We are delighted to announce that Revd John Bremner has been appointed as the new Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Officer for the National Synod of Scotland. John is no stranger to the Synod, currently serving as the minister for Avonbridge URC and Bathgate URC. He will take up his new role on 1^st October. John brings a wealth of experience to his appointment, which is apparent from the biography he provides:

“Much of my ministry has been in ecumenical and/or interfaith contexts. My first pastorate was in the South West Manchester Group (Baptist/URC); from there I moved to Italy to work with the Waldensian Church, which is itself a union of the Waldensian and Methodist Churches in Italy, and the ecumenical life in Italy, as can be imagined, is quite different from that in Britain. Then to South Croydon, where I was involved in several Interfaith activities; and since 2006 my ministry in Scotland has included four years as Convenor of the Synod’s Ecumenical and World Church Committee. So I hope to bring a wide range of experiences to the post, which will hopefully enable me to be of service to the Synod of Scotland, to the wider United Reformed Church, and to the wider Church in Scotland.”

In response to John’s appointment, Synod Moderator, Revd Dr David Pickering said:

“I warmly welcome John’s appointment at this time of opportunity to strengthen and build ecumenical relations and partnerships both locally and nationally in Scotland, and build on our positive relationships with people of other faiths. John brings gifts of ecumenical commitment, reformed theological insight and clarity of mind for detailed  work; and I look forward to working with John in the coming times.”

Revd Philip Brooks, Secretary for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations at Church House said:

“I very much look forward to working with John. He takes up the role at an extremely interesting time for ecumenical relations in Scotland and it is good that his brief will also include Interfaith work. John is a welcome addition to our small team of ecumenical officers, alongside Revd Sally Thomas who is Ecumenical Officer  for the Synod of Wales.”