General Assembly 2020

General Assembly, the supreme court of the Church of Scotland usually meets in May of each year. Due to the pandemic, although there was a socially distanced, online service of installation for the Moderator, the Assembly was cancelled. We did not think there would be an Assembly this year but with so many urgent pieces of work needing to be tackled by the church at this time and with thanks to those gifted and skilled in technology, tomorrow, there will be a “first”: a General Assembly held entirely online.

The Assembly normally take place across a whole week with some lovely opportunities for fellowship with colleagues in between the business but this year, online the proceedings will be condensed. Newbattle will be represented and active your Minister, Rev Gayle Taylor is a Commissioner this year.

Dates and times

Friday (evening) 2nd of October – commissioners will be able to join online from 5.15pm, there will then be some technical preparatory time and then the business will start soon after until 9pm (hopefully).

Saturday (all day) 3rd October – business underway at 9.15 am. Aiming to finish by 5pm.

A virtual Assembly

For clarity’s sake – although the Moderator and Clerks will be in the Assembly Hall, commissioners, corresponding members and youth representatives will all access the GA remotely. There will be a BSL interpreter. The proceedings will be live-streamed on the Church of Scotland website if you wish to watch. 

Prayers

Please pray for the Moderator, Clerks and technical team as they lead the church through this new way of working in these unprecedented times. Pray for the items of business that impact local congregations, staff members and individuals as the church adapts in this time of great change. Pray for the Interim andTransition Ministry team nationally and for your own minister as she plays her part in the business of the wider church.