Church offers reward for stolen ring

The Church of Scotland is offering a reward for the return of the Moderator's official ring, which was stolen from his home on Christmas Eve.

Right Reverend John Christie, Moderator of the General Assembly, woke on 24 December to find the front door of his Helensburgh home open and the ceremonial ring gone. Thieves also stole Christmas gifts and other belongings, including a wallet.

The oval ring is gold with a large amethyst stone and bears the Church's Latin motto nec tamen consumebatur, meaning "yet it was not consumed" - an allusion to the biblical story of the burning bush.

The Church is offering a three-figure sum for information that leads to the return of the ring.

The Right Reverend Christie said: "While this unique ring has a value, it cannot be sold on. This is not my ring, it belongs to the Church of Scotland.

"Everyone is hoping that the offer of a reward will encourage anybody who knows where it is to come forward."