Former Denny High head follows in family footsteps with minister move

Former Denny High head follows in family footsteps with minister move

A former head teacher of Denny High School has continued a family tradition by transitioning into a role as a Church of Scotland minister at the age of 63. Rev Stephen Miller’s father, the late Rev William Hastie Miller, had served as a minister in Lanarkshire and Fife. Additionally, his mother, Rev Margaret Michie, of Kinross Parish Church, became an Ordained Local Minister (OLM) at the age of 75 in 2013. Mr Miller retired as the head teacher of Denny High School in 2020 after a 40-year teaching career. His sister-in-law, Rev Eileen Miller, holds the position of Fife Presbytery pastoral care co-ordinator.

The ordination of Rev Stephen Miller took place at Auchterarder Parish Church, where many friends and family, including Revs Michie and Miller, attended the ceremony. Among the attendees were Mr Miller’s daughters Paula and Jill, as well as his youngest grandchild Ellie, who was just 25 days old at the time. With 38 years of experience as an elder and 39 years as a church organist, Mr Miller will provide pulpit supply on Sundays. His main focus will involve working within Perth Presbytery and nationally within the Church of Scotland.

In his new role, Mr Miller expressed his dedication to supporting staff in schools, particularly focusing on mental health and resilience. He aims to explore, develop, and share best practices related to chaplaincy support for school staff, primarily within Perth Presbytery initially. Additionally, he will serve as the co-ordinator of the Education and Schools Group at the national church, focusing on supporting Church of Scotland representatives on local authority education committees, providing training and resources for school ministry workers, and advising on education-related policies at the national level.

Stephen Miller’s father, Rev William Hastie Miller, had previously served as a minister at Cleland Parish Church and Markinch Parish Church. Reflecting on his new journey, Mr Miller expressed gratitude to Perth Presbytery for supporting his calling to innovative work within schools and the education sector.

Insights and Summary:

Rev Stephen Miller’s transition from a long-standing career as a school head teacher to a Church of Scotland minister at the age of 63 showcases a significant shift in his professional journey. His commitment to supporting school staff in addressing mental health challenges and promoting resilience highlights the importance of holistic well-being within educational settings. By taking on roles that merge his teaching background with pastoral care and educational policy coordination, Mr Miller demonstrates a multidimensional approach to serving his community. His family’s legacy in ministry adds a personal touch to his new chapter, emphasising the continuity of faith and service across generations.