A Gourock minister has urged members of the Scottish Parliament to lead with a vision of hope that 'inspires people to come together'.
Rev Teri Peterson, of St John's Church, said politicians must encourage their constituents to put their hearts, minds and hands to the task of 'creating the better future that we all say we want'.
She added: "Not wishful thinking, not empty promises made just to get or keep power.
"Not negativity or blame about how those people — across the aisle or across the street or across the border or across the world — are keeping us from utopia.
"Hope grounded in the belief that things can change for the better, we're not stuck in the way things have ‘aye been'.
"Hope that transcends the obstacles we always think are in our way - party lines, accents, school backgrounds, whatever the barrier-du-jour is.
"Hope that leads us forward, not backward to some imagined perfect past."
Ms Peterson led Time for Reflection in the Scottish Parliament debating chamber last week.
She spoke ahead of advent starting on Sunday, December 1.
Ms Peterson was invited to address the Scottish Parliament by Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde.
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