Former shop manager Stuart Finlayson (37) from Forres completing his probationary year as a Church of Scotland minister

A LOCAL man who left Forres to study then start a career in retail has returned with his family to take on an unexpected role in the community.

Former Pilmuir Primary pupil and Forres Academy student, Stuart Finlayson (37), lives in Forres with his wife Siân, daughter Lowri (7) and son Gethin (3), and, having worked in many jobs since he left home aged 19, is now completing a probationary year as a Church of Scotland minister.

He said: “Mission and ministry are very important to me and being part of the community at every level is where I’d like to begin.

“I love sharing stories and helping people realise their stories fit into the biggest story there is: the story of God and His unimaginable love for His creation.”

Stuart’s first job was at Mackenzie and Cruickshank on Forres High Street.

He left to study architectural design technology in Glasgow, but returned between semesters to labour with builder Bruce Hay and work as a barman at the Red Lion and the Carlton, as well as summer work as a postman.

Over the next few years various jobs in retail and delivery throughout Scotland followed.

Time at Sunday School in Dyke seemed a distant memory.

While working, though, for removal firm White and Company, Stuart helped to move an army Padre and his family from Catterick Garrison, York, to Inverness.

He said: “We got chatting and he gave me a small camouflage Bible, suggesting that if I was lonely while working away from home then I should read it.

“One night I was tired and missed my family, so I opened the Bible and began reading Matthew’s Gospel.

“I soon felt oddly at peace!”

He added: “It wasn’t until that meeting with the Padre that I felt like God was reaching out to me in a very personal way.

“Almost my every thought somehow revolved around God. I just couldn’t get Him out of my mind.”

Inspired, Stuart applied to the Church of Scotland and began training for a full-time ministry in 2017.

Last July, Stuart graduated with a BA Theology from UHI.

He is now serving at Elgin St Giles and St Columba’s South with parish minister Rev Deon Oelofse, as well as the Parish of Forres St Laurence with interim moderator, Rev Sonia Palmer who has been supervising him for the last eight months.

He said: “I am so blessed to have had them with me while I complete my probationary year.”

The soon to be reverend has been entrusted with the traditional Church of Scotland parish style of ministry – and more.

He said: “I have been given freedom to seek out new ways for the church to engage with people.

“I’ve started youth groups like ‘Sweaty Church’, using sports and games in the park to teach young people the truths of the Bible.”

Stuart has also been appointed as Chaplain to Forres Mechanics Football Club.

He said: “Mission and ministry are very important to me.

“Being part of the community at every level is where I’d like to begin.

“I’m currently part of the Forge Scotland Pioneer and Church Planting course, and I’m learning so much about what the church might look like in today’s culture.

“I truly believe that being creative with our ministry is the way forward.

“And of course, getting onto the street and meeting people where they are, like Jesus did!”