlin, Alness Sleat* 605. 624. Rev Stuart J Smith, Gairloch and Dundonnell 40. Presbytery of Sutherland Minister Elder 625. 606. Rev Andrea M Boyes, Durness and Kinlochbervie 626. 607. Very Rev Dr Susan M Brown, Dornoch 627. Cathedral 43. Presbytery of Uist 608. Rev Dr Beverly W Cushman, Altnaharra and Farr Minister 628. Rev Gavin Elliott, Presbytery Clerk

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629. Rev Ishie Macdonald, OLM, 649. Rev John McMahon, Healthcare Benbecula* Chaplain Elder 650. Rev Prof Paul Middleton, University 630. Mr John Macdonald, Carinish Chaplain 631. Mrs Cherrie McKinlay, Benbecula* 651. Rev Pauline Steenbergen, Ecumenical Pioneer Minister 44. Presbytery of Lewis 652. Minister 632. Rev Iain M Campbell, Kinloch* Elder 653. Mrs Katie Bennie, Jersey: St 633. Rev William Heenan, Stornoway: St Columba's Columba's 654. Miss Elizabeth Fox, London: St 634. Rev Hugh M Stewart, Lochs-in- Columba's* Bernera l/w Uig 655. Ms Elspeth Gordon, London: Crown Elder Court 635. Mr Murdo Afrin, Stornoway: St Columba's 656. Mrs Caroline J Ludlow, Jersey: St Columba's 636. Mr John Cunningham, Presbytery Clerk* 657. Dr Peter Mills, London: St Columba's 637. Mr David Maciver, Kinloch 658. Miss Ethel Robb, Guernsey: St Andrew's in the Grange 45. Presbytery of Orkney 659. Mr Angus Sneddon, Corby: St Minister Andrew's 638. Rev John Butterfield, Stromness 48. Presbytery of International Charges 639. Rev June Freeth, Flotta l/w Hoy and Walls l/w Orphir and Stenness, OLM Minister 660. Rev Alistair Bennett, Bermuda: Christ 640. Rev Iain D MacDonald, Westray l/w Church, Warwick Papa Westray* 661. Rev Derek Lawson, Depute 641. Rev Julia M Meason, Kirkwall East l/w Presbytery Clerk* Shapinsay 662. Rev Ewen MacLean, Gibraltar: St Elder Andrew's 642. Mrs Sally Bartkowiack, Stromness 663. Rev Gillian MacLean, Lausanne: The 643. Mrs Jean Gillespie, Hoy and Walls Scots Kirk 644. Mr Colin Gunn, Kirkwall: East* 664. Rev Lance Stone, Amsterdam: English Reformed Church 645. Mr Alan Sharp, Westray 47. Presbytery of England Elder 665. Mr Jeremy Gomez, Gibraltar: St Minister Andrew's 646. Rev Alistair Cumming, Presbytery 666. Mrs Cynthia Gunn, Lausanne: The Clerk* Scots Kirk 647. Rev Dr James Francis, Army Chaplain 667. Mrs Martha Kirkland, Bermuda: 648. Very Rev Dr John H McIndoe, Christ Church, Warwick (London: St Columba's)

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668. Mrs Heleen Koning, Amsterdam: Scottish Episcopal Church English Reformed Church 677. Rt Rev Ian Paton, Bishop of St 669. Mr Scott MacSween, Paris: The Scots Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane Kirk* The United Free Church of Scotland 49. Jerusalem 675. Rev John Fulton, Moderator Minister Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference 670. Rev Dr John McCulloch, Jerusalem of Scotland and Tiberias: St Andrew's* 674. Most Rev Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh Elder 671. Ms Heather Dobson, Jerusalem* The Salvation Army * denotes membership of the Commission of 673. Major David Cavanagh, Assistant Assembly 2021-2022 Secretary for Scotland DELEGATES FROM OTHER CHURCHES DELEGATES FROM ECUMENICAL BODIES UK Action of Churches Together in Scotland The Presbyterian Church of Wales 686. Miss Carole Hope 679. Rev Marcus Wyn Robinson, Moderator Churches Together in Britain and The United Reformed Church Ireland 684. Mr Bob Fyffe, General Secretary 678. Mr Peter Pay, Moderator The United Reformed Church (National Churches Together in England 685. Rev Dr Paul Goodliff, General Synod of Scotland) Secretary 681. Rev Paul Whittle, Moderator DELEGATES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES Church of England 676. Rt Rev James Newcombe, Bishop of AFRICA Carlisle Uniting Presbyterian Church of The Baptist Union of Scotland Southern Africa 672. Rev Frances Bloomfield, Convener 696. Rev Dr Lungile Mpetsheni, General Secretary The Methodist Church in Scotland 680. Rev Mark Slaney, Chair of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan Methodist Church in Scotland and Sudan 697. Rev Tut Nguoth, Presbyterian Relief Religious Society of Friends – General and Development Agency Meeting for Scotland 682. Adwoa Bittle (Saturday) Uniting Church of Zambia 693. Mr Bornface Mafwela – Project 683. Elizabeth Allen, Clerk of the General Officer Meeting for Scotland (Monday and Tuesday) AMERICAS 702. Mary Woodward (Wednesday and Presbyterian Church in Canada Thursday) 700. Rev Ian Ross-McDonald, General Secretary, The Life and Mission Agency

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THE CARIBBEAN National Evangelical Synod of Syria Uniting Church of Jamaica and the and Lebanon Caymen Islands 690. Rev Salam Hanna, Chair of the committee on Ecclesial and Spiritual 694. Ms Janet McConnell, Human and Affairs Mission Resources Manager PACIFIC ASIA Church of Bangladesh Uniting Church in Australia 698. Dr Deirdre Palmer, President 699. Rev John Probhudan Hira, Synod Secretary and Principal, St Andrew’s CORRESPONDING MEMBERS Theological College Assembly Trustees Church of South India 703. Prof Elizabeth Ashcroft 692. Prof Dr Mathew Koshy Honorary 705. Mr Alan Campbell Director, CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns 707. Mrs Jean Couper The Amity Foundation, China 710. Mr David Harrison 691. Ms She Hongyu, Associate General 712. Ms Linda Irvine Secretary 723. Mr James McNeill United Mission to Nepal 688. Mr Joel Hafvenstein, Executive 725. Mr Geoff Miller Director 726. Ms Ann Nelson EUROPE 728. Mrs Norma Rolls Spanish Evangelical Church 729. Rev Anikó Schuetz Bradwell 687. Rev Israel Flores Olmos, General 735. Mr Raymond Young Secretary 737. Mr Philip Ziegler Evangelical Church of Westphalia 695. Rev Dr Ulrich Moeller, Head of Chief Officer Department for Ecumenism, Mission 713. Mr Dave Kendall and Global Responsibility Head of Faith Action MIDDLE EAST 730. Rev Dr Scott Shackleton Evangelical Church of Egypt, Synod of Church of Scotland Pension Trustees the Nile 718. Ms Lin Macmillan 689. Rev Dr Hani Hanna, Lecturer, Evangelical Theological Seminary Deputy Treasurer Cairo 731. Ms Leanne Thompson Middle East Council of Churches Ecumenical Relations Committee 701. Department of Service to Palestinian 724. Rev Dr John L McPake Refugees, Dr Bernard Sabella, 711. Rev Alexander Horsburgh Executive Secretary Faith Nurture Forum 720. Rev Angus R Mathieson 706. Rev Dr Karen K Campbell

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Faith Impact Forum PRESBYTERY YOUTH REPRESENTATION 709. Ms Carol Finlay Edinburgh General Treasurer 748. Mx Chloe Black 716. Mrs Anne Macintosh West Lothian General Trustees 751. Mr Scott Gilchrist 732. Mr Ian T Townsend Lothian Head of Communications 755. Ms Kate MacFadyen 717. Ms Ruth MacLeod Jedburgh Head of Human Resources 761. Mr Greg James Robertson 721. Mrs Elaine McCloghry Clyde Legal Questions Committee 760. Miss Fiona Reid 714. Rev Victoria Linford Irvine and Kilmarnock Life and Work Editor 757. Ms Charlotte Murray 722. Mrs Lynne McNeil Glasgow Nomination Committee 763. Miss Rebecca Stewart 736. Rev Bill Wishart Hamilton Safeguarding Committee 752. Ms Megan Graham 719. Ms Julie Main Falkirk Scottish Churches' Parliamentary 762. Mr Stephen Stalker Officer Fife 704. Mr David Bradwell 750. Miss Hannah Dunlop Social Care Council Stirling 708. Mrs Viv Dickenson 758. Mrs Bethany Pringle 734. Mrs Sarah Wood Angus The Guild 753. Miss Carla Ingram 733. Mr Iain Whyte Aberdeen & Shetland Theological Forum 749. Mr Fraser Borland 715. Rev Dr Donald MacEwan Kincardine and Deeside Trustees of the Housing and Loan Fund 759. Ms Rebekka Read 727. Rev MaryAnn Rennie England YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES 756. Miss Iris Maxfield Youth Representatives appointed by Faith Nurture Forum 754. Mx Iona Kimmitt 765. Ms Ishbel Wright 764. Miss Joanne Whyte

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Order of Business 18. Minutes of the Appeal Hearings before the Ministries Appeal Panel Day 1 - Saturday 22 May 2021 (Order of Proceedings p91). Session 1: 10am-12noon Break 1. Constitution of Assembly. 2. Roll of Commissioners laid on the Session 2: 1-3.30pm table. 19. Report and Supplementary Report of the Assembly Trustees (Reports 3/1 3. Election of Moderator and Prayer of and Order of Proceedings p64). Consecration. Note: Section 9 of the Deliverance will be 4. Commission to the Lord High taken during the Report of the Faith Nurture Commissioner to be read and order Forum given for recording it. 20. Close. 5. Her Majesty’s Gracious Letter to be read and order given for recording it. Day 2 - Monday 24 May 2021 Session 3: 1-3.30pm 6. Address by the Lord High Commissioner and reply by the 1. Constitution of Assembly. Moderator. 2. Report of the Procedure Committee. 7. Address by Retiring Moderator. 3. Report of the Committee to draft a 8. Appointment of the Committee to reply to Her Majesty’s Gracious Prepare Answer to Her Majesty’s Letter. Gracious Letter. 4. Report of the Special Commission on 9. Report of the Standing Committee the Effectiveness of the Presbyterian on Commissions. Form of Church Government (Reports 4/1). 10. Submission of the Standing Orders. Break 11. Appointment of the Procedure Committee. Session 4: 4-6pm 5. Report of the Legal Questions 12. Appointment of Committee to Committee (Reports 5/1). prepare a minute on Deceased Ministers, Missionaries and Deacons. 6. Report of the Ecumenical Relations Committee (Reports 6/1). 13. Intimation of arrangements for a celebration of Holy Communion on 7. Close. Monday 24 May, at 10am on Zoom. Day 3 - Tuesday 25 May 2021 Short break Session 5: 1-3.30pm 14. Presentation of Delegates. 1. Constitution of Assembly. 15. Report of the Assembly Business 2. Report and Supplementary Report of Committee (including Overtures from the Faith Nurture Forum (Reports 7/1 Presbyteries wishing to unite) (Reports and Order of Proceedings p38). 1/1 and Order of Proceedings p29). Including section 9 of the Deliverance on the Report of the Assembly 16. Report of the Scottish Bible Society Trustees and the Overture from the and Presentation of Bible to Presbytery of Aberdeen & Shetland Moderator (Reports 1/4). (Order of Proceedings p32). 17. Report of the Delegation of the 3. Report of the Trustees of the General Assembly (Reports 2/1). Housing & Loan Fund (Reports 8/1).

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Break 5. Report of the Nomination Committee (Reports 19/1). Session 6: 4-6pm 4. Report of the Church of Scotland 6. Report of the Selection Committee Guild (Reports 9/1). (if required). 5. Report of the Theological Forum 7. Report of the Church Hymnary (Reports 10/1). Trustees (Reports 20/1). 6. Report of the Registration of 8. Report of the Church of Scotland Ministries Committee (Reports 11/1). Trust (Reports 21/1). 7. Close. 9. Report of the Church of Scotland Investors Trust (Reports 22/1). Day 4 - Wednesday 26 May 2021 10. Close. Session 7: 1-3.30pm 1. Constitution of Assembly. Break 2. Report of the Faith Impact Forum Session 10: 4-6pm (Reports 12/1). 1. Constitution of Assembly. 3. Report of the Iona Community Board 2. Report anent Deceased Ministers, (Reports 13/1). Missionaries and Deacons. Break 3. Protestations called for. Session 8: 4-6pm 4. Report on the Printing of Acts. 4. Report of the Social Care Council 5. Draft Minutes of Sederunts not yet (Reports 14/1). submitted to be read if required. 5. Report of the Safeguarding 6. Appointment of Committee to Committee (Reports 15/1). prepare Minutes. 6. Close. 7. Act appointing the Commission of Day 5 - Thursday 27 May 2021 Assembly. Please note that there is the possibility of an 8. Act appointing the next General extra session from 10am-12noon. This is Assembly to meet in Edinburgh on simply an “emergency provision” to allow us Saturday 21 May 2022. to catch up with any business we have not been able to complete Saturday- 9. Presentations to the Moderator. Wednesday. The Procedure Committee will 10. Moderator addresses the General give as much notice as possible if this Session Assembly. is to be held. 11. The Lord High Commissioner Session 9: 1-3.30pm addresses the General Assembly. 1. Constitution of Assembly. 12. National Anthem. 2. Report of the Committee on 13. Dissolution. Chaplains to HM Forces (Reports 16/1). THE BENEDICTION 3. Report of the General Trustees Note (Reports 17/1). It is hoped that this timetable will be 4. Report of the Pension Trustees adhered to but items could arise earlier or (Reports 18/1). later than the times specified.

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Information on Questions, Comments of deliverance. (To remove a section of and Motions deliverance, see below). Asking Questions If you want to do any of these things, you need to submit a Notice of Motion to the You will see from the Standing Orders that Clerks through the Assembly Hub. It helps questions are always in order (SO 45). everyone if you can give as much advance However, the usual time for questions is notice as possible of your motion. The once a Convener has presented the Report Clerks may contact you about the text of and moved the deliverance. At this your proposed motion. Details of how to Assembly the Conveners’ speeches will submit a motion through the Hub will be have been recorded in advance and then shared at the training events and on a placed on the Church website ahead of the video to be available to you. Assembly getting underway so that when a Report is called the Convener will simply When you prepare a Notice of Motion, you offer a short introduction and then we will need to decide what sort of motion you be straight into questions. want to propose. Options are:- To ask a question you should register a • amendments – adding words to or “request to speak” on the Assembly Hub removing words from a proposed against the particular section of section of deliverance but leaving the deliverance. It is best to ask general basic meaning intact. You can also questions about a Standing Committee’s propose an amendment to another Report or work under section 1 of the commissioner’s amendment. deliverance (“Receive the Report”). For a • counter-motions – proposing an more specific matter, register your request alternative to an existing proposed against the appropriate section of section of deliverance which, if deliverance. approved, would be distinctly different If your question concerns a matter within a from the section proposed by the particular Standing Committee’s remit but Standing Committee (ie if your counter- to which no reference is made in the motion is accepted by the Assembly it Report, advance notice of your question would mean that the originally should be given to the Convener. proposed section falls). Making Comments • new section of deliverance altogether Again, you should register a “request to – adding to the Standing Committee’s speak” on the Assembly Hub. General work or affirming a priority. Such a comments should be registered against motion needs to fall within the relevant section 1 (“Receive the Report”); more Standing Committee’s remit and for specific comments should be registered this type of motion you must give the against the appropriate section of relevant Convener reasonable notice in deliverance. writing. Moving Motions At each Assembly various “motions” are considered. These mainly consist of the proposed sections of 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

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• If you simply don’t think that the Seconding can be formal so a seconder Assembly should accept a proposed does not need to speak in support of a section of deliverance, there is no proposal but if they wish to do so, they need to move a motion stating the should also register a “request to speak” on direct negative. Instead, using the the Assembly Hub. Assembly Hub, you would “register to When moving a motion, you will be given speak” when the proposed section of up to five minutes to make your case. There deliverance is taken and when you are will then be debate at the end of which you called to speak you would explain why will be asked if you wish to say anything you encourage a vote against it. The else to convince the Assembly. After that, Assembly Hub enables you to indicate the Convener presenting the Report will be that you wish to speak “against”. asked to give their response, and then the The Moderator is the final judge of the Assembly will decide on the matter by category into which a motion falls. voting. To move your motion on the day, you should go about it as follows:- When the Assembly reaches the appropriate place in the debate for your motion to be moved, the Moderator will know that you have already put forward a Notice of Motion because it will be visible in the Assembly Hub. Other Commissioners will be able to see your motion and may note in advance, using the Assembly Hub, that they will second your motion. At the time your motion is moved, a check will be made of the Assembly Hub to see that there is a seconder registered. If no one is willing to second it, then your motion falls. If it is seconded, then the Moderator will ask you to read what you propose (or the Clerks might do this) and the text will be shown on the live feed. The Moderator will then invite you to tell the Assembly why you believe your proposal is the right one.

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Proposed Committees Committee to Prepare an Answer to Her Majesty’s Gracious Letter

Very Rev Dr Martin Fair Rev Gillian Paterson 425 Mrs Dorothy Getliffe DCS 591 Mr John Cunningham 636

Committee to Prepare Minute on Deceased Ministers, Missionaries and Deacons Very Rev Dr Martin Fair Principal Clerk Depute Clerk

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Overtures

Overtures Presbyteries of Hamilton and Lanark Act Anent the Union of the Presbyteries of Hamilton and Lanark...... 30 Presbytery of Aberdeen and Shetland Overture Regarding Training for the Full Time Ministry of Word and Sacrament...... 32

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Overture 3. The Scottish Charity Number SC048680 shall be retained as the OVERTURE ANENT THE UNION Scottish Charity Number of OF THE PRESBYTERIES OF Presbytery of Lanarkshire Church of HAMILTON AND LANARK Scotland. From the Presbyteries of 4. All ministers and deacons having Hamilton and Lanark seats in the Presbyteries of Hamilton Whereas the Presbyteries of Hamilton and and Lanark in terms of Act III 2000 Lanark have conferred together, and have (as amended) shall be members of each come to the view that it is necessary the Lanarkshire Presbytery. for the effective good government of the 5. All Presbytery elders, whether Church that they have each other's mutual commissioned by Kirk Session or support and encouragement in a united appointed by the Presbytery, shall so Presbytery and have agreed the Basis of long as their commission or Union set out in the Appendix to this appointment run be members of the Overture at meetings of the Presbyteries Lanarkshire Presbytery. on the twenty fourth day of March 2021: 6. All property or funds belonging to or It is humbly overtured by the Reverend the held on behalf of the Presbytery of Presbyteries of Hamilton and Lanark to the Hamilton or the Presbytery of Lanark Venerable the General Assembly to enact shall belong to the Lanarkshire and ordain as follows:- Presbytery. Any trust or other special ACT ANENT THE UNION OF funds held by either Presbytery shall, THE PRESBYTERIES OF from the date of the Union, be dealt HAMILTON AND LANARK with in such a way as is competent Edinburgh, XX May 2021, Sess. XX and as may be agreed to by the united Presbytery, subject to Notwithstanding the terms of Act Il 1975, obtaining of legal advice on any by which the present overall Presbytery question of difficulty which may structure of the Church was established, arise. and following the decision of the General Assembly of 2019 to reform the number of Proposed Deliverance Presbyteries, the General Assembly in the The General Assembly: exercise of power to readjust the said structure as may be required from time to 1. Receive the Overture. time enact and ordain that:- 2. Pass an Act uniting the Presbyteries 1. With effect from 1 January 2022 the of Hamilton and Lanark to form the Presbyteries of Hamilton and Lanark Presbytery of Lanarkshire as set out shall be united in terms of the Basis in the Overture received from the of Union agreed by them all. Presbyteries. 2. The name of the united Presbytery shall be the Presbytery of Lanarkshire Church of Scotland, known as ‘Lanarkshire Presbytery’ or ‘Presbytery of Lanarkshire’

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other, working for each other and being with Appendix each other. BASIS AND PLAN OF UNION We work with each other by providing OF THE PRESBYTERY OF resources, knowledge and training, based on HAMILTON AND LANARK learning and receiving from each other and 1. The united Presbytery to be created also being accountable to each other. by uniting the existing Presbyteries of We work for each other by doing the things Hamilton and Lanark, the new Presbytery can do in order to free up Presbytery to comprise the sixty-four congregations to do what they are energised charges as at present or as shall be in to do. place on 31 December 2021. Being with each other means knowing each 2. The united Presbytery to be called other, listening to each other, learning from the Presbytery of Lanarkshire Church each other and supporting each other of Scotland, known as ‘Lanarkshire collaboratively. Presbytery’ or ‘Presbytery of Lanarkshire’ We encourage and support congregations to provide: 3. The united Presbytery to meet for its first meeting on 5 February 2022, in a Opportunities for worship, fellowship, the venue to be determined, when the teaching of the Christian faith, the enriching normal pattern of meetings shall be of community life, ensuring that the views of decided. the local Church are heard on matters of wider concern; 4. The united Presbytery to appoint a Moderator to serve from 1 January Pastoral care, advice and support to people 2022 until September 2023. in each parish. 5. The united Presbytery to establish a Presbytery Office with a full time Clerk and appropriate administrative assistance along with other staffing which may be appropriate and affordable. 6. The Standing Orders for the united Presbytery shall be approved by the united Presbytery at its first meeting. 7. The united Presbytery to establish Mission Areas/ Locality Groups and their remits and appropriate committees to enable a structure to be developed that commits to a principle of subsidiarity and/ or delegation that allows discussions to take place in the most effective forum. The provisional objective of the united Presbytery shall be Supporting congregations to share the Good News of Jesus Christ through working with each

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5. The scenarios specifically being Overture referred to in this Overture are those OVERTURE REGARDING TRAINING in which an individual is in a full or FOR THE FULL TIME MINISTRY OF part-time paid appointment (with WORD AND SACRAMENT sufficient contracted hours) and is not serving as a volunteer Chaplain. From the Presbytery of (Note in some settings the term Aberdeen and Shetland ‘Chaplain’ is often used to describe Whereas: work that is voluntary.) 1. The Church of Scotland has four 6. We are referring specifically to training paths to recognised individuals who feel called to Ministries, which are Full Time continue serving and ministering to Ministry of Word and Sacrament, others in the setting of their existing Ordained Local Ministry, the appointment, but who feel the Call Diaconate and the Readership. to Ordination, and who have their Call upheld in the Church of 2. There are no direct training paths to Scotland’s Discernment and Chaplaincies such as in Healthcare, Assessment process. Prisons and the Army and those who are employed as a Chaplain may have 7. The Church of Scotland Training been ordained as a Full Time Minister Programme for Full Time Ministry of of Word and Sacrament, as an Word and Sacrament requires Ordained Local Minister or as a candidates to undertake a 4th Deacon. placement (Probationary Placement) which is full time. Though generally a 3. The traditional training for Ministry fair system, in terms of the entry of Full-Time Word and Sacrament is point to Call and the programme of deliberately left broad in order that training for most candidates, this candidates move through the years fixed requirement creates an unfair of training, primarily accruing disadvantage to the journey of experience of Parish Ministry, yet calling for those individuals already some upon completion see their serving as Chaplains. calling in the work of Chaplaincy. 8. A solution to this anomaly could be 4. Armed Force Chaplaincy requires a for a Chaplain to seek ordination via Chaplain to be Ordained by their the Ordained Local Ministry route. Denomination, however the other However, an OLM is part time, is a Chaplaincies (such as those within voluntary position, is under the the National Health Service and Supervision of a minister and the Prison Service) do not require positions which they are placed into Ordination, though these are under the auspices of the appointments would generally ask Presbytery and designated within an for a certain level of training and agreed Presbytery Plan. normally the approval of a Denomination or Faith Group.

