Clydesdale parishes welcome new minister who serves as chaplain to women’s football team

Clydesdale parishes welcome new minister who serves as chaplain to women’s football team

Clydesdale has welcomed a new Church of Scotland minister after Rev Dawn Westwood celebrated her ordination at Greyfriars Parish Church. The new cleric will take up a role as an assistant minister across the area following her vows and will provide pastoral and preaching support to the area’s congregations – as well as serving as chaplain to Livingston FC’s women’s team. She spent her probationary period at Kirkton Church in her home town of Carluke, after previous training placements with the Lanark congregation of Greyfriars plus St Mary’s in Motherwell and Boghall in Bathgate.

Rev Westwood was joined by husband Graham, children Logan (16), Eilidh (13) and nine-year-old Sophie as well as relatives, friends and colleagues for her ordination. Described as a “true believer in faith and football”, the former nurse decided to train for the ministry and studied for a BA degree at Highland Theological College in Dingwall, graduating last year and taking up her parish placements. She said: “I was blessed and nurtured by the congregations that I was placed with. My heart was so full to see some many people gathered at Greyfriars [for the ordination] who love God and love people, calling us all back to be kingdom builders together.

Rev Westwood told how her uncle, also a minister, baptised her in hospital because she was born prematurely and it wasn’t certain that she was going to survive – adding: “After that, I had a blessing in the church and it’s been a part of my life ever since. “I saw God’s love in action through my parents and in my grandparents. Being able to talk about my faith and pray for others when they don’t feel able to pray for themselves is such a gift and a blessing.” She said of her career in nursing: “I developed strong leadership skills within my role as a manager and these are skills which I have taken into my ministry.”

Rev Westwood was supervised during her Carluke placement by Greyfriars minister Rev Bryan Kerr; and said: “The congregation of Kirkton were very welcoming and allowed me to try new things – I have loved preaching on a regular basis, have been privileged to take funeral services for families and enjoyed school chaplaincy and Sunday night youth group. “It has been lovely living in the parish, although I do find myself taking a long time to get around Tesco now!

Now she is “privileged” to be offering pastoral support – helping with mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing – in parishes across Clydesdale as well as in her sporting role at Almondvale. Rev Westwood described the Livingston women’s team as “an absolute joy” and said: “It is a very special ministry to be a part of. “Ministry requires good and trusted friends, lots of prayers and the knowledge that you are equipped and sustained by God. Church is so much bigger than our walls as we love people where they are.”

***Insights and Summary:***
Rev Dawn Westwood’s journey into the ministry serves as an inspirational tale of faith and dedication. Her experience as a nurse and her strong leadership skills have now found a new purpose in serving the congregations of Clydesdale. Beyond her pastoral duties, Rev Westwood’s role as chaplain to Livingston FC’s women’s team highlights the intersection of faith and football, showcasing a unique opportunity for spiritual outreach in a sporting context. Her story reminds us of the diverse paths individuals take towards their calling and the importance of support from communities and loved ones along the way.