Local hero

For the past six months, Mixed Mode ordinand Ross Stirling-Young from the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane has been serving as Store Chaplain in Morrisons Supermarket, located in one of the retail parks close to Glenrothes Town Centre. He has done this under the auspices of Workplace Chaplaincy Scotland, representing St Luke’s and the wider Scottish Episcopal Church.

In this secular shrine, many significant encounters have occurred, with employees sharing elements of their spiritual pilgrimage with him as he walked through the site. Throughout his time there, Ross has been at pains to journal these experiences carefully for ongoing reflection about the role of the Church in the modern marketplace.

Last week he was presented with the ‘Hero Award’ from Morrisons Glenrothes ‘Moments of Hope Community Awards’ . Here he is alongside the People’s Manager and Community Champion, having just received the award, a bottle of fizz and an Amazon voucher. Photograph courtesy of Lesley Melville (Personnel Clerk).

Ross said, ‘I’m not so sure of the word hero! But I was totally surprised to be nominated and chosen.’

We, however, are sure it is the right word, and are very proud of his ministry of presence and active listening in the store. Warm congratulations, Ross!