printed 21 October 2024
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The Worldwide Presbytery of the Church of Scotland in Switzerland has put aside a reader because it requires a brand new minister.
The Scots Kirk of Lausanne is vacant from June 2023 following the retirement of the Rev Gillian Maclean. The church is at present in a delayed reference to the Church of Scotland in Geneva, which is anticipated to occur in late 2025 the place a brand new ministry workforce will probably be fashioned.
Christine Collier was distinguished as Reader of the Church of Scotland in Geneva on October 13 throughout the closing liturgy of the assembly of the Worldwide Presbytery in Lausanne, led by Presbytery Moderator Rev Betsy Than.
Readers, a ministry of the phrase, work beneath the supervision of a presbytery and are entrusted regionally by the church with worship, preaching and in some instances pastoral care. In some circumstances they might act as locums throughout vacancies and may match throughout or past the boundaries of the presbytery.
Ms Collier, who’s from Lanarkshire, is finding out on-line at Aberdeen College working in direction of a level in theology with different candidates for ministry within the Church of Scotland.
“I used to be within the Church of Scotland, Geneva for 35 years, concerned within the choir, Sunday faculty and youth group earlier than being known as to readership in 2021”.
Ms Collier started her skilled profession as a techniques programmer at Ravenscraig Steelworks in Motherwell earlier than working for the World Well being Group in Geneva after which retraining as a instructor.
He credit the analytical expertise of programming wanted to facilitate training as having helped form him towards ministry.
“I’m now in a probationary 12 months in direction of the ordained native ministry based mostly in Scots Kirk, Lausanne. There are vacancies in Lausanne, so I’m working with totally different locums each month,” she mentioned.
He mentioned the state of affairs gave him a possibility to ‘use the huge expertise of a number of totally different ministers.’
“The experiences of the ministers I meet are serving to to organize me to work on the ministry workforce as soon as the hyperlinks are established.
“Throughout the Worldwide Presbytery there are at the very least 5 individuals who’re in, or have just lately accomplished, coaching for Reader or Ordained Native Ministry.”
Mrs Collier has inspired and led 9 individuals from throughout the Worldwide Presbytery to develop into worship leaders or native preachers via the Aberdeen College night course.
“All 14 of us have been known as independently,” he mentioned.
“The Spirit is transferring via our church buildings, encouraging individuals to minister in several methods. I believe there are thrilling occasions forward for the Worldwide Presbytery and certainly for the Church of Scotland as a complete.”
The Scots Kirk Lausanne is at present looking for a brand new minister, open to these within the Church of Scotland and people affiliated with member church buildings of the World Communion of Reformed Church buildings (WCRC).
Purposes shut on 31 October 2024.
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