I don’t know how many of you caught this job announcement for a new Principal Clerk of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.  As the announcement says “These senior positions offer talented individuals the chance to make a significant contribution to the life of the Church.”  But note, for some of us elsewhere around the globe, “Applications are invited from Ministers of the Church of Scotland for this key role.”  Now, although the job posting never explicitly says that the Principal Clerk must be a clergy member, it does ask for “experience and understanding of the parish ministry” and the Acts and Regulations of the Church of Scotland do require the Principal Clerk to be a minister.  Sorry all you polity-wonk ruling elders.

Well, in case you had not heard and are interested, sorry but the position has been filled.  No official press release from the Kirk yet, but according to Scotsman.com the selection for the next Principal Clerk is the Rev. John Chalmers.  Rev. Chalmers has previously served in parish ministry, his last charge being Palmerston Place Church at the West End, Edinburgh.  He currently is serving as the “pastoral adviser in the ministry department” of the national headquarters according to the article.  He will be confirmed by the Assembly in May and will begin duties over the summer.  The article quotes him as saying: “I’m excited by the challenge and approach it with quite some fear and trepidation.”

[I will update here as more stories and the press release are issued.]

For watchers of the Kirk the retirement of the Very Rev. Dr. Finlay Macdonald, the current Principal Clerk, is not a surprise.  At the last Assembly Rev. Macdonald was absent and the Assembly “resolved that the Rev Dr Marjory MacLean be appointed Acting Principal Clerk for the duration of the absence of the Principal Clerk.”  There is no word if the Rev. MacLean, presently the deputy principal clerk, was a candidate for the permanent position.

So, the best of wishes to the Rev. Chalmers as he prepares for and assumes his new position and it will be interesting to see how he advises and guides the Assembly of 2011.  And best wishes to the Very Rev. Dr. Macdonald as he prepares for retirement, but not until after he helps the Assembly through the 2010 Meeting.

And to all my readers, a happy Boxing Day, Feast of St. Stephen, and Second Day of Christmastide.