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Congratulations to Darren Jalland

on his appointment as Minister

Darren was a member of this Church and he was
also an Elder from 2001 - 2003. We invited Darren
to tell us about his journey to being ordained in the
Church of Scotland.

“Having finished training as a Reader in 2018 (the Church of
Scotland (equivalent of a lay preacher), I entered training for full-
time ministry in September 2019. I studied for a degree in Theology
remotely, which came in handy during lockdown, via Highland
Theological College, one of the colleges which makes up the
University of the Highlands and Islands, based in Dingwall just
north of Inverness. Whilst studying I also did three placements in
churches in Cumbernauld, Grangemouth and a summer placement
in Dunblane Cathedral. Having completed these I have spent the
last 15 months in a full-time probationary placement in Cambuslang
Parish Church, just a couple of miles south of Glasgow.

The Church of Scotland is going through a period of great change
and reorganisation at the moment, which means that despite there
being a huge amount of congregations without a minister, only a
very small handful have been able to advertise their vacancy since
the start of this year. Thankfully each regional presbytery has
sorted out temporary roles for every new minister to go into so
nobody is in a position that they will be finishing training and finding
no job at the end of it.

However, in July I applied to one of the few vacant charges
available; Oldmachar Church, which is based in the town of Bridge
of Don, just north of Aberdeen. On 2nd October I led worship there
and, following a vote by the congregation, I was elected to be their
new minister. I will be ordained and inducted on 10th November
and am really excited to see what God has in store next.”

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