People are our greatest resource, Moderator tells Scottish Parliament
Published on 25 March 2025 3 minutes read
Members of the Scottish Parliament have been urged not to lose sight of the wonder and beauty of humanity.
Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said people are the "greatest resource" society has.
But he lamented that it' is too easy to get caught up in difficulties and problems and focus too much on "what divides us rather than what we have in common".
Dr Paterson urged MSPs to be mindful of the "three Bs" – building together, breaking barriers and budget.
Speaking at Time for Reflection in the debating chamber this afternoon, he said: "There are limited financial resources but used wisely we can break down all barriers and build our communities."
The Moderator's reflection in full.
"Presiding Officer, thank you for the invitation to speak and lead this brief time of reflection.
I bring with me the good news and good wishes of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and also a word of thanks for the way you support the faith communities and so many other groups, charities and organisations around the country.
It is much appreciated.
We all grew up hearing about and learning the three R's – reading, writing and ‘rithmetic - and I wonder who thought they all began with the letter ‘R'.
This afternoon I am going to talk about the three B's.
My theme for the year is Building Together – not bricks and mortar but building people together.
The next B I am going to mention is Barriers – breaking barriers.
Too often our society focusses on what divides us rather than what we have in common. My final B is Budget.
There are limited financial resources but used wisely we can break down all barriers and we can build communities.
But the greatest resource we have is the people we are called to serve.
Over the past ten months I have travelled the length and breadth of Scotland and been amazed at the good news stories that are out there.
Communities, groups, individuals, caring for others. I've witnessed local people putting the three B's into action – often with little recognition and little news coverage.
I could be here all afternoon if I spoke about the open hearts, open minds and open doors that we all recognise and take pride in.
The great commandment to love our neighbour is something that we all recognise.
Scotland has a long history of welcoming our neighbours – refugees, asylum seekers, Ukrainians seeking a safe place - the list is endless.
Caring for the poor and the marginalised is central to the worlds of faith and politics – which I do not see as separate entities, as I will say at the parliamentary service at (nearby) Canongate Kirk.
Do not underestimate the role you play in supporting the people within your constituencies.
It's easy to get so caught up in the difficulties and problems that we face, particularly in this changing and challenging world of ours.
"That we lose sight of the wonder and beauty of the individuals that you, the church and all faith communities seek to serve - they are our greatest resource.
Be assured of my continuing prayers.
Thank you."
The Church of Scotland is not party political but if the General Assembly agrees that an issue needs to be raised with a government, or if it adopts a policy position, it seeks to find ways to make this point constructively with politicians and government.
The Church does not support or oppose any party or group of parties, it does not endorse candidates or encourage our members to vote in a particular way.
In both the Scottish and UK parliaments, Church representatives meet regularly with politicians from all the parties to share ideas and discuss the contribution of the Church to public life.
The Church believes that it is important to talk in to politics and influence the world we all live in.
It supports and encourages those who undertake politics as a vocation for public service and upholds them in prayer.
