Pomp and circumstance.....

Proving, once again, that no two days are alike in this job, I spent today at the opening session of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. The opening day is quite an occasion, a kind of cross between a Royal Garden Party and a Kirk Session meeting. Basically it's attended by a lot of ladies in fancy hats, which are only out done by their men folk who done suits regaled in coats of arms and wear cock feathered bunnets for the day. Steeped in history the Assembly building is a dramatic and imposing structure which will take your breath away, supposing that you still have a breath in you after the steep climb up The Mound carrying heavy camera equipment! Once through the gates you have to cross a courtyard watched by the imposing figure of John Knox then it's up a set of stone stairs designed with the penitent sinner in mind. I love the pomp and circumstance, it's a great excuse to dress up for a party and the colour adds to the whole sense of occasion and is, of course, great for pictures. However the General Assembly is not a frivolous talking shop for dandies, the Assembly decides the acts and regulations of the church and this year it has a difficult and potentially divisive issue to tackle. The ordination of homosexual Ministers is proving, once again, to be an issue that won't go away and one that seemingly can't be resolved to the satisfaction of all. In the end it comes down to each individuals conscience, and although it might sound corny, Kirk members would do well to ask themselves the age-old question: what would Jesus do?