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9. To be asked to leave their job to Sacramental graces. Examples undertake a Probationary Placement, include: the baptism of a patient in which is solely focused on Parish hospital who feels drawn into God’s Ministry, and then hope to return to Love and sharing communion with a their existing Chaplaincy person who is terminally ill. In appointment seems at odds with the addition, some Chaplains are asked unique experience of discerning a to conduct marriages for people they calling and finding a unique vocation have grown in relationship with over within which to serve God. a period of time whilst perhaps Organisations such as the NHS, supporting them for other reasons. Prison Service or an Educational 12. Sacramental Ministry goes beyond Institution would not hold an the practical examples of ministry individual’s job open for them for a mentioned above and opens the door period of 15 months. It is entirely for a Chaplain to care for the ‘whole’ possible for an individual, already person. Chaplaincy does not serving God in the vocation they necessitate Sacramental ministry. envisage God has set apart for them, However, some Chaplains who work to feel that God is drawing them to as non ordained employees can point continue in this role, but as an to clear feelings that God is placing a Ordained Minister with the full Call to Ordained Ministry upon them options of ‘Sacramental Ministry’ and to continue in their current open to them in that Pastoral vocation. Appointment. 13. Where the discernment process of 10. Many other denominations allow for the Church, and National the flexibility of an individually Assessment Conference, confirm the orientated pathway within training presence of a Call for a given towards Ordination for selected individual, it does not seem fair that individuals who are already employed the current options for the training within a Chaplaincy. This includes in of Ordained Ministers does not allow the Ministry of Healthcare for flexibility in such a case, to allow Chaplaincy for instance, where many the individual to continue through an denominations have an option open appropriate training programme and to them to select, train and Ordain on to fulfil the Calling to someone already in post. Sacramental Ministry within their current vocation and area of service. 11. Serving as a Chaplain is described by many as a true Calling. Relationships 14. At a time when the Church is rightly within the care setting are built up concerned about decreasing numbers and allow for the transference of of Parish Ministers, it is comfort, encouragement, guidance, understandable that it should and support. Though ‘sacramental encourage people to consider such a ministry’ is not necessarily an calling. However, a calling to the essential requisite for carrying out work of Chaplaincy and serving the this vocational role, many Chaplains Church denomination in other who are ordained have the additional appointments outside Parish opportunity for journeying alongside Ministry, is equally legitimate. people at important points in their life though the administering of

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15. The Church of Scotland is very much Parish Ministry - and then hope to aware of the financial cost of training return to their previous Chaplaincy candidates, especially if ultimately an Appointment. individual at the end of training is 17. It is humbly overtured by the called into a Ministry other than Presbytery of Aberdeen and Shetland Parish Ministry when there is such to the Venerable the General shortage in this area. However, it Assembly of the Church of Scotland, should be noted that in these specific that the General Assembly pass an cases outlined, the cost of training is Act amending the Selection and minimal – limited to Academic Training for Full-Time Ministry Act Course Fees, Travel and Conference (ACT X 2004) (as amended by Acts II, Fees. The requirement to pay a X 2005, III 2007, VI 2009, VIII 2011, XI candidate an allowance during the 2014, IV 2015, XIV 2016, II 2017, XI years of Academic Study in the cases 2018, I and III 2019 and IX and XV above would not be necessary as that 2020) by inserting a new section 22A person would continue in their as follows: Chaplaincy Appointment, studying Part-Time. In addition, a stipend 22A. In the special circumstance of an during the Probationary Placement individual being accepted as a would not be required. Candidate for the Full Time Ministry of Word and Sacrament (FTWS), who 16. This proposal for an amendment to is currently employed as a Chaplain the Selection and Training for Full- though not currently Ordained, and Time Ministry Act (Act X 2004) is not who has demonstrated at National intended to create a shortcut for Assessment a Call to full-time certain individuals to seek fast-track Ministry of Word and Sacrament, and Ordination and is not intended to yet who believes and can move the Church away from the demonstrate a Calling to continue in broad approach to the Training their current role as a Chaplain, the Programme that generally works committee have in their powers the well. In addition, it is not seeking the option of modifying the training removal of any steps in the process requirement of Full-Time Probation of discernment, education, and Placement in the following terms: placement experience for certain people. Instead, it is to address an (i) All other parts of the Training anomaly whereby an individual is Programme (including disadvantaged, effectively having approved Academic Course, their path to building on their sense appropriate Conferences and of call blocked, despite their call first three Placements) to be being sustained at National completed during the years of Assessment, on account of already Academic Study preceding the being employed as a Chaplain. Such Probationary Placement. individuals are placed in the (Sections 16 and 17, Act X impossible position of being asked to 2004). leave their appointment to (ii) The modified Probationary undertake the traditional Placement to follow the same Probationary Placement - built requirements as the heavily around the experiences of Probationary Period undertaken by a Candidate

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within the Ordained Local Minister Training Programme. Proposed Deliverance (Section 12, Ordained Local The General Assembly: Ministry Act (Act IX 2011). 1. Receive the Overture. (iii) This placement to run alongside the candidate’s 2. Pass an Act amending the Selection continuation in their salaried and Training for Full-Time Ministry employment as a Chaplain. Act (Act X 2004) (as amended) as set out in the Appendix. (iv) All appraisals to be carried out as per the standard Training Programme for Full-Time Appendix Ministry of Word and Sacrament, with an additional [ ] ACT AMENDING THE SELECTION statement required in the Final AND TRAINING FOR FULL-TIME Appraisal provided by a MINISTRY ACT (ACT X 2004) (AS suitably qualified person who AMENDED) can testify to the candidate’s work in their Chaplaincy during Edinburgh, [ ] May 2021, Session [ ] the year of placement. (Most The General Assembly hereby enact and usually a Line Manager). ordain that the Selection and Training for (v) Upon successful completion of Full-Time Ministry Act (Act X 2004), as the training, the candidate will amended, shall be further amended as be granted an Exit Certificate follows: and become a Graduate 1. Insert a new section 22A as follows: Candidate pending Ordination and will be given an assigned 22A. In the special circumstance of an category of ‘E’, according to the individual being accepted as a Registration of Ministries Act Candidate for the Full Time Ministry (ACT II 2017). of Word and Sacrament (FTWS), who is currently employed as a Chaplain (vi) Should the said individual, at though not currently Ordained, and some point in the future, seek who has demonstrated at National to take up a calling within Assessment a Call to full-time another Ministry of the Church, Ministry of Word and Sacrament, and an application for a change of yet who believes and can category in terms of Section 27 demonstrate a Calling to continue in of Act II 2017 will be required, their current role the committee including the committee’s have in their powers the option of decision on further training/ modifying the training requirement placements that the applicant of Full-Time Probation Placement in may be asked to undertake to the following terms: complete before the change in category is approved. (i) All other parts of the Training Programme (including Or to do otherwise as to your approved Academic Course, Venerable Court may seem good. appropriate Conferences and first three Placements) to be completed during the years of

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Academic Study preceding the decision on further training/ Probationary Placement. placements that the applicant (Sections 16 and 17, Act X may be asked to undertake to 2004). complete before the change in category is approved. (ii) The modified Probationary Placement to follow the same requirements as the Probationary Period undertaken by a Candidate within the Ordained Local Minister Training Programme. (Section 12, Ordained Local Ministry Act (Act IX 2011). (iii) This placement to run alongside the candidate’s continuation in their salaried employment as a Chaplain. (iv) All appraisals to be carried out as per the standard Training Programme for Full-Time Ministry of Word and Sacrament, with an additional statement required in the Final Appraisal provided by a suitably qualified person who can testify to the candidate’s work in their Chaplaincy during the year of placement. (Most usually a Line Manager). (v) Upon successful completion of the training, the candidate will be granted an Exit Certificate and become a Graduate Candidate pending Ordination and will be given an assigned category of ‘E’, according to the Registration of Ministries Act (ACT II 2017). (vi) Should the said individual, at some point in the future, seek to take up a calling within another Ministry of the Church, an application for a change of category in terms of Section 27 of Act II 2017 will be required, including the committee’s

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Supplementary Reports Index

Supplementary Report of the Faith Nurture Forum ...... 38

Supplementary Report of the Assembly Trustees ...... 64

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SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT – FAITH NURTURE FORUM

Proposed Deliverance 7. Instruct that where permission to call in terms of section 8 of the The General Assembly: Vacancy Procedure Act (Act VIII 1. Receive the Supplementary Report. 2003) has been given prior to 1 June 2021 the vacancy process in a charge 2. Pass the Presbytery Mission Plan Act may continue after 1 June 2021 but if as set out in Appendix 1. that process has not led to the 3. Instruct Presbyteries to complete the preaching of a nominee in terms of process of developing and gaining section 22 of Act VIII 2003 by 30 final approval of their Presbytery September 2021, such a vacancy Mission Plan by 31 December 2022 process shall be discontinued at that noting that Presbyteries which are in date unless agreement is reached the process of union with other between the Presbytery of the Presbyteries may seek to form a bounds and the Faith Nurture Forum shared Presbytery Mission Plan with that the process may be continued them as the fulfilment of this thereafter in terms of Act VIII 2003. instruction. (Section 2 and Section 7) (Section 4) 4. Agree the number of ministry posts 8. Instruct that from 1 June 2021 all allocated to each Presbytery set out outstanding appeals under section 6 in Appendix 4 and instruct that this of Act VII 2003 related to Presbytery be the figure used in the forming of Plans shall be suspended, but that any Presbytery Mission Plan. (Section this shall be without prejudice to any 7 and Appendix 4) right to initiate a review in terms of the Presbytery Mission Plan Act in 5. Instruct that all Presbytery Plans due course. (Section 5) agreed and approved in terms of the Appraisal and Adjustment Act (Act 9. Pass the Local Mission Church VII 2003) be suspended from 1 June Regulations as set out in Appendix 5. 2021. (Section 2 and Section 3) (Section 8 and Appendix 5) 6. Instruct that from 1 June 2021 a) only vacancies and readjustments processed in terms of section 9(2) of Act VII 2003 (which require, for the avoidance of doubt, the approval of the Presbytery of the bounds and the concurrence of the Faith Nurture Forum) may proceed and b) any vacancies and readjustments given permission to proceed through this exception shall be Reviewable Charges. (Section 3)

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Report • Offer Presbyteries a wider range of options as they seek to reshape church 1. PRESBYTERY MISSION PLAN life and use the Ministry Posts which ACT they have been allocated in particular Members of the Faith Nurture Forum have to add provision for – Team Ministry, worked with the General Assembly’s Legal “light touch” local church (Local Questions Committee and with the Mission Church), online church, new General Trustees on the Presbytery Mission expressions of church. Plan Act (Appendix 1.) This Act, as • Provide a clearer framework for indicated in the main Volume of Reports, implementing Plans through its seeks to: description of adjustment processes. • Name mission as the prime driver for Planning. 2. THE PRIORITY OF MISSION • Align the description of mission with In developing the Presbytery Mission Plan that being used in the Faith Action Plan. Act presented to the General Assembly, • Commit to a territorial ministry as in questions have rightly been asked about the Constitution but also set the scene where this leaves existing plans, drafted in for ecumenical cooperation in its terms of Act VII, 2003. The Faith Nurture delivery. Forum wishes to be clear about the priority of mission, and in particular the Five Marks • Bring Ministry Post numbers into the of Mission, while the Assembly Trustees legislation as a mandatory figure, and have been clear about the financial facilitate Presbyteries achieving realities. There is an urgency and therefore conformity to their allocation by 2025. the Faith Nurture Forum asks the General • Set a framework for a five-year rolling Assembly to instruct Presbyteries to begin plan (as opposed to a fixed ten years in working on new plans and to submit a new Act VII 2003) and require the Faith plan, in terms of the Presbytery Mission Plan Act, reflecting the reduced number of Nurture Forum to provide a five-year st rolling projection of Ministry Post ministries, no later than 31 December numbers. 2022. • Simplify the strategic decisions about buildings and draw on the support and 3. SUSPENDING EXISTING PLANS guidance provided by the General In order to facilitate this work, it makes Trustees. sense to suspend all existing plans, while still allowing, in exceptional circumstances, • Simplify and speed up the process for certain vacancies and readjustments to whereby the process of arriving at Plan be processed in terms of section 9(2) of the Decisions and other Planning matters Act VII 2003 (requiring, for the avoidance can be challenged by Kirk Sessions and of doubt, the approval of the Presbytery of Presbyters through the provision of a the bounds and the concurrence of the bespoke review process. Outstanding Faith Nurture Forum). Recognising too that appeals will fall if the new Presbytery circumstances may change while these new Mission Plan Act is agreed by the plans are being drafted, the Forum, in General Assembly. consultation with the Legal Questions • Maintain a tight control on budgets by Committee and the General Trustees, asks insisting that shortfalls be dealt with the General Assembly to instruct that such and appointments are properly set up vacancies and readjustments given with secure funding and good HR permission to proceed through this practice. exception shall be Reviewable Charges.

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This proviso will apply until final plans basic outline of which can be found at under the new Presbytery Mission Plan Act Appendix 2. have been agreed and concurred with by the Faith Nurture Forum, and any reviews arising from these Presbytery Mission Plan 7. ALLOCATION OF MINISTRIES Act decisions are dealt with under the NUMBERS proposed review process. 7.1.1 The Assembly Trustees in their forward planning have indicated that the number of ministries which the Church will 4. EXISTING VACANCIES be able to afford by the end of 2025 is 600. PURSUING CALLS Taking into account the need for a 10% For those congregations pursuing a call at allowance for vacancies, to allow for this time, it is only fair that they should be movement and flexibility, this means that allowed to continue in that process. the number of posts – a combination of However, if that process has not led to the Ministers of Word and Sacrament, and preaching of a nominee in terms of section Ministries Development Staff – to be 22 of Act VIII 2003 by 30 September 2021, included in plans equates to 660. such a vacancy process shall be 7.1.2 In seeking to tease through how discontinued at that date unless these 660 posts might be allocated across agreement is reached between the Scotland, the Faith Nurture Forum Presbytery of the bounds and the Faith considered how to arrive at a distribution Nurture Forum that the process may be which was equitable; which was based on continued thereafter in terms of Act VII sound principles; and which reflected the 2003 section 9(2). Again, this allows Church’s continuing Priority to the Poor, as Presbyteries the discretion to enable affirmed by successive General Assemblies. congregations which are critical to the mission of the Presbytery to seek to discern 7.1.3 The General Assembly of 2018 whether there is a suitable candidate for considered a set of advisory figures, which these vacancies, in conversation with the related purely to Ministers of Word and Faith Nurture Forum. Sacrament, and did not include Ministries Development Staff. Recognising that the advisory nature of these figures was 5. APPEALS unsatisfactory, the Forum has done further Given that there are outstanding appeals work on weightings and ministries which have been lodged under the terms of allocations, drawing on the realisation that Act VII, 2003, some of which may still be the weightings agreed by General some way off resolution for a variety of Assembly in 2010 and again in 2011 required reasons, it is proposed that any such revisiting. appeals be suspended. This would be without prejudice to any right to initiate a 7.1.4 A small group met on three review in terms of the agreed Presbytery occasions, with input from the Rev Dr Mission Plan Act in due course. Fiona Tweedie, and received papers from the Church’s Finance Department to consider whether these weightings were 6. GUIDELINES AND CODE OF still helpful. The composition of the group PRACTICE is listed at Appendix 3. In addition, an The Faith Nurture Forum, working with the informal survey of Presbytery Clerks took Legal Questions Committee and the place to ascertain their views, and the General Trustees, will prepare Guidelines responses from more rural Clerks were and a Code of Practice, focussing on indicative of being supportive of the mission and other underlying principles, a weightings, while the responses received from some of the more urban Presbyteries

40 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... were indicative of finding the weightings statistics is the right method going forward less than helpful. and the Forum will consider these and report back to a subsequent General 7.1.5 In 2011, the allocation of ministries Assembly. was based on two key factors. The first was population density, and, recognising that 7.1.9 Equally the shape of Presbytery population density was radically different Reform will require appropriate in the rural and remote parts of Scotland, adjustments to these weightings as new the weightings reflected this, with those Presbyteries are created to replace existing most remote and rural parts receiving a ones. The weightings factors can be found weighting of three, and the urban areas, on the General Assembly pages of the and predominantly urban areas receiving a Church of Scotland website. weighting factor of one. The second key 7.1.10 The Forum asks the General factor reflected the fact that the mission of Assembly to retain the existing weightings, the Church was to those who self- recognising that further work will take identified as Church of Scotland in the 2011 place in the coming year and the allocation Census, and also to those who self- of ministries arising from these weightings, identified as having no religious affiliation, capped at 660, and distributed accordingly as well those who chose not to answer this across the Presbyteries in Scotland, with question. appropriate adjustments on a percentage 7.1.6 While a Census took place in basis for those Presbyteries not subject to a England in March 2021, the Scottish Census calculation against population. These will take place in March 2022, with the key figures are to be regarded as mandatory, findings to support the revision of and the new Presbytery Mission Act ministries allocations not being available indicates this. These ministry figures can be until the latter part of 2023. found at Appendix 4. 7.1.7 In looking at the weightings, and 7.1.11 For the Presbyteries of Clyde and the allocation of ministries numbers, Fife, the Forum offers an aggregate of various options were considered. These ministries, and encourages other included doing away with a weighting Presbyteries working together to shape a system entirely, while retaining the double new Presbytery to consider these figures as weighting for population for Priority Areas; they work collaboratively. removing the weightings entirely, and 7.1.12 The new Presbytery Mission Plan removing the double weighting of Act provides for a more dynamic rolling population for Priority Areas, and offering five-year planning cycle, with ministry a pool of 30 posts for MDS roles within allocations being reported on each year to Priority Areas, which would have been the General Assembly. Alongside the subject to a bidding process; and review of Ministries and Mission introducing a new weightings system. Allocations, reported on elsewhere to this 7.1.8 The group looking at weightings General Assembly, it is appropriate to work also had access to the figures for Ministries with the existing weightings, alongside the and Mission allocations for the period 2019 percentage reduction in ministries to 2021, and looked at these alongside the numbers, as the baseline for Presbytery number of ministries allocated to each Mission Plans with an end date of 31 Presbytery or cluster of Presbyteries where December 2025. Presbyteries had come together to create a 7.1.13 These numbers reflect those who new Presbytery, with the costing of a self-identified as Church of Scotland in the ministry post equating to £43,698 at 2021 2011 Census, and also those who self- figures. There are some questions about identified with no religious affiliation. whether using the population density Recognising that much housebuilding has

Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 41 Order of Proceedings ...... taken place across Scotland since the 2011 that work is being done elsewhere on Census, the work done by the Reverend Dr Church finance which might bear directly Fiona Tweedie in arriving at these figures on this issue. Nevertheless, the group draws heavily on the Small Area Population recommends that the Faith Nurture Estimates data provided by National Forum, working with the Assembly Records of Scotland, as at June 2019. The Trustees and Legal Questions Committee, Forum is grateful for Dr Tweedie’s support should monitor the potential impact of in this key area of work. Presbytery Mission Planning on the finances of the national Church and, if 7.1.14 The Forum also asks the General necessary, bring proposals to a future Assembly to note that there will be a cap General Assembly. on the numbers of MDS posts within the overall allocation of ministries, at a higher 7.5 The Forum will continue to keep percentage of the overall posts than was these figures under review and will report eventually the case in the 2011 plans. For back to the General Assembly of 2022. 2022 this cap will be 120 in the first instance. 8. LOCAL MISSION CHURCH 7.2 Guardianships 8.1 In engaging with Presbyteries and In addition, the provision of guardianships congregations, the Faith Nurture Forum, will continue, but guardianships will be the Principal Clerk’s Office and the General built into plans as 0.25 of an FTE post; they Trustees have been all too aware of the receive two days of pastoral work and also demands placed on small congregations in a Sunday, and these costs need to be their ongoing life and work as they seek to reflected fully in Presbytery Plans. engage in mission in context. The burden of finding an Interim Moderator and of 7.3 Financial Issues in Planning populating the offices of Session Clerk, The group has taken account of the Treasurer, Safeguarding Coordinator and a possibility that a Presbytery might agree a Property Convener, to name but some of Mission Plan which significantly reduces the local offices required, is challenging for the aggregate amount of Ministry and small congregations. There is a positive Mission contributions which its history in the Church of Scotland of congregations remit to the national mission stations being a vibrant expression Church. It is possible for a Presbytery to do of local church, and the regulations on so while acting in good faith and in Local Mission Church referred to below can accordance with Church law. Whether the be a significant contribution to that story. Presbytery is a net contributor or not, this would imperil the Church’s ability to pay 8.2 Accordingly, following the for 600 ministries. The more Presbyteries initiative of the Legal Questions produce Mission Plans which result in a Committee, the Forum brings to the reduction of their aggregate Ministry and General Assembly Regulations on Local Mission contributions, the greater the risk. Mission Church, which can be found at To mitigate this risk, the group believes Appendix 5. that the General Assembly should be clear 8.3 These create provision for a in setting targets for gross aggregate congregation, which is small and which Ministry and Mission contributions from seeks to continue to worship, to have a each Presbytery. These targets would continuing life, while recognising that the require annual revision and might be burdens of continuing with a Kirk Session advisory or mandatory. and the associated offices, perhaps 7.4 The group had neither the including a Clerk to the Congregational resources nor the time to bring detailed Board, as well as the roles indicated above proposals to the Assembly. It is also aware are beyond its means. Worship could be

42 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... provided by worship teams, by online • engage the Faith Nurture Forum and provision, or through the offices of a the General Trustees in assisting Reader or Ordained Local Minister. The Presbytery in their planning. experiences of the last year have shown Accordingly, the General Assembly that different possibilities exist and that hereby enact and ordain: online worship can be offered as a deep experience of the Holy Spirit and the 1. DEFINITIONS gathered people of God. Some of the 1.1 For the purposes of this Act the congregations currently experiencing life following terms shall have the meanings under Guardianship may wish, in hereby assigned to them:– consultation with Presbytery, to consider moving to assume the status of a local a) “Adjustment” shall mean a form of mission church. adjustment set out in section 7, sub- sections (1) to (11); In the name of the Forum b) An “appointment” shall mean an ROSEMARY FREW, Convener appointment to a post other than an KAREN K. CAMPBELL, Vice-Convener inducted Minister detailed within the ANGUS R MATHIESON, Interim Head of Mission Plan and which is either Forum counted within the allocation of Appendix 1 ministry posts funded by the Parish Staffing Fund and allocated to that PRESBYTERY MISSION PLAN ACT [ ] 2021 Presbytery by the General Assembly Edinburgh, [ ] May [ ], Session [ ] or is funded locally by the The General Assembly declare and enact as congregation and/or the Presbytery; follows: – c) ”Approved Mission Plan” shall mean In requiring Presbyteries to plan mission a Mission Plan that has been within their bounds, the Church of approved by the Presbytery, the Scotland seeks to:- Forum and the General Trustees; • underscore the Church’s priority as d) “Basis of Adjustment” shall mean the participating in Christ’s mission. written terms upon which Adjustment is implemented; • set down a definition of that mission. e) A “charge” shall mean a sphere of • provide a framework for a Presbytery to pastoral duty to which a minister is express that priority in forming a rolling inducted and may include a Team five-year Mission Plan. Ministry Charge as referred to in • enable a group of Presbyteries section 7(10); anticipating union to work together on f) A “congregation” shall mean an a Mission Plan. association of persons in a parish • ensure that a Presbytery makes best use whose names are on the Communion of the ministry posts allocated to it by Roll and Adherents’ Roll and who are the General Assembly. under the pastoral oversight of a minister or ministers (or an Interim • insist that a Presbytery take decisions Moderator) and a Kirk Session, for about the future of Church buildings. Christian worship, fellowship, • provide a range of ways in which a instruction, Mission and service; Presbytery may structure and resource g) “ecclesiastical building” shall mean Church life. any property pertaining to a

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congregation or agency whether or type and “Historic Property” shall be not in use for the purposes of the construed accordingly; congregation or agency and in m) “MDS” shall mean Ministries particular but without prejudice to Development Staff, and refers to the foregoing generality any Church, appointments of employees by the Church Hall, Manse, house for an Forum; assistant or associate minister, Church Officer’s house, retirement n) “Mission” shall be construed as house, ancillary building or meaning those aspects of church life outbuilding or property which is let; set out in the Five Marks of Mission supplemented by the Guidance; h) A “Financial Board” shall mean the body responsible for managing the o) “Mission Plan” shall mean a Mission finances of a congregation, including Plan formulated in terms of section 2 a Congregational Board, Deacons’ below and in the form of the Court, Committee of Management template set out in Guidance; and Kirk Session; p) “Mission Plan Review Panel” shall i) the “Five Marks of Mission” shall mean the Panel described in the mean: Schedule; 1. To proclaim the Good News of q) The “Presbytery” shall mean the the Kingdom Presbytery of the bounds where the charge, agency, partnership or 2. To teach, baptise and nurture Mission initiative is located or online new believers activity is rooted; the word 3. To respond to human need by “Presbytery” may be construed so as loving service to include a group of Presbyteries, where appropriate; 4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to r) The “shape of church life” shall mean challenge violence of every kind the arrangements of congregations, and pursue peace and agencies, ministries, partnerships reconciliation initiatives and others, including their physical resources and online 5. To strive to safeguard the activities, all under the supervision of integrity of creation and the Presbytery; sustain and renew the life of the earth; s) “Vacancy” shall mean the state in which a charge finds itself when it is j) “The Forum” shall mean the Faith without an inducted minister and Nurture Forum; shall include the situation of a k) “Guidance” shall mean the Guidance prospective vacancy where an accompanying this Act as referred to Interim Moderator has been in section 13; appointed under section 6(1) of the Vacancy Procedure Act (Act VIII l) “Historic Properties” shall mean 2003), and “vacant” shall be those buildings specified by the construed accordingly. General Trustees as being of special historic or architectural interest which are outstanding examples of a particular period, style or building

