A carer at Morlich House Elderly Care Home in Church Hill, Morningside, has been announced as the next Moderator of the Church of Scotland’s National Youth Assembly.
Amanda Philip, 21, who lives in Haddington with husband Darren and is a member at St Mary’s Parish Church, was appointed to the prestigious role by representatives from all over Scotland.
Amanda, one of three nominees, said she was delighted at the news: “I am honoured, and terrified, to have been asked to act as Moderator of the National Youth Assembly for 2011. I never thought I would be Moderator in a hundred years!
“I know it will be really hard work but I will put my all into it. The annual National Youth Assembly weekend will be very intense – debating, worshipping and socialising – but I'm also expecting quite a busy year following that.
“I'll just have to wait and see what gets thrown in my direction!”
Amanda has been very active in numerous church events. She attended her first Youth Assembly in 2005 at the age of 16 and has been back each year.
She has been a youth delegates three times at the General Assembly and has made two trips to Israel and Palestine.
The church connection goes even further, because as well as working for the Kirk’s social care arm CrossReach at Morlich House in Church Hill, her dad, Reverend Malcolm Lyon, is also a minister in Lothian Presbytery.
Amanda has stayed in Haddington all her life, and went to school in Knox Academy. In her spare time she enjoys going to the cinema, shopping, and the occasional trip to Tynecastle to see Hearts play.
The Church of Scotland National Youth Assembly is an annual gathering for 16-25 year-olds to discuss topical church issues as well as enjoying special worship and social events.
The Youth Assembly Moderator addresses hundreds of ministers and elders at the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly in May 2011, and, along with other youth delegates, ensures that the voice of young people is heard in the Kirk’s business.