THERE were celebrations at the weekend as a new minister was ordained into the Church of Scotland at Thornhill.
Rev Christopher Watt is now officially a full-time Minister of Word and Sacrament.
Explaining his decision to swap a career in law for ministry, he said: “I’ve always been involved with the church and probably from my early 20s I would have told you that at some stage I was going to work within the church, but I didn’t know what that would look like.”
Advice from a friend in the priesthood helped him decide to enter discernment and he added: “All the aspects of my life slotted together to make me feel this was the time to answer God’s call.”
Mr Watt studied remotely with Dingwall-based Highland Theological College and his first placement was at St George’s Parish Church close to his home in Dumfries.
His further placements were spent at Castle Douglas Parish Church, then in Gretna and he completed his probationary period at Thornhill, Penpont and Durisdeer, where he’s now assistant minister.
Mr Watt said: “Each of my placement churches have been very different, but they have all been special in their own way.
“People have been so encouraging and welcomed myself and my wife, Erin.
“I strongly believe the Church needs to work hard to become a substantial part of the community again and that has been my goal.”
A keen musician, he has been playing the organ in church since he was 17 and is always happy to step in when needed.
Another passion is baking, the inspiration for his “Scone Ministry”.
“Anyone can come along and have a coffee and a chat. It’s a good opportunity to use skills I’ve been given in a supportive way,” Mr Watt explained.
“I’m trying to break down a lot of the barriers that exist with people who are perhaps a generation out from being regular churchgoers and think about church as a remote place where they don’t belong.”
Looking forward to his first communion, he added: “I have felt God is with me strongly during this journey and I want to see what He has in store for me.
“I love what I do. I love the pastoral side, the music, everything. Every day is different.
“The Church is going to look very different in 20 years’ time and my generation of newly qualified ministers are going to have to write that change. One of our key roles is going to be reminding people that although the Church is changing, God’s not changing.”