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2. THE PRESBYTERY MISSION 2.1.2 In doing so the Presbytery will PLAN categorise each ecclesiastical building as 2.0.1 Each Presbytery shall be required either:- to have an Approved Mission Plan in place (a) to be retained beyond the five years in terms of this Act by 31 December 2022. from the date at which the Mission 2.0.2 It shall be in order for a group of Plan is approved or annually Presbyteries anticipating union to present reviewed, or to the Forum and the General Trustees a (b) to be sold, let or otherwise disposed shared draft Mission Plan in terms of this of by a specified date which is within Act. For this to become an Approved five years from the date at which the Mission Plan in terms of this Act it must ecclesiastical building is first have been approved at a meeting of each of categorised as (b). the individual Presbyteries and then the final approval of the Forum and the 2.1.3 In order to arrive at these General Trustees must be obtained. categorisations the Presbytery shall use, and reference, resources and advice 2.1 Content of A Mission Plan provided by the General Trustees, including 2.1.1 A Mission Plan shall describe how the Land and Buildings Toolkit (or any the Church of Scotland’s engagement with successor guidance issued by the General Christ’s Mission is to be shaped and Trustees). resourced in the following five years and to 2.1.4 In the case of a (b) categorisation that end shall demonstrate how the the General Trustees shall be empowered, Presbytery will:- at their discretion and in consultation with i) ensure that the life of the Church of the Forum, to refuse any application made Scotland is shaped around Mission in respect of that building in terms of the and adequately reflects the Work at Ecclesiastical Buildings outcomes of Local Church Review Regulations (Regs I 1998) (as amended and ideas for local mission; from time to time). ii) sustain the commitment to a 2.1.5 The Mission Plan shall also record territorial ministry as described in the those ecclesiastical buildings within the Third of the Articles Declaratory Presbytery which are Historic Properties, appended to the Church of Scotland regardless of whether they are categorised Act 1921 and affirmed in Declaratory as (a) or (b). Act V 2010 including its commitment to ecumenical working; 2.2 Process for preparing and approving a Mission Plan iii) make appropriate use of such 2.2.1 Mission Plan is prepared: A ministry posts as may be permitted Presbytery shall prepare a draft Mission by the General Assembly so that the Plan, in consultation with the Forum and number of post holders in each the General Trustees. To facilitate the Presbytery conforms to the numbers Presbytery’s preparation of the Mission and timescales set by the General Plan, the Forum shall, as part of its input, Assembly; intimate the total number of ministry iv) ensure that new ways of being posts approved by the General Assembly as Church, other than stipendiary referred to at section 2.4.1 below, and the Ministers of Word and Sacrament or General Trustees shall, as part of their traditional MDS appointments, are input, provide such information as is reflected in the Mission Plan available as to suitability of the ecclesiastical buildings for mission. In the

Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 45 Order of Proceedings ...... course of its development the Presbytery Review Panel by the Presbytery and the shall at regular intervals share the draft Panel shall assist the parties to resolve the Mission Plan with the Forum and the matter, so that final approval of the General Trustees. The Presbytery, the Mission Plan can be given. Forum and the General Trustees shall work 2.2.5 Extract minute of final together to develop the Plan, with the approvals to Presbytery: Once both the Forum and the General Trustees offering Forum and the General Trustees have given advice and guidance on the framing of the final approval of the Mission Plan, the Mission Plan. Presbytery shall take into Forum shall send an extract minute to account the Code of Practice contained in Presbytery indicating that the Forum and the Guidance. the General Trustees have granted final 2.2.2 Presbytery meets to approve the approval of the Mission Plan. Mission Plan: The completed draft Mission 2.2.6 The Approved Mission Plan: Plan shall be put to a full meeting of the When the Forum’s and the General Presbytery for approval. When a Presbytery Trustees’ final approval of the Mission Plan has voted to approve a Mission Plan, or to is announced and recorded at a meeting of approve a Mission Plan following its annual the Presbytery, the Mission Plan will then evaluation and development, the be considered an Approved Mission Plan Presbytery’s process shall be sisted and an and, subject to the right of review referred extract minute of the decision and a copy to at section 3 below, steps shall be taken of the Mission Plan document shall be sent by the Presbytery towards its to the Forum and the General Trustees for implementation. their final approval. 2.2.3 Approval of the Mission Plan by 2.3 Annual evaluation and the Forum and the General Trustees: development of a Mission Plan Upon receipt of the Mission Plan, the 2.3.1 Each Presbytery shall carry out a Forum and the General Trustees shall process of annual evaluation and consider whether the Mission Plan development of its Mission Plan so as to conforms to section 2.1 above and thus maintain in rolling form an accurate, whether the Forum and the General comprehensive and up to date Mission Plan Trustees can grant final approval of the for the shape of church life in the next five Mission Plan, or whether further discussion years in that Presbytery. with the Presbytery is required. If in these 2.3.2 The process of annual evaluation discussions Presbytery representatives and development of the Mission Plan shall agree to possible amendments then the be initiated by the Presbytery Clerk, and amended Mission Plan will be resubmitted shall proceed in consultation with the to a full meeting of Presbytery for its final Forum and the General Trustees. approval. Thereafter approval by the Presbytery, and 2.2.4 Possible referral to Mission Plan final approval by the Forum and General Review Panel for assistance: Discussion Trustees shall be sought and this process on the Mission Plan among the Presbytery, shall follow the procedure set out above at the Forum and the General Trustees shall section 2.2, save that the period to achieve continue until final approval of the Mission final approval of the Plan shall be one Plan is given by the Forum and the General month rather than three months. After Trustees. If final approval is not in place such evaluation and development, final within a period of three calendar months approval and recording of that approval at after the Forum’s and the General a meeting of the Presbytery, the Mission Trustees’ receipt of the Mission Plan, the Plan shall be re-dated to cover the next five matter shall be referred to the Mission Plan

46 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... years and that shall become the turn shall inform the Forum and the Presbytery’s Approved Mission Plan. General Trustees). 2.4 Other provisions as to Mission 3.2 When a review has been Plans intimated: any provision of the Mission 2.4.1 The Forum shall bring annually to Plan which is not affected by a request for the General Assembly for approval the review may be progressed under section 4 proposed total number of ministry posts to while the review is pending. be funded by the Parish Staffing Fund, 3.3 The review may only be requested allocated among the Presbyteries, in each on the grounds set out in the Schedule to of the next five years, so that there is a this Act. five-year rolling plan for such allocations. 3.4 Such a review shall be conducted 2.4.2 In the first Approved Mission Plan, by a Mission Plan Review Panel in and in every subsequent Approved Mission accordance with provisions of the Schedule Plan formed after the process of annual to this Act. evaluation and development and approval, the provisions of section 2.1.1(iii) shall 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE apply. MISSION PLAN 4.1 After achieving the final approval 2.4.3 For the avoidance of doubt, in of the Forum and the General Trustees to including in a Mission Plan provision for the Mission Plan (or to annual evaluation Adjustment to achieve the Mission Plan and development of the Mission Plan), and goals, the Presbytery shall not be when there are no outstanding requests for considered to be affecting the rights of an review to be heard by the Mission Plan inducted Minister. The Presbytery shall Review Panel, the Presbytery shall proceed have the right to call a meeting of the to implement the Approved Mission Plan. relevant Kirk Session(s) and the congregation(s) to discuss the Mission Plan 5. PRESBYTERY MISSION PLANS with or without consent of the inducted AND PERMISSION TO CALL A minister. The inducted minister shall not be entitled to attend and speak at such a MINISTER OR TO MAKE AN meeting, but the Presbytery may choose to APPOINTMENT meet separately with the inducted minister 5.1 A vacant charge in respect of to discuss the Mission Plan goals. which an Approved Mission Plan exists may be given permission to call a minister, 3. REVIEW subject to the provisions of Act VIII 2003, 3.1 Within fourteen days of the date and further provided that: of the Presbytery meeting at which the agreement of the Forum and the General (a) the Mission Plan provides that no Trustees to the Mission Plan (or to an Adjustment is required before a new annual evaluation and development of the minister is inducted, or Mission Plan, as the case may be) has been (b) the Adjustment described in the recorded at the Presbytery meeting it shall Approved Mission Plan has been fully be open to any twelve or more members of implemented, or the Presbytery or to any Kirk Session within its bounds to seek a review of the process used by the Presbytery in preparing and approving the Mission Plan (or its annual evaluation or development) by sending intimation to the Principal Clerk (who in

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(c) the Presbytery has already the Presbytery, the Forum or the General negotiated a Basis for the Trustees may suspend the implementation Adjustment described in the of the Mission Plan in part or whole. Approved Mission Plan and is able to 6.2 When this happens, the Presbytery implement it before sustaining a call and the Forum and the General Trustees and there is no outstanding request shall strive to reach agreement with for review to be heard by the Mission interested parties as soon as possible to Plan Review Panel. allow the Mission Plan to be reinstated and 5.2 A vacant charge shall not be given implemented. permission to call a minister if: 6.3 The Presbytery shall not permit a (a) a Basis of Adjustment has not yet congregation to call a minister or an been agreed between the Presbytery appointment to be made in terms of the and the congregation, and/or Mission Plan when such a post is covered by the suspended section(s) (or as the case (b) there is any outstanding request for may be, whole) of the Mission Plan. review to be heard by the Mission Plan Review Panel, and/or 7. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE (c) there are Mission Plan issues yet to MISSION PLAN THROUGH be resolved in terms of this Act. ADJUSTMENT AND OTHER 5.3 Appointments may also be made ARRANGEMENTS to other posts (MDS and/or Presbytery 7.0 The Mission Plan may specify any and/or locally funded posts) described in of the following forms of Adjustment and the Mission Plan providing that: other arrangements: – (a) there is funding in place for the (1) Union envisaged duration of the Two or more congregations may be united appointment, to form one congregation under the Unitary Constitution, and such union shall (b) the job description and contract of involve the union of charges, parishes, Kirk employment have been approved by Sessions, Financial Boards, property and the Human Resources department in funds and, except in special circumstances the national office in order to ensure where provision is made to the contrary in consistency and fairness across the Basis of Union, all congregational Presbyteries, and agencies and organisations. (c) Presbytery shall satisfy itself as to the status and good standing of any (2) Linking minister of another denomination Two or more charges may be linked to form appointed in terms of this section one charge in terms of a Basis of Linking, so 5.3. that the congregations are served by one ministry, the constitutions of the said 6. SUSPENSION OF THE congregations being in no other way IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MISSION affected. PLAN 6.1 On cause shown, and subject to the right of any twelve or more members of Presbytery or a Kirk Session to request review by the Mission Plan Review Panel on the grounds set out in the Schedule within fourteen days of the date of suspension,

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(3) Deferred Union or Deferred to create a Local Mission Church shall be as Linking specified in the Guidance. (a) When for any reason it is not possible (5) Guardianship to unite a vacant congregation with A charge may continue without the right to another congregation under the call a minister under the Guardianship of minister of the other congregation, the Presbytery. There shall be a Basis of the Presbytery may decide to unite Guardianship which shall include the them on the understanding that the timing and scope of the how the implementation of such decision guardianship shall be reviewed. In such a shall be deferred to take place as case, the Presbytery will appoint an Interim soon as practicable after that Moderator who will ensure that minister’s interest has terminated. appropriate arrangements are put in place (b) The Basis of Deferred Union shall to enable the ongoing ministry and Mission provide (i) that the congregations to of the congregation(s). For the avoidance be united shall elect a minister who of doubt, a Guardianship shall count as shall be inducted in the first instance 0.25 towards the total ministry allocation as minister of the vacant for a Presbytery. A Guardianship shall be congregation, and (ii) that on the subject to a separate five yearly review termination of the other minister’s process at the instigation of Presbytery, interest the Union shall immediately alongside the normal annual evaluation be effective under the minister so and development of the Mission Plan. elected and inducted. (6) New Charge Development (c) If another vacancy occurs in the Those new charges which have been originally-vacant congregation established prior to the passing of this Act before the termination of the other in terms of Act XIII 2000 may be included minister’s interest, the Basis of in the relevant Mission Plans, but no new Deferred Union shall remain in force charges under Act XIII 2000 may be and the congregations shall elect specified in a Mission Plan after the passing another minister as in (b) above; of this Act. subject to the proviso that the Presbytery may decide to recall the (7) Transportation Basis of Deferred Union with a view (a) The Presbytery may move a to making another Adjustment congregation from one place of decision. worship to another, and, where that involves a change of parish, it shall (d) A linking may be deferred in the be designated “transportation”. same manner as a union in terms of subsections (a) to (c) above. (b) Where transportation is effected, the Presbytery shall take such steps of (4) Local Mission Church Adjustment as may be necessary to The Presbytery may determine in its ensure that the parishes involved are Mission Plan that a Local Mission Church allocated to defined charges. shall be created, either (a) following a union or dissolution effected in terms of (8) Parish Groupings this Act, or (b) as a new venture. Such a The Presbytery may declare that two or Local Mission Church shall be established more charges shall have responsibility for a in terms of the Local Mission Church single area. The Basis of such an Regulations and shall be governed by a Adjustment shall determine the extent to Basis of Local Mission Church. The process which the charges shall operate as a Parish Grouping, for instance in the sharing of

Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 49 Order of Proceedings ...... worship, personnel, education resources, (b) Presbyteries are encouraged in mission initiatives, congregational designing a Team Ministry to organisations etc. consider the significance of the role which might be played by those other (9) Dissolution than Ministers of Word and A charge may be dissolved by the Sacrament and Ministries Presbytery of the bounds. The Basis of Development Staff. Dissolution shall provide for:- (c) The terms under which a Team (a) The issuing of certificates of Ministry will operate shall be set out transference to all members of the in a Basis of Team Ministry agreed by congregation; the Presbytery and all members of (b) The allocation of the parish to the Team prior to any such Team another charge or charges; Ministry being established; the Basis shall include a dispute resolution (c) The transfer to the General Trustees, mechanism. prior to dissolution, of any heritable property held by or on behalf of the (d) A Team Ministry may be created in congregation title to which is not yet one or other of the following two vested in the General Trustees; ways: (d) The transfer, prior to dissolution, of (I) a Presbytery may create a Team funds to enable the General Trustees Ministry with an inducted to discharge their obligations parish minister (who shall be (including maintenance, security and the moderator of the Kirk insurance) in relation to any heritable Session) and which may include property held by or on behalf of the a deacon, MDS appointments, congregation which is designated as the appointment of an a Historic Property; provided that Ordained Local Minister or such funds shall include (i) all such other appointment as restricted funds (including organ may be deemed appropriate in funds) held for fabric purposes and Mission Plan discussions, or (ii) such proportion of all (II) alternatively, the Presbytery unrestricted funds as may be may create within the charge a reasonably required for such Team Ministry consisting of purposes by the General Trustees; two or more Team Ministry and Charges, to each of which a (e) The destination of all other property parish minister shall be and funds of the charge(s). inducted, provided always that one of the Team Ministry (10) Team Ministry Charges shall be identified in (a) The Presbytery may determine, in the Basis as the one providing respect of any charge, the amount of the moderator of the Kirk ministerial time required by the Session. The Team may also charge, and the number and nature include a deacon, MDS of posts necessary, provided that appointments, the (except in the case of job-sharing) appointment of an Ordained the Presbytery shall identify one of Local Minister or such other the inducted ministers as moderator appointment as may be of the Kirk Session. deemed appropriate in Mission Plan discussions.

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(e) Where there are Team Ministry (E) For the avoidance of doubt, the Charges created in terms of minister(s) who are not paragraph (d)(II) above, the following inducted to the Team Ministry shall apply: Charge providing the moderator of the Kirk Session (A) The Team Ministry Charges will not automatically succeed shall share the same to that Team Ministry Charge congregation and Kirk Session on the occurrence of a vacancy and be part of the same Church but would be entitled to apply life. for that Team Ministry Charge (B) The ministers inducted to a through the vacancy processes Team Ministry Charge shall set out in Act VIII 2003. each occupy the manse provided for their use. (11) New Forms of Church Life After consultation with the Forum, the (C) The ministers of the Team Presbytery may devise a new form of Ministry Charges shall be Adjustment or ministry, ensuring that such appointed in one or other of form is consistent with the Acts and the following two ways: deliverances of the General Assembly. This (i) the ministers may be may include the provision of online Church, called, with appropriate where the Presbytery seeks to coordinate changes, through the and resource the provision of online vacancy processes set out worship and mission by identifying in Act VIII 2003, or congregations, partnerships or agencies which will be given lead responsibility for (ii) where a new charge is such provision; this may include the being created by a union allocation of a Mission Plan post or posts. of charges and where The Mission Plan should demonstrate how there are at the time of the Presbytery will relate to those whose the proposed union belonging is primarily through networks or minister(s) inducted to the virtual world. one or more of those charges with unrestricted (12) Presbytery Mission Initiative tenure, it shall be The Presbytery may set up a Presbytery competent for the Mission Initiative in terms of the Presbytery Presbytery to create Mission Initiatives Act (Act V 2015). Team Ministry Charges within the new charge 8. AGREEMENT TO UNION OR and to include such LINKING UNDER AN INDUCTED minister(s) within the MINISTER new charge subject to 8.1 Preliminary their agreement to the 8.1.1 No Basis of Union or Linking shall Basis of Team Ministry. be distributed by Presbytery to the office (D) The Team Ministry Charges, bearers or members of a congregation save for any exception at (e)(C) where the minister has been inducted on (ii) above, shall be Reviewable the basis of unrestricted tenure without Charges in the terms set out in the consent of that minister. section 9(1) of this Act and may be part-time.

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8.2 Congregational Votes on the 8.3 Procedure Subsequent to Proposed Basis of Adjustment Congregational Votes 8.2.1 When an explicit provision of a 8.3.1 When the vote taken in terms of Basis of Union or Linking is that the 8.2.2 is “for” then the Presbytery is free to minister of one of the congregations proceed to effect the adjustment subject to involved shall be the minister of the united consideration of the votes taken in terms or linked charge (the new charge) then the of 8.2.3 and 8.2.4. following procedures shall be adopted. All 8.3.2 When votes are taken in terms of such votes shall be by secret ballot. 8.2.3 and the vote is “for” in terms of i but 8.2.2 Where the minister referred to in “against” in terms of ii then the Presbytery 8.2.1 was inducted on unrestricted tenure may choose to follow one of these to his or her current congregation, there options:- shall be a single vote taken in that i. if the review date for the Basis of congregation to approve all the terms of Reviewable Charge has passed or is the Basis. Other congregations shall vote imminent, to end the tenure of the using the double vote system as set out Reviewable Charge by giving the below. minister six months’ notice and 8.2.3 Where the minister referred to in thereafter enact the Union or 8.2.1 was inducted on a Basis of Reviewable Linking, or Charge there shall be separate votes taken ii. if the review date for the Basis of in each congregation on each of the Reviewable Charge is some time following matters:- ahead seek to negotiate a Basis of i. to approve the terms of the Basis, Deferred Union or Linking to cover apart from the clause which says the period until the review is due. that the minister referred to in 8.2.1 8.3.3 Where votes are taken in terms of shall be the first minister of the new 8.2.4 and the vote is “for” in terms of i but charge; and “against” in terms of ii then the Presbytery ii. to approve the clause in the Basis may choose to follow one of these which says that the minister referred options:- to in 8.2.1 shall be the first minister i. if the review date for the Basis of of the new charge. Reviewable Charge has passed or is 8.2.4 Where a congregation is vacant imminent, to end the tenure of the there shall be separate votes taken in that Reviewable Charge and give the congregation, irrespective of whether the minister six months’ notice and enact minister referred to in 8.2.1 was inducted the union or linking, or on unrestricted tenure or to a Reviewable ii. negotiate a Basis of Deferred Union Charge, on each of the following matters: - or Linking which will be enacted i. to approve the terms of the Basis, when either the incumbent minister apart from the clause which says on unrestricted tenure has left that the minister referred to in 8.2.1 his/her charge or, if applicable, when shall be the first minister of the new the Reviewable Charge may be charge; and reviewed and its tenure terminated. ii. to approve the clause in the Basis 8.4 General Provisions for Such which says that the minister referred Adjustments to in 8.2.1 shall be the first minister 8.4.1 A Presbytery may not effect an of the new charge. adjustment whereby a minister would be

52 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... imposed on a congregation which has not (2) Transference voted in favour in terms of 8.2.3 ii or 8.2.4 9.2.1 A parish and charge may be ii. transferred from the bounds and 8.4.2 In the case of a minister who jurisdiction of one Presbytery to the becomes minister of a united or linked bounds and jurisdiction of another with the charge in terms of a Basis of Union or agreement of both Presbyteries. Linking, the united or linked charge shall be 9.2.2 In the event of disagreement regarded as a modification of the charge to between the two Presbyteries, the which he or she has already been inducted Presbytery desiring the transference may so that no further induction shall be request a review by the Mission Plan required; but in all such cases the Review Panel in terms of the Schedule Presbytery shall conduct a service of within fourteen days of the date of the introduction. Presbytery meeting at which a decision 9. INSTRUMENTS FOR FUTURE disputing the transference was taken, and shall immediately notify the other PLANNING Presbytery of its request. 9.0 The Presbytery may utilise in its Mission Plan either of the instruments for 9.2.3 Transference shall be a necessary future planning described below. preliminary to union or linking of congregations which are not within the (1) Reviewable Charge bounds of one Presbytery. 9.1.1 In respect of any charge, the Presbytery may decide that such charge 10. ACHIEVEMENT OF shall be a Reviewable Charge, meaning that ADJUSTMENT its next minister shall be inducted on 10.1 When the Presbytery decides to condition that the Presbytery may negotiate a Basis of Adjustment in a charge terminate the tenure of the minister at any in accordance with a Mission Plan, it shall time and for any reason which may seem remit to the appropriate Standing good to the Presbytery, on terms specified Committee, or to a committee appointed in the Basis of Adjustment and always for the purpose, the task of conferring with upon giving the minister six months’ notice local parties, provided that: in writing. On the date of termination, the (a) Conference with local parties shall be minister shall be deemed to have demitted with the ministers and with the his or her charge. elders and the members of the 9.1.2 The minister shall be free to seek Financial Board (if any) of the to demit or be translated as in the ordinary congregations which may be involved case of any minister inducted to a charge, in Adjustment, and should include provided that, if the Reviewable Charge is consultation with other members of that minister’s first charge, this constitutes a ministry team; exceptional circumstances in terms of (b) No proposed Adjustment involving section 4 of the Vacancy Procedure Act the rights of the minister shall be (Act VIII 2003). discussed with the office-bearers of 9.1.3 Before proceeding to induct a the congregation as in (a) above minister in terms of this section 9(1), the without his or her consent in writing; Presbytery shall submit to him or her the Basis of Reviewable Charge, and shall obtain and record his or her written acceptance thereof.

