I grew up in Clarkston on the south side of Glasgow, moving to Linlithgow in West Lothian when I was 14. I was very involved in the life and worship of both Giffnock South Church and then St Michael’s Church in Linlithgow where I was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Youth Fellowship. It was there I made my confession of faith and joined the church. It still holds a special place in my heart.

I felt called to ministry in my teens and finally plucked up the courage to test that call when I was 21. Following attendance at Selection School I was accepted as a candidate for ministry in 1983 and went to study divinity at New College, Edinburgh University.

I married Dave, my husband, whilst I was at New College and moved to Fife where he was living and working as a Civil Engineer with Fife Council. As a consequence all my practical training was done there. My church placements were both in Kirkcaldy, at Abbotshall and then Viewforth, followed by my ‘probation’ at Markinch Parish Church. I was called to the newly linked charge of Largo and Newburn with Largo: St David’s in St Andrews Presbytery and was ordained and inducted on 4 May 1988. I was there for 17 years before accepting a call back to Abbotshall in 2005 where I served until 2017. During my time in Kirkcaldy I was also Presbytery Clerk.

Dave and I walked the St Cuthbert Way (from Melrose, through Bowden to Lindisfarne) back in 2013, little realising what lay ahead. I was inducted into the charge of Bowden and Melrose in March 2017. I am greatly enjoying my ministry here and being back in a more rural setting.

In 2019 I took on the Convenership of the Ministries Council of the Church of Scotland, becoming Convener of the new Faith Nurture Forum at the start of 2020, completing my term at the General Assembly of May 2023. 

Dave and I have two grown up children who are currently both living and working in Edinburgh. We enjoy ski-ing in the winter, walking and cycling in the better weather. I enjoy reading – particularly a good murder – and a night out at the theatre with my daughter. I am (still) learning to play the piano!

Rev. Rosemary Frew

RFrew@churchofscotland.org.uk