Rev Peter Johnston

Charge A

Never far from church life, Peter's birth was announced at the afternoon communion service at St Columba's Church of Scotland, Pont St, London where his father was the organist.

Growing up in Gravesend, Kent, Peter then became a chorister at Peterborough Cathedral before moving back to Kent for the last few years of his schooling.

His first degree was in the sciences, Biology, before moving to Aberdeen University where he studied Divinity.

While working during the summer of 1993 as the Music Director in a summer camp in Massachussetts he met Carolyn who was leading one of the camps for adults with special needs. They were married in January 1995 in Annandale, Virginia and then moved back to Aberdeen.

With the impending arrival of a first child, Peter began his probationary period at Kintore Parish Church under the supervision of Rev Alan Greig. During this time Sophia was born.

Peter was ordained and inducted to his first charge of Blantyre St Andrew's Parish Church in April 2001. During a happy ministry in Blantyre, Katherine, Andrew and Emma joined the Johnston clan.

Having been called to the charge of Ferryhill Parish Church after preaching as sole nominee in February 2013, Peter was inducted as the minister of Ferryhill Parish Church in August 2013. He became part of the Team Ministry of Devana Parish Church at the time of the union in May 2023.

Peter is the contributing editor of Spill the Beans, a worship and age group resource that has been producing quarterly books since 2011, used in churches across Scotland and the English-speaking world.

Peter is also a member of the Faith Action Programme Leadership Team, a national committee with oversight of key areas of the Church of Scotland's work.

In his spare time Peter enjoys reading, films, political discussion, supporting the Dons, and all things motorsport...

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Rev Mary Whittaker

Minister to St. John's Deaf Local Mission Church

Reverend Mary Whittaker graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a Bachelor of Divinity in 2017. Reverend Whittaker, who is assisted by her hearing dog, Clark, oversees a parish which stretches across much of Scotland, serving Scotland's Deaf community with services conducted in BSL (British Sign Language). She is Scotland's first minister to have been born Deaf and to use BSL as their preferred language.

Rev Mary lost her hearing and speech at the age of 2 but didn’t hinder her working hard for her first degree in Life Science in London. 

Then she worked in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary as Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer (posh name for lab tech!) for 6 years. With her preferred language in BSL she then worked as Communication Support Worker for Deaf children in Moray and Highlands.  She also taught BSL classes in Aberdeen and Elgin. 

While working Mary studied for Diploma in Christian Studies part-time at University of Aberdeen and ordained in Lossiemouth in May 2011 as Auxiliary Minister to Deaf People in North East of Scotland. 

Decided to go full time ministry after few years she went back to the University and graduated with degree in Divinity and went full time in 2017. 

She obtained black belt in kickboxing but now she gets a kick out of Scottish Country Dance. 

Mary serves as the Minister of St. John's Deaf Local Mission Church, a part of Devana Parish Church. Mary is on the Spill the Beans worship resource team and enjoys having her grey cells challenged!

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Rev David Stewart

Charge B

Born in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, David came to Aberdeen to study in 1986 at the Faculty of Divinity.  After receiving his BD in 1990, David worked as a youth worker at Langstane Kirk and then at Queen Cross Church.  He also worked as a theatrical lighting technician at various venues around Aberdeen City and Shire, including the Beach Ballroom. 

After being selected as a candidate for the ministry by the Church of Scotland, David returned to Aberdeen University where he completed a Masters in Theology and a Diploma in Ministry.  While going through the selection process of the Church of Scotland, David took part in a BBC documentary about folk wanting to be minsters.  It was called “The Right Stuff” and has been consigned to the BBC archives never to be seen again!

Ordained in 2000, David served as minster of Stonehaven South Church from 2000 -2012, then as minister at Oldmachar Church from 2012 – 2018, finally becoming minister of South Holburn Church in September 2018.

David met Alison at university in 1987, (her dad was on the same course as David), and they were married in 1992.

David enjoys walking and has completed the West Highland Way, The Great Glen Way, The Speyside Way and the St. Cuthbert’s Way, and plans are afoot for further long-distance treks!

David enjoys woodworking (though admits to not being very good at it, despite the amount of equipment he owns!).  He is a keen reader and enjoys photography and watching just about any sport.

He has known Rev. Peter Johnston since 1998, which both agree is far too long!

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