THE outgoing Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has appealed for calm ahead of the historic debate on the final acceptance of actively gay ministers for congregations who back clergy in civil partnerships.

Right Reverend John Chalmers has called for a "year of grace" within some evangelical communities including hardline pockets in the north of Scotland who strongly oppose same sex relationships within the clergy.

The annual gathering of the Kirk's senior figures in Edinburgh, the General Assembly, is expected to agree on Saturday to allow openly gay ministers.

A second debate on same sex marriage later in the week-long assembly could offer the Kirk the chance to move a step further over the issue and weave what is now civil law in Scotland into proposals.

The Moderator made a series of peacemaking visits to presbyteries during his year in office.

He said: "We have much more in common than divides us and I desperately want us to be seen as a church that is not identified by our differences.

"That has been a message of mine when I've gone to the people in charges where there has been division.

"There are presbyteries which I have asked to visit and met with the people and talked to the people with strong feelings on the subject."

He said: "I've even asked in some places for a 'year of grace'."

The Kirk said 21 out of about 800 ministers have left the Kirk over the possibility of the Church agreeing to allow individual congregations to choose a gay minister.

The ordaining of ministers in same-sex relationships has divided the Church since traditionalist members attempted to block the appointment of Rev Scott Rennie, who is in a civil partnership, in Aberdeen in 2009.

The Moderator's year of office ends this week when Reverend Angus Morrison takes over the position, an ancient ambassadorial role that this year has led Mr Chalmers on mission to South Sudan and to the Vatican to meet his Holiness Pope Francis.

The contrast of his year, which included the Kirk playing a role in the referendum with a "service of conciliation" in St Giles in Edinburgh after the result, spans helping people in a drop-in centre in Govanhill to the meeting with the Pontiff.

"Our trip to the Vatican was significant," he said.

"Although we were divided by something of a language barrier, we acknowledged between us that there was a connection and a real sharing of a sense of concern for challenges that we are facing internationally and the need for responsible care for the planet.

"To see in one another's eyes that we had a shared concern for these things was a moment I will never forget.

"I think that meeting is a demonstration of a long journey travelled in Scotland.

"I hope that that will be built on."

Mr Chalmers, usually Principal Clerk at the Church, has thrived on the challenge that came as a surprise after he had to step in for Mr Morrison last year when he fell badly ill and had to postpone taking up the role.

Another highlight of Mr Chalmers' year, he said, was seeing his Royal Marine son John James, who was severely wounded in Afghanistan, winning gold in recumbent cycling at the Invictus Games.