Moderatorship of the Very Reverend Dr Shaw James Paterson

That this House congratulates the Very Reverend Dr Shaw James Paterson on his successful term as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the year 2024–25; recognises and commends his ecumenicalism and his lifelong dedication to ministry, particularly his service to the community of Strathaven as minister of Trinity Parish Church since 1991, and leadership in establishing vital community initiatives including memory support groups, school lunchtime clubs, and foodbank outreach; acknowledges his previous service as Presbytery Clerk and as the first Moderator of the Forth Valley and Clydesdale Presbytery; celebrates his international engagement, particularly his visit to Malawi to mark the centenary of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, where he led theological seminars, supported educational development at Zomba Theological University, and launched the Moderator’s Challenge to provide solar-powered lights for students; and notes that he is a proud Lanarkshire man whose ministry and compassion have had a lasting impact both locally and globally.