YOUTH ASSEMBLY APPOINTS MODERATOR AND CLERK FOR 2018

The Church of Scotland’s National Youth Assembly (NYA) has appointed Tamsin Dingwall as its Moderator and Seonaid Knox as Clerk for 2018.

Tamsin, 25, is from Aberfoyle, near Stirling, where she works in her family post office and is a volunteer youth worker both at her own church, Aberfoyle Parish Church, and a neighbouring church. She is also a member of the local high school’s chaplaincy team.

She said: “I am so honoured and still slightly shocked that I have been chosen to be the Moderator of the National Youth Assembly this year. This will be only my second year at NYA and I am overjoyed that I will have the privilege of leading the discussions on end of life issues, ecumenism and social media. These are such topical issues and I feel some of the discussions may be rather difficult and emotional; I can’t wait to see what people have to say regarding these topics. This is such a big honour and I truly hope that I can continue to take full advantage of all the amazing opportunities that the National Youth Assembly has given me. I would like to help other young people new to faith and NYA see what amazing things they can achieve with such an amazingly supportive Church.”

Seonaid, 23, was baptised and brought up in St John’s Church in Gourock, near Greenock. Her involvement in church life had included being a youth group leader, taking part in the annual summer club, singing in the praise band and now serving as an elder. She first attended NYA as a 16-year-old, and has been a small group leader and a youth rep twice.

She works as a researcher for an MSP and plays rugby for Greenock Wanderers. Seonaid said: “Over the past 10 years I’ve gone from someone who doubted their faith to someone who is fully committed to the Church and its work. I’ve thrown myself into Church life and am looking forward to the next chapter as Clerk of the National Youth Assembly.

“I’m not afraid of hard work and Similarly, we would reaffirm the role of the United Nations in resolving this conflict and continue to urge UN officials, agencies and members of the UN General Assembly to use their influence in the search for peace.

That this decision has been taken without the approval of either of these institutions is a concern.

“Our firm belief is that air strikes will not improve this situation, but will lead to further loss of lives, displacement, suffering and fear. To date the UNHCR estimates that 6.5 million Syrians are internally displaced people while 5.6 million registered refugees have fled Syria, many of them seeking refuge in Europe.

“We remain deeply concerned by the lack recognise that it won’t always be plain sailing, but that’s what makes the future exciting. The National Youth Assembly – and Church of Scotland as a whole – are forward-thinking, progressive entities that I’m thrilled to be a part of. NYA might be preparing to undergo future reform but I still hope and believe that, regardless of what form it takes on, it can be a beacon for the Church and act as a platform for young people to grow in their faith.”

NYA 2018 is being held at Gartmore House from August 17-20, and is open to all 17-25 year-olds with a connection to the Church of Scotland. The event will include discussions on end of life issues, ecumenism and social media.

For more information visit www.churchofscotland.org.uk/nya

This article appears in the June 2018 Issue of Life and Work

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