A couple of weeks ago the Church of Scotland completed their selection process and announced that the Moderator Designate for their 2014 General Assembly will be the Rev. Dr. Angus Morrison, pastor of the Orwell and Portmoak Parish Church.

The press release tells us that Mr. Morrison moved around as a child as his father tended different lighthouses. His college career began at the University of Glasgow with further studies at Pisa University and London University. He completed his Ph.D. at Edinburgh University’s New College. He was ordained by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1979. (Note – not the Free Church as was originally reported in some accounts, although the branches share some of the same lineage.) He later transferred to the Church of Scotland. With the Free Presbyterians he served churches in Oban and Edinburgh. Before his current position he was at St. Columba’s (Old Parish) Church in Stornoway.

Beyond the parish he has served the church in several ways including as Moderator of the Presbytery of Lewis, member and Vice Covener of the Panel on Doctrine, Queen’s Chaplain, Covener of the Mission and Discipleship Council and as a member of the Special Commission on Same-sex Relationships and the Ministry.

He and his wife Marion have four children between the ages of 16 and 27.

Upon his selection he is quoted as saying “It is my great desire to encourage the Church in its vital God-given
mission to the people of Scotland and beyond. In these troubled times
the peace and unity of the Church are dear to me and I shall endeavour
to promote them in every way I can.”

So our congratulations to Rev. Morrison. We wish him well for the six months leading up to the Assembly and our prayers for him and the Kirk as he moderates and for his moderatorial year.

UPDATE 18 March 2014: Today it was announced that due to health issues Rev. Morrison would be stepping down as Moderator Designate. A new Moderator Designate will be announced shortly.