History

Rector:The Reverend Canon Robin Paisley BSc BD

I see the Life of Faith as a journey of discovery in which we learn more and more about God's revelation and call to us. My own journey has had some significant milestones: early upbringing in Ireland, study and work as a Physicist, Electronic Engineer and Teacher/Lecturer in various parts of England and Scotland, marriage and the nurture of children and, of course, response to God's call to faith and service as a "Clerk in Holy Orders". Although my early Christian upbringing was in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, I have settled into ministry in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition because it not only resonates with my own spirituality but also because it enables me to experience and reconcile differing Christian traditions. A particular interest I have in ministry is being a Companion in Faith to those whom I have an opportunity to encounter, not only members of my congregation but also visitors and those who I have the privilege of meeting in other walks of life. I look forward to all those meetings in which the presence of God in Jesus Christ may be noticed through the power of the Holy Spirit. The story of Jacob's encounter with God in Genesis 28 is an interesting example and I hope St John's, like Bethel, can be a place which is a "gateway to heaven" and I can play my part in helping people recognise when God is opening the gate.

Lay Reader: Mr Paul Wilson

Lay Reader Emeritus: Mr Richard Starkey, BA

Assisting Clergy

The Revd Steven Ballard

The Revd David Batson, AKC, BD, FSA (Scot)

The Revd Andrew G MacKenzie, BD

The Revd Joan M Marr, SRN

The Revd Dr Ann Shukman, MA, DPhil

For 12 very happy years I was in rural ministry in North Oxfordshire (the Benefice of Steeple Aston, North Aston and Tackley). I was involved with the full round of parish and pastoral duties with a special brief for Family Services, and 'Mothers and Toddlers' which used to meet in my house until we graduated to the Parish Church. For eight of those years I was a Deaconess, then for two years Deacon and for two years Priest. I was among the first women to be ordained in the Church of England in April 1994.

After (first!) retirement I moved to Oxford and was Warden of the St Theosevia Centre for Christian Spirituality which is a residential house in North Oxford devoted to promoting understanding between the Western Churches and Orthodoxy. We ran regular Study Days and weekend conferences. I resigned from there when circumstances - the death of my uncle and the inheritance of Elshieshields - brought me up to Dumfries. (That was my second retirement)

I studied Russian at University and have always kept up my interest in that wonderful and tragic country. I spent three months in Moscow in the autumn of 1991 as representative of Keston Institute when all the churches were re-opening and religious life was at last free. In my own faith journey I have been influenced and inspired by the experience of Russian believers under Communism. Latterly I have been working on the great Russian saint, St Seraphim of Sarov, and continue to write and do translations from Russian.

The Very Reverend Paul Burbridge, M.A., F.S.A.

Paul began his ministry at Eastbourne Parish church, before being appointed to the staff of York Minster as Vicar Choral and Chamberlain. He was Canon Precentor of the Minster until his appointment as Archdeacon of Richmond and Canon Residentiary of Ripon Cathedral. He was subsequently Dean of Norwich for twelve years before retiring to the Yorkshire Dales, and subsequently to Dumfries. He has special interests in church music and late medieval and reformation English church history. He has been involved for some years in the Church’s Ministry of Healing.