Visitors to my BLOG are welcome!

I am a 56 year old priest, having served all my 32 years of ministry in the Scottish Episcopal Church, the last nine of which I’ve been here in Dumbarton. I have served in really interesting places throughout my ministry, such as Possilpark, Glenrothes, and Shettleston, The Cathedral in the West End of Glasgow, Kings Park and Castlemilk. I also got to be Prison Chaplain in Barlinnie for a year!

Being an avid Partick Thistle supporter, I am well used to the many ups and downs of life!  It is not known why Thistle supporters become supporters, it’s in the genes they say, but it makes for an interesting life, and it sure is character building!

I discovered Cursillo in 2002, and I would recommend this renewal movement to any Episcopalian who takes their faith seriously, but enjoys fun, laughter, and a good sing!! I guess Cursillo is the Church’s equivalent of Football’s “Lunatic Fringe”!!! I have been back for other sessions, but only to help at weekends for others. Many St Augustine’s folk have now taken part in a weekend, and a great time is still being had by all of us!

I visited The Gambia in November 2001, which began a long association with the country. I was seduced totally by the warmth, friendship and joy of the people there. I have returned on many occasions since! Third World poverty is shocking, but I have learned so much about being grateful for the basics! We are now running Dumbarton/London Corner Nursery School in Serrekunda, and helping to make things happen there beyond the children’s wildest dreams. Thanks to St Augustine’s folk, and many others, not only are 90 children getting free education, but a feeding programme has been introduced and medical care is being provided. Many individuals have joined the effort, but we always need others to pitch in. So much is now being developed at the school, and the People’s Centre, a local community project developed to help the poorest of the poor.

I have a special interest in recovery from addiction and 12 Step programmes. Life is fun today, and full of new adventures. I want it to stay that way!

I have many friends, but very few close friends!  My son, Graham, (29 now), is a rather independent and successful young man, and someone I am rather proud of! He has grown into a well-adjusted, level-headed young guy in spite of his up-bringing!  Living with his fiance Angela, he’s working now as a Quantity Surveyor,  earns  more than I do, and has graduated BSc (Hons) from Glasgow’s Caledonian University!

I was remarried to Linda, on October 22nd 2005, and am now happy, at last, with first of all a Soul Friend, and someone who can just about put up with my moodiness!

We are the proud owners of Peanut, a cute and lively King Charles/ Cavalier Spaniel, (her brother Toastie died in 2010), and a rather beautiful feline, Truffle, whom I refer to as the Silent Assassin! Archie, aka The Special One, is a rather large, biddable and sloppy Golden Retriever who was “rescued”, and is now settling into our family! Another cat with a history of neglect and abuse has also joined our little family. She’s called Sushi, or WC, “Wee Cat or “Wild Cat” depending on how she’s behaving, but is learning slowly how to be part of a pack! They are just wonderful, and light up everyone’s life!

Life is lived on a day-to-day basis, as well as I can do that, with gratitude for what I have, and it’s taken as it comes. I have learned to enjoy, or overcome, most things that come my way, and I no longer try to control anyone, or change everyone. Futile attempts in the past have taught me salient lessons.

I enjoy stirring up debate, making mischief, and watching other people’s reactions! Home computing has come into my life in a big way, and I have no idea what I would do without my PC! All my skills are self-taught, and many catastrophic mistakes have been made, but I am merely a human male who has no obvious need for instruction books or boring courses!