Elders
James Eglinton
I am originally from Inverness. I am a PhD student at New College and the part-time ministerial assistant at St C's. I have been a Christian since I was quite young, was baptised at 17 and have been a church member ever since. My wife Eilidh is a doctor. We love Edinburgh.
My vision for St C's is that we will grow together as a Christ-centred community that enriches our nation's capital
Likes: theology, languages, people, reading, sport, travel, food.
Dislikes: Twitter.
Photo: Derek Lamont (left) and James Eglinton (right). To read about Derek click Our Minister.
Tom Muir
I’m an English teacher by profession, but plan to be working fulltime at St Columba’s as a pastoral and outreach worker. This follows that my likes include reading – when I get the chance. I also like real coffee. I don’t like commercial radio, as the adverts drive me to distraction!
I am married to Sharlene, who is an enthusiastic Geography teacher at Dunbar Grammar. We married in 2008 and currently live in a flat in Gorgie that’s painted all white throughout.
I’ve been a Christian for as long as I remember, having been brought up to know Jesus by my parents. My vision for St C’s is a church that sees a diversity of people from throughout the city come to find Jesus as Saviour, but, that remains very much a family community as it grows.
Billy Graham
I was Born in Easter Ross, and raised in East Sutherland and Kingussie. After initial work experience, I served National Service in the RAF, and then studied Arts and Divinity at Edinburgh University and the Free Church College. (St Columba's was my home congregationa at that time.)
I married Elizabeth; we have two daughters who are married with four grandchildren. I Ministered in Fife and Edinburgh (Buccleuch and Greyfriars) before we went as missionaries to South Africa in 1976 to 1996. I came to St. C's as interim-Moderator in February 2000 and have stayed as part of a great Kirk Session ever since!
My vision for the congregation? That the joy and the grace of the Lord will radiate to all who come within our walls - and we pray that many will keep coming till we fill the place.
Neil DM MacLeod
I have been a member in the Free Church since 1987, and have been serving in St Columba’s over the past five years. I was brought up in Lewis and Edinburgh and am married to DaySpring. I have degrees from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff and am a public sector lawyer.
I enjoy sport(Scottish Rugby & Hearts), travel and Byzantine history.
My vision for St Columba’s is to see the congregation grow in size, serve each other in love and share the Lord relevantly. It would be great to have people from the city and beyond come and experience what it means to be part of God's family.
Ewen Macdonald
I grew up in Ross-shire but have lived in Edinburgh for most of my adult life. I work in IT, currently in Glasgow. I am married to Joan, from Inverness, who is a Home Economics teacher and have two young children, Robbie and Caitlin.
We’ve been at St. Columba’s since 2004 and I have been on the Kirk Session for the past couple of years. It is a real privilege to share in the work here with so many committed and enthusiastic Christians and I am excited to see how God will continue to use us and answer our prayers as a congregation.
Likes: home-baking, mountains, cheerful people
Dislikes: slow traffic, political correctness, baked beans
Calum Ferguson
Job: Working with Free Church of Scotland as Secretary to their International Missions Board
Wife: Liz – works as midwife in Simpson Maternity Unit of the Royal Infirmary
Christian: Don’t know exactly when I became a Christian but professed faith for the first time 40 years ago.
Vision for St Columba’s: That many people in our city would be drawn to follow Christ through hearing the gospel message and seeing it lived out faithfully in the lives of his people.
Likes: Music, Sport, Travel, Reading
Dislikes: England beating Scotland at anything!
