Closing Session

The session started with prayers and a call of the names of deceased deacons, missionaries and ministers. It was a deeply moving moment with every member of the General Assembly standing whilst the names were being read out loud by Very Rev. Bill Hewitt.

After prayers, there was the departing address by the Principal Clerk the Very Reverend Finlay A.J. Macdonald who after receiving the kind salutation and welcoming words of the Right Rev. John Christie addressed the general Assembly for the last time. Very Rev. Macdonald has been Principal Clerk to the General Assembly since 2002 and has held this position with grace and erudition. He has been known to quote chapter and verse of reports from many “Blue Books” even sometimes remembering the page. Clearly such level of knowledge will be sadly missed. Very Rev Macdonald reminded the general assembly of a number of his predecessors, turning himself into a witty storyteller recounting humorous vignettes about the lives and perils of being a Principal Clerk. We all wish him every blessing on his retirement.