The Moderator's diary
During their year in office, the Moderator visits two Church of Scotland Presbyteries; travels to partner churches overseas; represents the Church of Scotland on historic and national occasions; supports the work of Committees, congregations and organisations; and meets with interfaith and ecumenical bodies.
Below are details of the engagements in the moderatorial diary this month.
- 5 January 2025
The Moderator will preach at Hamilton: Trinity to mark their 70th anniversary.
- 14 January 2025
- The Moderator will meet with the Rev Callum Macleod, Principal Clerk and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, who is visiting Edinburgh.
- 16 January 2025
The Moderator will meet with the Director of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, and with the new President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
- 20 January 2025
The Moderator will visit CrossReach’s Head Office at Charis House in Edinburgh, and lead a time of Devotions for staff.
- 21 January 2025
The Moderator will meet with the First Minister, in Holyrood. Dr Paterson is meeting with the Leaders of all Scottish Political Parties over the course of the Winter. In the afternoon, Dr Paterson will visit the "Four Seasons in Faith: Worship in Edinburgh Throughout the Year" exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh.
- 22 January 2025
The Moderator will visit the Queen Elizabeth University hospital and meet the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Spiritual Care Team. In the afternoon, Dr Paterson will meet with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Refugee Council at the charity’s offices in Glasgow.
- 23 January 2025
The Moderator will meet online with Probationers nearing the end of their training for Church of Scotland ministry, and lead a bible study during their January Study and Reflection fortnight.
- 26 January 2025
In the morning, the Moderator will preach at Cardross in Dumbarton, to mark the 90th anniversary of their Guild, before having lunch with the congregation. In the afternoon, Dr Paterson will preach at a Songs of Praise service in Paisley Abbey to mark Christian Aid's 80th Anniversary.
- 27 January 2025
The Moderator will attend “Hate is a failure of imagination”: a literary and musical event in Edinburgh to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
- 29 January 2025
The Moderator will return to the Kirkhaven Project, a CrossReach Service in Glasgow which supports homeless adults, to re-tile their Training Kitchen.