THE MOST SENIOR member of the Church of Scotland is set to meet a wide variety of community representatives as he undertakes a tour of Moray later this month.
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison, will visit the region’s Army and RAF bases as well as whisky distilleries when he arrives on April 30.
The Moderator’s eight-day tour will include meetings with community groups in what has been described as a “fascinating programme” that includes a rare look at military life when he calls in at Kinloss Barracks and RAF Lossiemouth.
Visits to the Glen Grant distillery in Rothes are on his list – as is a drop in to the Walker’s Shortbread factory in Aberlour and the RNLI Lifeboat Station in Buckie.
Community groups on the tour will include Anderson’s Care Home in Elgin – while he is also booked to attend a service for the deaf at Bellie Church in Fochabers and award certificates to the 1st Buckie Boys Brigade.
Churches on his tour list includes St James’ Church in Lossiemouth, Findochty and Portknockie churches.
The Moderator will be joined by his wife Marion for the tour, of which Dr Morrison said: “”It will be a privilege and delight to spend time with colleagues there and to visit congregations as they bear witness by word and action in their communities to the Good News of God’s love revealed in Jesus.
“I am very grateful for all the effort that has gone into preparing a full and fascinating programme.”
Neil Sutherland of Moray Presbytery, a member of Elgin High Church, said: “We are delighted that the Moderator is visiting us and we hope it will be a great source of encouragement to everyone.
“The visit will highlight the work of fantastic organisations like Step By Step in Forres, a parent, baby and toddler group designed for lonely or vulnerable families with young children, and the Boys Brigade.
“People will feel privileged to be presented with their long-service certificates by the Moderator to mark many, many years of dedication to the Church.”