East Lothian Courier | News | Church-goers urged to cast their votes for new minister

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 14th August, 2008 08:05

Church-goers urged to cast their votes for new minister

TRANENT Parish Church could soon be welcoming a new minister – if the nomination committee’s sole candidate manages to impress churchgoers at a service next week.

Members of the church’s nominating committee have invited the Rev Jan Gillies to preach at the Tranent church next Sunday (August 24), and parishioners will then vote on whether she should become their new minister.

Since the retirement of the Rev Tom Hogg last October, who was minister-in-charge at the church for more than 20 years, the 11 committee members have been searching for his successor.

The Rev Dr Robin Hill, minister of Gladsmuir and Longniddry, has acted as interim moderator during the vacancy and Ms Gillies is known to parishioners at the Tranent church, having preached there on a number of occasions in the past year.

She has previously served as minister in Inverkip and Newton.

Before training for the ministry she worked as a nurse and midwife.

Dr Hill said: “The nominating commitee have met and interviewed Jan and seen her preach at Gladsmuir Parish Church so it is now down to the congregation to decide whether this is the candidate they want.

“As interim moderator, I know that Tranent Parish Church is a very warm congregation, which will make their new minister very welcome indeed.

“And I’m sure there will be many good things to look forward to in the

years ahead at this wonderful church.”

After next Sunday’s service, starting at 11am, church members will be asked to vote and if approved, Ms Gillies will then be inducted.

Linda Ingham, clerk to the nominating committee, said: “The nominating committee urges all members of the congregational roll to cast their vote.”

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