Prince William thanks Church members for COVID-19 pandemic response
Published on 27 May 2021
The Duke of Cambridge has thanked Church members for the work they have done to support people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He paid tribute to their efforts to serve their communities after visiting projects across the country in his role as Lord High Commissioner.
Prince William, who was accompanied by his wife the Duchess of Cambridge on some of the visits, said it had been an "honour" to represent Her Majesty the Queen.
Addressing the General Assembly in Edinburgh on the closing day, he reflected on some of the places he visited and people he met who embrace the Christian message of love and service.
"The Grassmarket Community Project and the compassionate staff at Crossreach's Queen's Bay Lodge Care Home brought to life how the Church is not a building, but a community bound together by a common creed and a shared commitment to serve," he added.
"While over a cup of tea in the Bichan Family's garden on Orkney, Alan and Wilma gave us an insight into how the Church is also a gentle, supportive presence in households across the nation.
"Indeed, be it the rapid move of services online, or the pastoral visits to neighbours to help with shopping or collecting prescriptions, or the support by parishes of their local foodbanks, the Church has shown that - even in a pandemic - although we may be separated, we need not be alone.
"So, to members of the Church of Scotland I say: thank you for the work you've done, the witness you have offered and the service you have given during this pandemic."