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Kirk denies a vacancy crisis

A shortage of Church of Scotland ministers is impacting on many parishes throughout Perth and Kinross. Perth city centre is especially hard hit as three vacancies already exist there and a further one will arise with the retiral early next year of the Rev David Denniston, minister at the North Church.

Even one of Scotland’s most significant churches, St John’s Kirk, in the heart of the city, has been without a minister since the Rev David Ogston retired after almost 30 years at the helm of the historic church in which John Knox preached in May 1559, adding impetus to the Reformation in Scotland.

The Rev Douglas Main, clerk to the Presbytery of Perth, admitted: “The situation presents us with new challenges.”

There are 43 churches in the Presbytery of Perth and currently 28 ministers plus two without charge. Vacant city charges are Craigie, St John’s and St Leonards-in-the-Fields and Trinity.

Three rural Perthshire charges currently without their own minister are Abernethy and Dron and Arngask; Almondbank and Tibbermore with Methven and Logiealmond; and Fowlis Wester, Madderty and Monzie with Gask.

Full story at the Perthshire Advertiser.