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(c) All meetings of office-bearers under congregations involved, the right of the this section 10.1 shall be called by the Presbytery to effect Adjustment in terms Presbytery’s Committee and a of this Act is hereby affirmed, subject to minister, deacon or elder, appointed the written consent of any minister or by the said Committee, shall act as ministers whose rights would be adversely Convener for the purposes of affected. conference. In no case shall a minister preside at or attend any 11. REVIEW OF A BASIS OF meeting called under the terms of ADJUSTMENT this Act where matters in which his 11.1 It shall be open to any Kirk Session or her interests are involved are involved in the Adjustment or twelve or discussed or decided. more members of Presbytery to seek a review of a Basis of Adjustment by the 10.2 A detailed Basis of Adjustment Mission Plan Review Panel. Such a review shall be negotiated with the office-bearers shall consider whether the details of the involved, and in the course of the Basis are in conformity with the Approved negotiation its text shall be submitted to Mission Plan and this Act and must be the Forum to ensure it is consistent with requested within fourteen days of the Mission Plan, and to the Principal Clerk Presbytery’s decision on the Basis. and the Solicitor of the Church who shall ensure that the provisions of the Basis are 11.2 Such review shall otherwise in conformity with Church and Civil Law. proceed in line with the provisions of the The Basis of Adjustment shall be voted Schedule. upon firstly by the office-bearers and then by the congregation or congregations 12. MEMBERS OF PRESBYTERY involved, before the matter is put to the 12.1 For the avoidance of doubt it is Presbytery for decision. Those entitled to hereby declared that any person who is speak and vote at such a congregational both a member of a cited congregation and meeting shall include those who have been a member or a corresponding member of formally recognised by the Kirk Session as the Presbytery (including an Interim adherents of the congregation. The Moderator) shall be entitled to participate Presbytery shall have regard to the in any discussion leading to a decision of decisions arrived at by the respective office the Presbytery in terms of this Act and, bearers and congregations, provided where qualified, to vote thereon. always that: 13. GUIDANCE (a) no Basis affecting the rights of a 13.1 The Forum, after consultation minister shall be presented to his or with the Legal Questions Committee, shall her or any other congregation issue Guidance on the implementation and without his or her written consent, operation of this Act, including a Code of Practice, which shall be reviewed by the (b) any congregation directly involved in Forum in consultation with the Legal and named in any proposed Basis Questions Committee, from time to time. shall be cited to appear for their interests at any meeting of the 14. REPEALS AND AMENDMENTS Presbytery at which a decision is to 14.1 The Appraisal and Adjustment Act be made in terms of this Act. (Act VII 2003) is hereby repealed except that section 9(2) of that Act shall remain in 10.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of force until Approved Mission Plans are in this section 10, while it shall be the duty of place for all Presbyteries. the Presbytery to make every effort to secure approval of the office bearers and

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SCHEDULE- THE MISSION PLAN REVIEW (a) in terms of section 2.2, an application PANEL by the Presbytery, the Forum and/or the General Trustees for the Panel to A: GENERAL: COMPOSITION, assist the parties to resolve the JURISDICTION AND MAKING A REQUEST matter where agreement cannot be OF THE PANEL reached on a Mission Plan among the Presbytery, the Forum and the 1. Composition (for all General Trustees within a period of Jurisdiction matters) three calendar months of their The Mission Plan Review Group shall be a receipt of the Mission Plan; group of fifteen persons appointed by the General Assembly on the Report of the (b) in terms of section 2.3, an application Nomination Committee and in line with by the Presbytery, the Forum and/or the process for appointing persons to other the General Trustees for the Panel to judicial bodies. Additionally, the Forum and assist the parties to resolve the the General Trustees shall be entitled to matter where agreement cannot be make suggestions to the Legal Questions reached on the annual evaluation Committee as to persons who are suitable and development of the Mission Plan for appointment to the Group, but the final among the Presbytery, the Forum decision as to nominees shall rest with the and the General Trustees within a Legal Questions Committee. The members period of one calendar month of of the Group shall be suitably experienced their receipt of the Mission Plan; members of the Church. (c) in terms of section 3, an application The Panel shall consist of three members from any twelve or more members of drawn from the Mission Plan Review the Presbytery or any Kirk Session Group. One member shall act as Convener. seeking a review of the process used The quorum of the Panel shall be two, by the Presbytery in preparing and including the Convener. None of the approving a Mission Plan or in its members of the Panel shall be members of annual evaluation and development; the Presbytery whose Mission Plan is being (d) in terms of section 6, an application considered or reviewed. from any twelve or more members of Where a Mission Plan Review Panel has Presbytery or a Kirk Session previously been formed to consider a requesting a review of a decision of question relating to a particular Mission the Presbytery and/or the Forum Plan, if there is a subsequent request for and/or the General Trustees to assistance or review relating to the same suspend the implementation of a Mission Plan, the Panel shall be formed so Mission Plan in part or whole; as not to include the same persons. (e) in terms of section 9(2), an application for review from a 2. Jurisdiction Presbytery desiring to transfer a The Panel shall consider the following parish and charge from the bounds matters: and jurisdiction of one Presbytery to the bounds and jurisdiction of another (Transference), where there is disagreement between the two Presbyteries; and

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(f) in terms of section 11, an application 2. Ground for requesting review from twelve or more members of (Jurisdiction paragraph (f) above) Presbytery or a Kirk Session seeking a Such a review may only be requested where review of a Basis of Adjustment, to it is alleged that the details of the Basis are consider whether the details of the not in conformity with the Approved Basis are in conformity with the Mission Plan and this Act. Mission Plan and this Act; provided always that no provision of 3. Procedure for review this Act shall operate so as to have (Jurisdiction paragraphs (c) to (f) the Panel review its own decision or above) give judgement twice on the same A request for review shall require to obtain question. leave to proceed from the General Assembly’s Committee on Overtures and 3. Making the request for Cases, whose decision shall be final. assistance (Jurisdiction paragraphs(a) The Panel shall complete a review within & (b)) or for review (Jurisdiction three calendar months of receiving the paragraphs (c) to (f)) request for a review (along with all A request for assistance or review shall be necessary documentation), save that the sent to the Principal Clerk (who in turn Panel has the discretion to extend this shall inform the Forum and the General timescale on cause shown. Trustees) within fourteen days of the relevant event. The Panel may choose to proceed wholly on written submissions or may choose to B: ASSISTANCE (Jurisdiction paragraphs hold a hearing, which may be online. The (a) & (b) above) Panel may decide whether or not to visit 1. Procedure for assistance the place(s) giving rise to the request for review and when doing so may choose The Panel shall have wide discretion to whether or not to meet with local parties. assist the parties to reach agreement as it sees fit. The Panel shall have power to If the Panel chooses to proceed wholly on require parties to produce documents and written submissions it shall notify its final information as to the provisions of the decision to all interested parties. The Mission Plan. decision shall be in writing and shall set out the grounds upon which its decision was C: REVIEW (Jurisdiction paragraphs (c) to reached. (f) above) If the Panel chooses to hold a hearing, 1. Grounds for requesting review whether in person or online, procedure (Jurisdiction paragraphs (c) to (e) shall follow that of the General Assembly’s above) Standing Orders and shall normally be as A review may only be requested on the follows: grounds that (a) there was a material error 1. Hearing is opened with prayer in Church law, (b) there was material irregularity of process on the part of 2. Convener makes introductions Presbytery (or the Forum or General 3. Convener explains the purpose of the Trustees, as the case may be) or (c) the hearing decision of Presbytery (or the Forum or General Trustees, as the case may be) took 4. Persons requesting review are given into account an irrelevant material fact or opportunity to speak (through one failed to take into account a relevant nominated speaker) material fact.

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5. Respondent (normally Presbytery) is 6. Finality of decisions given opportunity to speak (through (Jurisdiction paragraphs (c) to (f) one nominated speaker) above 6. Members of the Panel ask questions The Panel’s decision on a request for of parties review, however determined, shall be final 7. Respondent has its final word and there shall be no right of appeal against a decision of the Panel. 8. Persons requesting review have their final word Appendix 2 9. Parties are removed and Panel Mission and other underlying principles reaches a decision 1. Introduction 10. Decision is intimated when parties The Presbytery Mission Plan Act provides are recalled or may be intimated by the legislative framework for the urgent email to parties; at this stage a need for a rapid and adaptive approach to summary of reasons for the decision Presbytery Planning. The task requires may be given serious and immediate engagement on the part of Presbyteries, Congregations and all 11. Hearing is closed with prayer/the involved in the ministries of the Church. Grace/the Benediction The Act outlines the Five Marks of Mission, Within fourteen days of the hearing a and additional Guidelines will be available written decision shall be issued which shall from the Faith Nurture Forum about how set out the grounds on which the decision the Five Marks of Mission can be applied to was reached. the task of shaping Presbytery Plans. 4. Possible outcomes (Jurisdiction Mission is the primary principle for making paragraphs (c) to (e) above) strategic decisions on the use of ministries The outcome of the review process will be posts, the use of Church Buildings, and the either (1) no change, i.e. to endorse the wider ministry of the whole people of God. correctness of the decision which has been The template for our ministry is the made, or (2) to send the matter back to the ministry of Jesus. The Church’s ministry is a decision-maker for the decision to be made participation in the ministry of Jesus Christ. again, with identification of any Jesus’ ministry was a ministry rooted in and deficiencies in its processes. focused on mission, and is seen in Jesus’ preaching in the synagogue in Nazareth in The review is about the legality of the Luke 4.18, where Jesus says: processes adopted (how the decision was “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because taken), not the substance of the decision he has anointed me to bring good news to made. The outcome will not be a different the poor. He has sent me to proclaim decision. release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go 5. Possible outcomes (Jurisdiction free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s paragraph (f) above) favour.” The outcome of the review process will be either (1) to confirm that the Basis is in The church has affirmed a number of conformity with the Mission Plan and this important principles that help to explain Act or (2) to confirm that it is not. In the what is meant by being a church focused latter case the Presbytery will thereafter on mission. Presbyteries in their Plans will renegotiate the Basis. therefore take account of the following:

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2. Communities 6. Buildings Every community of every size in every There is a connection between ministry and location within Scotland is part of a Church church buildings, although that connection of Scotland Parish. While population is neither uniform nor universal. The should no longer be the only principle in Church of Scotland has too many buildings, shaping Presbytery Plans, it still remains numerous buildings that are under-utilised, the starting point. Our calling as a church is buildings that are too large for present day not primarily to resource congregations: it needs and buildings that are in the wrong is mission to everyone in the land. place. At a local level however, almost every church building is deemed essential. 3. The Poor There is no simple solution to this problem. Successive General Assemblies have The starting point however should be affirmed the Gospel imperative is priority mission. Presbyteries will want to consider to the poor. At a time when resources are which buildings are essential and useful for scarce, it is tempting to withdraw from the the mission they envisage. most marginal communities where churches are often fragile and small. 7. Linkage or Union However pressing those reasons are, this In terms of charitable governance, it is must be resisted because it goes against important to attempt to make the Gospel and the repeated view of the appropriately resourced, mission-minded General Assembly. governing bodies. There should be a presumption against ever-expanding 4. Congregations linkages of separate congregations, which One of the ways in which the Gospel finds require multiple session meetings (and expression is in committed congregations other meetings) for which a Minister might under the power of the Holy Spirit. These carry responsibility as well as office-bearers congregations both express the Gospel, in each congregation. Shared mission and commend it to others. Presbyteries in should lead to a single governing body their planning will identify congregations wherever possible, and support for which are outward looking, which engage individual buildings can be provided with their communities, and consider how through the use of local fabric care groups these strengths can contribute to the answerable to a central Kirk Session. mission of the Church. 5. Financial Responsibility Presbytery Planning does not mean that congregations which make a net contribution to central funds take priority. A degree of financial realism is required, and it is recognised that some congregations are more generous than comparable ones, and even in the poorest congregations, per capita giving can be much higher than in some of the wealthiest congregations. It makes sense for Presbyteries to consider the complex financial picture and allocate ministerial resources to congregations which take their financial stewardship seriously.

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Appendix 3 Membership of Group examining weightings Rosemary Frew Convener, and minister at Bowden and Melrose, Faith Nurture Forum

Karen K. Campbell Vice-Convener, and minister at Edinburgh: Marchmont St Giles, Faith Nurture Forum

Lesley-Ann Calvert Member of Dundee: The Steeple, and member, Faith Nurture Forum

Mike Goss Minister, Barry Parish Church linked with Carnoustie Church, member, Faith Nurture Forum

Alan Hamilton Minister, Killermont Parish Church and member, Faith Nurture Forum

Richard Lloyd Member of Edinburgh: Queensferry, and member, Faith Nurture Forum

Ruth Mackenzie Elder, member of Peterhead: New and member, Faith Nurture Forum

Scott McCarthy Minister, Garthamlock and Craigend East, and member, Faith Nurture Forum

Angus R. Mathieson Interim Head, Faith Nurture

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Appendix 4 Ministries Figures for the period to 31 December 2022 Presbytery Presbytery 2021 2011 Number TOTAL FTEs Edinburgh 1 48.5 78.2 West Lothian 2 17 28.2 Lothian 3 25 30.2 Melrose and Peebles 4 9 13.7 Duns 5 4 7 Jedburgh 6 5.5 11.9 Annandale and Eskdale 7 7.5 13.6 Dumfries and Kirkcudbright 8 12.5 20.9 Wigtown and Stranraer 9 6 10.2 Ayr 10 24 26.6 Irvine and Kilmarnock 11 13.5 20.8 Ardrossan 12 13.5 23.1 Lanark 13 9.5 15.2 Clyde 14 40 59.8 Glasgow (inc. Cumbernauld) 16 84 133.7 Hamilton 17 34.5 57.5 Argyll 19 18 31.6 Falkirk (excl. Cumbernauld) 22 15.5 32.3 Stirling 23 21.5 35.2 Fife 24 44.5 68.1 Dunkeld and Meigle 27 6.5 11.3 Perth 28 16.5 26 Dundee 29 18 27.8 Angus 30 15.5 24.8 Aberdeen and Shetland 31 24 46.1

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Ministries Figures for the period to 31 December 2022 (continued) Presbytery Presbytery 2021 2011 Number TOTAL FTEs Kincardine and Deeside 32 10.5 15.8 Gordon 33 16 31.4 Buchan 34 14 22.6 Moray 35 14 20.8 Abernethy 36 4.5 7.3 Inverness 37 14 22.3 Lochaber 38 5.5 7.9 Ross 39 10 15.9 Sutherland 40 4 6.1 Caithness 41 5.5 9.1 Lochcarron-Skye 42 5 7.7 Uist 43 2 2.2 Lewis 44 5 7.1 Orkney 45 7 10.7 England 47 5 7.1 International 48 5 10.7 TOTAL 661 1040.7

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Appendix 5 Role of Kirk Session of charge 4. A Local Mission Church shall exist LOCAL MISSION CHURCH within the territorial boundaries of a REGULATIONS (REGS ZZ 2021) charge. All legal and governance matters Edinburgh [ ] May 2021, Session [ ] affecting the Local Mission Church shall be Definitions the responsibility of the Kirk Session of the charge. In particular, the Kirk Session shall: 1. In these Regulations: (a) ensure that all requirements of the (a) The term “charge” shall have the law of the Church of Scotland and of meaning given to it in the Presbytery civil law are fulfilled in relation to the Mission Plan Act (Act ZZ 2021); Local Mission Church; (b) “Leadership Team” shall mean those (b) be the owner/title-holder of all persons who have the responsibilities property whether heritable or in relation to the Local Mission moveable, used by or within the Church outlined in section 6; possession of the Local Mission (c) “Presbytery” shall mean the Church; presbytery of the bounds within (c) administer all offerings and other which the Local Mission Church is monies collected at or in relation to located. the Local Mission Church; Local Mission Church (d) apply such monies in the first 2(1) A Local Mission Church shall be a instance to meet the costs of the Christian community whose purpose is to Local Mission Church for as long as it worship, witness and serve in a distinct exists, after discussion with the geographical setting. Leadership Team, and thereafter as 2(2) A Local Mission Church shall be the Kirk Session determines. established in terms of these Regulations Oversight by Presbytery and a Basis of Local Mission Church 5. A Local Mission Church shall be (hereinafter referred to as “the Basis”). The subject to the oversight of the Presbytery. form of the Basis shall be prescribed from In particular, a review of a Local Mission time to time by the Faith Nurture Forum Church and its place in the Mission Plan after consultation with the Legal shall be conducted by the Presbytery at Questions Committee. least once every five years but without 2(3) A Local Mission Church shall not prejudice to annual evaluation and own any property, heritable or moveable, development of the Mission Plan. nor have any legal personality. It shall not have a Kirk Session and shall not have the Leadership Team right to call a minister. The creation or 6(1) A Local Mission Church shall have sustaining of a Local Mission Church is not a Leadership Team as set out in the Basis dependent on the provision of a church and this Team shall include one or more building. representatives of each of the Kirk Session and the Presbytery. Creation of a Local Mission Church 6(2) The life and witness of the Local 3. The process to create a Local Mission Church shall be co-ordinated by its Mission Church shall be as specified in the Leadership Team, subject to the oversight Guidance accompanying the Presbytery of the Kirk Session and the Presbytery. Mission Plan Act. Without prejudice to this generality, the Leadership Team shall be responsible for:

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(a) developing appropriate expressions of worship, witness and service; (b) ensuring that the Local Mission Church is adequately organised; (c) ensuring good communication with the Kirk Session; and (d) assisting with the upkeep of buildings (if any), subject always to strict adherence to sections 7(a) and (b) below. Any contracts shall be entered into by the Kirk Session. Further provisions 7. The following further provisions shall apply to a Local Mission Church: (a) Neither a Leadership Team nor any person acting on behalf of a Local Mission Church shall have any authority or power to enter into contracts or to incur liabilities on behalf of the Kirk Session. (b) Neither a Leadership Team nor any person acting on behalf of a Local Mission Church shall conduct themselves in such a way (including silence) that might cause an inference contrary to section 7(a) to be drawn by any person.

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SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT OF THE ASSEMBLY TRUSTEES MAY 2021

Proposed Deliverance Report The General Assembly: 1. AUDIT OF ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 1. Receive the Supplementary Report. FOR 2020 The external auditors gave an unqualified, 2. Receive the 2020 Report and or ‘clean’, audit opinion on the Report and Accounts of The Church of Scotland Accounts. The Assembly is invited to Unincorporated Councils and receive the 2020 Report and Accounts of Committees. (Section 1) the Unincorporated Entities. 3. Approve the total to be contributed Commissioners are invited to view the by congregations in 2022 of Report and Accounts. https:// £42,000,000 based on the projection churchofscotland.org.uk/79854 of congregational income for 2022 and its disposition among local congregational expenditure, the 2. CONGREGATIONAL INCOME Parish Ministries Fund and the AND 2022 INCOME Mission and Renewal Fund. (Section 2 DISPOSITION and Appendix I) 2.1 Introduction 4. Note the indicative budget for 2022. 2.1.1 The remit of the Assembly (Section 2 and Appendices I and II) Trustees requires that “The Trustees shall recommend to the General Assembly the 5. Urge Presbyteries to prioritise the use total amount of the Church’s Co-ordinated of the 2022 Discretionary Allowance Budget for the Parish Ministries Fund and towards reducing the amounts of the Mission and Renewal Fund for the Ministries and Mission contributions following financial year; and shall payable by congregations which are determine the allocation of the budget for struggling financially. (Section 2.6) the Mission and Renewal Fund among the 6. Approve the reappointment of Ann relevant Agencies”. The Trustees’ Nelson as an Assembly Trustee for a recommendations for total congregational second term; and approve the contributions for 2022, and the allocation appointment of David Cameron, of these, are to be found in Appendix II. Barry Hughes and Peter McEnhill as This level of income is required to pay for Assembly Trustees. (Section 4) the activities to which the Church is already committed. Stability in income is needed to finance stipends, salaries and other costs of providing ministries and support to the local Church. 2.1.2 The Trustees’ main Report details, at Section 5, the challenging financial situation facing the Church as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and reaffirms the need for budgetary prudence and the priority of resourcing Presbytery reform and supporting the growth of the local Church. In 2020 the Trustees noted a reduction of about 3% from 2019 in Ministries and Mission Contributions paid

64 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... by Congregations by the year end, and into 2021, there are slim prospects for full became aware that some Congregations financial recovery in 2021 and in all were using their reserves in order to likelihood also in 2022.There will be maintain their contributions. This led to variability across Congregations in their the decision that, for 2021, there should be ability to contribute to Ministries and an overall reduction in aggregate Ministries Mission. Some may not have returned to a and Mission contributions of 18% to relieve sustainable position. Others may have the pressure locally. Analysis of made savings and maintained or even congregational financial statistics confirms increased giving, meaning that their that, on average, Congregations’ 2020 reserves have not been impacted as badly income reduced by approximately 20%. as they might have been. Congregations The extent to which Congregations are have also been given relief of 18% in able to recover from this reduction in their aggregate in their 2021 allocations which income by 2022 remains to be seen. While should help preserve some of their reserves there has been much innovation, although such decisions are made at a local resourcefulness and creativity within level. With this financial backdrop, Congregations, which has mitigated some consideration needs to be given to a of the financial effects caused by the reduction in the amount required from Covid-19 pandemic, the road map out of Congregations in 2022 to an amount the restrictions, and therefore some of its somewhere between the reduced effects, are outwith the control of the contribution requested in 2021 of Church and the Trustees. The pandemic has £38,172,000 and the level in the last pre- perhaps changed the behaviours and needs Covid-19 year, of £46,586,000. of many of our stakeholders, from our 2.1.6 The Assembly Trustees propose members, supporters, ministers and staff that the amount of the Budget to be met to our service users, partners and by congregations in 2022 should be set at beneficiaries. £42,000,000. Appendix I summarises the 2.1.3 In bringing forward the actual and projected annual income of recommendations for the Co-ordinated Congregations over the period 2019 to 2022 budget the Trustees have had to carefully and how the income will be used – the consider and make assumptions about: “Income Disposition”. It should be noted that the reduced contributions required • The forecast level of congregational from Congregations in 2021 and 2022 have income distorted the percentages shown on • The number of ministers likely to be in Appendix I when compared to previous post in 2022 years because the amount of contribution does not cover the required expenditure. • The operating position of CrossReach 2.1.7 The projected “Ordinary Income” 2.1.4 All of which has a high degree of of Congregations for 2022 shown in uncertainty and a substantial potential Appendix I is £82,860,000. Projected impact on the Co-ordinated Budget. income is assessable income and is based 2.1.5 With the financial situation of on returns of Financial Statistics from Congregations in mind, for a second year, Congregations for 2020, rolled forward to the Trustees have agreed to bring a 2021 and 2022. This is difficult to forecast recommendation of an amount which will because of the high level of uncertainty not fund all of these activities and they will around congregational recovery. Based on part fund the activities from reserves of the these estimates, the amount retained by Unincorporated Entities. With Congregations for local expenditure is Congregations continuing to suffer the projected to be 53.7% (2021 - 51.8%). effects of the Covid-19 restrictions well

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2.1.8 It should be noted that “Offerings” down by only 10.7% due to a congregational income in Appendix I does tremendous effort to maintain giving not include extraordinary income, such as across the Church. This has also helped to legacies, restricted income not available to maintain the contribution of Gift Aid tax meet regular expenditure, receipts for recovery which is down by only 4.9%. major fabric projects etc, which are 2.2.3 Not unexpectedly, the starkest assumed to be used exclusively to meet reduction is in “Other Ordinary Income” local congregational expenditure. which suffered a 67% drop due to reduced 2.1.9 The percentage of congregational income from areas such as outside income allocated to the Parish Ministries organisations (mainly hall lets); regular Fund is projected to be 35.9% (2021 - fundraising; and weddings and funerals, all 40.1%) after deducting vacancy of which were impacted by the pandemic. allowances, and that to the Mission and In normal circumstances, even a small Renewal Fund to be 10.4% (2021 - 8.1%). percentage reduction has a significant The Faith Nurture Forum receives funding impact on congregational income. In the from the Mission and Renewal Fund as well current circumstances the overall financial as the Parish Ministries Fund. Allocation to impact, which is estimated at a reduction the Parish Ministries Fund pays for the in the order of £18,000,000, potentially provision of Ministries to the local Church. more, leads to some extremely challenging times ahead for Congregations and the 2.1.10 Much of the work funded by the Church. Mission and Renewal Fund is directed back to the local Church in the promotion of 2.2.4 It is worth noting that worship, prayer and discipleship; Congregations with higher levels of giving facilitating engagement with local and by standing order were impacted less that global communities. The Fund also those with lower levels. provides the Church's financial and legal 2.2.5 Until the onset of the pandemic, services; advice on Church judicial there was evidence that the income of procedures; and regulatory compliance and many Congregations remained steady, safeguarding services. although this was not the experience of all. 2.2 Congregational Income However, aggregate income was reducing 2.2.1 The commitment and generosity as membership of the Church declined. It of those who make up the Congregations was already clear that, given the trend of of the Church of Scotland across the reducing income, the Church could only country and beyond is evidenced in their carry out the activities which regular giving, even in this most Congregations were able to fund. By far the challenging and unprecedented time, for largest proportion of that work is the cost which we are all deeply grateful. of parish ministries and this is the reason why the Church needs to focus on 2.2.2 The starting point in the Presbytery planning as a matter of urgency. preparation of the indicative budget for the The financial effects of the pandemic have following year is the estimation of total only served to heighten that urgency. congregational income for the previous year, drawn from the returns submitted by 2.2.6 Although early indications show a treasurers immediately after the year end. 67% reduction in “Other Ordinary Income” The calculations for 2022 are based on 65% in 2020, this heading includes a number of of returns received to date and available different categories of income, and the for comparison. Provisional details for total can only be confirmed when the 2020 Congregational Income are contained detailed analysis of congregational in Appendix I. These show a decrease of accounts is completed later in the year. 20.3% in total “Ordinary Income”, with However it is apparent that income from

