From the minister

Reflecting on that visit, there is much to remember but in particular I was very impressed by two wonderful Session Clerks in Sheila Wilson at Caerlaverock and Isobel Evans here at St Mary’s-Greyfriars’.

Over the three or so years that I have now known Isobel she has been a great friend and confidant and a hard-working, thoughtful, compassionate, loyal Session Clerk serving the church. I have also heard from many sources, within the congregation and Presbytery, that in the past she has helped guide St Mary’s Church through a difficult time and was a valued and effective contributor in the Union that formed St Mary’s-Greyfriars’.

Since I arrived at St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ we have had plenty of good times – and some not-so-good times. There have been some moments in our Kirk Session and Congregational Board meetings when you could cut the tension with a knife and through these testing times I have sometimes struggled. There have been several occasions when Isobel has been my strength when I have felt fragile and a wise friend to guide me when I felt lost. I also have an inkling that there were times when she sheltered me and sorted a lot of things out quietly, diffusing many a situation and bringing healing and health.

When Isobel retired as our Session Clerk on October 5 I opened the Session meeting with a reading from Matthew 20:25-28. I read from this in recognition of the servant leadership that Isobel has diligently expressed in her role over the past 10-and-a-half years. As Isobel now retires we wish her healing and good health, please take the opportunity to thank her for her dedication and years of service and look forward to continuing to serve Christ together in new areas as He leads.

We are thankful that David Matheson, our Depute Session Clerk, has agreed to serve as Session Clerk. David is a much respected member of our congregation and Presbytery and was Session Clerk of Greyfriars’ Church, so he comes with years of quality experience. David is however currently undertaking his training as a Reader for the Church of Scotland and due to these important commitments to the wider Church he has agreed to be Session Clerk until a replacement is found.

During this month we will put the mechanism into place to appoint a new Session Clerk. In this period of change please keep Isobel, David, the Kirk Session and congregation in your prayers as we seek to find someone who will bring their own gifts to the position and pray that God will speak clearly into their willing hearts.

In Christ’s Service

Jamie Milliken