New moderator sworn into office

The Rev David Lunan was sworn in as Moderator

The new moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has been sworn into office.

Rev David Lunan, 63, has taken over from Rev Sheilagh Kesting, at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

Mr Lunan, who once held the post of clerk to the presbytery of Glasgow, has pledged to make "prayer and money" the themes for his year in the role.

He was sworn into office as the Kirk's annual gathering got under way in the presence of the Queen's representative.

The event was held in the presence of the Lord High Commissioner, The Right Honourable George Reid, the former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.

'Money culture'

Explaining his choice of theme before the ceremony, he said: "We live in a money culture - almost every decision is taken on the basis of money.

"It undermines all the other values that not only we in the church, but the whole of society should be addressing.

"Having developed an interest in what's happening in poorer countries throughout the world, you realise that money's at the heart of the problem there.

"We in the west have decided the terms of trade which ensure that half the world starves - this cannot be right."

Mr Lunan was born in London and raised in Cambuslang.

The father-of-four was ordained in 1970 and worked for 12 years in Moray before being called to Renfield St Stephen's Church in Glasgow.

He developed a keen interest in charity work and went on to become clerk to the presbytery of Glasgow in 2002.

The General Assembly will run until 21 May.