FIRST HUB MINISTER APPOINTED

The Church of Scotland has appointed its first ‘hub minister’.

The Rev Catriona Hood took up the position with A’Chleit, Clachan, Gigha, Kilberry, Skipness and Tarbert churches in Argyll in February.

The hub ministry model is being developed to help the Church cope with falling minister numbers over coming years.

Working largely in churches without full-time ministers, Ms Hood will encourage the development of lay worship teams and Readers, and take on administrative duties.

Mrs Hood, an Auxiliary Minister since 2006, stepped down as he head of Campbeltown Grammar School in Argyll to take up the role, which is initially for 12 months.

She said: “I feel very privileged to have this opportunity which has arisen from the Presbytery of Argyll’s innovative approach to ministry.

“I am very fortunate in that I have existing friendships with the hub communities, having been Interim Moderator in the parishes at the south of the hub for many years.

“The response from the congregations and communities has been warm and welcoming and I appreciate this very much.

“Being the first Hub Minister in Scotland is a very exciting opportunity and together with a supportive Presbytery and lovely congregations, I will do all I can to ensure its success.”

Dr Chris Brett, Clerk to the Presbytery of Argyll, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rev Catriona Hood to this new post.

“It is the first of a new style of ministry which will bring ministers, readers, elders and other trained lay people to work together to serve the Church and the community across a wide area of Argyll.”

Despite an increase in applications to the ministry following the Tomorrow’s Calling campaign, the Church of Scotland is facing a crisis in ministry numbers as many more are due to retire than to enter in the next few years.

The ‘hub-style’ model was first proposed as one possible solution by the Ministries Council at the 2016 General Assembly.

The Council is also exploring the possibilities of the model with the Abernethy, Caithness, Angus and Dundee Presbyteries; and church leaders in several other areas have expressed an interest.

This article appears in the April 2018 Issue of Life and Work

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