About Us
Elderslie and Linwood Parish Church is a lively, welcoming community, and we’d love to welcome you at one of our services.
We’re a church made up of real people, celebrating our faith in the middle of everyday life. We come together to worship, ask questions, and grow together.
About Elderslie & Linwood Parish Church
Our mission is to provide a Christian pathway that nurtures faith, celebrates diversity and inspires meaningful connections, using our talents with which God has blessed us, to serve our community and wider world.
Faith Community
To embrace the teachings of Christ through love, compassion and forgiveness.
Diverse Community
To foster a welcoming, inclusive community where all are valued and respected.
Inspiring Community
To empower everyone to grow spiritually through worship and fellowship, sharing the hope and love of God with sincerity.
Key Contacts
How we operate
At the heart of our church, we have a group of Elders that have made a commitment to oversee the practical side of church life. The call and commitment is to undertake, along with the minister, responsibility for the life of the congregation in all its aspects, including worship, mission and service to the wider community.
Elders, and non-Elders, can serve in roles required for the running of a congregation. We have the following core groups which elders are part of : property, pastoral care, finance & governance, social and outreach, safeguarding, mission & worship and communication. These groups play a vital role in nurturing our church and its community.
Rev. Gray Fletcher
Minister
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I was ordained into ministry in 1989 to Ardeer Parish Church, Stevenston. In 2001, I moved to Carmunnock Parish Church, Glasgow. I was inducted as minister at Elderslie Kirk in June 2019 and became minister of Elderslie and Linwood Parish Church when it was created through a union in January 2025. I am married to Maureen and we have two sons. I enjoy following a variety of sports, listening to and playing music and going to the cinema.
Elizabeth Johnston
Session Clerk
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I was born and brought up in Ayrshire and moved to Renfrewshire when I got married in 1989. I became a church member in 1983, and was asked to undertake the role of an Elder in 2002. Religion has always been part of my life, through Sunday School, Youth Fellowship and Girls' Brigade, both as a girl and a leader. My involvement with youth in the church continues, as well as the Guild and being a Worship Leader. I was honoured to be asked to be Session Clerk in January 2024, providing an administration role within the church and to safeguard the welfare of the congregation. I am still learning about the variety of activities which ensures that the church runs smoothly.
Norah Black
Church Administrator
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I have worshipped in Elderslie all my life, living very close to the church. I was a member of Elderslie East and have fond memories of Reverand Ralston and great church times. We merged with Elderslie West and became Elderslie Kirk, now a lovely merger with Linwood and becoming Elderslie & Linwood Parish Church. I have been in Girls' Brigade since I was 5 years old...... still very much a part of my life. I am an Elder and was Session Clerk for a few years. It is interesting being Church Administrator...lots of things to deal with, happy to help.
Carol Wilkie
Hall Lets Co-ordinator
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Carol is our fabulous Hall Lets Co-ordinator, and has been a member at Elderslie for many years. If you are intersted in using our halls please get in touch with Carol for more information via our Contact Page.
Presbytery
We are part of Clyde Presbytery
Our parish is part of the Presbytery of Clyde, formed from the old Paisley & West, and Dumbarton Presbyteries which covers a large proportion of the upper River Clyde area and governs the Church of Scotland Parishes within it, to ensure they are working within Church and Charity law. There are several meetings a year to consider, ratify and pass the motions before this level of church court. Several committees carry out business on behalf of the Presbytery and report to the regular meetings in deliverances to the Presbytery.