Kirkin' the Council ceremony
Published Monday, 27 August 2012
South Lanarkshire's traditional Kirkin' the Council ceremony has taken place at Hamilton Old Parish Church in Hamilton.
The service, which follows the election of the new council, took place on Sunday 26 August.
The Old Kirk's Rev John Thomson welcomed Provost Eileen Logan, councillors, council officers and other guests including Lord Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Mushtaq Ahmad.
The service was also attended by representatives of community councils across the area as well as the local congregation and other guests including the British Legion's Ian Forsyth.
In addition to readings from Provost Logan and the Council's Chief Executive Lindsay Freeland, the gospel was read by Alison Plummer of St Mary's Episcopal Church. There were prayers from Bishop Joe Devine and the Rev Norman McLeod of St Andrew's Church.
In a powerful sermon, the Rev Dr Irene John, Minister of Carluke United Reformed Church, urged everyone in the council to be united in leadership and affirm one another.
"You are called not to uniformity but to unity," she said, adding that they should act as partners with one common goal - to benefit the whole community.
Provost Logan said: "It was a very moving service and I'd like to thank Rev Thomson and all the clergy, the choir and everyone who took part in the service which was so well attended."
