Leave Stonelaw for Motherwell
JONATHAN GEDDES
The longest-serving Church of Scotland minister in Rutherglen could be set to depart his post in the New Year.
Alistair May, of Stonelaw Parish Church, will preach as the sole nominee at Dalziel St Andrew’s Parish Church in Motherwell next month.
If the congregation votes in favour of choosing him as their minister, Reverend May will call time on an 18-year spell at Stonelaw early in 2020.
He told the Reformer: “It has been an emotional decision but the time feels right.
“We’ve been very comfortable at Stonelaw and it has been a fantastic 18 years here, for me and my family.
“But 18 years is a long ministry in the Church of Scotland, and there is always a time for refreshment, for both the church and for myself.
“Stonelaw is in a good place at the moment, after we had the refurbishment of the new sanctuary this year, and it feels like a good time for someone else to come in and usher in a new chapter for us and the congregation.”
Alistair grew up in Rutherglen and has been a popular figure in the area since taking over the role of minister at Stonelaw in 2001.
He, together with wife Elaine, raised their two children Rebecca and Hannah in the town, with both girls attending Stonelaw High School.
He added: “Leaving will be heartbreaking if it happens.
“I’ll be working full tilt until Christmas and then we’ll see what takes place in the New Year.
“We’ll miss a great amount about the parish if we move because it is a fantastic church with fantastic people.
“Of course if I move we’ll be staying in touch with many people and I’ll still have family in the area.”
The recent refurbishment of the church has witnessed the old pews being removed and replaced with chairs, as well as the installation of an improved heating system.
Alistair enthused: “The last year has been really exciting here, and there has been a lot of support for the changes, with the bulk of the funding coming from the congregation and a lot of the work being done in house.
“With all these changes and improvements, it certainly feels like Stonelaw is well placed for the future.”
After announcing the news of his prospective departure on Twitter, good wishes for Alistair came in from the community and from those living further afield.
Calum McLeod, formerly the minister at Rutherglen Old Parish Church, wrote: “You will be missed in Rutherglen. Exciting times! Praying that the realignments and transitions involved will be smooth.”
David Ramage wrote: “Rutherglen’s loss is Motherwell’s gain! “
And Jill Loftus told the family on Facebook: “The very best of luck from us to you Alistair, Elaine, Rebecca and Hannah. Big life change and new adventures ahead.”