MINISTRIES

Compiled by the Ministries Council

DEATHS

Rev George D Goldie, formerly of Aberdeen: Greyfriars, on October 9

Rev Andrew M Douglas, formerly of Aberdeen: High Hilton, on October 14

Rev Alexander K Cassells, formerly of Leuchars St Athernase, on November 3

Rev Laurence A B Whitley, formerly of Glasgow: Cathedral (St Mungo’s or High), November 4

RETIRED

Rev Robert J Ramsay, from Invergowrie, on October 28

Rev Edith F McMillan, from Dundee: Douglas & Mid Craigie linked with Dundee: Craigiebank, on November 8

Rev Donald K Walker, from Abernethy linked with Boat of Garten, Carrbridge & Kincardine, on November 16

Rev John Mitchell, from Bonnyrigg, on November 19

Rev Alexander M Millar, from Stirling: St Mark’s, on November 30

DEMISSION

Rev Clif ord R Acklam, from Glassary, Kilmartin and Ford linked with North Knapdale, on October 31

TRANSLATIONS

Rev Fiona E Maxwell, from Neilston to Kilmarnock: Kay Park, on November 1

Rev D Brian Dobby, from Sandsting & Aithsting linked with Walls & Sandness to Rosyth, on November 8

Rev Stuart W Sharp, from Falkirk: Camelon to Killearn, on November 15

Rev Aileen M McFie, from Dunoon: The High Kirk linked with Innellan linked with Toward to Maud and Savoch linked with New Deer: St Kane’s, on November 15

Rev Andrea E Price, from London: St Columba’s linked with Newcastle: St Andrew’s as Associate Minister to Edinburgh: St Michael’s, on November 27

Rev Derek W Hughes, from Motherwell: Dalziel St Andrew’s to Glasgow: Easterhouse, on November 29

INDUCTIONS

Rev Peter J Macdonald, to Edinburgh: Broughton St Mary’s, on November 15

MINISTRIES DEVELOPMENT STAFF – NEW APPOINTMENTS

Rev Kenneth L Luscombe, Associate Minister, Greyfriars Church, Edinburgh, on November 1

Anthea Morley, Congregational Development Worker, Newbattle Parish Church, on November 1

Hina Hirani, Project Development Worker, The Old Kirk and Muirhouse Parish Church, on November 27

ELDERSHIP

Barrhead Bourock: Ordained – Ann Heron, Brian Heron and Heather Palmer.

Fodderty & Strathpef er: Ordained – June Mackintosh.

Glasgow Croftfoot: Ordained – Barbara Drummond, Moira Jackson, Stacey Hart, Ian Henderson, Michael Thomson. Admitted – Elizabeth Henderson.

Kilsyth Burns and Old: Ordained – John Comrie, Carol Cooper, Lora Morrison, William McConnell.

Admitted – Evelyn Hay.

LONG SERVICE

The following have received long service certii cates

Barrhead Bourock: Elders – Bruce Brown (40), Robert McKenzie (40).

Dreghorn and Springside: Elders – Margaret Bone (30), Meta Dif en (30), Christine Drysdale (30), Agnes Reid (30).

Dumfries St Michael’s & South Church: Elder – Douglas Dawson (60).

East Kilbride South: Elders – Christina Thomson Buchanan (30), Andrew McFarlane (60+), Maureen Wilson (30), Andrew Wilson (30).

Edinburgh St Cuthbert’s: Elders - Ian Percy (51), George Gilchrist (50), Jeanette Barton (42), Michael Langdon (42), Margaret Pollock (42), Bridget Cameron (40), Muriel Fraser (31), Ian Reeder (31).

Elgin High: Elders – Fiona Oswald (30), Ian Shayer (50), Jennie Morrison (30), Jim Morrison (30).

Glasgow Croftfoot: Elders – Jim Semple (52), John Mason (50), William Yule (45), Brian Williams (42), Alison Eadie (35), Flora McAulay (35), Robert Foster (35), Margaret Palfreman (30), Martha Williams (30).

Organist/Choir Master – Donald Matheson (41). Choir – Jean Thomson (40), Margaret Smith (40), Moira Johnstone (40), Flora McAulay (40), Joan Foster (30), Fiona Matheson (30).

Torphichen Kirk: Elders – Tom Preston (40), Dr. Innes Duncan (36), Nan McDonald (34), Keith Stirling (31), May Rae (31).

Sunday School teacher – Una Duncan (27), Sarah Young (26).

OBITUARY

The Rev Dr Laurence Whitley, former minister of Glasgow Cathedral, died on November 4, aged 69.

Dr Whitley was born in Port Glasgow, the son of the Rev Dr Harry Whitley, who went on to be minister of St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. He was educated at Edinburgh Academy and Edinburgh University, before going on to St Andrews to study divinity.

He served his probationary year in St Andrew’s Church, Dundee, and ministered in Busby in East Renfrewshire, and Montrose, before he was called to Glasgow Cathedral in 2007, where he remained until retirement in 2017.

His time at Glasgow was marked by two high-proi le tragedies in the city – the helicopter crash at the Clutha Bar in 2013, and the bin lorry crash in George Square in 2014. Dr Whitley was a police chaplain and in both cases he visited the scene, supporting emergency service workers, as well as conducting special services in the days following the disasters.

In 2014 he was presented with the Loving Cup, one of Glasgow’s highest accolades, which is awarded to people who have brought distinction or honour to the city. He was awarded an honorary degree from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2015.

Following his death, Scottish i rst minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Laurence was an exceptional minister and he provided great comfort to many in Glasgow during some tough times.”

The Very Rev David Wallace, chair of Glasgow Churches Together, described him as ‘a gentle giant in Glasgow’s ecumenical scene for a number of years’.

Former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Very Rev Prof Iain Torrance, said: “He was the most gifted and inspirational user of language in worship and one of our most imaginative and creative and gentle ministers.”

Dr Whitley is survived by his wife Catherine, and children Edward and Hilary.

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