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I was born and grew up in Greenock where I attended the Church of Scotland. For a number of years I served as a Boys’ Brigade Officer and it was at a Boys’ Brigade training course that I met my wife Trish. I trained as a Chartered Accountant and after qualifying moved into industry where I worked for over 24 years for the same company rising to being their UK Finance Director. My job took me to Bolton where I joined the United Reformed Church (as they had a Boys’ Brigade Company). I served in various roles: junior church leader, elder, church secretary. Whilst in France in 2004, with a youth brass band, I felt God speak to me, calling me to ministry. After being accepted for training to Non-Stipendiary Ministry I trained at Northern College in Manchester part time along with Baptist, Methodist and Anglican students. During this training I felt called to full time ministry and was accepted to train for stipendiary ministry. Since my ordination I have served in Annan URC for 5 years and the Fife and Tayside Pastorate (Coaltown-of-Balgonie, Dunfermline, Dundee, Dunning and Newburgh) for 5 years – in the URC National Synod of Scotland. I have served on various committees and in my last 2 years in Scotland served as Synod treasurer and a Synod Officer. In 2021 I felt called to move pastorates and accepted a call to Blyth URC, Elsdon Avenue Church, Seghill Methodist and Trinity Bedlington. I look forward to serving in the lovely area of the country. When I am not ‘working’ I enjoy time with my model railway, spending time with my 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson and Trish and I enjoy time in our touring caravan (where we can be found once a month during the caravanning season). Regards, Revd Alan D McGougan |
