Moray churches combine to seek ministers
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CHURCHES from across Moray have come together in an unprecedented move to attract new ministers.
The Presbytery of the Church of Scotland has agreed to run a full-page colour feature promoting the area for the kirk’s national magazine, ‘Life and Work’. Costing more than £1,000, every church in Moray – even those with ministers – have agreed to chip in.
It is hoped current ministers, or those just finishing their training, will see the feature and consider the area as a place to live and work.
There are currently six vacant charges in Moray, mostly through retirement, impacting on more than a dozen communities.
Until now, only St Giles and St Columba’s South Church in Elgin has been able to advertise for a new minister. That is because the General Assembly of the Kirk effected a recruitment hiatus across the country pending the completion of new presbytery plans – blueprints which set out a vision for the future worship, mission and service of congregations.
The 10-year documents were called for four years ahead of schedule under a cost-cutting exercise agreed at a national level.
The Rev John MacGregor, of Dyke and Edinkillie, said Moray Presbytery’s planning committee has been working round-the-clock to get the document signed off.
"The ministerial council have accepted our plan, so we are one of the first three in Scotland to have it signed off and to be able to call ministers.
"Now, we feel we can maybe steal the march and advertise the whole presbytery," Mr MacGregor said.
"It is a very unusual step and we’re keen that men and women in the ministry notice that Moray is there, it is on the map, we’re forward thinking and we are looking for colleagues to join us."
