Hi Friends,

Just a brief note to introduce myself to you in the Lyle Kirk.

My name is David Burt, I am 55 years old (56 at the end of July).

I was born and raised in Paisley with my parents Ann and Jim Burt and my younger brother Wallace. My Mum still stays in Paisley, as does my brother and his family. I attended Abercorn and Gallowhill Primary schools and then Castlehead High School.  (A connection with the Lyle Kirk is that my Latin and Careers teacher at Castlehead was Miss Colquoun, a member of this congregation!)

I left school after 5^th year and went to Glasgow University to undertake a 4 year Batchelor of Divinity degree, graduating in 1985 followed by a two year Diploma in Ministry completed in 1987. I recently completed my academic work by graduating with a Master of Theology degree from Aberdeen University in November 2018. 

My journey to Ministry was really by being nurtured in my faith at home, and via my home congregation of Wallneuk Paisley, now Wallneuk North. I felt the call to Ministry in Primary 7 when I responded to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I answered a Minister. I was accepted as a candidate for Ministry of Word and Sacrament by the Church of Scotland in 1985. In the course of my training I acted as student attachment at St. Georges Church Paisley under the Rev. Tom Cant for two years and then two years at St. Johns Church Paisley under the supervision of Rev. Ian Currie. After completing my studies I was appointed to serve as probationer for two years at St. Meddans Church, Troon with Rev. David Harper as my supervisor.

I was called to the newly created union of St. Mary’s and Old Parish Church in the town of Hawick in the Scottish Borders. I was ordained and inducted to the charge at the age of 24, the youngest you can be under Church of Scotland rules, and served as Minister there for eight and a half years. I eventually became a linked Charge with Cavers and Kirkton as well. During my time in the Borders I acted as youth advisor to the Presbytery and regional organiser for the reformatted Youth Assembly.

I then translated to the charge of Hamilton: Hillhouse in January 1997 and served the congregation there for just short of 17 years. This was a Church Extention Church, founded in the 1950’s and very much part of the community which I sought to consolidate during my time there. I was very active in School Chaplaincy, to 3 primary schools and a Deaf Unit and Earnock High School. Eventually I became a part of a wonderful chaplaincy team serving the new Clydeview Academy. In this regard I worked very closely with the current Minister of Westburn Parish Church in Greenock Rev. Karen Harbison, we remain good friends.

In 2014 I was invited to apply for and was called to the charge of Old Gourock and Ashton and I was inducted in November of that year. It is fair to say I have had a varied, interesting and very happy church journey. Along the road I have been blessed with meeting and befriending some truly wonderful people who I am still privileged call friends.

While a student at St Johns Church Paisley I met Shona, who sang in the choir and was in the youth group I helped to run. Romance blossomed and we were engaged in 1987 and married in St. Johns by the Rev Ian Currie on the 29^th of September 1989. Shona has shared this wonderful journey with me and I have been blessed with her love and support. She is very often asked, “Are you married to him? How do you put up with him?” I’m sometimes not sure how she does, but I am very glad she does. For without her support the journey would not have been as much fun. Shona’s dad Robert still lives in Paisley as well.

I look forward to sharing with the Lyle Kirk on it’s vacancy journey and I hope you will find me to be open and easy to talk to and get on with. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help. It is what I am here for.

Wishing you God’s richest blessing

David W.G. Burt

B.D. Dip. Min. MTh