Professor Wilson Poon will be the Diocese of Edinburgh’s next Diocesan Secretary, the Bishop of Edinburgh has announced.
Wilson is a member of Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, and Professor in the University of Edinburgh’s School of Physics and Astronomy.
Having accepted on Thursday the Diocesan Standing Committee’s invitation to take up the post, the decision will come to the autumn meeting of Diocesan Synod for ratification.
The Bishop of Edinburgh, The Rt Revd Dr John Armes, said: “I am pleased to announce that Professor Wilson Poon has accepted Standing Committee’s invitation to be our next Diocesan Secretary. This decision will come to the autumn meeting of the Diocesan Synod for ratification.
“The primary duties of the Diocesan Secretary are set out in the Canons of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Each holder of the office also brings their own experience and gifts to the role and shapes it very differently. But the bottom line is that they are a key lay person in the diocese who works closely with bishop and dean as well as our various committees.
“I am very grateful that Wilson has been willing to undertake this new responsibility alongside his many other commitments.”
Wilson added: “My reading of Scripture—for example, Exodus 18:13-17 and Acts 6:1-7—has long convinced me that appropriate organisation and administration are of deep spiritual significance for the people of God, and that these need to be renewed as needs and times change.
“I am therefore looking forward to serving in this role and playing my part in helping churches throughout the diocese to be the presence of Christ in today’s world. I hope to have the opportunity to meet and get to know many of you over the coming months.”
Please pray for Wilson as he works his way into this new role.
