MINISTRIES

Compiled by Faith Nurture

DEATHS Rev Garden WM Ritchie, formerly of Ardersier linked with Petty, on November 27

Rev Thomas L Clark, formerly of Orphir linked with Stenness on December 31

Rev William Shackleton, formerly of Greenock: Wellpark West, on January 8

Rev Professor John FA Sawyer, formerly Professor, Religious Studies, Lancaster University, on January 9

Very Rev Dr John H McIndoe, formerly of London: St Columba’s linked with Newcastle: St Andrew’s, on January 15

Rev Ronald S Seaman, formerly of Dornock, on January 15

Rev David J Ferguson, formerly of Bellie linked with Speymouth, on January 15

Rev Hamish K Fleming, formerly of Banchory: Ternan East, on January 18

Rev Dr Henry N Chisholm, formerly of Grand Bahama with the Overseas Council, on January 18

Rev Alexander Whiteford, formerly of Ardersier linked with Petty, on January 19 Rev Ian Walker, formerly of Rutherglen:

Wardlawhill, on January 27

Rev Laurie Y Gordon, formerly of Aberdeen: John Knox, on February 5

Rev W Douglas Hamilton, formerly of Greenock: Westburn, on February 7

RETIRED

Rev Dr Valerie J Duff, from Glasgow: Shawlands Trinity, on December 31 Rev Peggy Ewart-Roberts, from Caputh and Clunie linked with Kinclaven, on January 9

Rev Robert JM Anderson, from Knockando, Elchies & Archiestown linked with Rothes, on February 15

Rev Margaret DJ Steele, from Ashkirk linked with Ettrick and Yarrow linked with Selkirk, on February 28

TRANSLATIONS Rev Jan Johannes Steyn, from Paris to Logie, on February 24

ORDINATIONS & INDUCTIONS Rev Dr Amy Bender, to Keith North, Newmill Boharm & Rothiemay, on February 24

DEATH OF A READER PRESBYTERY OF ANNANDALE & ESKDALE David Boncey, on February 6

ELDERSHIP

Abdie and Dunbog: Ordained: Clare Doig, Paul Duncan and Robert Montgomery Bannockburn Ladywell: Ordained: Jean Buchanan and Marjory Kuhlwilm Drongan The Schaw Kirk: Ordained: Mrs Jean Chesworth Lenzie Old: Ordained: Aileen Nicol

Correction: Comrie linked with Dundurn: Ordained -Dundurn -Alison Smylie Ordained -

Comrie -Donna-Kerri Dobney and David Weinman Admitted -Comrie -Bella McPherson and Don McPherson

LONG SERVICE

Glassary, Kilmartin & Ford: Mrs Sheena McNair (41)

Hurlford: John Douglas Shearer (50)

Kilsyth Burns and Old: Cathie McFarlane (60) and Margaret McKenzie (50)

Kingsbarns: Robert Alfred Johnston Moodie (50)

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church: Ann Hart (30) and David Macdonald (30)

OBITUARY

With the death of the Rev Bill Shackleton at the age of 94, the Church of Scotland has lost a unique and distinctive voice.

Bill spoke with love, understanding, and humour about the East End of Glasgow, its life and its characters.

Bill was born in Glasgow but grew up in Preston. and spent three years as an apprentice printer, until a local Congregational minister pointed him towards ministry – and studies in History and Theology at Edinburgh University. In 1955 he joined the Iona Community and inspired by this, became assistant to the Rev John Sim in Bridgeton, in St Francis-inthe-East Church. Bill lived in Church House, a pioneering centre of youth work, and became deeply involved in the challenges of young people who attended. In 1960 he was called to be the minister of St Francisin-the-East. In 1963 he married Margaret Brown and their 59 years of marriage and family life were woven into parish life.

Bill developed a key role in Bridgeton. He became a member and sometime President of the Bridgeton Business Club. A devotee of Robert Burns, he joined the Bridgeton Burns Club and spoke at Burns’ Suppers offering learned and hilarious speeches. Bill was a prolific writer of letters to The Herald and published three books, filled with witty and compassionate stories of his life as a minister.

Bill promoted the work of ‘The Regnal League’, rooted in the trenches of the First World War and recognised a way of life which attended to ‘body, mind, and spirit, with Christ at the Centre’.

In 1983 Bill was called to Greenock: Wellpark West. He continued his focus on youth through his youth fellowship, and was chaplain at Greenock Prison until retirement in 1996.

The parishes he served knew difficult times, and Bill gave steadfast commitment to his parishioners and those in need. He also fulfilled the instruction given to him by the Beadle on his first Sunday at St Francis: ‘Keep it cheery, Bill; keep it cheery.’

Bill is survived by his wife Margaret, their son, the Rev Dr Scott Shackleton, and their daughters Alison and Joy, and six grandchildren. The Very Rev Dr John Miller