Moderator lends a hand

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland swapped a clerical collar for a trowel to lend a hand with tiling in support of a Giffnock church’s community project.

The Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, who worked as a tiler as a student, carried out the work at Orchardhill Church installing a splashback in their Black Door Shop kitchen.

He was joined on site by church elder Steven Bennett and Mary Montague, East Renfrewshire Council’s Provost. Dr Paterson’s friend Sandy Fleming was able to assist with the grouting too.

During Dr Paterson’s time as Moderator he has offered to assist where possible with tiling projects in churches – an opportunity which Orchardhill Church jumped at.

The Black Door Shop is run by volunteers who carry out weekly litter picks, and receive and sort donations of clothes, children’s toys and household items. Donations go to partner charities supporting those in temporary accommodation.

There are also tools which can be borrowed for a small donation ranging from wallpaper scrapers to lawnmowers and items can be repaired in the workshop onsite. In addition, it is planned that there will be food preparation skill sharing sessions to support people making family meals as well as life skill sharing events.

Dr Paterson said: “I encouraged the General Assembly to focus on building together and I’m delighted to put to use skills I Iearned years ago to benefit churches, including Orchardhill Church in Giffnock.

“I’m enthused by this wonderful example of recycling and reusing all sorts of things from toys to tools which benefits the community and brings people together.”