Ian Paterson Renton

Published on Thursday 16 July 2009 19:06

Minister

Born: 22 March, 1926 in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Died on 8 June, 2009 in Edinburgh, aged 83.

IAN Renton was born in Kirkcaldy in Fife, where he attended Sinclairtown and Viewforth Schools. In 1944 he enlisted in the Scots Guards, where he was trained as a radio operator in the 3rd Tank Battalion. His service in the Guards was clearly crucial for the development of his future life. It helped to produce the physical bearing that made him stand out in any company: tall, straight back and good posture.

Discipline, order and tradition were always important to him. The Trooping of the Colour on television was not to be missed. Disorder and disrespect bothered him. Yet aloofness did not accompany the military bearing. He was a very approachable man.

This was obvious in Ian's desire and capacity to relate to everyone who crossed his path. He was just as keen to speak to the lady serving in a cafeteria as he would have been to speak to the Moderator of the General Assembly.

This interest in others was not superficial. He took in what was said to him in every conversation and could recall it on a future occasion. This meant that he was also a good pastor, and there are very many who are grateful to him for his pastoral care. This concern for others gave Ian great moral stature as well as physical stature. Other people found their own stature enhanced through knowing him.

In 1948 Ian studied at Newbattle Abbey to become a community centre and youth worker. He worked as youth clubs and rural organiser in Roxburghshire and then pursued a similar occupation for the Iona community in Iona and on Mull.

This was to be the beginning of many happy days in Iona: first as a builder's labourer in the rebuilding of Iona Abbey and then later with his wife Ann and their family on summer holidays on the island.

In 1953 he went to Glasgow University where he acted as secretary of the Labour Club Union Debating Society. In 1955 it was on to St Mary's College in St Andrews to begin his theological education. In 1957 Ian married Ann Macpherson. Three children were to arrive during the course of this long and happy marriage: Jamie, Ruth and Neil. This was always to be a close family and Ian was intensely proud of his children and grandchildren.

Ordained by Aberdeen Presbytery in 1958, Ian's first charge was St Mark's Presbyterian Church in Greenwich, where he also carried out chaplaincy work in two Greenwich factories and at the Royal Naval College. In 1966 he became minister of Dalry-Haymarket Parish Church in Edinburgh. In 1973 the congregation united with St Bride's Parish Church, thus forming the parish of St Colms.

In 1981 he initiated and carried through the movement of the congregation from its home in an old and large building to a new home in a purpose-built complex affording both sanctuary and housing. Unable to get funding for the demolition of the old building through the Church of Scotland, he obtained financial assistance from the Order of St John for this purpose. This was a forward-looking and imaginative scheme for which he was never given adequate credit.

He retired in 1990 due to ill health. During his Edinburgh ministry, Ian served as a chaplain at Astley-Ainsley Hospital, as a governor at Moray House, and on a number of committees. He was a justice of the peace for the City of Edinburgh and was Moderator of Edinburgh Presbytery. He became well known to many through religious broadcasting on radio and television over a period of 13 years.

Ian enjoyed gardening and reading, especially biography and the poetry of Robert Burns and was himself a good poet. He enjoyed Speyside and Iona and had been a member of the Iona community. He valued a friendship with George McLeod formed while working on the rebuilding of Iona Abbey. This was a man who was open and always ready for a new experience.

In the 1970s, he joined in the Byzantine Archaeological Dig in Shelomi, North Israel and then took a course in drystane dyking in Yorkshire. To exercise his expertise he proceeded to build a drystane dyke for a friend. Most of all, Ian had a terrific sense of humour and there was almost always a joke or an amusing anecdote. A phone call from Ian might be only a thinly-disguised excuse to tell you a joke.

The last several years saw a physical decline in his health, marked by a stroke that affected his sight and speech. Yet even a day or so from the end he could produce a one-liner from the hospital bed. Ian had been married to Ann for nearly 52 years and she was immensely supportive of his ministry. He is survived by Ann, Jamie, Ruth, Neil and four grandchildren.