The Rev Dr Henry Dane Sherrard`

The Rev Dr Henry Dane Sherrard – known as Dane – was born on March 13 1946 in Watford. His family moved around a lot in his early years, until his father, John, was called to the ministry of the Church of Scotland, and was ordained at Newtyle, near Dundee in 1960.

During his young teens, Dane set up and ran a very active youth club in the underused church hall, and starting an annual road race from Camperdown Park to Newtyle.

Dane felt called to the ministry and attended St Andrews University in the mid-1960s where he met Rachel, who was to become his wife. He was the president of the Students Representative Council and campaigned against apartheid.

Following post-grad training at New College in Edinburgh and a spell as assistant minister at Abronhill in Cumbernauld, he was unexpectedly sent to Genoa to minister to mariners through the offices of the Sailors’ Rest. Here he restored the chapel and ran a thriving centre for mariners far from home.

Returning to Scotland in 1976, Dane was called to Buckhaven in Fife. There he set up an agency to help unemployed people back into work. His ministry career then took him to Cadder (during this time he earned his doctorate from Princeton University) and finally Luss and Arrochar, where he helped found a Pilgim Centre. He was also a pioneer of streaming, and long before Covid his services were broadcast to British troops abroad and a wider congregation throughout the English-speaking world.

Retiring to the Borders in 2013, he took on the ministry of Fogo Church, which was in danger of being closed. Anyone visiting Fogo Church today will be welcomed into a warm, comfortable wellmaintained Church where Christians of all denominations worship together, the result of this can-do man’s determination that what is needed must be provided.

Jean Morrison DCS

After training as a primary teacher Jean entered St Colm’s to train as a Deaconess and was appointed to Castlemilk West Parish Church in 1963 where she initially completed training before her commissioning as a deaconess.

After moving to the USA to study for a year in 1968 she returned to Castlemilk before taking an appointment as field worker with the Uniting Church of Australia.

On returning to Scotland she became assistant director of counselling development and training for the Church of Scotland.

Following the commandment to love their neighbour as themselves, Jean practised both these people of being a servant and loving her neighbour as herself.

Moving forward in time Jean continued to exemplify the Diaconal ministry through her collaborative work at the pastoral foundation.

Jean saw herself as a “hands on practitioner”. Not wishing to be away from this front facing role Jean chose to teach, practise counselling and support those on the margins through Lothian Council for integrated living.

Throughout her working life Jean, the Deaconess, served her Church in various ways. In the local congratulation she took her part. As president of the Diaconate from 1987 -1990 she was actively involved in celebration of 100 years of Diaconal ministry.

As a member of presbytery serving on the superintendence committee, and in other areas including the nominations committee and the Panel of Doctrine. Jean was well respected for her professional insight and knowledge. She served ably and willingly.

Her Diaconal call fulfilled in so many ways.

Jean had the ability to see things and gently approach a person and offer help be it listening or practically.

We give thanks for her faithful service.