The Revd Stewart Cutler has become the first United Reformed Church (URC) minister to be appointed Brigade Chaplain of the Boys Brigade.
Stewart’s association with the Brigade began at the age of six, gaining both the Queen’s Badge and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award during his time as a young person.
The Minister of St Ninian’s Church in Stonehouse – an ecumenical partnership between the URC and Church of Scotland – went on to serve as a leader in 4th Carluke and 1st Stonehouse as well as Chaplain of the KGVI Youth Leader Training course at Carronvale House.
He now has more than 30 years of experience working with children, young people, volunteers, students and ministers in Churches and communities around Scotland.
Stewart said: “I am delighted to become the Chaplain of The Boys’ Brigade UK and Republic of Ireland. I’ve spent the last 30 years working with children, young people and their leaders in Churches, so I know just how important The Boys’ Brigade is to the Church – for reaching out into the community, and engaging with young people, bringing them to faith and telling them the good news of Jesus.
“For me, The Boys’ Brigade has hugely impacted my spiritual journey and my working life. It has always been a place of fun, friendship, and faith.
“As Chaplain I can’t wait to hear our members’ stories – their successes and their challenges – to feed those into the work of the Brigade and to help make practical solutions for our leaders and young people so that we can all get the most out of this adventure that is The Boys Brigade.”
Jonathan Eales, Chief Executive of The Boys’ Brigade, added: “I am pleased to welcome Stewart as our new Brigade Chaplain. He brings to the role a wealth of experience and a passion for our work with children and young people. As a Christian youth organisation, we are determined to build and to strengthen our partnerships both locally and nationally with the Church.”
Stewart succeeds the Revd Leigh Maydew, who stepped down as Brigade Chaplain at the conclusion of Brigade Council, the organisations’ Annual General Meeting, following three years in the role.