A Highland-born minister will be reinstalled as the Church of Scotland’s moderator at the General Assembly today.
Rev Angus Morrison – who was born in Glencoe and educated in Oban and Stromness – was forced to step down from the role last year due to ill health.
Just weeks before last year’s General Assembly, Rev Morrison withdrew from his role after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
He has now returned to the role after last year’s assembly put him forward for nomination, and will be reinstalled today in Edinburgh.
One of his first roles will be to chair an historic vote on whether the Kirk can ordain ministers who are in same-sex civil partnerships.
The ordaining of ministers in same-sex relationships has divided the church since 2009, when traditionalist members attempted to block the appointment of Rev Scott Rennie in Aberdeen’s Queen’s Cross Church.
So far, 31 presbyteries have endorsed the move to allow gay ministers, while 14 have been against the proposals.
Should the issue be voted through, it will be followed up on Thursday when the General Assembly will be asked to include ministers in same-sex marriages in the law.
Other topics being debated include violence against women, the recruitment of specialists to teach religious and moral education to fifth and sixth-year pupils and organ donation.
Kirk acting principal clerk the Rev George Whyte said there was a “real sense of anticipation and excitement” about the General Assembly this year.
“In our discussions and debates we are nearing the end of a long discussion about ministers in same sex relationships and many people now feel it is time to move on to other matters,” he added.
“The Scottish and UK political scenes have been turned upside down and we have much to say to our MPs and MSPs on the issues of justice at home and abroad.
“We have new ideas for members and elders as they rethink their patterns of service in parishes across the land.
“We will be welcoming brothers and sisters from other countries and sister churches.
“And most of all we will simply enjoy being together as the Church of Scotland.
“A good week lies ahead.”