Two new ministers have been introduced by the Church of Scotland in Cumbernauld as three congregations in the town get set to unite.
The Presbytery of Glasgow held a special service of Ordination and Introduction for the two new ministers at St Mungo’s Parish Church in the town centre.
Fiona Crawford and James Gemmell both successfully completed their studies at Glasgow University and have now finished their parish placements.
Fiona is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art and worked in financial services and in the public and voluntary sectors before spending four years as Strategy Officer with the Presbytery of Glasgow.
James is following a family tradition as his father is a Church of Scotland minister. After graduating from Aberdeen University James worked in insurance before beginning his training for the ministry.
Fiona and James have been ordained into a new Team Ministry in Kildrum, linked with St Mungo’s and Cumbernauld Old, as Assistant Ministers.
Lanarkshire Live revealed recently that Kildrum Parish Church, which has been at the heart of the local community for 60 years, will close in January with the congregation merging firstly with St Mungo’s Parish, and then Cumbernauld Old Parish.
It’s not yet clear what will happen with the Kildrum Church building, but the Presbytery of Glasgow insists it’s open to talks with local groups about future use.
The two new ministers will work across the three congregations guiding them through a process of change management to achieve a union.
They will equip and encourage local folks to be part of this process and to claim their gifts in pastoral care, leading worship and in office bearer responsibilities so that the valuable on-going ministry does not just continue, but flourish in the future.
Fiona and James will work alongside the Interim Moderators, William Wilson and Julie Moody and will be mentored by Rev David Denniston.
Rev Hilary McDougall, Moderator of the Presbytery of Glasgow, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people at the Ordination Service for Fiona and James. We wish God’s blessing on them as they begin this new adventure with the congregations and with God.”
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