Assembly Business

The Assembly Business Committee (ABC) was formed in 2019, replacing its predecessor, the Assembly Arrangements Committee. Its role is to make all necessary arrangements and to order the business of the General Assembly and Commissions of Assembly. It has oversight and keeps under review the functions, membership and processes and procedures of the General Assembly. The committee operates with four subgroups:

GA Arrangements Group

Working closely with the Principal Clerk, who is secretary to the committee, and the office of the General Assembly staff, the Committee's GA Arrangements group oversees all the practicalities including preparation of the volume of reports, timetabling the order of proceedings, audio visual requirements, supporting and advising the Moderator.

Presbytery Development

The group is responsible for oversight of the presbytery restructuring process, communication with presbyteries in matters relating to the General Assembly, and oversight of procedures for presbyteries to report to General Assembly.

Property

The committee's role includes responsibility for the care and maintenance of the Assembly Hall on Edinburgh's historic High Street, and the Moderator's official residence in Edinburgh's New Town, along with the letting or use of the Assembly Hall.

GA Reform Group

With a remit for reviewing how General Assembly business is processed effectively and efficiently.

Membership

  • Convener: Rev Michael Mair
  • Vice Convener: Rev Sheila Kirk
  • Dr Graeme Roberts
  • Mr James Houston
  • Mr Graeme Barrie
  • Rev Dr John Ferguson
  • Rev Douglas Reid
  • Rev Sarah Ross
  • Rev Dr Marjory MacLean, Convener of Legal Questions Committee
  • Rev Alan Reid, Vice Convener of Legal Questions Committee
  • Moderator and Moderator Designate
  • Principal Clerk and Depute Clerk
  • The Church's Solicitor, Procurator, and the General Treasurer.

The work of the committee is supported by many including the Assembly Officer and Depute, Chief Steward and Depute, the Communications Department and Oscus and Sanctus Media.

General Assembly 2024

The 2024 General Assembly will begin on Saturday 18 May, with an opening session at 10am including the installation of the Moderator. It will again be a hybrid event, and will be live streamed to allow those who are not Commissioners to view the proceedings.

Find out more about the General Assembly in the General Assembly section of our website.

Contact for more information

To get in touch with the committee please email Catherine McIntosh at cmcintosh@churchofscotland.org.uk