Oban Free Church welcomes minister
Oban Free Church welcomes a former maths teacher as its new minister this weekend.
The Reverend Iain Morrison’s induction and ordination service is this Saturday, January 22.
This is the first charge for the Reverend Morrison who spent 30 years teaching before leaving the classroom to answer God’s calling.
The dad-of-three grown-up children is coming from Rosskeen Free Church on the Cromarty Firth where he has been serving as a ministry assistant since 2017.
During his time in education, he held numerous roles, including deputy headteacher of The Nicholson Institute in Stornoway - the biggest school in the Western Isles.
‘There wasn’t a day in those 30 years that I thought: ‘I’m not looking forward to tomorrow’. I used to think it was the best job in the world but now I think it is being a pastor,’ said the Rev Morrison, who is looking forward to his new role and getting to know the communities he will serve.
As well as Oban, he will be minister for the Free Church’s members in Mull and other islands, including Tiree, Lismore and Coll. The Oban church will also become a hub for future work in other areas in Argyll that are without a minister of their own, such as Lochgilphead and Campbeltown.
The Rev Morrison was brought up in Stornoway so is used to islands and ferries.
‘I’ve felt very much at home in Rosskeen, but to me this is definitely God’s calling. I was invited to preach in Oban over a couple of weekends and had a few meetings with people. It just seemed to click for them and click for me. From the kindness and friendliness I’ve already experienced in the town, I’m sure I’ll be right at home in no time at all,’ he said.
As well as son Jonathan, daughter Abigail and her twin brother Christopher, the Rev Morrison has more family in Argyll - including his second cousin John Lowrie Morrison OBE, best known as Jolomo, who is one of Scotland’s most successful and best loved contemporary artists.
Last year the Oban Free Church congregation said goodbye to its retiring minister Reverend James Beaton after 31 years of faithful service.