Minister says it is a 'tremendous honour' to be elected Moderator of the General Assembly

A man who was expected to follow in the footsteps of family members and become a bricklayer has been elected the next Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Rt Rev Dr Shaw James Paterson will chair the annual gathering in Edinburgh then serve as the Kirk's ambassador at home and abroad for the next 12 months.

He said it is a "tremendous honour" to be elected and feels "very humbled" to represent the Church in this role.

Dr Paterson is looking forward to meeting and encouraging people involved in church work at local, national and international levels at a time of unprecedented challenge and opportunity.

He was passed the official ring and chain of office by the outgoing Moderator, Very Rev Sally Foster-Fulton.

Dr Paterson is taking a leave of absence from his role as parish minister of Strathaven Trinity Parish Church in South Lanarkshire, a role he has held for 33 years.

Addressing commissioners, he said: "I feel very humbled that you have elected me as your Moderator.

"This is a tremendous honour and I promise that I will serve you to the best of my ability."

Dr Paterson said he has served the church in various capacities over the years.

"I have negotiated a four-way union and there are more changes for me locally – so neither I nor my parish are immune from parish planning," he added.

"I am very conscious of how we need to build together, which is my theme for the year.

"And while every situation is quite different, I know something of what congregations the length and breadth of the country are facing".

Gifts

Dr Paterson said he appreciated that he must remain neutral as Moderator but promised to listen to people.

"I will be there and I will care," he added.

"I also offer the church such gifts and abilities that have sustained me in ministry so far - and in doing so I thank my congregation for teaching me the ropes, and for being patient, for forgiving my mistakes, for putting up with my silly jokes and my wind-ups.

"And, of course, I wouldn't be who I am without the family, I owe them everything.

"They've put up with a lot over the years and they are the ones who pick me up when I need encouragement and keep my feet firmly on the ground.

"To them, I say – this honour is as much their's as mine, thank you."

Transformation

Dr Paterson asked commissioners to keep him and the Church in their prayers.

Mrs Foster-Fulton said: "Moderator, as you take on this role, as you pick up the tools and talents God has gifted you and put them to work in this particular space with us; we build together.

"Remember who you are – you are beloved of Christ, you are a unique, never-to-be-repeated ever creation of the Divine – just like everyone else in our shared global neighbourhood.

"You are part of a body alive in this world, called to transform it through embodied love.

"You have been chosen to guide us, to inspire us, to be completely yourself.

"Thank you for answering this call."

Dr Paterson grew up in Holytown in North Lanarkshire and was expected to become a bricklayer like other family members before him, but took a different path and he went on to complete four degrees at Glasgow University, including a doctorate.

Proud son

The father of three was told by teachers that there was no point continuing his studies, but was encouraged to do so at home.

Speaking when he was unveiled as Moderator Designate last autumn, he said: "My father recognised something in me and I got in to study biology at Glasgow University.

"He pushed me in a gentle and encouraging way.

"That moment when they shout Moderator – it will be for my Dad."

During his time at Glasgow University, Dr Paterson supported himself by working various jobs, including as a tiler.

He married Christine at the University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel and then began studying for a degree in divinity.

"They talk about a calling – it was this sense that God was chipping away and chipping away," he recalled.

"I did not want to be a minister and I felt a bit like Jonah – I thought go away, I want to do my career in science.

"Eventually I had a torturous night and I thought of Isaiah 6: ‘whom shall I send…send me'.

"I basically woke up and said ‘OK God you win, send me I'll do it'.

"Having made the decision, I then knew it was the right one."

Building Together

Reflecting on more than 30 years in a parish, including 10 years also working as a Presbytery Clerk, Dr Paterson said he "thrives" on pastoral work, albeit there have been some very tough moments.

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

Dr Paterson said the Church has strong foundations in Christ.

Referring to the impact of Presbytery Mission Planning, he added: "We need to build together and we need to come together – we need to realise almost everyone is losing something.

"We have to try and get over any sense of animosity.

"We're a Church together and we need to go forward together to build on the foundations of all our forebears."