YEOMAN, Rev Douglas  NS Trg 1975-78. D, 1977. P, 1978. Hon Asst C, St Martin’s, Edinburgh 1977-90 & St Luke’s, Edinburgh 1979-1990. Chapl, Gogarburn Hosp 1995-99. Asst P, St Cuthbert, Colinton 1996-. Chapl, Royal Edinburgh Hosp 1998-

So runs Douglas’s entry in the Directory of the Scottish Episcopal Church. It tells nothing of the man we all know and love. Quietly and in his usual unassuming style, Douglas has explored new avenues for the Scottish Episcopal Church. He was in the first group of ten that were ordained and commissioned to work as non-stipendiary ministers.  He has been leading mid-week worship at St Andrew’s and St George’s Kirk since 1986 and currently works with patients suffering with Alzheimer’s disease at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. 

Douglas grew up in Leith and that combined with his subsequent employment in the Borders has enabled him to connect with many people who have come to him for help and advice.  Perhaps his long experience in Insurance gave him that special quality of giving people reassurance in times of difficulty.  His practical knowledge of everyday essentials has helped many to cope with problems.  And as he reads this he will say ‘Who is this man John is writing about?  I must meet him.  I’ve a few problems I’d like some help with.’ for Douglas does not pretend to know all the answers. He has a deep faith that carries him forward, one step at a time.

Douglas’s church career began in St James, Leith, with his baptism.  Sunday school, the Adventurers, singing in the choir, bell ringing, the Boys’ Brigade, Youth Fellowship all combined to prepare him for the many years of service within the church.  A perceptive priest, Paddy Welwood, at St Martin’s persuaded Douglas gradually to take leading roles in public worship. And then in 1974,  when Bishop Kenneth Carey realised that there were not enough priests to sustain the parish communion movement (which had come late to Scotland) Douglas was willing to offer his many gifts and to undertake the arduous training expected of the new Non-stipendiary Ministers.  The way was not always easy after his ordination; there were many who were suspicious of this departure from the traditional training of the clergy and some who were hostile to the idea of non-stipendiary clergy.  But Douglas’s caring ministry, along with that of his fellow NSM’s, soon demonstrated that theirs were valid vocations and that this broadening of the clergy enriched the church’s ministry.

Since joining the congregation at St Cuthbert’s, Douglas has encouraged within it that ministry of Welcome that is so characteristic of him.  He accepts people as they are: people full of idiosyncrasies but always people capable of giving and receiving love and we have all benefited from that insight.  His work has contributed vitally to the outreach of the congregation to the community around us and has helped develop its ministry as a whole.  In all his work among us, he has been quietly supported by Jean and for that support we are deeply grateful. Twenty-five years of diligent, faithful service is indeed something to celebrate and to give thanks for.  The young laddie from Leith could never guessed what joining the choir would bring!

John Searl