We thanked Shuna and welcomed Brian!
On the 20th of June 2026, The Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles thanked its Moderator, Rev Shuna Dicks, for her two years of service, and welcomed Rev Brian Smith as the new Moderator for the coming year.
During her term in office, Shuna has travelled the length and breadth of our presbytery, conducting services of union, induction and ordination in churches from Orkney to the Mearns.
Reflecting on her time as the moderator, Shuna said:
"It has truly been a real honour and privilege, which I have greatly enjoyed. The two years kept me busy with so many services of union and inductions and the great joy of two ordinations.
"I have also really enjoyed seeing so much of the presbytery – north, south and west. I can't really get any more east!"
She paid tribute to congregations across the presbytery for their commitment to implementing the Presbytery Mission Plan.
"I have been inspired by the way so many congregations have moved forward with implementing the Presbytery Mission Plan. It has not always been easy for them but credit to everyone for the work they have put in to ensure that changes have been as smooth as possible and with a sense of purpose and excitement about the future."
Shuna highlighted the joy of welcoming ministers into new charges and acknowledged the support she received from colleagues and staff.
"It has been so lovely to welcome new colleagues into our presbytery and to share with them their excitement as they take up new charges in the Church of Scotland, some for the first time.
"I must also credit the Presbytery Team, so much work goes on behind the scenes. I have really appreciated the support of Stella and the staff, and Peter and the Business Committee. As a presbytery we are blessed to have these wonderful people guiding and supporting us all."
Looking ahead, she expressed confidence in her successor.
"I am looking forward to stepping back and I know Brian will be a wonderful Moderator. Thank you to everyone for their support and the warm welcome I have received wherever I have been."
Rev Brian Smith, minister of Howe of the Mearns Parish Church, has been inducted as the new moderator of the presbytery.
Originally from South Africa, Brian moved to Scotland with his wife Linda in 2015 and has served his parish for the past decade. Before entering ministry, he worked in sales and finance and later served as Chief Chaplain to the emergency services in his home city of Benoni, near Johannesburg.
Brian said he was both honoured and humbled by this appointment.
"20 June 2026 will always be a special day for me because it was the day I was inducted as Moderator of the Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles. That is both an honour and a privilege."
Brian loves his family, sailing, music, technology and the outdoors, and he can even fly a plane! He loves Jesus and says that his faith "has been both deeply difficult and wonderfully rewarding."
"I love what I do and am grateful that I get to do it every day," he said.
"There is nothing quite like the local church when it is working as it should. And we get to be part of that.
"I look forward to meeting many of you in the months and years ahead as we serve Christ together across the presbytery."
As one Moderator's term concludes and another begins, the presbytery is looking ahead with gratitude for past service and optimism for the future, continuing its work of supporting congregations and communities across the North East and the Northern Isles.
You can read more about Brian here.