A FORMER beauty therapist will soon be have a major leadership role in the church she attended as a child.

Pamela Scott, 48, from Rosyth, will be ordained as a Deacon at Lochgelly and Benarty St Serf's Church later this month, and said she was very much looking forward to her new role which is often referred to as “hidden ministry”.

Mrs Scott has been married to Gary for almost 28 years with whom she has two children, Paul, 25, and Gemma, 22.

She said: “I felt that God wanted me to serve people in a different way and the way to do this was as a Deacon.

“I personally see the role as someone who serves people, helping them to see the love of God whether this is in a practical way or through words that are spoken. 

“In a parish setting, the Deacon serves both the congregation and the community and sometimes challenges the congregation to become more involved in what is happening outside the church.”

Most Scots think only Ministers and Elders have leadership roles within the Kirk, but Deacons are free to preach and conduct worship as they desire or as is necessary, take funerals and are licensed to conduct weddings.

They tend to serve in areas of great need and scarce resources.

Lochgelly and Benarty St Serf’s Church has been without a Minister and a Deacon for the last three years.

She said: “My ordination as a Deacon on February 23 will be a very special time as it brings me almost in a full-circle to the place of my baptism forty-six and a half years ago,” she said.