66 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... outside organisations, previously an area of by Congregations to be allocated to the growth, is the aspect of income which has Parish Ministries Fund is £33,373,000. The suffered the largest reduction over 2020. balance of £4,445,000 will be drawn from the Stipend Endowment Fund, Glebe 2.3 Stipend Endowment Income Income and Investment Income. 2.3.1 The reduction in Growth Fund dividend distributions in 2020 and 2021 by 2.4.2 The General Assembly previously the Investors Trust led to reduced income agreed to a cap on MDS Staff of 120 Full in the Stipend Endowment Fund held by Time Equivalents (FTE). Further the General Trustees for the benefit of information is provided under the Co- Congregations. This is passed through the ordinated Budget (Section 2.7). Faith Nurture Forum which bore the 2.4.3 The 2019 Supplementary Report of effects of the reduction in 2020 since the Council of Assembly suggested that a statements had already been issued to review of the Parish Ministries Fund ring- Congregations with the anticipated annual fencing arrangements should be carried amount of stipend endowment income. out to establish whether this remains the 2.3.2 Early in 2021, representatives of most suitable method of budgeting for the General Trustees, Faith Nurture Forum Parish Ministries costs. Following the 2019 and Stewardship and Finance staff met to General Assembly the Trustees agreed that discuss a new investment strategy for the these arrangements should be Stipend Endowment Fund. The General discontinued and that the Parish Ministries Trustees’ Report to the General Assembly Fund would no longer be budgeted as a describes the new strategy which, if ring-fenced item, in addition to having agreed, would cover the period 2021 to tighter parameters over what should be 2025 and would distribute capital as well as included in the Parish Ministries Fund income at a level of £3,200,000 per annum budget. over that period. This gives a measure of 2.4.4 The Faith Nurture Forum will stability to congregational income over the receive 81% of congregational next five years while Presbytery Plans are contributions including stipend re-aligned. The budget has assumed this endowment income and glebe rents, £3,200,000 as well as £440,000 of Glebe directed through the Parish Ministries Rental income, but is subject to General Fund, which includes use for: Assembly approval of the General Trustees’ proposal. • the National Stipend Fund which pays the stipend and other costs of parish 2.4 Parish Ministries Fund ministers; (including Stipends and related expenses for Parish Ministers) • ordained parish ministry support and development; 2.4.1 From Appendix II it will be noted that the projected cost of Parish Ministries • the salaries and other costs of for 2022 is £37,818,000 (2021 - Ministries Development Staff; £39,583,000). This is a best estimate based • new, alternative and emerging forms of on existing Minister and Ministries ministry costs; Development Staff (MDS) numbers projected forward to take account of • readership costs; retirements, leavers and joiners. This is, • recruitment and education for however, difficult to forecast in detail and ministries, including Ordained Local is closely connected with the Presbytery Ministers and the training of Planning Process. As indicated in Appendix Probationers; I and Appendix II, the proportion of the amount of £42,000,000 to be contributed • parish appraisal costs;

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• properties costs; review of Funds instructed by General Assembly 2018 resulted in reclassifications • a share of support and administration of general funds held by the former costs. Councils, and reorganisation of other funds 2.4.5 However, as described at 2.1 in through OSCR. As a result, the balance of relation to the disposition of expenditure, the Fund as at 31 December 2020 was the necessity to curtail expenditure in 2021 £9,200,000. and 2022 has resulted in only the direct 2.5.3 The Trustees allocate Mission and stipend and salary costs of Ministers and Renewal contributions among Forums, Ministries Development Staff and vacancy Committees and Departments to meet the allowances being paid through the Parish financing of approved work. The Forums Ministries Fund. Recruitment, training and have other income, mainly from education; parish appraisal; property; and investments; and, in addition, the reserves administration costs are no longer overseen by the Forums will be used to included. These essential costs and other cover budget deficits arising in their area of high priority work as agreed by the work. Assembly Trustees have been funded from reserves and the Mission and Renewal Fund 2.6 Presbytery Discretionary element of congregational contributions. A Allowance review of the Parish Ministries Fund to 2.6.1 The Assembly Trustees propose to reflect the new Presbytery Planning process maintain the total available for the will be carried out at a future date. Presbytery Discretionary Allowance for 2.4.6 The Ministries Development Staff 2022 at 5% of the total Ministries and set out in 2.4.2 are as agreed within current Mission contributions due from the Presbytery Plans, employed or appointed Congregations in each Presbytery. This by the Ministries Council within the Faith means that around £2,100,000 will be Nurture Forum; and the numbers include available to Presbyteries for regional or Deacons, Associate Ministers, and Team local use. However, given the financial Leaders. Any parish staff engaged locally difficulties of Congregations as a result of by Congregations (and not designated on the pandemic, the Trustees are urging Presbytery Plans) are not funded by the Presbyteries to prioritise the use of the Parish Ministries Fund. Allowance for the remainder of 2021, and in 2022, towards assisting with the 2.5 Mission and Renewal Fund amounts of Ministries and Mission 2.5.1 The Mission and Renewal Fund’s contributions payable by Congregations share of the Income Disposition is 10.4%, struggling financially. The Allowance after releasing £600,000 (2021 - should be targeted to Congregations £600,000) from the Fund’s budgeted, non- which, for example, have suffered congregational annual income to support reductions in other income such as hall the Church’s work. As detailed in the 2019 lets, rather than being automatically Report, the Mission and Renewal Fund allocated across all Congregations in a Reserves were previously also used to Presbytery. support the budget. However, the Assembly Trustees consider that reserves, 2.6.2 The Stewardship and Finance being essentially finite, should not Department will support Presbyteries with normally be used to support regular the provision of regular information on ongoing work. shortfalls and remaining Allowance balances. In addition, the Congregational 2.5.2 Also, as reported by the Council of Sustainability Task Force recently set up by Assembly in 2019, the balance on the the Trustees will be on hand to provide Mission and Renewal Reserve Fund as at 31 December 2018 had been extinguished. The

68 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... advice on dealing with legal and buildings 2020. This related to expenditure outwith issues. the Parish Ministries Fund and CrossReach. 2.6.3 Presbyteries should be proactive in 2.7.2 As noted in the main report, the planning ahead in respect of a number of budgeted deficit for 2021 is £11,400,000. changes being brought as proposals to this The reduced level of congregational year’s General Assembly. In October 2020 contributions in 2022 will result in a the Ministries and Mission Review Group’s budgeted deficit for 2022 of £5,100,000. Interim Report to the Assembly indicated However the focus on cost savings and the that the proposed new system will see the continued progression towards zero-based ending of the Discretionary Allowance budgeting for 2022 will be important meaning that alternative ways of funding, factors in containing the deficit. The or potentially curtailing certain posts and Assembly Trustees propose that the projects will need to be considered. The Forums’ expenditure budgets are frozen at final proposal from the Group is included in the levels agreed for the 2021 Budget with the Trustees’ main report. only minor adjustments. The expenditure budgets of the service departments will 2.6.4 New Presbyteries which are also be frozen but the budget includes an coming into being from 2022 are provided additional amount for essential building for in the Co-ordinated Budget to the repairs and investment in infrastructure equivalent cost of a Presbytery Clerk and systems. Core funding for the new full time Administrator and an allowance Presbyteries established/to be established for running costs (although there is by 2022 has been included in the budget to flexibility as to the use of the funding secure funding whilst the long term depending on local needs) and Presbyteries funding arrangements are developed. This will need to consider ways in which they requires a budget of £120,000 per new may raise further funds for projects or Presbytery in 2022, totalling £600,000. posts they wish to progress or continue. Appropriate funding will be key in ensuring 2.6.5 The Mission Plan Act and proposed that the Church’s governance structures reduction in ministries numbers will need can be made more efficient, which in turn to be taken into consideration at this time. will assist in allowing its ministry and mission to flourish. 2.7 The 2022 Co-ordinated Budget 2.7.1 As well as the issue of declining 2.7.3 The Co-ordinated Budget provides congregational income, pressures on the fully for the total projected number of National Church budget have been of current Presbytery Plan posts which are serious concern in recent years with the likely to be filled during 2022 as part of the Councils that were in place until 2019 only Parish Ministries Fund. able to make marginal reductions on 2.7.4 Presbytery planning should ensure programme costs until such time as clearly the most effective and appropriate use of identified priorities were agreed. The resources at a local level. Changes in reorganisation into Forums at the congregational configuration can lead to a beginning of 2020; the development of the drop in income without any corresponding Faith Action Plan incorporating the Radical drop in expenditure. Continued careful Action Plan elements; and improved financial management of the national accountability measures were beginning to Forums and Committees, and the increase take shape when the effects of the in the proportion of congregational income pandemic struck; and these measures which is retained for local work, are proved to be invaluable in enabling cost essential to present a more sustainable reductions during 2020. Compared to the picture. The proposed changes to the amount budgeted for 2019, a reduction in Ministries and Mission contribution system expenditure of £6,600,000 was achieved in are designed to help achieve this but what

Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 69 Order of Proceedings ...... remains evident is that the Church is only congregational income and the necessary able to maintain the level of ministries and curtailment in the use of the Mission and mission, both local and national, which its Renewal Reserve, no allowances were members are prepared to support through made within the budget for inflation and their offerings; diligent stewardship of the Forums and Departments were required to Church’s resources of people, property and fund any increased costs from within their money remains paramount. budgets. An amount has been included as a contingency in the 2022 Budget to cover 2.7.5 Absorbing further compliance and potential cost increases and/or any governance costs including the cost of restructuring costs. By Autumn 2021 the Presbytery reform means that Forums and Forums will present their proposed work Committees will again face challenging programmes for 2022 to the Trustees. New budget decisions for 2022. The Trustees work programmes can only be continue to scrutinise and prioritise accommodated if existing work Forums bids for additional funding for new programmes are ended or other savings projects and posts and have engaged in made. It will be increasingly important for careful consideration of other proposed Forums to include exit strategies in any projects, looking at costs and resultant budget bids. The progress made during benefits of the work. 2020 in achieving the 30% saving against 2.7.6 The number of Full Time 2019 costs will only be locked in by Equivalent (FTE) staff employed by the maintaining budget discipline. The Faith Central Services Committee (CSC) has Action Plan and the new Head of Faith reduced from a monthly average of 217 FTE Action Programme post will begin to in 2019 to an average of 199 FTE in 2020. inform spending plans. Grant funding to partners has also 2.7.8 Forums will continue to use their substantially reduced and grant-making restricted funds to progress their work and and grant receiving activities are being the reorganisation of funds through OSCR centralised to ensure better governance is freeing up money which was previously and sourcing of grant funding for both not available to be spent. The Assembly congregations and the National Church. Trustees are bound to the General 2.7.7 Appendix II shows indicative Assembly to ensure good governance and figures for Projected Gross Expenditure in control over all of the funds of the 2022 for each Forum and how this is to be Unincorporated Entities, including ensuring funded, using contributions from that adequate levels of unrestricted congregations, income from external reserves are held. sources and annual income from investments, with any projected deficit 2.8 Budgets of Forums, being met from the reserves of the Committees and Departments individual Forums. This shows Projected 2.8.1 The Social Care Council Gross Expenditure of £101,173,000 (2021 - CrossReach has faced very challenging £101,755,000). The budgeted income operating circumstances during the comprises contributions from Covid-19 pandemic in both 2020 and 2021. congregations £42,000,000 (2021 - Whilst all services have been affected the £38,172,000); investment income most significant impact has been in Older £2,152,000 (2021 - £2,152,000); external People’s services. At the time of writing sources including Stipend Endowment and CrossReach has estimated a budget deficit glebe income and CrossReach service of £1,460,000 for 2022. However, because income, £51,911,000 (2021 -£50,036,000); of the uncertainties around recovery from, with a deficit from reserves of £5,100,000 and longer term implications of the (2021 - £11,400,000). In recent years, in pandemic, it is not yet possible to attach view of the lack of growth in any degree of certainty to this budget

70 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... estimate. The complexities of the sector in level of congregational contributions is which it operates; local authority funding allocated to the Parish Ministries Fund and cycles and National Care Contracts as well the deficit therefore arises on other Forum as potential changes in an election year costs. Other Forum costs include the cost mean that May 2021 is too early to firm up of recruiting, training and supporting on a budget for 2022.The CrossReach ministries and the eldership; Partnership Management Team is committed to Development and Priority Areas. The managing operational risks. Forum is also responsible for two trading entities Life and Work magazine and the The budget assumes that there will be no Scottish Storytelling Centre. fundamental changes to the services provided and that any increases to the The budget assumes the transfer of the Scottish Living Wage or National Minimum Ecumenical Relations Committee and Wage will be cost neutral (funded by Theological Forum budgets to the Office of National Care Contracts or service users). the General Assembly in 2022. Potential impacts of the Independent As noted in 2.4.1, the budget for Parish Review of Adult Social Care may be Ministry costs is difficult to forecast. This is factored into the 2022 budget later in the perhaps more so during the pandemic year. Other income and expenditure has when the rate of retirals has not followed been budgeted in line with 2021, and the more recent patterns. Ministers are under budget anticipates that Covid-19 will be no obligation to advise of their plans for managed within normal operating retirement. procedures rather than being the cause of severe disruption because of outbreaks. It is anticipated that the number of However new Covid-19 variants could pose Presbyteries will reduce to 9 by the start of a further risk. Separately, there has been a 2023. Current Presbytery plans will be lack of investment in property drawn to a close at the end of May 2021 maintenance over 2020 and 2021 which and new plans to fit the new structure of could result in remedial works. the Church will require to be in place by December 2022. Finally, the budget does not allow for contribution to the Redress Scheme or 2022 will therefore see a transition period liability in respect of any historical abuse to the new plans and the Church will be cases, neither of which can yet be working with existing numbers until then. quantified. The budget assumes that numbers of Early in 2021, the Pension Trustees advised ministers retiring will increase again that the closed CrossReach defined benefit towards the end of 2021; contributing to a pension scheme was fully funded and that reduction in parish minister numbers of 15, deficit repair contributions could cease in to 680. February 2021. The annual cost for 2022 It is then assumed that more ministers will would have been £620,000 and this retire in 2022 coinciding with the new recurring saving has been very warmly Presbytery plans being established and the welcomed by both CrossReach and the widening of parish boundaries etc., that Assembly Trustees. will come with that change. The budget 2.8.2 Faith Nurture Forum assumes a net decrease in parish ministry The Faith Nurture Forum budget, which numbers by 35 in 2022, to 645. incorporates the former Ministries Council By way of illustration, other budget and Mission and Discipleship Council scenarios have been considered. If the budgets, has an indicative deficit budget at status quo was maintained in terms of this point of £3,200,000 to be funded from Ministers joining equalling those leaving or its reserves. This assumes that the reduced retiring, the impact on the budget would

Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 71 Order of Proceedings ...... be a cost of £1,400,000. If the rate of results of all of these entities are included reduction of ministers was the same as each year in the Church’s consolidated forecast for 2021, the additional cost (“Group”) Annual Accounts. impact would be £280,000. All scenarios Detailed 2022 budgets for the trading include 120 FTE MDS. subsidiaries in Israel will be prepared later At present there are more than 120 in 2021. The Guesthouse in Jerusalem plans Ministries Development Staff on the to re-open on 2 May following its Presbytery plans however the number of refurbishment and Covid-19 closure. The MDS was capped at 120 until Dec 2020. Scots Hotel re-opened on 25 March. The Currently only essential recruitment is cash position of the hotel remains positive taking place but the 2022 Budget assumes and both operations have bookings for 120 FTE staff. The work being done on the 2021. Presbytery Mission Plan Act provides for The Forum, through the residual World the allocation of ministries to be revisited Mission Council as the employing agency, and reported on, annually, to the General employs 10 mission partners and provides Assembly, and that will allow for future grant funding to support its programme of adjustments to the MDS establishment. attentive accompaniment of partner None of these costings include a stipend or churches and organisations overseas. The salary increase in 2022. However any move towards zero based budgeting has increase agreed by separate processes meant a reduction in budgeted expenditure during 2021 would be covered by the by the Forum to £2,200,000 in 2022 contingency in the overall budget. compared to £3,000,000 budgeted for 2020. 2.8.3 Faith Impact Forum Faith Impact Forum incorporates the 2.8.4 Office of the General Assembly former World Mission Council and former This budget, under the auspices of the Church and Society Council. Principal Clerk, includes the Clerk and office staff; the cost of the General The Forum’s indicative budget shows a Assembly and the running costs of the deficit of £444,000. As in the case of the Assembly Hall and the Moderator’s flat at Faith Nurture Forum’s other work, no Rothesay Terrace. Certain costs of congregational contributions have been Committees without Funds such as the allocated to the Faith Impact Forum in grant to the Church of Scotland Trust are 2022. This is because the contributions also included within the budget. from Congregations in 2022 are once again at a rate which does not cover all costs. The The budget assumes a return to an in Forum has substantial funds, immediately person General Assembly in 2022. available both for general and restricted The budgets of the Theological Forum and purposes. Ecumenical Relations Committee will also A block grant of £85,000 is paid annually move to this budget if approved by the by the Church to Christian Aid, and this is Assembly. included in the Faith Impact Forum’s The Ecumenical Relations Committee has budget. The Trustees gratefully an annual budget of £193,000. The includes acknowledge the substantial financial subscriptions to the Ecumenical Bodies – support provided by Congregations directly the World Council of Churches (WCC), to Christian Aid. World Council of Reformed Churches The indicative budget shown on Appendix I (WCRC) and Churches Together in Britain does not include the work of the Israeli and Ireland (CTBI). entities which are not part of the Co- The Theological Forum budget is £28,000. ordinated budget process. However the

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2.8.5 Support and Services visitors has been agreed in consultation Committees and Departments with the General Trustees and £100,000 is These Committees and Departments have included in the 2022 budget for this work. been listed in Appendix II. They have no 2.8.5.2 Information Technology and reserves and as such need to be funded Communications mainly by congregational contributions. The budget includes £200,000 of The Departments provide services to the expenditure on IT infrastructure projects in national, local and regional Church as well line with the IT strategy being developed by as to the Church’s other Statutory the IT Programme Board. This will include Corporations – the General Trustees, the improving our means of communication by Church of Scotland Investors Trust and The moving to global use of Church e-mail Church of Scotland Trust. They also carry addresses and development of the intranet out work on behalf of the Pension Trustees. as a platform for resources. Charges are made to these bodies as well as to the Housing and Loan Fund and New 2.8.5.3 Office of the Assembly College. Cross charges are rarely made to Trustees Congregations, but when they do occur The budget has been increased to include they are mainly for property-related the staff of the former Go For It Fund and transactions. The central support and the budget for the Small Projects Fund of service functions do not cross charge the £100,000. The salary of the newly Forums and Committees for their services appointed Head of Faith Action other than limited charges for legal and Programme is also included here. safeguarding services provided to CrossReach as noted below. The department now carries out research and analysis functions including high level The Social Care Council is largely modelling of the Church’s resources to autonomous in terms of central services allow for future planning. The budget for and charges the costs of its Central the Trustees’ Equality, Diversity and Services costs against the service units. Inclusion (EDI) Group will be managed by There is also some cross-working between the Office of Assembly Trustees supported Social Care and departments within the by staff within the Faith Impact Forum. National Office, such as Estates, Law and Safeguarding. 2.8.5.4 Stewardship and Finance Budgets for the service departments are Department largely based on 2021 budgets, with Following the departure of several staff vacancies included where there will be a during 2020, including three at a senior replacement. Individual budgets to do not level, the department has been include cost of living increases in 2022 but restructured and savings made on salary increases for CSC staff working in service cost. Whilst there has been an increase in departments and the Forums would be running costs of the new HR and Payroll covered by the contingency in the budget. system the implementation of new modules for expenses will ultimately result Key features of the service department in further business efficiencies. budgets are: 2.9 Other Funds 2.8.5.1 National Office The budget shown on Appendix II does not The 2020 budget included £400,000 for include the Housing and Loan Fund, the essential repairs on the George Street Guild and New College which are not part property, most of which could not be of the Co-ordinated Budget process. carried out due to Covid-19 restrictions. A programme to maintain the fabric of the building and ensure the safety of staff and

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2.10 2021 Budgets and achievement of objectives, subject to The 2021 budgets approved by the Trustees implementation of: are contained in the main report in the Blue • ongoing actions in response to and to Book (Section 39) along with a summary of embed actions from the Special the operating results of the Commission report on Structural Unincorporated Entities against the 2020 Change, to strengthen governance budget (Section 38). arrangements, increase accountability and create clearer delegations of 3. SYSTEMS OF INTERNAL responsibility across the organisation; and CONTROL Role of Audit Committee • a range of continuous improvement 3.1 The Trustees are responsible for actions, addressing the higher-graded maintaining adequate systems of internal matters arising from internal audit control. The Audit Committee’s remit reviews. This also applies to historic/ includes responsibility for reviewing the backlog action implementation. systems of internal control and for oversight of the Internal Audit function. 4. NEW TRUSTEES This function is delivered by Azets 4.1 The non-renewable terms of office (formerly Scott-Moncrieff) as the of three of the original trustees, Beth appointed Internal Auditors alongside the Ashcroft, Alan Campbell and Norma Rolls, work of the Church’s own Audit and conclude at Assembly 2021. Following the Compliance Officer. Azets produce an process stipulated in our Constitution and annual programme of work based on an Remit we consulted with the Nomination assessment of audit risk which seeks to Committee, considered the required ensure that all the main areas of activity skillsets, and issued an open advertisement are periodically reviewed. Audit reports are which resulted in a healthy response. After submitted at the end of each assignment interview we decided to appoint David and an annual audit report is made to the Cameron, Barry Hughes and Peter McEnhill. Audit Committee expressing an opinion on David is Minister of New Laigh, Kilmarnock the systems of internal control in place in and brings both parish ministry experience the Unincorporated Councils and and an understanding of the challenges Committees. facing the National Church. Barry is 3.2 Azets conducted a number of Minister at St Mark's, Stirling and brings to reviews in 2020 covering the following the Trustees an understanding of Priority areas: Area ministry. Peter is Clerk for the new Clyde Presbytery and brings a valuable • Cyber Security at CrossReach connection to Presbytery Reform. • Tendering and Contract Maintenance at 4.2 With three Ministers taking the CrossReach place of three congregation members we • Payroll System, National Office are for the time being at the maximum number of Ministers under our • Risk Management, National Office Constitution. We were also disappointed at 3.3 Azets reported to the Audit the small number of women applicants Committee that, in their opinion, the having, currently, been at a 50/50 balance. Church of Scotland has a framework of We would enjoin Commissioners and controls in place that provides adequate others to speak to possible applicants from assurance regarding the organisation’s as diverse backgrounds as possible, with a governance framework, risk management view to early 2022 when we will advertise for a further three new colleagues.

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4.3 We were very pleased when Ann 5.2 Introduction Nelson, who was appointed for the Throughout 2020 the closure of church remainder of the term of George Cowie, buildings, on advice from the Scottish and and so being able to serve a second term, UK governments in response to the expressed her interest in doing so. We were Covid-19 pandemic impacted on all areas of delighted to approve this. church life, including Professions of Faith, ordination of new Elders, Baptisms, 5. CONGREGATIONAL Weddings and Attendance. Once church buildings were able to reopen, there was a STATISTICS 2020 cap on the total numbers of attendees 5.1 Summary throughout Scotland of 50. In addition, • As at December 2020, there were social distancing within church building 297,435 members of the Church of required restricting numbers even further Scotland, a fall of 5% from 2019, and for some congregations. Not all churches 33% from 2010. who did reopen were able to do so • These figures are a reflection of the immediately upon restrictions being lifted. Church of Scotland in 2020, a year With this in mind, the 2020 congregational marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. statistics should be read and interpreted in Gathering for worship services was light of the impact of the pandemic and prohibited for much of the year. care should be taken in any comparisons to • Additional questions were asked to previous years. reflect the changes in worship Information on the number of those provision, including availability of physically attending worship and online, or alternative offline worship congregational activities have not been provision. reported in this year’s statistics as many of • 84% of congregations had offered these activities changed throughout the online worship; 67% had offered year due to the impact of restrictions in alternative offline worship and 82% response to the pandemic. had re-opened for public worship when able to do so. Almost 95,000 households are estimated to have worshipped online, and 17,000 made use of alternative offline provisions. • 26% of congregations have people of BAME ethnicity represented, 7% have people of BAME ethnicity in leadership. • Acknowledge the diligence and strenuous efforts of Clerks to obtain these statistics and transmit them to the National Offices at times of great difficulty. • Nil return from Presbytery of Lewis and Presbytery of International Charges.

