First Presbytery clerk appointed to new Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles

The first Presbytery clerk has been appointed to the new Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles.

The move comes after the Church of Scotland announced the new presbytery was to be formed uniting the Presbyteries of Aberdeen and Shetland, Orkney, Moray, Buchan, Gordon and Kincardine and Deeside.

Rev Elspeth McKay will be the new presbytery clerk and will be leaving her current post as minister of Paisley Abbey.

She will be based at the office in Aberdeen and is already familiar with the city as is where she completed her Masters’ studies in European and International Law and met her husband.

During her ministry training she completed placements in Kintore Parish Church, Ferryhill Parish Church and Papa Westray.

In the past, she gained attention for involving real animals in her Christmas story services.

She said: “I am very much looking forward to returning to the North-East and to getting to know the Northern Isles a bit better.

“I’m also looking forward to meeting people as we forge the way ahead with the new Presbytery of the North East and the Northern Isles.”

Kirk in a ‘time of change’

The new Presbytery will be formed in January 2023.

Rev. Peter Johnston, member of the steering group for the new Presbytery said: “We are delighted to welcome Rev Elspeth McKay to this new role as we journey into the future as a much larger Presbytery.

“We look forward to the insight she will bring both from her legal background and as a parish minister who recognises the reforming nature of the Kirk in this time of change.”