A Lanark minister had an audience with the King after receiving a prestigious invitation to the 25th anniversary celebration of the Scottish Parliament.
Rev Bryan Kerry of Greyfriars Parish Church attended the Holyrood event in recognition of his community work which saw him nominated as the Clydesdale constituency’s “local hero” by Mairi McAllan MSP.
He was among those chosen to meet King Charles, and even conversed with the monarch about what had proved to be a historic visit to Lanark in the then-Prince of Wales’ final engagement before his accession two years ago.
Rev Kerr was among the 129 community stalwarts nominated by each of the parliament’s elected members to attend its silver jubilee celebrations “in recognition of the valuable and important service they provide to their communities”.
The Greyfriars minister was put forward honouring his work in creating warm spaces at the Bloomgate church to support local residents during the cost of living crisis, contributing to the work of Clydesdale Food Bank and providing support to detainees at Dungavel detention centre.
Ms McAllan nominated the long-serving local minister to fly the flag for the constituency “in recognition of his inclusive and modern approach to worship and his community work”.
Rev Kerr called it “a real privilege” to attend the 25th anniversary celebration – and told how he had discussed the King’s last visit to Lanark, which saw him visit New Lanark World Heritage Site and its auction mart at the agricultural centre on September 7 2022, the day before the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
He said: “It was an honour to meet His Majesty and speak to him about my ministry in Lanark, and he said I had a good memory when I reminded him that it was our community he visited as his last engagement as the Prince of Wales.
“It has been part of the DNA of my ministry in Clydesdale for the past 22 years to focus on the needs of the community and make the church an integral part of supporting those who need it.
“In Greyfriars we work hard to ensure an inclusive approach that truly means all are welcome, and this has resulted in being able to offer weddings to couples in both same- and opposite-sex relationships – something which at the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament would never have even been dreamt of as possible by most.
“We hope and pray that those who need support will always find a welcome, a smile and people to care for them within Greyfriars.”
He added of the other community workers and volunteers across Lanark and Clydesdale: “There are so many more who support our ministry and community work in Greyfriars and beyond, and I pay tribute to them and offer my thanks for their ongoing work.”
Ms McAllan said: “Rev Kerr has devoted himself to the community he serves for a great number of years. As a forward-thinking minister as well as a good friend, he has overseen important work to assist local citizens during the cost of living crisis and has also been there for those too often forgotten in society.”
Clydesdale’s MSP, a Scottish Government cabinet secretary, added: “Marking 25 years since the re-convening of the Scottish Parliament is a moment to reflect on the progress made in our nation since that historic milestone, and to look forward towards the future still to be written.
“There is no doubt that the parliament has firmly established itself as the beating heart of Scottish public life. Over the course of the past 25 years, we can point to achievements that have shaped our country for the better including equal marriage, minimum unit alcohol pricing, creation of a Scottish national investment bank, a standalone offence of domestic abuse, banning fox hunting and many more.”
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