The Moderator's Gift

Charlie Meiklejohn, Community Relations and Fundraising Manager for Christian Aid Scotland, introduces an appeal from the Rt Rev Rosie Frew

Charlie Meiklejohn and the Rt Rev Rosie Frew at the General Assembly. Picture: Andrew O'Brien, Church of Scotland

My role at Christian Aid encompasses lots of interesting tasks, but making a stole for the new Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has to be one of the most unusual!

We’re delighted that the Rt Rev Rosie Frew has chosen to support Christian Aid throughout her year as Moderator. Under the overarching theme of Extravagant Love, she’ll be speaking in churches across Scotland about our work to eradicate poverty. To mark the Moderator’s Gift appeal and our wider partnership with the Church of Scotland, we gifted Rosie a stole with our values – Love, Justice, Equality and Dignity - embroidered in bold red lettering.

Love and Justice sit at the top, as markers of the world we seek to build together. They remind us that this work requires bravery and empathy, to treat others with respect but not to shy away from difficult issues as we act to dismantle the systems that keep people poor. Dignity and Equality remind us that all people, regardless of circumstance, identity or belief, are created in the image of God and are worthy of full, empowered and dignified lives. The Christian Aid logo can be found on the stole too, representing the well-known Christian Aid Week envelope. A tool by which we’re all invited to connect with our global neighbours, and to stand in solidary with them through practical support.

2025 marks 80 years since Christian Aid was founded in response to the refugee crisis in Europe following the Second World War. One of our founders, Church of Scotland minister the Rev Douglas Lister, would later write that he was ‘overwhelmed by Scotland’s generosity… deeds, rather than words are their currency and strength’. Over the last eight decades, Christian Aid has enjoyed a close working partnership with the Church of Scotland, exemplified now in the Moderator’s Gift appeal. Eighty years on, I can still testify to that generosity and strength of commitment to justice that Reverend Lister noted in the response to that first church appeal.

Our most recent Christian Aid Week appeal is further testament to this generosity: churches across Scotland turned out to raise awareness and vital funds through all manner of creative events. It was a bumper year for book sales, from Kinnoull to Cupar, Edinburgh to Inverurie, and many more. Our own Val Brown was a winner at a quiz night in Bishopbriggs, and I found myself in Banff to join a sponsored walk led by Macduff Parish Church. We rounded out the week with a service of thanksgiving for our 80th anniversary at St Giles’ Cathedral, where the Rt Honourable John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, gave the keynote address.

If you’ve ever heard me speak at an event or in your church, there’s a good chance you’ve heard me describe Christian Aid as a global movement of people and churches standing together. We could not do this important work without your support, and we are grateful for the spirit of solidarity and generosity which sits at the heart of our partnership with the Church of Scotland.

Donate to the Moderator’s Gift appeal at https://giving.give-star.com/online/christian-aid/the-moderator-s-gift-2025-26

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