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5.3 Congregational Statistics 2020 Church-level membership and participation, 2020 Congregations within the Church of Scotland come in all shapes and sizes, from large city congregations to small rural or island communities. Table 1 shows the reported participation at the smallest 5% and 25% of churches, the median (i.e. middle) church, the largest 25% and 5% of churches (i.e. 75th and 95th percentile), and the mean (average) church. A few large congregations can result in a larger mean value that may not represent the overall data well – a “typical” church may be better described by the median value. 5th 25th Media 75th 95th Mean percen percen n percen percen (avera tile tile (middl tile tile ge) e) church church Members 22 91 181 311 556 224 Adherents 0 1 10 40 137 32

Professions of Faith 0 0 0 0 1 0

Children 0 0 7 30 120 26 Children receiving Communion 0 0 0 0 10 2

Elders 0[1] 8 15 27 54 19

Baptisms 0 0 0 0 2 0 Weddings 0 0 0 0 2 0 Funerals 0 3 9 17 36 12

Table 1: Church participation summary, 2020 The “typical”, i.e. median, congregation in 2020 has just over 180 members (181), and 10 adherents. In the median congregation there are also: • no professions of faith in 2020. • 7 children associated with the congregation, but none receiving communion. • 9 funerals, no baptisms, and no weddings. • The congregation is led by 15 elders. Over 90% of congregations welcomed no new members through Profession of Faith, only 6% welcoming any new members in this way. 24% of congregations welcomed new members through certificates, and 18% through resolution of the Kirk Session. Children received Communion in 20% of congregations.

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Persons and Agencies in Scotland for 2020 (cf Appendix II of the Reports of the Council of Assembly, 2019) The membership statistics may be stated thus: Removals by Death 9,833 Less Admissions by Profession 190 9,643

Removals by Certificate 1,110 Less Admissions by Certificate 679 431

Other Removals 5,466 Less Restoration 769 4,697

Total decrease 14,771

And shown graphically in Figure 1, below.

Figure 1 Leavers and Joiners in 2020

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Comparative Graphs Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic with the closure of church buildings during 2020 care should be taken in making comparisons to previous years, as can be seen in some of the graphs below. Membership

Professions of Faith

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Elders

Baptisms

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Presbytery Data Reporting

Table 2: Presbytery reporting

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Membership

Table 3: Presbytery membership figures

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Occasional Offices

Table 4: Presbytery baptisms, weddings, funerals figures Church of Scotland congregations conducted 4.2% of weddings celebrated in Scotland in 2020, and 25.0% of funerals. They baptised or gave thanks for 1.0% of births (excluding adult baptisms).

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Leadership

Table 5: Presbytery leadership figures There are 25,828 elders in the Church of Scotland of whom 43.1% are male and 56.9% female, 8.7% of the membership.

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Public Worship in 2020 Due to the Covid-19 pandemic church buildings were closed, on advice from the Scottish and UK governments, for many months during 2020. The 2020 Congregational Statistics highlight that many of the congregations who were able to reopen once restrictions had eased, did so at different times, with numbers who were able to attend being impacted by the size and layout of their building to allow for social distancing and the maximum allowable number dependant on local restrictions once a new tier system was introduced throughout Scotland. Due to the significant differences across congregations, an initial analysis has demonstrated that it is not helpful to report these figures at a presbytery or wider church level in 2020. Additional questions were added to the 2020 Congregational Statistics to obtain a broader and more realistic picture of worship throughout the church in 2020. These are given in Table 6. No responses were obtained from the Presbyteries of Lanark, Lewis or the Presbytery of International Charges. 84% of congregations offered online worship, with 67% making alternative offline provisions such as phone-in services or worship sheets. 95,000 households were estimated to have watched online worship, and 17,000 to have engaged in the alternative resources. These figures are made up of best estimates from congregations - it is impossible to judge how many people watch on a single device, or who re-watch a service. They are offered as indicative of the online engagement with the congregations of the Church of Scotland. Additional information provided alongside the additional questions showed that some local radio stations also broadcast Church of Scotland services to those in the local area. 82% of congregations had re-opened their church building for public worship in 2020 when able to do so. An ecumenical report, “Adapt and be Flexible - the Mission Doesn’t Stop!” The Scottish Church and the COVID-19 pandemic, reported that 96% of churches in their sample were able to offer online worship.[2]The value reported here (84%) is rather less, perhaps due to the larger numbers of congregations completing these congregational statistics details, or other denominations being able to offer more online material. The same report, at p17, also noted that 75% of churches in Scotland had re-opened for some form of public worship. The figure reported here, 82%, is likely to be higher due to congregations owning their own buildings in contrast with some other denominations, and perhaps where online provision has not been able to be made.

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Public worship in 2020

Table 6: Presbytery public worship figures

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Congregational Statistical Returns – Young People (cf Appendix III of the Reports of the Council of Assembly, 2019) Work with children and young people was greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The figures presented here need to be considered with this in mind and data quality may not be as high as in other years. Reports from the Presbyteries showed that as at 31 December 2020: 1. The number of children and young people aged 17 years and under who are involved in the life of the congregation is 33,153; 2. The number of people aged 18 years and over, whose names are not on the Communion Roll, but who are involved in the life of the congregations is 12,737 and 3. The number of children who receive Holy Communion in terms of Act V, 2000, Section 15 is 2,107.

Table 8: Young People and Adherents

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Congregational Statistical Returns – Diversity GA2020 tasked the Faith Impact Forum with investigating the experiences of people who are of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnicity (BAME)[3]within the Church of Scotland. As part of that work, congregations were asked to report the percentage of their attenders, and of their leadership, who were of such ethnicity. The inability to meet for public worship in much of 2020 made this question less easy to answer, but we are grateful to Clerks for their best estimates at this time. The following table shows, of those who replied, the percentage of congregations in each Presbytery who reported any people of BAME in their congregations or in their leadership. No responses were obtained from the Presbyteries of Lanark and Lewis nor the International Presbytery. • 26% of Church of Scotland congregations had BAME attenders • Only 7% of Church of Scotland congregations had BAME leaders • A third of presbyteries had no BAME leaders at all.

Table 9: Ethnic diversity In the name of the Trustees JOHN CHALMERS, Convener NORMA ROLLS, Vice-Convener JAMES McNEILL, Administrative Trustee

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References [1] Elders figures are calculated from all congregations. Due to a large number of unions and nil returns, the 5% percentile reads 0 elders. [2] “Adapt and be Flexible - the Mission Doesn’t Stop!” The Scottish Church and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Brendan Research, 2020. p11. www.brendanresearch.com/ projects/sclf-acts-covid19 Last accessed 12 April, 2021. [3.] Whilst the congregational survey uses the BAME terminology, in light of recent work undertaken and growing understanding the term ‘Ethnic Minorities’ will be used in the future.

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Minutes Index 1. Minute of Ministries Appeal Panel 29 October 2020 ...... 92 2. Minute of Ministries Appeal Panel 16 December 2020...... 93

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Minute 1 Probationary Review should be held and that new decision-makers should carry out MINUTE OF MINISTRIES APPEAL PANEL this Review on behalf of both the 29 OCTOBER 2020 Presbytery and the Faith Nurture Forum. On the twenty ninth day of October 2020 The Panel took the view that there were the Ministries Appeal Panel met via irregularities of process in that (i) the Microsoft Teams and was duly constituted Appellant had been given insufficient time with prayer. (five days) to consider reports which had Sederunt: Mr Robin Stimpson (Convener), been provided to him prior to the Review, Rev Catherine Collins, and (ii) evidence produced by the Appellant Mr Andrew Gibb, at the Review had been “laid on the floor” Mrs Isabell Montgomerie and not considered in detail during the Review, which meant that there had been The Appellant was accompanied. no opportunity to discuss it with the Appellant. These irregularities of process For the Faith Nurture Forum: Rev Ann may also constitute a breach of the Inglis, Presbytery Assessor and Ms Kay principles of natural justice. Cathcart, Education and Training Secretary The Panel did not find it proved that there In attendance: Rev Dr George J Whyte, was any bias on the part of the Interim Principal Clerk and Ms Christine Paterson, Probationary Review Panel. The Panel did Depute Clerk not take a decision on whether or not the Introductions were made and the Convener decision had been influenced by any explained the purpose of the hearing. incorrect material fact. The Ministries Appeal Panel took up The hearing was closed. consideration of an Appeal in terms of the ROBIN STIMPSON, Convener Selection and Training for Full-Time GEORGE J WHYTE, Clerk Ministry Act (Act X 2004), sections 21 and 22, against a decision of the Interim Probationary Review Panel on 4 February 2020 to terminate the Appellant’s candidature for full-time ministry of word and sacrament. Parties were heard. Questions were asked. Parties made closing statements. It was agreed that the Panel’s decision would be intimated to the parties by email. The Grace was said. Parties withdrew. Following deliberation the Ministries Appeal Panel resolved unanimously to uphold the appeal and quash the decision of the Interim Probationary Review Panel to terminate the Appellant’s candidature. The Panel directs that a further Interim

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influenced the decision, nor did the Minute 2 Ministries Appeal Panel identify any MINUTE OF MINISTRIES APPEAL PANEL irregularities in the process or breach of the 16 DECEMBER 2020 principles of natural justice which affected the decision reached. On the sixteenth day of December 2020 the Ministries Appeal Panel met via Microsoft The Grace was said. Teams and was duly constituted with prayer. The hearing was closed. Sederunt: Mr Robin Stimpson (Convener), ROBIN STIMPSON, Convener Mr Andrew Gibb, GEORGE J WHYTE, Clerk Rev Leslie Milton, Mrs Isabell Montgomerie

For the Faith Nurture Forum: Rev Alastair Duncan, Admissions Conference Director, and Rev Dr Lezley Stewart, Recruitment and Support Secretary In attendance: Rev Dr George J Whyte, Principal Clerk and Ms Christine Paterson, Depute Clerk Introductions were made and the Convener explained the purpose of the hearing. The Ministries Appeal Panel took up consideration of an Appeal in terms of the Admission and Re-Admission of Ministers Act (Act IX 2002) against a decision of the Admissions Conference on 6 October 2020 not to accept the Appellant as an Admissions Candidate for Ministry in the Church of Scotland. Parties were heard. Questions were asked. Parties made closing statements. It was agreed that the Panel’s decision would be intimated to the parties by email. Parties withdrew. Following deliberation the Ministries Appeal Panel resolved unanimously to dismiss the appeal and to uphold the decision of the Admissions Conference not to accept the Appellant as an Admissions Candidate for Ministry in the Church of Scotland. The Ministries Appeal Panel did not identify any incorrect material fact which

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Standing Orders Please also see the amendments for the online General Assembly which are proposed to these Standing Orders by the Assembly Business Committee, which are to be moved on the first day of the Assembly, a print of which follows at the end at page 117.

I. Commissions...... 95

II. Conduct of Business...... 95

III. Members not Commissioners...... 98

IV. Committee Reports and Overtures...... 101

V. Conduct of Cases...... 103

VI. Order of Debate ...... 106

VII. Committees and their Membership...... 111

VIII. Alteration and Suspension...... 117

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Standing Orders Principal Clerk shall be Convener. The Committee shall prepare and circulate a I. COMMISSIONS list of Commissioners for submission to the 1. Roll of Presbytery. Each Assembly. Along with the said list a copy of Presbytery Clerk shall, by 15 December of the Standing Orders of the General each year, transmit to the Clerks of Assembly shall be made available to each Assembly the number of charges, member. The Clerks shall arrange to appointments and deacons specified in forward to each Commissioner, at least sections 2 and 4 of Act III 2000 (as one week before the opening day of the amended) – all as at 30 November Assembly, an electronic copy (unless a hard immediately preceding. copy has been previously requested) of the volume of Reports and Proposed 2. Presbyterial Representation. The Deliverances and a copy of all Assembly Clerks of Assembly will thereafter intimate Papers then available. to Presbyteries what will be their representation in the ensuing Assembly. 6. Objections. During the sittings of Any queries shall be settled by the the Assembly, the Committee on Assembly Business Committee at the Commissions shall, if called upon, or if it request of the Clerks. The decision of the shall appear to it necessary or expedient so Assembly Business Committee shall be to do, hear any person whose Commission subject to review by the Assembly on is objected to in support of his or her Petition by the Presbytery concerned. Commission, and also any person or persons who may object to such 3. Question Arising. Should there Commission, and the Committee on arise between the month of December and Commissions shall have power to settle the opening of the Assembly any question any such matters. regarding representation not provided for in these Orders, the Assembly Business 7. Late Commissions. It shall be Committee shall have power to dispose competent at any time prior to the opening thereof. of the Assembly to lodge with the Clerks of Assembly Commissions which have not 4. Transmission of names and previously been transmitted to them; and details of Commissioners. The names, in the Committee on Commissions shall alphabetical order, full postal addresses, settle any queries as to whether or not email addresses, charges and types of such Commissions are valid. Once the commission (ie minister, deacon or elder) Assembly has opened and the Roll of of Commissioners from Presbyteries, shall Commissioners has been laid on the table, be transmitted by Presbytery Clerks to the no further Commissions may be received. Clerks of Assembly not later than 31 January in each year so far as they have 8. Number not currently used. been elected by that time. In transmitting II. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS the names of Commissioners to the Clerks of Assembly, the Clerk of each Presbytery is (a) OPENING SESSION certifying that to the best of his or her 9. Convening. The Commissioners knowledge the Elders named therein are elected to serve in the Assembly shall bona fide ruling Elders and are convene on the day and at the hour fixed commissioned by the Presbytery. for the meeting of the Assembly, and, after 5. Committee on Commissions. The prayer by the Moderator of the preceding Committee on Commissions shall consist Assembly, the List of Commissioners shall of the Clerks and the Convener of the be laid on the table. Assembly Business Committee; the

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10. Election of Moderator. The the Procedure Committee which, in turn election of a Moderator shall then be and without being limited to those names made. proposed by commissioners who are not among its members, shall nominate a 11. Her Majesty’s Commission. Her Selection Committee of twenty Majesty’s Commission to the Lord High commissioners, including a Convener and Commissioner shall then be read and Vice-Convener, whose function it shall be ordered to be recorded. to select and submit to the Assembly for 12. Her Majesty’s Letter. Her their approval names of persons to serve Majesty’s Letter to the Assembly shall then on all Special Commissions and be read and a Committee shall be Committees appointed during the sittings appointed to prepare an answer thereto. of the Assembly. Such persons need not be commissioners. 13. Standing Orders. The Standing Orders shall be laid on the table. 19. Communications. All letters addressed to the Moderator for the 14. Committee on Commissions. The purpose of being communicated to the Report of the Committee on Commissions Assembly shall, in the first instance, be laid (SO 5) shall be called for and disposed of. before the Procedure Committee, which 15. Order of Business. The Assembly shall advise the Moderator as to their shall appoint a Procedure Committee, the disposal. Convener and Vice-Convener thereof 20. Paper through Boxes. Requests normally to be the Convener and Vice- for permission to distribute material Convener respectively of the Assembly through Members’ boxes should be Business Committee. The Assembly submitted to the Assembly Business Business Committee shall prepare and Committee before the commencement of submit at the opening session an Order of the Assembly, and requests received Business for the first two days. thereafter shall be submitted to the (b) PROCEDURE COMMITTEE Procedure Committee. Any other Committee concerned should be informed 16. The Procedure Committee shall and supplied with copies, if available, of consist of the Convener and Vice- the material to be distributed. Convener, plus the Moderator, the Clerks, the Procurator and the Law Agent. (c) DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES 17. First Meeting. The Procedure 21. The Lord’s Supper. The Assembly Committee shall meet on the opening day shall celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s of the Assembly as intimated and Supper at a time appointed by the General thereafter as business may require. At its Assembly at its opening session. first meeting it shall consider the Draft 22. Acts of Worship. The Moderator Order of Business which shall have been shall be responsible to the Assembly for prepared by the Assembly Business the conduct of all acts of worship, and Committee for the business of the shall consult the Assembly Business Assembly subsequent to the first two days, Committee or the Procedure Committee and shall be wholly responsible therefor. anent any proposed innovation in such 18. Selection Committee. conduct. Commissioners to the General Assembly (d) MISCELLANEOUS shall be free to nominate other commissioners to serve on the Selection 23. Minutes. The minutes of each Committee. The names of those proposed day’s proceedings, if available, together shall be brought before the first meeting of with the Agenda for the following day or

96 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... days, intimations of meetings of 28. Returns to Overtures. Committees, and Notices of Motion, shall (a) A Committee on Overtures and be circulated as the “Assembly Papers”, Cases, consisting of the Clerks, and shall be made available for all Procurator and Law Agent of the members. The Minutes, being taken as read Church (with the Principal Clerk as and full opportunity having been given for Convener) shall advise any correction, shall be approved as available. Committee or individual on the It shall always be in order at the close of procedure to be followed in respect any particular item of business to move of measures requiring process under that the Minute thereanent be adjusted the Barrier Act. and approved. Before the dissolution of the Assembly a small Committee, appointed (b) For the avoidance of doubt, for the purpose, shall be authorised to measures other than Acts of approve the Minutes not already approved Assembly may be referred for the by the Assembly. consideration of Presbyteries, in which case they shall be presented to 24. Quorum. The quorum of the the General Assembly in the form of Assembly shall be thirty-one, of whom not an Overture set out as an Act. less than sixteen shall be Ministers. Any Member may at any time call the attention (c) For the avoidance of doubt, it is open of the Moderator to the fact that there is to the General Assembly to decline not a quorum present, and if, on a count to consider any motion of which it being made, it is found that such is the believes inadequate notice has been case, it shall be the duty of the Moderator given, considering the nature of its to suspend or adjourn the session. content. 25. Tellers. The Assembly Business (d) Measures remitted to Presbyteries by Committee shall submit for the approval an Overture under the Barrier Act of the Assembly at their first session a shall be accompanied by a note of proposed Panel of Tellers. (See SO 105.) the voting figures in the General Assembly, the text of the relevant 26. Acts of Assembly. The Committee Report and a note by the Clerks on Commissions (SO 5) shall arrange for explaining any technical or legal the text of the Acts of Assembly to be matters contained in the Overture. finalised and shall include in the Assembly Papers of the penultimate day an Interim (e) All Presbyteries shall make a return Report thereon, which shall be considered in respect of every Overture sent on the last day of the Assembly. down under the Barrier Act. The return shall be made upon the 27. Examination of Records. Minutes schedule sent electronically to the of the Standing Committees of the Presbytery Clerk for the purpose, Assembly shall be examined by the Legal transmitted to the Clerks of Questions Committee. The Committee Assembly, and then submitted to the shall report thereanent to the General Committee on Overtures and Cases. Assembly. 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.

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(f) The Report of the Committee shall address by the Lord High Commissioner to include the text of such Overtures as the Assembly, during an act of worship, have been approved by a majority of and dissolved according to the practice of Presbyteries. the Church. (g) The Assembly Business Committee III. MEMBERS NOT COMMISSIONERS shall ensure that the Committee’s (a) MEMBERS ex officiis Report classifying returns is taken by the General Assembly no later than 31. These are the Moderator of the session 2 thereof, and in any case Assembly, on election, and the before any debate that in the opinion immediately preceding Moderator, the of the Committee on Overtures and Clerks, Procurator, and Law Agent, and Cases would more usefully follow also the Convener and Vice-Convener of consideration of the Committee’s the Procedure Committee upon their Report. election. (h) The Report of the Committee shall They have all the rights and privileges of be given in to the Assembly by the Commissioners. Principal Clerk, with the reply to the (b) CORRESPONDING MEMBERS, debate on the merits of the measure DELEGATES AND VISITORS – DEFINITION given by the relevant Convener. Both should be available to answer 32. Corresponding Members. questions, as appropriate. Representatives of Departments and Standing Committees as stated in SO 33. 29. Special Commissions and Committees. Delegates from other Churches. Representatives of other Churches who Special Commissions or Committees will come in response to an invitation from the only be appointed where the General Principal Clerk sent at the request of the Assembly has no existing Standing Faith Impact Forum or from the Committee to which the matter under Committee on Ecumenical Relations to consideration can, in all the circumstances, their Church to send a delegate or properly be remitted. In normal delegates to the General Assembly and circumstances, business proposed by who are duly accredited by the Courts or Councils or Committees of the General equivalent authority of their Churches. Assembly or proposed by Commissioners in the course of debate shall be remitted to Visitors. Visitors from other Churches who one or more of the appropriate Standing come with a Letter of Introduction from Committees listed in SO 113. When, from Assembly or Presbytery Clerks or time to time, a Standing Committee equivalent officer of their Church. requires to co-opt relevant expertise in 33. Corresponding Members order to fulfil the work remitted to it by the General Assembly, it should 1. (a) Each of the following bodies acknowledge the same in its Report to the shall have the right to appoint General Assembly. for each day of the General Assembly, one member or 30. Closing of Assembly. staff-member to act as a When the business set down for the last Corresponding Member: Faith day of the Assembly has been disposed of, Nurture Forum, Faith Impact the Assembly shall be closed by addresses Forum, Social Care Council, by the Moderator to the Assembly and to Ecumenical Relations the Lord High Commissioner, and by an

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Committee, General Trustees, sessions of the same and to speak on any Church of Scotland Guild, matter before the Assembly affecting the Trustees of the Housing and interests of their Council or Committee, Loan Fund, the Legal Questions where applicable, but shall not have the Committee, the Nomination right to vote or make a motion. Committee, Safeguarding (c) YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES Committee, Stewardship and Finance Department, the 35. Status Church of Scotland Pension (i) One person between the ages of Trustees and the Theological eighteen and twenty-five on the Forum. opening day of the General Assembly (b) Each such body will advise the shall, if possible, be appointed by Assembly Business Committee each Presbytery to serve as a Youth not less than one week before Representative; each Representative the commencement of the shall be involved in the life of a General Assembly of the name congregation within the bounds of of the Corresponding Member the Presbytery and be regularly appointed for each day. The involved in the life and worship of names of Corresponding the Church of Scotland. The minister Members appointed under this of the congregation shall provide Standing Order shall be confirmation of this involvement if included in the Assembly asked by the Faith Nurture Forum. Papers. (ii) A further ten persons between the 2. The Chief Officer, the Head of Faith ages of eighteen and twenty-five on Action, the Heads of the Faith the opening day of the General Nurture Forum and Faith Impact Assembly shall be appointed as Forum, the Secretary of the Social Youth Representatives to each Care Council, the Ecumenical Officer, Assembly, such Representatives to the Editor of Life and Work, the be selected by the Faith Nurture General Treasurer, the Head of Forum in terms of a process Human Resources, the Convener of prescribed by that Forum and the the Nomination Committee, the names passed to the Clerks of Scottish Churches’ Parliamentary Assembly by 31 March each year. Officer and the Head of (iii) Youth Representatives shall be Communications shall be entitled to speak and move motions Corresponding Members when not but not to vote: Commissioners. during debates on Committee 3. The Assembly Trustees, (including reports the Chair of the General Trustees as an Assembly Trustee ex officio), being during debates on Overtures the Charity Trustees of the (iv) Youth Representatives shall not be Unincorporated Councils and entitled to speak, move motions or Committees of the General vote: Assembly, shall also be Corresponding Members when not during debates on Petitions or cases Commissioners. during debates on matters affecting 34. Status. Corresponding Members General Assembly procedure or of Assembly shall be entitled to attend all Standing Orders

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(v) Youth Representatives shall not be (e) NON-MEMBERS members of the Commission of 39. Guest Speakers. Where any Assembly. Committee wishes that one of its members Oversight or staff members, not being a Member of Assembly, should have an opportunity of (vi) The Faith Nurture Forum shall take addressing the Assembly in connection responsibility for Youth with the discussion of its Report, the Representatives and shall extend to Convener shall seek the permission of the them appropriate hospitality. Moderator; for the avoidance of doubt, (d) DELEGATES AND VISITORS such permission may be sought during a debate. Where any Committee wishes that 36. Reception. Delegates from other a person, not being a Member of Assembly Churches shall be received and welcomed or member or staff member of that by the Moderator. The Assembly Business Committee, should address the Assembly, Committee is authorised, after the Convener shall submit the name of consultation with the Faith Impact Forum such person for approval to the Assembly and the Ecumenical Relations Committee, Business Committee before the Assembly to recommend to the Moderator to invite opens, or to the Procedure Committee two specified delegates to convey greetings during the sittings of the Assembly, and briefly after all the delegates have been the decision of the Assembly Business received and welcomed by the Moderator. Committee or Procedure Committee shall 37. Status. be final, unless the Assembly themselves shall resolve in terms of SO 129 hereof to (i) Delegates to the Assembly shall have dispense with the observance of Standing the right to attend all sessions and to Orders in respect of that particular matter. speak on all matters before the Assembly, except when the 40. Conference Sessions. The Assembly are exercising judicial Assembly Business Committee, or the functions, but shall not have the Procedure Committee, in consultation with right to vote. other Councils and Committees as appropriate may invite the General (ii) Visitors shall have the privilege of Assembly to meet in conference sessions seats in the Assembly but without and arrange for guest speakers to address the right to speak or vote. As in the such sessions. Councils and Committees case of Delegates, the officials of the shall also be free to invite guests, whom Faith Impact Forum, the Ecumenical they consider to have a particular interest Relations Committee, or other in the matter under discussion, to relevant Council or Committee shall participate in the debate. When the extend appropriate hospitality to General Assembly is meeting in conference Visitors. no resolutions shall be framed or decisions 38. Oversight. The officials of the taken. Expert speakers invited to address Faith Impact Forum, the Ecumenical the conference shall be allowed a Relations Committee, and other Councils maximum time of fifteen minutes. All or Committees which may be interested in other speeches shall be limited to five Delegates, shall see that Invitations to minutes. 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.

