An amateur rugby player will be ordained as the new minister of an Aberdeen church today.
Former fitness instructor Jonny Clipston, 35, will take up the role following a special service at Newhills Church in Bucksburn.
After growing up in a manse in Galashiels, Mr Clipston felt “called” to follow in his father’s footsteps as a minister during his final year of a sports science course at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh.
“It came pretty much out of the blue,” he said. “But it did mean that I had a good idea of what that entailed including the demands and some of the harder aspects.”
Mr Clipston has previously worked as a manager, personal trainer and gym instructor, and also coaches rugby.
He is a member of Liberton Rugby Club, where he has the nickname The Vicar of Libby – a play on the title of BBC comedy The Vicar of Dibley.
Mr Clipston said: “I loved working with people to achieve really positive life changes and that ability to relate to people is useful in ministry as well.
Rev Dr John Ferguson, clerk to the Presbytery of Aberdeen, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jonny and his wife ML.
“We are pleased that Newhills have filled the vacancy following the retirement of the Rev Hugh Wallace in September 2018.
