Lanarkshire minister named next Church of Scotland moderator

The Church of Scotland has named its next moderator of the General Assembly.

Rev Shaw James Paterson, from Lanarkshire, will take up the role on Saturday, 18 May 2024 and spend a year as the Kirk's ambassador.

Dr Paterson said he was previously told his Lanarkshire accent would hamper his career prospects.

Despite this, he went on to complete four degrees at Glasgow University - including a doctorate - before spending 30 years working for the church.

Serving as minister at Strathaven Trinity Parish Church in Lanarkshire since 1991, he was expected to become a bricklayer like other family members before him but was encouraged by his father to take a different path.

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The father-of-three, who is originally from Holytown, was told by teachers there was no point continuing his studies as his accent would hamper his career prospects.

Reflecting on more than 30 years in a parish, including 10 years also working as a presbytery clerk, he said he "thrives" on pastoral work, despite some very tough moments.

"Undoubtedly the most challenging point of my ministry has been supporting people around child death," he said.

"How do you deal with it and stay above your own tears?"

The wish to support people eventually lead to his doctorate in practical theology, and looked at ministering to those who have experienced early miscarriage.

Dr Paterson takes over from the Rev Sally Foster-Fulton

Dr Paterson believes listening to people is at the heart of supporting people who are going through a difficult time for any reason.

"It means you can try and begin to understand what people have got going on, and convey that their story is important," he said.

He plans to spend next year "listening to as many people as possible".

During his time at at Strathaven Trinity Parish Church, Dr Paterson set up a lunchtime club for school pupils and a club for those with memory issues and their carers.

'Love connecting with people'

He is also involved with youth musical theatre and a local charity that distributes food to people in need in the East Kilbride area.

"If you asked me for three words to describe what's important to me as a minister - and indeed as a moderator - it would be people, people, people," he said.

"People in the pews, in the parish. People of all ages from pupils to pensioners and every stage in between.

"I love connecting with people, hearing their stories and reminding them that I care, the Church cares, God cares."

Dr Paterson takes on the role at a time in which "there is a lot of upset" currently across the Church of Scotland, due to the planned closure of Kirk buildings.

He said he would spend his year in the role building a sense of togetherness within the church.

He added: "As a Church we have strong foundations and it might not be my building or your building that's kept, but our foundations are in Christ.

"We need to build together and we need to come together - we need to realise almost everyone is losing something."