A final welcome

This article is written five weeks before my appointment as Interim Moderator and Locum ends.

I first met with a group of elders in August 2023 and since then we have been on a journey together – a journey which will be completed on the 29th of April with the induction of Scott Rennie as the next Minister of St Giles’

Throughout that time I have been very fortunate to work with a great team – my staff colleagues, the Kirk Session, the members and adherents, and the great army of volunteers. Such a talented and committed group of people make St Giles’ a place of faith and creativity I will miss so many people

At this point I need to say that I have really enjoyed my time at St Giles’ and I have learned how to do things that I never envisaged being part of my ministry. Together we marked the 900th anniversary year. There were special occasions – happy and sad – which are part and parcel of what St Giles’ “does” for congregation, parish, city, nation and the presbyterian diaspora

I will always be grateful for the trust and support I received Set beside my finely honed ability to give the misleading impression that I know what I am doing at all times we have emerged at the end of the process, I think, in good heart.

So now it is time to hand over to Scott Rennie who, I am sure, will prove to be the right person at the right time – he has all the skills, experience and personality to take St Giles’ forward in changing and challenging times He cannot possibly know all that he has taken on or all that he will be asked to do so, please, remember him in your prayers and encourage him by your words and actions If St Giles’ is to fulfil its High Calling then there needs to be a collaborative effort where everyone does what they can and everyone appreciates the service of others

In recent weeks people have asked me two things One is, “Are you going to retire now?” The other is, “What are you going to do next?”

The answer to both is, for the moment, “I don’t know” What I am sure of is that the privilege of “having a shot” at St Giles’ will always be something that I will treasure in the years ahead.

I will watch with great anticipation to see how the Cathedral will serve Christ’s cause in the first years of its tenth century What an exciting future awaits

I wish you well

George