printed 9 December 2024
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A former highschool trainer will at the moment full a 20-year journey and be ordained as a Church of Scotland minister.
David Mackie can be joined by members of the family, pals and colleagues to have fun the momentous event at Jackson Parish Church in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.
“I can not wait to see the place God takes me subsequent,” he stated.
“What a privilege to serve.”
The Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the Common Meeting, preaches on the service.
His dwelling church is Trinity Parish Church in Strathaven, South Lanarkshire and he was Mr Mackie’s supervisor when he was a pupil there.
The minister-to-be is taking up the function of assistant minister at Trinity Parish Church and can initially work with the congregation for six months till Dr Patterson completes his 12-month moderator time period in Could 2025.
Talking forward of his ordination, Mr Mackie, 40, stated: “I nonetheless cannot consider I’ve reached this stage, it has been a journey of just about 20 years with many ups and downs.
“I nonetheless have so much to study, however with the help of my household and the great congregation I’ve had the chance to serve, I now really feel prepared for ordination and my very own duties.”
Household help
Jackson Parish Church holds a particular place in Mr Mackie’s coronary heart as he was on placement there in addition to serving at Cairnelia and Calderbank church buildings close to Airdrie, St Columba’s Church in Knightsbridge, London and Trinity Parish Church in Strathaven.
He grew up in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, and first felt a name to ministry in 2004 however by no means acted on it.
His dwelling church is Stamperland Parish Church and he turned an elder in 2013.
Mr Mackie has been married to Lynsey, an NHS occupational therapist, for 12 years and so they have a son Finlay, who will quickly be 9.
He stated his spouse claimed he advised her on their first date in 2006 that he needed to be a minister.
“I am unsure if it is true, however he is at all times inspired me on this journey,” he defined.
“I’m keen about faculty work, youth work and pastoral care, particularly for individuals who can not go to church.
“They’re a part of our household.
“I used to be blessed to be immersed in Jackson, who’s so outwardly and community-focused.
“Congregation and parish minister Rev Ok Gilchrist helped me settle for myself and understand that what I carry is sufficient, the remainder is in God’s arms.
“I am glad to be appointed to Jackson, it is an incredible church and to evangelise the moderator caps all of it off as a result of he is been a fantastic supervisor for me and I am comfortable to name a good friend.”
A spot on the desk
Mr McKee began educating in 2009 and revealed he was a part of the ministry’s discernment course of in 2014 and was making ready to go to the elective convention.
“Nonetheless, I felt I wasn’t prepared and I wasn’t ok, but my name did not go away,” he defined.
“I re-entered the method in 2018 and took each alternative introduced to me, together with main worship in jail providers.
“I’ve at all times believed that we must always do our greatest to observe the instance of Jesus.
“That is my name – to welcome everybody like Jesus, from babies to older adults – come as you’re, welcome everybody.
“It’s my agency perception that, to cite the hymn ‘Born for Everybody,’ there’s a place on the desk.”
Mr McKee labored as a historical past trainer and later in studying help in Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, Glasgow and Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire from 2009-2023.
“After I look again on my assorted educating profession, I liked working with youngsters and constructing relationships, particularly with youngsters who struggled to have interaction in training,” she defined.
“It was a fantastic job and allowed me to develop many abilities that can switch to my ministry.
“Throughout my educating, I developed an curiosity in intergenerational actions and this concerned facilitating periods with college students and residents at an area care dwelling.
“I’ve taken this additional in my ministry to this point by growing and main ‘Recollections of Religion’ periods in care houses inside the parish of Trinity Church.
“These periods contain using memory via songs, readings, photos and artifacts to facilitate recollections and conversations amongst older individuals who discover it troublesome to attend church.
“All of those experiences, in addition to my vital time within the Boys’ Brigade as a boy and an officer, ready me for ministry.”
Ardour
Mr Mackie did credit whereas working as a part-time trainer at Highland Theological School in Dingwall and moved on to review on the College of Glasgow in 2021, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity.
He and his household love good meals and once they have time to journey and expertise new locations and cultures.
Mr Mackie and his son are eager supporters of East Kilbride Soccer Membership and he enjoys the occasional recreation of golf.
His ordination service begins at 7 p.m. and is being streamed on the Jackson Parish Church Fb web page.
