Annan-born politician Jim Wallace is the new Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
A former leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Lord Wallace of Tankerness QC, has become the kirk’s ambassador at home and abroad after Saturday’s induction ceremony in Edinburgh’s Assembly Hall.
Prince William, representing his grandmother, the Queen, as Lord High Commissioner, and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, were present, along with Mr Wallace’s wife, Rosie; their daughter, Helen; and his brother, Neil.
Outgoing moderator, the Very Rev Dr Martin Fair, supervised the passing of the cross and chain and ring of office to his successor.
Mr Wallace, 66, who now lives in Orkney, told the assembly he was “both excited and daunted about the challenge of the task that lies ahead”.
Lord Wallace said: “I stand before you, today, feeling both humbled and honoured and, I should add, with feelings of excitement and trepidation.
“Today, I ask for your prayers that during this assembly and in the coming year, I may fulfil these responsibilities with love, grace and wisdom. And that if, or more likely when, I get it wrong, your prayers will be ones of forgiveness.”
Formerly Advocate General for Scotland, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords and minister for enterprise and lifelong learning, he said he now hopes to use the position of moderator to “inspire and encourage people”.
He is only the second elder – a lay person – in modern times to take up the 12-month role which will see him speaking out on issues important to the church.
His late father, John, was an elder at Annan Old Parish Church for 64 years.
In Annan he was a member of the Boys Brigade and involved with Scripture Union and was confirmed in the faith while a law student at Cambridge University in 1973.
He said: “Brought up in a loving Christian home, I was nurtured in a faith which I believe has held me in good stead throughout my life.”
In his youth, he ordained as an elder in what was St Bernard’s Church in Stockbridge, Edinburgh in 1981.
He has been a member of the Session of St Magnus Cathedral since 1990.
A past deputy leader of the House of Lords, he revealed that his faith was one of the things that “drove” him into politics.
Mr Wallace, who was Scotland’s inaugural deputy first minister, said: “I went into politics to make a positive difference to society and my motivation is grounded in my Christian faith.
“It is a core belief that if people are to live life in all its fullness as promised by Jesus, this has implications for the kind of society we want to have.
He now moves to the non-affiliated benches in the House of Lords during his time as moderator.
