THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND - Priestfield Parish Church

ADDENDUM
Retirement of the Principal Clerk and
Secretary to the Council of Assembly, The Very
Rev Finlay A J Macdonald MA BD PhD DD
When the Council of Assembly was established in 2004
the General Assembly endorsed the recommendation of
the then Assembly Council that the Principal Clerk should
be its first secretary. For the past six years Finlay Macdonald
has undertaken this additional heavy responsibility with
great enthusiasm and with a deep belief that the General
Assembly has given the Council a crucial role in the
ongoing reforming and coordinating of the administration
of the Church. In the early years of the new Council’s life
there were many meetings as the task of restructuring
the Boards and Committees was undertaken. Since Finlay
attended the vast majority of these the workload was
particularly heavy with long hours in the office and further
work undertaken at home. Throughout this process the
Council benefited from his wide-ranging knowledge and
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understanding of the Kirk. Finlay has a way with words
which can helpfully encapsulate the agreed outcomes
of discussions. Moreover, he has an openness to new
ideas and new ways of thinking which is stimulating and
refreshing for all involved. Finlay’s friendly caring manner
and approachability have been greatly appreciated by
staff and Council members.
With Finlay’s impending retirement the Council would
wish to put on record its sincere thanks to him for his
unstinting commitment to its work for the past six years.
We wish him and his wife, Elma, a long, healthy and happy
retirement with plenty of quality time to spend with their
much-loved grandchildren.
In the name of the Council
ALAN GREIG, Convener
PETER BRAND, Vice-Convener
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