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IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND Committee has been moved and seconded OVERTURES the Assembly, before dealing with any other motions or amendments thereon, (a) REPORTS shall have opportunity for asking questions 41. Transmission. Reports of all on the Report, this being without prejudice Committees reporting to the Assembly to the right of Members to put questions, shall be transmitted to the Clerks of with the leave of the Assembly, at any Assembly not later than the first Monday subsequent stage. after the third Tuesday in February each 46. Questions requiring Notice. It year provided that, by arrangement with shall be in order to ask questions of the the Clerk of Assembly, a Statement and Convener regarding any matter in the care Proposed Deliverance on the Budget of the of the Committee to which no reference is Church, report on Congregational Statistics made in the Report but in such cases as reported by Kirk Sessions through timeous notice shall be given to the Presbyteries and report on Statistics of Convener. Ministry may be submitted at a later date, but in time to be included and circulated 47. Deliverance. The final Deliverance with the Reports. All Reports shall be of the Assembly upon the Report of any accompanied by the Deliverance to be Committee shall follow immediately after proposed to the Assembly, and when the the consideration of that Report, except in Proposed Deliverance exceeds two sections the event of a special reason for the each section shall be numbered contrary having been approved by the consecutively. Assembly and recorded in the Minutes. 42. Circulation of Reports and 48. Late Reports. Reports of Proposed Deliverances. It shall be the Committees appointed during the sittings duty of the Clerks to arrange for all such of Assembly, if they propose any motion Reports and Proposed Deliverances to be not already circulated to Members, shall be circulated in the authorised form to each submitted to the Clerks of Assembly at Member of Assembly at least one week least one day prior to their being before the day of meeting. All Reports so considered, and included in the “Assembly distributed shall be held as read. Each Papers”. Committee shall immediately after the (b) OVERTURES rising of the Assembly furnish the publisher of the Reports with the number required 49. Transmissions. All Overtures from for circulation. Presbyteries passed on or before 24 April shall be sent to the Clerks of Assembly not 43. Oral Reports and Reports of Sub- later than that date in each year. Overtures Committees. Oral Reports shall not be from Commissioners shall be lodged with received, and no Sub-Committee shall give the Clerks not later than noon on the third any Report to the Assembly. last day of the meeting of the Assembly, 44. In Retentis. Reports shall not be unless the Assembly for special reason engrossed in the Minutes, but a copy of decide otherwise. each Report certified by one of the Clerks 50. Circulation of Overtures. The as being that given to the Assembly, shall Clerks shall arrange for the circulation of be kept in retentis; and the Reports thus Overtures to Commissioners, at the collected shall be preserved among the expense (if any) of those promoting them, other Records of the Assembly. either with the papers for Cases or in the 45. Questions on Reports. After the “Assembly Papers”. Deliverance on the Report of any

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51. Form. Overtures should contain a ministers which relate to stipend or stipend brief statement of the matter to be scales. brought before the Assembly together 56. Proposals with Budgetary with a Proposed Deliverance, of which the Implications. Prior to making any first section shall be “The General proposal, Commissioners should give due Assembly receive the Overture”. consideration as to whether this will incur 52. When Taken. Overtures relating the use of additional resources or affect to matters under the care of the the incoming resources for the Church’s Committees of the Church whose reports work, ie whether the proposal has are on the Agenda for one of the first two budgetary implications. Advice on any days of the Assembly shall be assigned by proposal can be sought from the General the Assembly Business Committee (unless Treasurer. A proposal with budgetary the Committee on Overtures and Cases implications must be in the hands of decides not to transmit) to the place in the Commissioners in proper form (for discussion at which they shall be example, as a Proposed Deliverance, Notice introduced to the Assembly. In other cases of Motion, or Crave of a Petition). this shall be done by the Procedure Specifically, to ensure sensible budget Committee. When the Proposed controls: Deliverance of an Overture is capable of (a) Any proposal which involves new or being treated as a counter-motion or additional expenditure whether of a amendment to the Proposed Deliverance one-off or recurring nature, must be of a Committee, or as a new section of accompanied by a statement such Proposed Deliverance, it shall be so specifying where funding will be treated. found, whether by a reduction of 53. Grouping. Overtures on the same existing costs; funding external to or cognate subjects shall be grouped by the the Church or by an increase in the Assembly Business Committee or total amount to be met by Procedure Committee of the Assembly and congregations. only one speaker shall be heard introducing (b) Any proposal which results in a each group. potential reduction in income, 54. Introduction. An Overture from a including a reduction in the total to Presbytery may be introduced by any be met by congregations, must be member of that Presbytery, specially accompanied by a statement of appointed for the purpose, at the bar; or by where replacement funding will be any one of its Commissioners to the found or expenditure reduced to Assembly in his or her place as a compensate for the reduction in the Commissioner. income. (c) GENERAL The Assembly Trustees shall have the right to comment upon any proposal in category 55. Matters Relating to Stipend. It (a) or (b) before any decision is taken. shall not be competent for the Assembly, without due notice of motion in the hands 57. Declaratory or Interim Act. The of Commissioners in proper form (for draft of any proposed Declaratory or example as a Proposed Deliverance, Notice Interim Act, as also the draft of any of Motion or Crave of a Petition), to debate Overture which it is proposed to transmit any proposal which might impact directly to Presbyteries in terms of the Barrier Act on or which might bring about binding (other than any Overture circulated in the changes to the terms and conditions of volume of Reports), shall be circulated to Members and laid on the table of the

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Assembly at least one day before a Motion (b). Reference of Matter Previously for the passing of such Declaratory or Considered. Where the matter of a Interim Act, or for the transmission of such Reference has previously been under Overture to Presbyteries, is made in the consideration of the Assembly, the Assembly. Reference shall state the date when the matter was previously before the V. CONDUCT OF CASES Assembly and shall narrate the 58. Commission of Assembly. The Assembly’s Deliverance thereon. rules of procedure for the Appeals 61. Answers. It shall be competent for Committee of the Commission of all parties claiming an interest in the Assembly shall be as set out in Schedule 2 subject matter of an Appeal, Dissent and to the Appeals Act (Act I 2014). Standing Complaint or Petition to lodge Answers Orders 59 – 61 apply where a matter is thereto complying with the requirements being brought before the Commission of of this SO 61. Answers may be lodged any Assembly in terms of those powers of the time after the Appeal, Dissent and Commission of Assembly not being Complaint or Petition is received by the exercised by the Appeals Committee, or Clerks, but not later than seven days before before the General Assembly, being a the opening meeting of Assembly. Answers petition, a reference or an appeal on a shall be in the form of articulate numbered matter of doctrine. In Standing Orders 59 - Answers to the narrative contained in the 61 references to the General Assembly shall Appeal, Dissent and Complaint or Petition, be taken to refer where appropriate to the indicating in particular matters of fact that Commission of Assembly and all references are admitted and denied, and shall set shall be so construed mutatis mutandis. forth a concise statement of the (a) LODGING OF PAPERS Respondent’s case, together with a crave specifying the action the Assembly are 59. Appeal; Dissent and Complaint; invited to take thereanent. Petition. The papers in all cases intended to be brought before the Assembly, (b) PROVISION OF PAPERS whether Appeals or Dissents and 62. Circulation. It shall be the duty of Complaints against the judgement of the Clerks on receiving papers that are to inferior courts, or Petitions, should be come before the Assembly in connection lodged with the Clerks of Assembly not with cases to arrange to have these later than 24 April, and must be lodged not circulated to Members in authorised form. less than fourteen days before the opening session of Assembly; except in the case of 63. In Private. Papers relating to judgements pronounced within sixteen business dealt with by Presbyteries in days of the meeting of Assembly, in which private, or which the Committee on case they shall be lodged within forty-eight Overtures and Cases (SOs 70 - 71) consider hours of the judgement being pronounced. should be taken in private, shall be circulated separately and may be dealt 60. with by the Assembly in private. (a). Reference. In the case of Reference of 64. Cost of Circulation of Papers. In a matter from an inferior court for cases of discipline brought before the the judgement of the Assembly the Assembly by the Judicial Commission, by same limits as to time for lodging of Reference from a Presbytery, or by papers in the case shall apply as in SO complaint by a minority of the Court, the 59. expense of circulation (if any) shall be borne by the Assembly Business Committee; in other circumstances by the

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Complainer or Appellant. In all other cases necessary having regard to the nature of the expenses of circulating papers (if the Petition. Such intimation shall be made any)for the use of Commissioners shall be not more than seven days later than the borne by the party having interest in the time when the Petition is lodged with the same or desiring a Deliverance from the Clerks of Assembly as provided in SO 59 Assembly. above; and along with the Petition there shall be lodged a certificate signed by the 65. In Retentis. A copy of every Petitioner or his or her Agent setting forth circulated paper shall be kept by the Clerks the names of the parties to whom such of Assembly to be retained among the intimation has been made or is to be made. Records of Assembly. The Assembly may refuse to dispose of any (c) CIRCULATION OF PAPERS Petition if in their opinion sufficient intimation thereof has not been made. 66. Date of Dispatch. A copy of all papers transmitted to the Clerks of (e) TRANSMISSION TO ASSEMBLY Assembly not later than 24 April shall be 70. Committee on Overtures and forwarded by them to each Member of Cases. All papers lodged with the Clerks in Assembly at least one week before the cases of every sort in terms of the opening day of the Assembly. foregoing Orders shall be laid by them 67. In Private. The Clerks of Assembly before the Committee on Overtures and shall not issue in advance to Members the Cases, which shall consider the same and papers in cases which they think require to report to the Assembly. be conducted in private, until specially 71. Decision not to Transmit. If the instructed by the Assembly so to do; but Committee on Overtures and Cases shall shall report such cases to the Convener of decide not to transmit to the Assembly any the Procedure Committee, for the papers in cases duly lodged with the Clerks information of that Committee, of Assembly it shall report the same to the immediately after its appointment. Assembly at their first Session, or at the (d) INTIMATION TO PARTIES Session next after such decision, with its reasons for not transmitting the papers, 68. Appeal; Dissent and Complaint. and parties shall be entitled to be heard In all cases coming before the Assembly by thereon at the bar of the Assembly. Appeal or Dissent and Complaint it shall be Intimation of a decision not to transmit the duty of the Clerks of Assembly to papers shall be made to the parties inform the parties on both sides as soon as concerned as soon as possible, and in time possible of the time at which such case is to allow of their being represented at the likely to be taken by the Assembly. Such bar when the decision not to transmit is intimation shall, unless in a specific case reported to the Assembly. the Assembly determine otherwise, be regarded as sufficient notice. 72. In Private. The Procedure Committee shall, in its first Report, specify The Clerks shall further be bound, on any case which in its judgement requires to application made to them for the purpose, be conducted in private, and any case to supply a copy of all papers circulated in which does not appear to it to be of that pursuance of the foregoing Orders to the character although the Clerks of Assembly opposite party or parties in any case, or to may have reported it as such. The his or her or their duly accredited Agents. Assembly shall thereupon determine by a 69. Petition. In every Petition it shall special Deliverance, at what stage in the be the duty of the Petitioner to make such proceedings the papers in such a case shall intimation of the Petition as may be be issued to the Commissioners. In every

104 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... case which the Assembly appoint to be the respondent or his or her counsel who conducted in private the instruction to likewise shall submit such arguments upon issue the papers shall be accompanied by a the case as he or she shall think fit. At the special exhortation to the Commissioners close of the statement for the respondent to keep them private. the appellant shall be entitled to be again heard, and the respondent shall also be 73. Proposed Legislation. All entitled to be heard in answer to the Overtures from Presbyteries or from second speech for the appellant and if, in Commissioners which propose the his or her final answer, the respondent introduction of new or the amendment of shall state any fact or submit any existing Acts (or Regulations) shall contain argument not adverted to in his or her the precise terms of the legislation which answer to the opening statement for the they propose; and the Committee on appellant, the appellant shall be entitled to Overtures and Cases shall not transmit to a reply upon the new matter introduced in the Assembly any Overture which is the final answer for the respondent. With deficient in this respect, provided always the exception of this right of reply, so that the Clerks and Procurator shall be limited, more than two speeches shall not available to assist with the framing of such be allowed to any party at the bar. proposals 76. Appeal; Complaint; More than (f) HEARING OF CASES one Appellant. In such cases as those 74. Announcement. Before parties referred to in SO 75 if there is more than are heard in any contentious case the Clerk one appellant (or set of appellants) shall read the following announcement, viz insisting on the Appeal, or more than one – “The Commissioners are reminded that respondent (or set of respondents) justice requires that all the pleadings at the supporting the judgement appealed bar should be heard by all those who vote against, (a) on different grounds, or (b) in in this case, and that their judgement separate reasons or answers, each should be made solely on the basis of the appellant shall be entitled to open and pleadings.” Immediately before a vote is state his or her separate case, and each taken in such a case, the Clerk shall read respondent shall be entitled to make his or the following further announcement, viz – her separate answer, and the debate shall “The Commissioners are reminded that be closed with a reply for the several only those who have heard all the appellants; provided always that it shall be pleadings at the bar are entitled to vote in competent to the parties, with consent of this case.” the Assembly to make any arrangement for conducting the debate other than herein 75. Appeal; Complaint; One prescribed, if it shall have the effect of Appellant. In cases brought before the limiting, further than is herein done, the Assembly by Appeal, where there is only number of speeches to be made from the one appellant (or one set of appellants bar. concurring in the same reasons of Appeal) and only one respondent (or one set of 77. Appeal; Complaint; Who may respondents concurring in the same appear. Any Member of an inferior court answers to the reasons of Appeal) the case whose judgement is brought under review for the appellant (or set of appellants) of the Assembly may appear at the bar in shall be stated by him or herself or by his or support of the judgement; but, when her counsel, who at the same time shall Commissioners have been specially submit such argument upon the case as he appointed by the inferior court to support or she shall think fit. The party or counsel its judgement, the Assembly shall not hear so stating the Appeal shall be followed by any Member of such court other than the

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Commissioners so appointed, unless any said Committee when applicable, the Member not so appointed but wishing to General Assembly shall hear at the bar be heard can show a separate and peculiar such parties in the case as are not interest to support the judgement; and in represented by Commissioners, in such all such cases it shall be competent to the order as the nature of the case may seem Assembly to limit the number of Members to require. of an inferior court who shall be heard in VI. ORDER OF DEBATE support of the judgement under review. (a) ORDER OF THE DAY 78. Dissents and Complaints. In SOs 75 to 77, “Appeal” includes “Dissents and 82. When the Assembly have resolved Complaints” and “Appellant” includes that a case or other piece of business shall “Complainer”. be taken up at a certain hour mentioned in the Order of Business, such case or other 79. Petition. In cases brought before piece of business shall be taken not later the Assembly as the court of first instance than the hour fixed and the business before by Petition, the party promoting the the Assembly, if not finished at the hour application shall be entitled to be heard in named, shall be adjourned, provided that, support of the same; and the Assembly in the case of an Order of the Day following shall also hear an answer from any party at the Report of the Faith Impact Forum, such the bar claiming to be heard whom it shall unfinished business shall not be taken up. consider to be a proper respondent, and If, in the opinion of the Moderator, it the debate at the bar shall be closed with a would be in accordance with the general reply from the person promoting the convenience of the Assembly, the application. Moderator may allow the transaction of 80. Reference. In cases brought the business then actually under discussion before the Assembly by reference from a to continue for a period of not more than Presbytery the reference shall be stated to fifteen minutes beyond the specified time, the Assembly by a Member of the referring but no fresh business shall be commenced. court, specially appointed for the purpose, (b) MOTIONS at the bar if not a Commissioner, or in his or her place as a Commissioner if a 83. TIME-BOUND Commissioner from the Presbytery. The On the motion of the Procedure Assembly shall thereafter hear the parties Committee or moved as part of the in the case referred in such order as the deliverance of the Assembly Business nature of the case may seem to require, Committee, the General Assembly may keeping in view the regulations in SOs 74 to resolve that the Report and draft 79. Deliverance relating to a particular Council 81. Readjustment Cases. In cases or Committee’s Report be taken in a time- arising from Act VII, 2003, when a request bound process of debate and decision. Such for determination follows a decision of the a motion shall be moved at least 24 hours Partnership Development Committee not in advance of the presentation of the to concur in the judgement of a Presbytery, Report concerned. the Convener, or other member of the said Having so resolved the General Assembly Committee, shall be heard at the bar if not shall operate the following timetable:- a Commissioner, or in his or her place as a Commissioner if a Commissioner, immediately after the request for determination has been stated. After the initial statement and the response by the

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(a) Start times shall be allotted to (e) Where motions appearing in the specified Sections of the Report and Daily Papers do not relate directly to to the related sections of the draft the Report and draft Deliverance Deliverance. Discussion of any proposed by the Council or Section of the Report shall not Committee, they will be taken either commence later than its allotted at the end of the appropriate Section, start time, but may begin earlier if if there is time available according to debate of the previous Section has the allotted timetable, or at the end been completed. of the appropriate Section when the procedure leading to the Order of the (b) If discussion and debate of a Day (or close of business) is being particular Section of the Report has implemented. not been concluded within its allotted time, then further 84. Right to Move. Any Commissioner consideration of associated sections to the Assembly may make a motion upon of the draft Deliverance shall be any matter coming regularly before the sisted and the General Assembly Assembly; and on rising to do so he or she shall take up the next Section of the shall read the terms of the motion having Report. previously handed the same in writing on the form provided to the Assembly Office (c) If, at the close of the debate on the or other point of collection intimated to last Section of the Report, there is the General Assembly. It shall be in order still time before the Order of the Day to move a motion regarding any matter in requires to be implemented or the care of a Committee to which no business is due to conclude, then the reference is made in the Report of that General Assembly shall return for Committee, provided that reasonable further debate of any outstanding notice has been given in writing to the sections of the draft Deliverance Convener before presentation of the remaining relative to each Section of Report. The mover of any counter-motion the Report. or amendment may reply to the discussion (d) If the Order of the Day or anticipated of his or her motion, immediately before close of business is imminent, then the Convener closes the debate. any outstanding sections of the draft 85. Withdrawal. When a motion has Deliverance shall be voted upon been duly seconded it shall not be without debate, except that other competent to withdraw it, or to make any motions circulated in the Daily alteration upon it, without the permission Papers shall also be taken, without of the Assembly. debate, the Convener simply having the right to indicate whether or not 86. Priority of Deliverance over other the Council or Committee is willing motion. The Deliverance on the Report of a to accept the motion. Committee shall take precedence of any other motion on that subject. 87. Committee Convener. The Convener of a Committee when a Commissioner, on giving in the Report of that Committee, shall move the Deliverance proposed in terms of SO 41. A Convener, when not a Commissioner, shall be allowed to submit the Report of the Committee, and to give explanations in the

Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 107 Order of Proceedings ...... subsequent discussion. In such a case the permission of the Assembly. (2) Members Principal Clerk, whom failing, the Depute shall make relevant declarations of interest Clerk, shall formally move the Deliverance. where the topic of debate makes it In all cases the Convener shall have the appropriate to do so. right of replying to the debate. 93. Point of Order. Any Member may 88. Introducer of Overture. The rise to speak to a Point of Order. A speaker Introducer of an Overture, if a is not to be interrupted unless upon a call Commissioner, shall move the Deliverance; to order. When so interrupted he or she and if he or she is not a Commissioner the shall cease speaking, and shall resume his Principal Clerk, whom failing the Depute or her seat until the Point of Order is Clerk, shall formally move the Deliverance. decided. The Member calling to order shall The Introducer, whether a Commissioner state the grounds for so doing; and the or not, may answer questions or give speaker who has been interrupted may explanations in the course of the debate briefly reply in explanation, to show that and, if a Commissioner, may reply to, the he or she is not out of order, but no other discussion immediately before the relevant Member may speak to the Point of Order Convener closes the debate. unless with the permission or at the request of the Moderator, with whom the 89. Notice of Motion. Commissioners decision of the point rests, though the are encouraged to give advance Notice of Moderator may put the point to a vote of motions. Any Commissioner may, during the Assembly. the sittings of the Assembly, give advance notice of Motion on any subject due to 94. There shall be no right of reply to a come regularly before the Assembly, other debate except as provided for by SOs 84 than a contentious case. Notices of Motion and 87. so given in shall, if received in time to do 95. Limits. All speeches shall be so, be included in the “Assembly Papers” limited to 5 minutes, with the following not later than the day on which the exceptions: business is to be taken. Such circulated Notice of Motion shall confer no right of (i) COMMITTEES Convener giving in the priority of moving same, the Moderator Report of his or her Committee and being the sole judge of the order in which moving thereon (seconding to be Members are entitled to address the formal) 15 minutes Assembly. Convener responding to a question 4 (c) THE DEBATE minutes 90. The Chair. Every speaker shall (ii) OVERTURES Introducing an Overture address the Assembly through the and when the Introducer is a Moderator, and the correct address is Commissioner, moving thereon 10 “Moderator”. minutes 91. In Support. When a motion or Mover of other Motions in relation to motions have been made and seconded, Overture (seconding to be formal) 10 any Member (including a formal seconder minutes in terms of SO 95) may take part in (iii) PETITIONS Speeches of Petitioners 10 subsequent debate. minutes 92. Speeches. (1) Except as provided in 96. No Time Limit. The time limits SOs 84 and 87, no Member may speak shall apply, except in the following cases: twice on the same question except in explanation, and then only by special

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(a) when the Assembly are debating 99. Grouping of Amendments. When specific proposals for change under to any Proposed Deliverance there has been Barrier Act procedure; given notice of amendments which differ from each other only slightly in their (b) when the Assembly are exercising general tenor, the Moderator shall decide judicial functions; whether or not to permit more than one of (c) in Petitions when, for special reasons, such amendments to be moved. the Committee on Overtures and 100. Voting on Amendments. When Cases reports that the circumstances an amendment (Category 3) has been demand an extension, and when the proposed it shall be disposed of by the General Assembly adopt that Assembly before any other counter-motion opinion; or amendment is proposed. However, it (d) in any other matter when the shall be in order for an amendment of an Assembly Business Committee (in amendment (Category 4) to be proposed, respect of the Order of Business for seconded and debated, after which the the first two days) or the Procedure Moderator shall take a vote “For” or Committee (in respect of the Order “Against”. When all such Category 4 of Business for the subsequent days) motions have been so disposed of, the declares that, in its opinion, such Assembly shall complete its consideration matter is of exceptional importance, of the original amendment (Category 3) and when the Assembly adopt that and the Moderator shall take a vote “For” opinion. or “Against” the original amendment amended or unamended as the case may (d) DEALING WITH MOTIONS be. For the avoidance of doubt, it is 97. Character of Motions. Motions affirmed that the order of debate for shall be considered as belonging to one of Category 3 and Category 4 motions shall be the following categories, and shall be dealt the same except as herein provided and with as prescribed, viz: that the provisions of SO 87 shall apply to both. 1. The original Motion. 101. Voting on Motions. After all 2. Counter-Motions – being Motions amendments, if any, have been disposed contradictory or negative of the of, the Moderator shall take a vote original Motion or of a substantial between all Motions in Categories (l) and part of the original Motion. (2), and in doing so shall adopt the 3. Amendments being Motions not following procedure. A vote shall be taken substantially contradictory of the in one of the methods provided below, original Motion or Counter-Motion, between all the Motions in the order in but for making deletions, alterations, which they were made, beginning at the or additions thereto without first. Each Commissioner may vote for one defeating its main object. Motion only. If, on the numbers being announced, one Motion has obtained a 4. Amendments of amendments clear majority of votes, all the other already moved and seconded. Motions shall fall; but if no Motion has 98. Moderator to Judge. The obtained a clear majority, the Motion Moderator shall be judge of the category to having the smallest number of votes shall which any Motions shall be considered to be struck off and a vote taken between the belong, and the ruling of the Moderator remaining Motions; and the Assembly may shall be final. determine.

