THIS month, Gary and his family jet off to the USA for a pulpit swap with Revd. Jonathan Warren, who is pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, Illinois, while the Warren family will be coming here.

Jonathan is taking a sabbatical over the summer, the theme of which is ‘Family and Heritage’ – which is part of what brings him to Scotland. Many American Presbyterians are interested in the roots of the church – and, in addition, Jonathan recently discovered that his own ancestors lived right here in Houston, generations ago! Coming to our community and being part of our congregation for a few weeks feels like a very special circumstance to him, and Jonathan and his family are excited and looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Jonathan grew up outside Chicago and served as a Presbyterian missionary in Kenya for a year after he finished college. He attended seminary in Austin, Texas, where he met his wife, Siobhan, who is also a Presbyterian minister.

The Warrens have lived in many places in the United States, including New Mexico, Tennessee and Illinois. Their daughters, Hannah, 14, and Lydia, 12, both enjoy performing in school theatre productions.

We look forward to welcoming them.