Half a Century at 121

An IT Project Manager celebrated her 50th anniversary working at the Church of Scotland offices in Edinburgh in July.

Veronica Roddie joined the staff at 121 George Street as a 16-year-old on July 1 1974, initially with the General Treasury Department. She then moved on to the Deeds Department followed by the Accounting Machine Section, using punch tape machines.

She oversaw the introduction of modern computers into 121 in 1987, and later the switch to remote working during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on why she has worked for the Church for so long, she said that she gets the feeling that ‘this one fits’ and describes it as a workplace ‘with heart’.

She emphasised that it was the people she worked with first and foremost that have kept her in the job so long – many of whom she’s kept in contact with throughout the past 50 years. She also credits the work done by the Church as a motivation.

“A lot of people don’t realise how much good the Church does in society,” she said.

“When I celebrated 40 years here, they asked if I’d stay another ten. I told them they can’t get rid of me!”

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson said: “It was wonderful to hear Veronica describe her loyalty Veronice Roddie working for the Kirk to it being a workplace ‘with heart’.

“I would like to thank Veronica for her service, while reassuring her of the positive impact she has made both within the national offices and in presbyteries and parishes across the country.”