Rev Louise MacKay being ordained and inducted as the minister of St Nicholas Church, Lanark.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland the Rt Rev Dr Russell Barr has welcomed one of his proteges as the third new female minister in neighbouring parishes in under a year.
Former checkout girl Louise Mackay, 27, was ordained as her mentor Dr Barr looked on proudly.
The Moderator is minister at Cramond Kirk where Louise trained for 15 months and around 40 members of the parish travelled to Louise’s ordination last Thursday evening.
Miss Mackay, who was also mentored by Rev Dr Derek Browning, Moderator Designate for 2017-18, said: “I am delighted and blessed that I have been called to St Nicholas.
“I am excited about what the future holds for myself, for the congregation and for the local community.
“I hope that I am able to use my energy, creativity and zest to lead my new congregation and in the context of the wider work done by the Church of Scotland.”
Miss Mackay was raised in Selkirk and had a degree in psychology from Napier University in Edinburgh.
The Moderator said: “As well as being a very special occasion for Louise, her family, and her new congregation, it was also a special occasion for me and the people of Cramond Kirk
“She spent the final 15 months of her training there and it was a delight to see her grow and develop into the thoughtful, caring and highly skilled minister which she has now become.
“It was a pleasure to supervise Louise and, despite the wintry conditions, about 40 people travelled from Cramond to attend the service and show their support which is a sign of how highly she is regarded.
“She could not have been made more welcome by the people of St Nicholas and by her new colleagues in Lanark Presbytery.”
Dr Barr said he was pleased Miss Mackay would have be supported by other women of “varying experience of ministry”.
“As I approach the end of my ministry, it is good to see young people like Louise setting out in their first charge and it gives me confidence the church continues to be in good hands,” he added.
