Session Clerk's Office

At the Kirk Session meeting at the end of November, Alastair Wyllie retired from his post as Session Clerk, after serving for nine years as Session Clerk firstly of Bolton and Saltoun Church, and since 2015 as Clerk to the united Kirk Session of Yester, Bolton and Saltoun. He has fulfilled this role with dedication and a huge commitment to the life of the church. His attention to detail, and vast knowledge of church law and procedure have served us very well in this time, and we are very grateful for all the hard work and faithfulness that Alastair has shown as Session Clerk.
 
John Macfarlane has succeeded Alastair in the role, and taken his oath at the same Session meeting, supported by two deputies, Wendy Fergusson and Paul Sales. In order to get to know them a bit better, we have asked them some questions:

1. Please tell us a bit more about yourself.
2. What excites you about being part of the church?
3. Which three items would you take with you on a desert island?

 
Here are their responses:

John:

1. Retired lawyer: live at Barley Mill near West Saltoun with wife Ray and two barky dogs, Muffin (labradoodle) and Rosie (Briard): one daughter, Amanda, now living and working in London
2. The feeling of being part of a local and also national and worldwide body of faith and believers past and present
3. (assuming Bible provided as per Desert Island Discs): a good Bible commentary to help understand fully; complete Pepys Diary (I think nine volumes); a violin and a "Teach Yourself To Play The Violin (Success Guaranteed)" course to go with it!

Wendy:

1. Work at McInroy & Wood, a personal investment management firm based in Haddington. I am an accountant by profession. Originally from Aberdeen, I moved to Edinburgh in 1991and then to East Lothian in 2006. I live at Longnewton, just outside Gifford, with husband Kenny and daughter Honor and our black lab Willow and 3 cats.
2. I enjoy being part of a community of like minded people.
3. ​If stranded on a desert island, my 3 items would be a coffee pot (am hoping coffee beans available on the island), a hammock and a satellite phone.

Paul:

1. Retired after many years in Retail and Manufacturing, mainly in the baking industry, and finishing with 16 years in several roles working for the Salvation Army. ​Patricia and I moved to Bolton 10 years ago, and our eldest daughter and family now live a few doors away. Our younger daughter and our son and partners all live in Edinburgh.
2. Church is the one of the opportunities to work out our faith in the local community alongside liked minded believers and use gifts that God has given us.
3. On a desert island I would like to take a machete or large bladed knife, a mirror or reflective glass and an initial supply of drinking water. Hopefully, Long John Silver won't be around.