Lynne McNeil learns more about the Rev Fiona Smith’s first 12 months as Principal Clerk to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

AFTER a year in office the Church of Scotland’s first female Principal Clerk is working hard on reforms to streamline and support the church of the future.

As a former parish minister, the Rev Fiona Smith is only too aware of the challenges faced by ministers and congregations as the Church moves forward.

“The Church of Scotland is reformed and is also called to always be reforming as together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we face the challenges and opportunities that today’s world brings us,” she says.

“I am only too well aware of how difficult Presbytery Mission Planning has been for the whole church but I have been so heartened by the hard work, sacrifice and willingness of so many to face the hard questions and embrace new ways of ministry and mission. In amongst it all, week in, week out, the Kirk is still faithfully serving the people of Scotland, especially those in the most need, in innovative and transforming ways – the light is still shining in the darkness.

“We are also learning new ways to work together as Presbytery reform continues to take shape across the country. Change is unsettling and we don’t get everything right first time but when we work collegiatelywith faith, love, hope and humour what seems insurmountable alone is made possible by being the one bodymade up ofdifferent parts.”

It has been a year of personal change for the Principal Clerk and her family (she has two teenage daughters) with a move from Inverness, where she served as parish minister for 12 years at Inverness: Ness Bank and moved to Fife.

Fiona is no stranger to the General Assembly, having served in a number of high-profile roles prior to taking up the role and shadowed her predecessor, the Rev Dr George Whyte in the run-up to the 2022 General Assembly before her installation to the office on the final day.

“That time gave me an opportunity to reflect on the Assembly and its place in the heart and work of the Church. It was also the first hybrid Assembly and technology clearly has a vital part to play as the Church moves forward,” she says.

Reflecting on the last 12 months, one of the biggest moments for the Church came with the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Fiona, along with a number of other key figures in the Church played an important part in long-standing arrangements for mourning both in Scotland and in London.

“The Queen was a beloved member of the Church of Scotland and it was an honour to play our part in this way.”

She is also part of the team discussing next month’s coronation of King Charles III, which will be followed by a service in Edinburgh over the summer which will see the King receive the Honours of Scotland at a service at St Giles Cathedral.

She was also part of the peacekeeping pilgrimage to South Sudan involving the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Iain Greenshields and says while it was a privilege to be part of this mission of peace, more needs to be done particularly to ensure the end of ‘barbaric treatment’ of women and girls.

“We are also learning new ways to work together as Presbytery reform continues to take shape across the country.

Next month’s General Assembly will be the first to be arranged by Fiona, a former lawyer, and she is conscious that the eyes of the Church will be upon her.

“We are blessed as a Church with good folk who work tirelessly to ensure that the General Assembly runs well and I am so thankful for their support, expertise, wisdom and grace. This year we have some difficult issues to face and consider but we will do so as brothers and sisters in Christ with grace and love under the inspiration and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.”