For the first time in its 466‑year history, the Church of Scotland has chosen a prison chaplain to serve as Moderator of its General Assembly. The Church’s new Moderator, Rev Jill Clancy, will take office in May 2027 and will be only the seventh woman to hold the post.
Clancy, 56, has spent the last nine years as the sole full‑time Facilitating Chaplain at HMP Barlinnie, Glasgow’s largest prison. Her ministry there has included spiritual and pastoral care for inmates and staff, and she even ran the prison’s Barbed Wireless radio station during the first COVID‑19 lockdown, earning the nickname “DJ Jolly Jilly.”
She will succeed the current Moderator, the Rt Rev Gordon Kennedy, and will chair the Church’s annual General Assembly, where representatives deliberate on governance, ministry and future direction. In addition, she will spend a year representing the Church across Scotland and abroad, meeting ecumenical partners, faith leaders and local communities, and visiting presbyteries and church projects.
Clancy admitted she initially doubted her suitability for the role, saying, “I have the same questions now about becoming Moderator as I did at the time of my calling to ministry; I’m too young, not intellectual enough, I’ve got a strong Ayrshire accent.” She added that she believes her nomination is part of God’s calling, even if her approach may not appeal to everyone.
Originally from Kilwinning in North Ayrshire, Clancy previously served as a parish minister in Gourock, Glasgow and Ayrshire before moving into prison chaplaincy. Her nomination comes amid significant change for both the Church of Scotland and HMP Barlinnie, which is scheduled to close in 2028 with the opening of a new prison nearby.
Clancy said she had never considered becoming Moderator until two colleagues independently approached her while she was on holiday in Benidorm. One colleague noted that her experience navigating change within the prison system would equip her to lead the Church during a period of transition, while another, a former student, believed she could bring a fresh perspective to the role. After several weeks of reflection, Clancy agreed to pursue the nomination.
Source: Christian Today
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