A FORMER Jamestown minister has been welcomed to the Scottish Parliament where she led a time for reflection recently.

Rev Norma Moore was nominated by Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie to head to Holyrood and deliver her at the start of Parliamentary business at the start of November.

Rev Moore first arrived at Jamestown Parish Church in 2004, with many local residents surprised that a female minister had been appointed.

She went on to be a successful and popular leader of the church during her 13-year tenure, prior to her retirement in 2017.

Ms Baillie said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Norma and her guests to Parliament to lead Time for Reflection.

“When Norma told me she would be talking about committees, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but the content of her contribution really struck a chord with me as I am sure it will have with many Members of the Scottish Parliament.”

During her time in Jamestown, Rev Moore forged close links with the Preparation for Life project, a residential unit for vulnerable young people and also worked to establish a bursary scheme to educate Palestinian Christian children in the West Bank.

She was also chaplain to both Jamestown and Haldane primary schools and has been involved in Action for Churches Together in the Vale of Leven, promoting stronger links between parishes.

In addition, throughout her time in West Dunbartonshire, she conducted an annual service to commemorate the evacuation of Dunkirk and the involvement of Skylark XI, the little ship, in Operation Dynamo to rescue allied troops during World War II. 

The Skylark was rescued from the River Leven where it was partially sunken and has gone on to become a project for people recovering from addiction through Alternatives.