Parliament wreath

The Church of Scotland presented a special Advent wreath to the Scottish Parliament for the first time in December, to encourage members and staff to reflect on the true meaning of the Christmas season.

The idea was conceived by Principal Clerk, the Rev Fiona Smith and the Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, who personally gifted it to Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone. Fashioned from pine twigs and pine cones, with four LED candles, the wreath was placed in a busy thoroughfare close to the parliament’s debating chamber and ministerial offices. The Moderator said he hoped it would give people pause for thought and reflection.

Ms Johnstone said the wreath was ‘a really welcome addition at this time of year’, adding that the relationship between the parliament and the Church of Scotland was one ‘that we value and want to build on’.