The Herald reports…
“Scotland’s first openly gay minister took up his new job yesterday – with his ex-wife and partner sitting in the pews.
The Rev Scott Rennie, 37, sparked controversy when he was appointed minister at Queen’s Cross Church in Aberdeen.
Members of the congregation and other ministers tried to stop him getting the job, but he was eventually appointed after a long battle.
Mr Scott was formally inducted at a ceremony at the church last night. His ex-wife Ruth, with whom he has a young daughter, and partner David Smith were sitting among the congregation.
Before the service, Mr Scott said: “I am very happy to be here at Queen’s Cross Church in Aberdeen where the congregation called me to be their minister.
“I am looking forward to many happy years’ service at this church and this part of Aberdeen.
“The induction service will be a special occasion for myself and for the congregation.
“I look forward to getting on with the task and returning to some kind of normal life.”
Father-of-one Rennie is originally from Aberdeen and was an assistant minister at Queen’s Cross at the beginning of his career.
For the past 10 years he has been the minister at Brechin Cathedral. Few locals knew that he was divorced from his wife and was living with religious education teacher Mr Smith.
However, the matter came to light when he applied for the vacant minister’s post at Queen’s Cross. Some parishioners at the church, which is in the more affluent west end of the city, demanded to know more about his lifestyle so he compiled a special leaflet outlining his sexuality.
Despite some concerns he was voted into the job, but ministers from other churches appealed against the decision. This started a long, drawn-out process that was eventually decided by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in May.
His appointment was approved, but there has now been a ban on any other gay ministers being appointed for the next two years.
Yesterday Mr Scott went through his formal induction at the church, and told of his commitment to the church and to Queen’s Cross.
Afterwards he had tea and biscuits with his new flock and told them how happy he was to be there.
He refused to talk about Ruth and David being guests at the service, but their presence was confirmed by a church elder.
Although he is now formally installed as the minister he will not preach his first sermon until a week on Sunday.
Many members of the church are delighted he has been appointed, because they have not had a permanent minister since last year.
Rev Marion Cowie, of the Aberdeen Presbytery, said: “This is a new beginning for Scott. He’s looking forward to being the minister and the congregation are ready to move on.
“They’re relieved that everything is over and done with and that Scott is their new minister.”
“…he was appointed minister at QUEEN’S CROSS CHURCH in Aberdeen”.
Is this a bad pun?
Stop it LF – you don’t want to cross a queen – nor get one cross!