Welcome to the Website of Kilmacolm Parish Church – a parish church of the Church of Scotland.
Public worship is held each Sunday, commencing 11.00 am, doors open from 10.30 am. All are welcome.
The OUTLOOK Group meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 2.00 pm and the SOLAS Bereavement Drop-In Group meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2.00 pm.
Presbytery Clerk’s Microwaveable Clootie Dumpling
Kilmacolm Parish Church – Assistant Minister

My name is Thorsten Koenig, and for the coming weeks and months, I am the so-called “Assistant Minister” of Kilmacolm Parish Church.
What is an “assistant minister”? Because of the “Presbytery Mission Plan,” very few vacant charges to apply for are currently available. Therefore, the Church of Scotland developed a job description for an “assistant minister” appointment within a presbytery, allowing those having completed their training to minister in a context that is right for them and the Church at this time – and I am one of those.
So, back to me:
My wife Astrid and I are both Germans. Before we came to Scotland five years ago, when Astrid got an offer to work as a consultant at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, we lived in The Netherlands for sixteen years.
There, we were members of the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam, which has been part of the Church of Scotland since 1607, and for twelve years, I was one of its elders and the treasurer.
A call for ministry was always itching me after I became a Christian.
After I finished high school in Germany, I completed my mandatory civil service in one of the German Landeskirches. One thing became clear to me: I would never become a minister in such a “clergy-driven” church.
So, off I went, studied Food Chemistry, got my PhD, and worked for the next twenty-five years in the food industry. I became a real businessman, leading innovation for the world’s biggest flavour and fragrance company globally from the US to Japan. Later, I was a board member of the European Institute of Technology for Food for four years.
Well, Astrid and I always thought we would move to the north of Italy or the south of France…. but Scotland and its weather…
And then Astrid got this offer to work in Scotland.
For me, this was God’s “writing on the wall in blinking letters” – I thought, “OK, God, you were patient with me for thirty years; now I surrender.”
So, I quit my job, we moved to Scotland, and I began my journey into ministry. This journey led me from “classical” CoS congregations like Houston & Killellan and Kilbarchan via the young and inner-city friends of St Geroge’s Tron in Glasgow, to the Orkneys, and then my probation time in Govan, a priority area parish. And now I am here with you in Kilmacolm and delighted to be with you.
When you ask me about my theology, I like to keep it simple.
I grew up in the Lutheran tradition, joined more evangelical circles for a time, experienced a congregation in Amsterdam where denominations were unimportant, and saw quite different ways of being Church in Scotland.
So my theology is: “I am steadfastly orthodox and lovingly liberal – let’s better talk about God’s love for us.”
I hope we will have many opportunities to get to know each other. Hopefully, then, you will discover that I love telling stories and jokes (and Germans take humour “seriously”). I love being among people, and I am looking forward to our journey together following God’s calling.
Be blessed,
Thorsten
CHURCH ANGELS FOODBANK
at the United Reformed Church, Port Glasgow.
This commendable group of volunteer Christians open the doors of Foodbank twice a week to give to all those in temporary troublesome circumstances. This Autumn has seen a sharp increase in poverty. Some have young families, some are in harsh living conditions. All those seeking help have serious reason to ask for help.
ITEMS NEEDED:
LONGLIFE MILK,
BISCUITS, SUGAR, TEA, COFFEE,
BREAKFAST CEREALS, PASTA, SAUCES, RICE
TINS OF: SOUP, BAKED BEANS, VEGETABLES, FRUIT, CUSTARD,
Leon Marshall
Session Clerk
Please view our church tour video.