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102. Voting for Appointments. In the voting which will become the decision of case of voting for appointments to vacant the Assembly. In no circumstances shall a offices in the Church, where there are more second vote be taken on a matter which than two nominations the Assembly shall has already been the subject of a vote by vote separately on all the names proposed, electronic voting. The Procedure and, unless there be a majority in favour of Committee shall ensure that one over all the others combined, the one Commissioners are familiar with the having the lowest number shall be method of electronic voting and will dropped, and the Assembly shall again vote appoint tellers to assist Commissioners, on those that remain. where necessary, with the process of casting votes and to assist the Assembly 103. Deliberative Vote. The Moderator with the process of voting by paper ballot or Acting Moderator in the Chair shall have which shall be a competent alternative to no Deliberative Vote. the taking of a vote by electronic means in 104. Casting Vote. If in any division the event of a failure in the electronic there shall be an equality of votes for two voting system. proposals before the Assembly, the (f) DISSENTS Moderator shall have power to give a deciding vote; and if in the course of the 106. Entering. Any Commissioner voting as provided in SOs 100 and 101 dissatisfied with a judgement of the above, there should be an equality of votes Assembly, which has not been unanimous, for the two Motions having fewest votes, has the right to enter his or her dissent the Moderator shall have power to give a against it; but no dissent can be given in deciding vote and the Motion for which the until the matter to which it refers has, for Moderator shall vote shall be retained for that session, been disposed of, the Minute the purpose of the next vote of the adjusted, and the Assembly is ready to Assembly. proceed to other business. (e) TAKING THE VOTE 107. Adhering. When a dissent has been entered, it is in order for any other 105. The Moderator may, in any Commissioner present when that circumstances and at his or her sole judgement was pronounced to adhere to discretion, ascertain the mind of the such dissent. No other’s adherence may be Assembly by asking the Commissioners to entered. stand in their places, and shall intimate to the Assembly on which side there is in his 108. Reasons. A person dissenting may or her opinion a majority. Unless the do so with or without giving in reasons of opinion of the Moderator so intimated is at dissent. If he or she dissent for reasons once challenged, it shall become the given in at the time, or to be afterwards decision of the Assembly. If any given in, such reasons shall, if received by Commissioner challenges the opinion of the Assembly as proper and relevant, and the Moderator, the Assembly shall proceed provided they are given in before the close to take an electronic vote using a system of the next session (or, when made on the approved by the Assembly Business last day of the Assembly, before the close Committee. Alternatively, it shall be open of the same session), be recorded in the to the Moderator, again at his or her sole Minutes. discretion and in any circumstances, to 109. Answers. If the Assembly appoint ascertain the mind of the Assembly by a Committee to prepare answers to recourse to the use of electronic voting. reasons of dissent, the Report of the After all votes have been counted the Committee shall, except on the last day of Moderator shall intimate the result of the the Assembly, be in the “Assembly Papers”;

110 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... and, as approved by the Assembly, shall be experience of the General Assembly, included in the Minutes, if the reasons of with the following members ex dissent have been so circulated. officio: the Moderator and the Moderator Designate, the Principal 110. Record of Dissents. Reasons of Clerk, the Depute Clerk, the Solicitor, dissent and answers thereto when not the Procurator and the General entered in the Minutes, shall be kept in a Treasurer. The Convener and Vice- separate Record of Dissents. Convener are also to serve as VII. COMMITTEES AND THEIR Convener and Vice-Convener MEMBERSHIP respectively of the Procedure Committee. (a) COMMITTEES 2. Assembly Trustees...... 14 111. Committees. The Committees of 12 trustees appointed in accordance the General Assembly shall be those listed with the Constitution and Remit in SO 113 together with such ad hoc approved at the General Assembly of Committees as the General Assembly may 2019 (from which shall be drawn the appoint from time to time. Clerical services Convener, Vice-Convener, and for the ad hoc Committees shall normally Administrative Trustee), plus 2 ex be provided by the staff of the Principal officio members: the Convener of the Clerk’s Department. Assembly Business Committee and 112. Quorum. Save for the Judicial the Chair of the General Trustees. Proceedings Panel and those bodies where 3. Audit Committee………...……...... …6 provision is already made for a quorum, the Convener, who shall not be an quorum of Standing Committees of the Assembly Trustee, three voting General Assembly listed in SO 113 shall be members appointed by the General three. When a meeting ceases to be Assembly through the Nomination quorate, business must be suspended. The Committee, all of whom shall be quorum shall apply also to sub-committees independent of the Unincorporated and other bodies constituted from the Entities and at least one of whom relevant Standing Committees where such shall have recent and relevant sub-committees and other bodies have financial experience, and two decision-making powers, but not additional voting members be otherwise. appointed by the Assembly Trustees. 113. Membership. The Standing The quorum shall be three voting Committees of the General Assembly shall members, at least one of whom is a have membership as follows, General Trustee member. The Chief Officer Assembly appointments being made on the and the General Treasurer shall nomination of the Nomination Committee attend without a right to vote or except where otherwise stated. make a motion. In addition, other officials, as required by the 1. Assembly Business Committee, may be in attendance Committee...... 16/17 from time to time without a right to Convener, Vice-Convener, 2 members vote or make a motion. of the Legal Questions Committee Representatives of the External and (Convener and another member Internal Auditors, shall be entitled to involved more in judicial matters to attend all meetings but without a be nominated by the Legal Questions right to vote or make a motion. Committee), a further 6 members made up of ministers and elders with

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4. Church of Scotland Investors Trust churches drawn from among Trustees are appointed as required, the member churches of ACTS by the General Assembly on the and the Baptist Union of nomination of the Trust. Scotland, each to serve for a period of 4 years. 5. Church of Scotland Trust Trustees are appointed as required, d) The Committee shall co-opt by the General Assembly on the Church of Scotland members nomination of the Trust. elected to the central bodies of Churches Together in Britain 6. Committee on Chaplains to HM and Ireland (CTBI), the Forces…..……...... ………18 Conference of European Convener, Vice-Convener and 16 Churches (CEC), the World members appointed by the General Council of Churches (WCC), Assembly. There are also 2 non- the World Communion of voting members: one representative Reformed Churches (WCRC) from and appointed by each of the and the Community of Faith Nurture and Faith Impact Protestant Churches in Europe Forums. (CPCE, formerly the Leuenberg 7. Delegation of the General Fellowship of Churches). Assembly……...... ……4 e) The General Secretary of ACTS The Clerks of Assembly, the Principal shall be invited to attend as a Clerk as Chairman, the Procurator corresponding member. and the Solicitor of the Church, ex officiis. f) For the avoidance of doubt, while only those persons 8. Ecumenical Relations appointed under paragraphs a) Committee...... 10 plus and b) above shall be entitled representatives, co-optees and to vote, before any vote is corresponding members taken the views of members a) 8 members appointed by the representing other churches General Assembly one to be shall be ascertained. The attached, for the purposes of Convener shall be entitled to ecumenical accompaniment, to call a meeting of the voting each of the Faith Nurture members. Forum, the Faith Impact 9. Faith Impact Forum………....………15 Forum, the Social Care Council, Convener, Vice-Convener and 13 and the Theological Forum. members nominated by the b) Convener who will act as a Nomination Committee and personal support for the appointed by the General Assembly. Ecumenical Officer (EO) and 10. Faith Nurture Forum………...………15 Vice-Convener, appointed by Convener, Vice-Convener and 13 the General Assembly. members nominated by the c) A representative of the Roman Nomination Committee and Catholic Church in Scotland appointed by the General Assembly. appointed by the Bishops’ 11. General Trustees Conference and 1 Trustees are appointed as required, representative from each of 3 by the General Assembly on the nomination of the Trust.

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12. Iona Community Board...... 20 appointed, no account shall be taken Convener and 5 members appointed of any members whose current term by the General Assembly; has expired but who are deemed to remain as members of the Panel by 6 members appointed by and from operation of the Discipline of the Iona Community, 2 changing Ministry Act (Act III, 2001), section each year; 1(1)(f). The Leader of the Iona Community; 15. Legal Questions Committee.…….16 1 member appointed by and from the Convener, Vice-Convener and 10 Presbytery of Argyll. members appointed by the General Assembly, the Clerks of Assembly, In addition the Board will invite 6 the Procurator and the Solicitor of member churches of Churches the Church. Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) to appoint a representative member 16. Life and Work Editorial Advisory to the Board, such members being Committee……...... ….9 eligible to serve for a maximum Convener and 7 members together period of 4 years. with the Principal Clerk as an ex officio member. The members should 13. Judicial Panel represent a wide range of theological 20 people being ministers, elders and opinion and perspectives, with an deacons nominated by the interest and particular gifts to offer Nomination Committee and the Committee, for example appointed by the General Assembly. journalism, magazine production, All members of the Judicial Panel former contributors. The Committee shall be qualified to practise as may co-opt members with particular lawyers or shall be experienced in the gifts or information. law and practice of the Church. Notwithstanding SOs 114 and 118, the 17. Ministries Appeal Panel……….....….5 members of the Judicial Panel shall Convener, Vice-Convener and 3 initially be appointed for a term of members appointed by the General four years, and shall be eligible for Assembly. At least 1 member shall be reappointment for further terms of legally qualified, at least 1 shall be a four years. minister and at least 1 shall be an elder. 14. Judicial Proceedings Panel A Panel of ministers, elders and 18. Nomination Committee...... 26 deacons appointed by the General Convener, Vice-Convener and 24 Assembly who are suitably members appointed by the General experienced in the law and practice Assembly. Notwithstanding SO 118, of the Church and whose number no member of the Committee, shall, in accordance with the having served a term of 4 years, shall Discipline of Ministry Act (Act III, be eligible for re-election until after a 2001), section 1(1)(e), be determined, period of 4 years, except for special from time to time, by the Legal cause shown. The Convenership of Questions Committee. the Committee shall be for 3 years. Notwithstanding SOs 114 & 118, 19. Nomination of the Moderator appointments shall be for three years Committee ………...... …Up to 15 with the option of further Up to 8 ministers and deacons and up consecutive terms. In calculating to 7 elders appointed by the General how many Panel members may be

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Assembly, to create a Committee of the Employing Agencies or a which is representative of the current member of the Safeguarding diversity of the whole Church. The Committee. Committee is to be convened by the 23. Safeguarding Committee…...... 11 immediate past-Moderator of the Convener, Vice-Convener and 6 General Assembly, failing which by members appointed by the General another former Moderator of the Assembly, 1 representative (voting General Assembly. member) from and appointed by 20. Personnel Appeal Group...... 8 each of the Faith Nurture Forum, the 8 members appointed by the General Faith Impact Forum, the Social Care Assembly with the Solicitor of the Council, the Solicitor of the Church, Church as Secretary. Members shall the National Adviser (Head of not include any former or current Safeguarding) as Secretary to the members of staff of any of the Committee, the Chief Officer and up Church’s Employing Agencies to 4 members co-opted by the (including the Social Care Council), Committee for their expertise. For nor any current Council or the avoidance of doubt it is declared Committee member. that only the following persons will be entitled to vote: Convener, Vice- 21. Registration of Ministries Convener, the six Assembly Committee.…...... …5 appointed members and the three Convener, Vice-Convener and 3 representatives from each of the members. 1 member is appointed by Faith Nurture Forum, the Faith the Legal Questions Committee, 1 Impact Forum and the Social Care member by the Faith Nurture Forum Council. and 3 members by the General Assembly. The Convener and Vice- 24. Social Care Council...... 12 Convener are appointed by the Convener, Vice-Convener and 9 General Assembly from the General members appointed by the General Assembly appointees. One or other Assembly, with the Chief Executive of the Clerks to the General Officer of CrossReach as a non- Assembly and the Secretary to the voting ex officio member. At least Faith Nurture Forum attend the one member shall be a Church of Committee ex officiis in an advisory Scotland minister. capacity but are not members. The 25. Theological Forum………...... ….13 Committee is clerked by a person Convener, Vice-Convener and 11 from the Faith Nurture Forum who is members appointed by the General not a member of the Committee. Assembly, the membership being 22. Safeguarding Appeal Panel…….….6 selected to provide an appropriate A Panel of 6 persons appointed by balance of (a) ministers of Word and the General Assembly, being persons Sacrament, (b) members of academic with Safeguarding and other relevant staff from the Divinity Schools (or experience, and including at least equivalent) of Institutions of Higher two persons who shall be qualified to Education in Scotland, (c) elders and practise as lawyers or who are (d) members drawn from the wider experienced in the law and practice membership of the Church chosen of the Church, and at least two for their particular expertise, ministers. None of the Panel shall be experience or provenance. a current or former employee of any

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26. Trustees of the Housing and Loan Special Committee is unable to accept the Fund ……………...... Up to 11 appointment, or where from any cause Up to 3 ministers and 1 member vacancies occur in Committees during the appointed by the Faith Nurture year, that Committee, after consultation Forum, who having served a term of with the Convener of the Nomination 4 years shall be eligible for re- Committee, may appoint a Member to take appointment for a second 4 year the place of the Member whose retirement term; has caused the vacancy. All such appointments, if for a longer period than Up to 4 appointed by the General one year, shall be reported for Assembly on the nomination of the confirmation through the Nomination Trustees, who having served a term Committee to the General Assembly. of 4 years shall be eligible for re- appointment for a second 4 year 118. Re-election. A Member retiring term; from a Council or Committee by rotation, or having his or her name removed for non- Up to 3 appointed by the Baird Trust, attendance, shall not be eligible for re- for a term of office determined by election to that Council or Committee until that Trust. the expiry of one year thereafter, unless Any Trustee (other than one the Assembly are satisfied, on the Report appointed by the Baird Trust) may of the Nomination Committee, on serve for up to a further two four- information submitted to it by the Council year terms if elected also as or Committee concerned, that there are Chairperson or Depute Chairperson. circumstances which make re-election desirable; but where more than one (b) MEMBERS member is due to retire then not more 114. Period of Service. All Members of than one-half of the retiring members be each of the Standing Committees shall so re-elected. No Member shall normally retire after serving for four years, save for serve for more than two consecutive terms the Faith Nurture Forum and the Faith of office. (If possible 20 per cent of the Impact Forum where the period is three Assembly appointed members of Councils years. or Committees should be under the age of 35 at the time of their appointment). A 115. Representatives. Bodies entitled Member appointed in the room of one to appoint representatives shall be deceased, resigned or removed, or of one permitted to make changes in their appointed as Convener or Vice-Convener, representation for special reasons in any shall serve for the remainder of the period year. for which the person was appointed whose 116. Non-attendance. The name of a place he or she takes, and on retiral shall be Member shall be removed from any eligible for re-election if he or she has not Standing or Special Committee which has served for more than two years. met three times or oftener between 1 June A retiring Convener shall be eligible for re- and 1 March unless he or she has attended election as an additional member of the one-third of the meetings held within that Council or Committee concerned to serve period. Attendance at meetings of Sub- for one year only immediately following Committees shall for this purpose be tenure of office as Convener. reckoned as equivalent to attendance at the meeting of the Committee itself. 119. Eligibility. No person shall be a Member of more than three Councils or 117. Replacement. When a Minister, Committees at the same time. Elder, or Member of any Standing or Appointments ex officio shall not be

Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 115 Order of Proceedings ...... reckoned in this number. This rule shall not the Convener or Vice-Convener of any apply to those for whom the Nomination Council or Committee, the body Committee is prepared to give special concerned, after consultation with the reason to the Assembly for their Convener of the Nomination Committee, appointments to more than three may appoint an Interim Convener or Committees. Interim Vice-Convener, as the case may be. Such appointment shall be reported by the The Nomination Committee shall not Committee to the General Assembly and nominate for Committees any of its own the Assembly shall make such order as the number except in special circumstances situation may require. which must be stated to the Assembly. NOMINATION COMMITTEE 120. Secretaries and Deputes. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of 124. List of Nominations. The each Council and Committee to attend the Nomination Committee shall include in its meetings thereof, to provide information Report its list of nominations to be and advice as requested, and to provide a submitted to the Assembly. The Report, so depute for any meeting that he or she prepared, shall be included in the Volume cannot attend. Members of staff shall not of Reports issued to Members of Assembly. have the right to vote at any meeting. 125. Nomination of Conveners. When 121. Expenses. Expenses incurred by the Convener or Vice-Convener of a Members of Committee, consisting of Committee or Council is completing his or travel charges and a sum for maintenance her term of office the Council or when required shall be defrayed. Committee shall be invited by the Convener of the Nomination Committee to (c) CONVENERS AND VICE- suggest the name of one who may be CONVENERS appointed in succession. The Nomination 122. Appointment. Conveners and Committee shall satisfy itself that an open Vice-Conveners of Councils and and transparent process has been followed Committees shall be appointed by the in identifying the Convener or Vice- Assembly. Conveners shall hold office for Convener so suggested. not more than four consecutive years (in 126. Conveners to Attend Meeting. the case of the Nomination Committee, Conveners of Standing Committees shall Faith Nurture Forum and Faith Impact be entitled to be present at meetings of the Forum, three consecutive years) and Vice- Nomination Committee when the Conveners shall hold office for not more composition of their respective than three consecutive years, unless the Committees is under consideration, but Assembly are satisfied that there are not to vote. exceptional circumstances which make the reappointment of Conveners and Vice- 127. Amendment to Report. No Conveners desirable. The period of amendment to the Report of the reappointment shall be for one year only. If Nomination Committee shall be in order of at the time of their appointment they are which due notice has not been given. already members of the Council or All notices of proposed amendments on Committee another Member shall be the Report, including such as propose the appointed in their room for the remainder omission or insertion of any name or of the period of their original appointment. names, or the addition of a name or names 123. Replacement. In the event of the where the full number eligible has not been death, resignation, consistent non- nominated by the Committee, must be attendance or supervening incapacity of given in to the Clerks before midday on the

116 Order of Proceedings The Church of Scotland General Assembly 2021 Order of Proceedings ...... third day prior to the closing of the Corresponding Members, Delegates, Assembly, signed by the Member or Visitors (if any) and Youth Representatives Members giving them. shall require to use the Assembly Hub software application (the “Assembly Hub”) All such notices of proposed amendment to participate in the General Assembly. All shall, with the names of those signing such persons shall be supplied in advance them, be circulated in the “Assembly with login details to the Assembly Hub and Papers” issued on the second day prior to training on its use shall be made available. the closing of the General Assembly, and In particular, the Assembly Hub shall be on the morning of the day the Report is to used throughout the General Assembly to be called for. do the following: VIII. ALTERATION AND SUSPENSION • to follow the business of the General 128. Alteration. Any proposal for Assembly, read sections of deliverance alteration of Standing Orders shall be and vote on them; either (a) on the Report of the Legal • to submit notices of motion (to amend Questions Committee and included in the an existing section of deliverance, to volume of Reports or (b) by Overture and propose a counter-motion to an the subject of at least one day’s notice in existing section of deliverance, or to the “Assembly Papers”. This Standing propose a new motion); Order shall not apply to SO 113 which may be amended by the Principal Clerk in • to second a notice of motion; and accordance with the decisions of the • to indicate a request to speak (ask a General Assembly. question, make a comment or raise a 129. Suspension. It shall always be point of order). competent for the Assembly, on the Amendments to specific Standing Motion of any Commissioner and on cause Orders: shown, summarily to dispense with the observance of the Standing Orders, or any Standing Order 5: No hard copy of the part of them, in any particular case: volume of Assembly Reports, Proposed provided that such Motion shall receive the deliverances or Assembly Papers shall be support of not less than two-thirds of supplied; these documents will be supplied those voting on the question when put electronically. from the Chair, and that such suspension Standing Order 15: The Order of Business shall not contravene any Act of Assembly. shall be prepared and circulated PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO electronically in advance. STANDING ORDERS FOR THE ONLINE Standing Order 20: No material shall be GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2021 circulated through boxes. The Standing Orders in their current form Standing Order 25: No Panel of Tellers shall apply save for amendments as shall be appointed. follows which shall, where there is any conflict with an existing Standing Order, Standing Order 26: The list of Acts of apply in preference: Assembly shall be circulated electronically in advance. Generally: references to “laid on the table” shall be read as “circulated electronically in Standing Orders 45 & 46: Any person who advance”. is entitled to do so and who wishes to ask a question or to make a comment on a New Standing Order 8 - Assembly Hub: Report is encouraged to give advance All Commissioners, Members ex officiis, notice of their intention by entering a

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“request to speak” on the Assembly Hub been no notice of motion or request to against the relevant section(s) of speak registered and shall confirm that deliverance. such sections of deliverance have been agreed to by the Assembly without further Standing Order 87: Video recordings of all procedure. Next the Moderator shall Conveners’ speeches shall be uploaded to confirm that where a request to speak or the Church’s website at least one week notice of motion has been registered before the opening day of the General against a section of deliverance, there shall Assembly and shall be available to be be an opportunity for debate in the usual watched there, with all Assembly manner until that section of deliverance is attendees encouraged to watch speeches agreed and shall state to which sections of in advance of that Standing Committee’s deliverance this applies. Debate shall then business slot at the Assembly. The proceed in the usual manner according to recordings of Conveners’ speeches will not Standing Orders. be replayed during business sessions of the Assembly. On rising to present the Report Standing Order 95(i): Conveners’ speeches of his or her Standing Committee, a shall be limited to 10 minutes in duration. Convener shall state that his or her speech Standing Order 105: The vote on each is available to view on the Church’s section of deliverance which is debated website, shall present a short summary of shall be taken and conclusively determined key points from his or her Committee’s by using the voting mechanism in the Report lasting a maximum of two minutes Assembly Hub. The result of the vote shall and shall then state that he or she presents be displayed on the livestream and the Report and moves the deliverance as a announced in each case by the Moderator. whole, (or, if he or she is not a It shall be at the Moderator’s discretion in Commissioner, he or she shall ask the each case to request whether the actual Principal Clerk to move the deliverance) voting figures are minuted. In the event of with any debate then following. a failure in the technology operating the Standing Order 89: Commissioners, Assembly Hub, the Assembly shall vote Members and Youth Representatives are using Zoom Polls or shall use such other encouraged to register a notice of motion voting mechanism as may be prescribed at in advance in the Assembly Hub against a the time by the Procedure Committee. In section of deliverance and in any event no circumstances shall a second vote be before the start of the relevant Standing taken on a matter which has already been Committee’s business slot, i.e. before the subject of a vote by electronic voting. debate on the relevant Report starts. For Standing Orders 106 - 110: A dissent shall each Standing Committee’s business slot, be entered or adhered to by sending an after the Convener has presented the email to: Report and moved the deliverance, and [email protected] with after questions for elucidation have been the subject line stating “Dissent against…. taken, the Moderator shall state, as at that [insert name of Standing Committee and time, which sections of deliverance have number of relevant section of deliverance]. not had any notice of motion or request to To be recorded in the minute, any such speak registered against them in terms of email must be received by the Clerks by the this Standing Order or Standing Orders 45 time of close of the last session of the & 46. The Moderator shall then allow a Assembly. short period for any final request to speak to be registered. After that period, the Moderator shall confirm in respect of which sections of deliverance there has

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