Farewell to Rev and Mrs James Scott
October 23, 2010
On Saturday 23rd, we said our farewells to the Rev and Mrs Scott, better known as Jim and Roz.
To mark their leaving the congregation and community held a farewell event in Drumoak Church from 6pm to 7pm and then we repaired to the Church Hall for refreshments. The photo shows Jim and Roz cutting their retirement cake. .jpg)
Some 300 attendees enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining evening. The programme hit just the right note; some humour, some serious thanksgiving, some messages from people who couldn’t be there, a lot of music and singing.
The valedictory address was given by the Session Clerk. He gave short biographies of Jim and Roz, touching on their families and of their early days in their ministries.
When Jim and Roz came to Drumoak-Durris we were two congregations in crisis; they left us as one thriving congregation in union, a busy Sunday Club a very successful YSunday group, a music group and many other groups.
Jim had been active in the Kincardine and Deeside Presbytery too and was given credit for that.
Jim was born in Glasgow and educated at Huchesons’ Grammar School from August 1957 to June 1966. He was captain of 1st XI cricket team, played in the badminton team and was Dux of the school in classics. He and his brother Ally played football endlessly - Ally going on to play for Rangers amongst many other teams. Roz too went to Hutchesons’ where she was Head Girl. From Hutchesons, Jim went on to Glasgow University to read Classics and where he was Captain of the football team. Roz graduated at the same time – 1969. From Glasgow, Jim went on to read Divinity at Aberdeen University.
In July 1970, he and Roz met at a Summer Mission in Arbroath, and the rest as we say is history
Jim’s first post was as Assistant Minister in Wester Hailes, a huge housing estate in Edinburgh. This must have been a challenge for a newly ordained Minister but there’s no doubt that Jim made his mark there. Then, he was inducted into Northfields in July 1973, a position he took up when he was only 25 years old and only a month after he and Roz were married. Jim and Roz spent 18 years and 8 months in Northfields; nearly 19 years where their ministry made a significant difference to the lives of the people of Northfields.
After Northfields, Jim and Roz spent the same amount of time with us in Drumoak- Durris, 18 years and 8 months.
Over the years legions of people passed through the doors of the Manse and enjoyed Roz’s hospitality; we hear that modern ministers don’t want to use the manse as a meeting place as it is first and foremost their home. Well, we must change with the times but it’s a shame. The Durris Manse was an ideal place for meetings and for summer tea parties and YSunday BBQs. But times change and we will change too; indeed we look forward to taking this God-given opportunity for change to grow and grow our church.
There's simply no doubt that the best way to repay Jim and Roz is to build on the legacy left by them and to become stronger than ever.