CURRENT MINISTER
REV. Kenneth C. Elliott BA BD Cert Min. 1989 - Date
Kenneth was born on the 18th December 1959 and brought up in the town of Paisley. On leaving School in June 1977 he started work with the Department of Health and Social Security as casual employment for the summer. Unsure of where his future lay he then applied successfully for a full-time position.
Kenneth’s own family Church was Sherwood in Paisley and there he was heavily involved with the Boys’ Brigade and Youth Organisations. Through time he felt called to the Ministry and in 1983 left the D.H.S.S. to begin studying and training at Glasgow University.
During his studies at Glasgow Kenneth served as the Student Assistant at Elderslie Kirk for two years and at the High Church in Paisley (Now known as Oakshaw Trinity) for two years. During a post-graduate year Kenneth studied Industrial Chaplaincy and Psychiatric Chaplaincy. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Paisley in Paisley Abbey on the 31st August 1988.
After University Kenneth spent his Probationary period as Assistant Minister at Martyrs’ Church in Paisley. During his time at Martyr’s Kenneth started a Church Café which still exists to this day.
In November 1989 Kenneth was Ordained and Inducted to Prestwick South Parish where he has enjoyed a very happy and rewarding ministry. In addition to the structural changes that have taken place to the property of the Church over the years of his Ministry Kenneth has also been heavily involved in the Organisational and Social life of the Congregation.
One of the first innovations Kenneth made at Prestwick South was for the formation of a Social Committee to stimulate a greater sense of fellowship and friendship within the Congregation and also local community. Over the years Theatre Outings, Car Treasure Hunts, Barbecues, Outings, Christmas Shopping Trips and a great deal more have ensured that Prestwick South has a very active social life. In 1992 he founded the 4th Prestwick Boys’ Brigade Company to cater for the needs of young boys within the area.
Of course Worship is a priority within the Church. In recent years Kenneth has tried to make Worship more appealing to all generations and Prestwick South now has a monthly family Service where young people take part. In 2003 Kenneth also formed a Worship Group to allow those interested in leading worship to have the opportunity to share their talents with the Congregation. The Worship Group regularly contribute to worship and also take the Service twice a year in Prestwick South.
Within the Presbytery of Ayr Kenneth has served in a variety of different capacities:
| Convener of the Presbytery of Ayr Benefice & Fabric Committee | 1997-2000 |
| Interim Moderator at Alloway Parish Church | 1998-1999 |
| Currently the Presbytery of Ayr Representative on West Sound Radio Religeous Programming Advisory Group | 1998- |
| Moderator of Ayr Presbytery | 2000-2001 |
| Convener of the Presbytery of Ayr Mission Committee | 2001-2003 |
| Interim Moderator at Ayr: St.Quivox Parish Church | 2003-2004 |
| Interim Moderator at Coylton / Drongan Parish Churches | 2006-2008 |
In January 2009 Kenneth was appointed ‘Associate Clerk to the Presbytery of Ayr. He will formally become ‘Presbytery Clerk’ on the 1st January 2010 following the retirement of the current Clerk.
At National level Kenneth has served on two committees:
| National Mission (New Charge Development) | 2002-2004 |
| Board of Communication | 2004-2005 |
Due to the restructuring of the National Committees the Board of Communication was replaced in 2005.
Within the local area Kenneth is Chaplain to Glenburn Primary School and also a Team Chaplain at Prestwick Academy. He was also a Sessional Chaplain at Ayr Hospital from 2002 – 2007, his contract was terminated due to the appointment of another full-time Chaplain. Kenneth greatly enjoyed his time at Ayr Hospital where he was involved in liaising with the palliative care staff and thereafter visiting palliative care patients.
One other important aspect of Kenneth’s work in the community is his involvement with religion broadcasting. In 1998 Kenneth became the Presbytery of Ayr’s Representative on West Sound Radio Religious Programming Advisory Group. This appointment was the catalyst for an even greater involvement and Kenneth now co-ordinates a rota for a Sunday night religious programme ‘Sunday Night at Nine’. This programme which is broadcast from 9pm – 10pm on 1035AM plays the best in religious and contemporary music. The programme also carries out interviews with local Christians involved with charities or projects; it has a Newsdesk highlighting forthcoming Church events; and has a Reflection. Kenneth presents this programme every third Sunday.
Another rewarding aspect of Kenneth’s diverse ministry has been the privilege of leading members of the Congregation and their friends on religious pilgrimages:
| Israel | This included visits to the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethlehem, Masada and the Dead Sea. | 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Iona | Included the celebration of Holy Communion in the Abbey. | 2003 |
| Lindisfarne | On this pilgrimage the group also visited Hexham Abbey, Durham Cathedral, Bamburgh Castle and Melrose Abbey. | 2005 |
| Rome | This naturally included all the major sites in Rome with additional excursions to Assisi and Frascati. | 2007 |
| Krakow | This included excursions to Auschwitz, Zakopane, Wadowice plus an unforgettable raft ride through the Dunajec River Gorge. | 2009 |
With regards to family life Kenneth married Fiona in July 1985. Fiona is qualified as a State Registered Nurse and currently works at the Ayrshire Hospice in the Day Unit. They have two sons Richard (Born 30th March 1990) and David (24th March 1992). Family life in the Manse is often hectic, reflecting not just a busy Church, but also the involvement of Richard and David in their own social and sporting pastimes. In addition there is the family pet, Rannoch, a golden cocker spaniel who brings a great deal of joy and pleasure to the family.
For Kenneth his own hobbies and pastimes revolve around trying to keep active by playing Golf and Racquet Sports such as Badminton and Tennis. In Prestwick South there are a number of keen golfers and two competitions are held during the course of the year.
As Kenneth looks to the immediate future in Prestwick South he hopes that the Church buildings can be further developed and upgraded, not only to cater for our modern world, but to allow the Prestwick South to be even more integrated into the community.