Reverend Wes to the rescue
A former Paisley minister has come to the rescue of a church up north — and has taken a part of the town with him.
Rev Wes Brandon, who has just completed a year as assistant minister with Sherwood Greenlaw Church, hails from Tennessee, in the USA, and during his time here impressed the congregation and the wider community with his warmth and friendliness.
He has now been inducted as minster of a church in Moray whose charge has been vacant for seven years.
Mr Brandon, 49, has taken up the role at Buckie South and West, linked with Enzie Church of Scotland, after leaving Paisley.
He said:“One summer, while I was at seminary school in the US, I did an internship at the Auld Kirk in Ayr.
“Seventeen years later, I’ve gone through familiarisation in Sherwood Greenlaw Church, in Paisley, to take up a charge in the Church of Scotland.”
Mr Brandon has been based at four previous churches with the Presbyterian Church of the USA, and is enthusiastic about his new role, although was sad to be leaving Paisley.
“My heart has always been for churches that other ministers sometimes overlook,” he said.
“For me, I’ve always felt my ministry is for those who have been neglected, such as in rural charges.”
One of the ways he intends to involve people in church life who perhaps are not members is by live-streaming weekly services, an idea that he will be taking with him from Sherwood Greenlaw, which recently started streaming services on the internet.
“The things I focus on are making sure there are opportunities for young people, both within the local community and from a church point of view,”he said.
“Stories drive my ministry and it’s important to show people where Christ can meet them.”
Mr Brandon, whose last charge in the US was in the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee, added:“I grew up a city boy, but I love the outdoors.”
A keen reader, Mr Brandon is particularly interested in Scottish history and loves to take photographs of every church he visits.
Session Clerk in Buckie, Alma Blackhall, said:“We are absolutely delighted after all these years.
“We’re so excited and hope Wes will have a long and fruitful ministry here in Buckie.”