Jennifer Stark appointed as leader of LCT Outreach Project

The Leith Churches Together Outreach Project has appointed Jennifer Stark to lead the work in Ocean Terminal and the docks/ Leith area.

Jennifer writes:

I am looking forward very much indeed to joining you at Leith Churches Together a month or so from now, and to sharing in the work that you have been doing together for around 25 years. I’ve lived in York for the last 18 years but I am originally from Stirling (though born in Polmont, which is a bit closer to you) and my extended family is mainly from north of Glasgow. I did a history degree at St Andrews and then taught abroad for much of the 1980s, first in Finland, then in France and – by way of contrast – in Indonesia, where I worked for the British Council in project development and teacher training. Since 1992, I’ve lived in York, where I taught at the University for a number of years and also worked with two charity organisations.

My background is Presbyterian, but the experience of living in different cultures and countries, with a variety of religious traditions – Lutheran, Orthodox, Anglican, Muslim, Hindu, Quaker - has fed into my faith journey. For as long as I can remember, my instincts have been ecumenical and they were nourished, for example, through an informal Ecumenical Theology course in York which brought together people and speakers from different traditions. I have particularly fond memories of trips to Lindisfarne, and to the Dales (where I was taught to appreciate single malt whisky properly); we also enjoyed some great walks together. It will be good though to be back within easier reach of Scottish hills!