The Very Revd Dr John B Cairns - Locum Minister
John Cairns
The Very Rev Dr John B Cairns was appointed as Locum with effect from 1 September 2010.
John Cairns is of course well known to many in the congregation. He was brought up in London and attended St James's Dulwich before the union with St Columba's. He then became a member of this congregation. John read law at Bristol University and worked for a firm in the City and for East Lothian Council.
Then followed his career change! John went to Edinburgh University to read theology and was ordained in 1974. He was Minister of the linked charge of Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk from 1975 until 1985 when he became Minister of Dumbarton, Riverside. He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1999. John was then Minister of Aberlady linked with Gullane from 2001 until 2009. He and his wife Liz now live in Dunbar. John is Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland. Reports of his retirement are greatly exaggerated!
Revd Alistair F Cumming - Auxiliary Minister
Alistair Cumming
Alistair Cumming is the Auxiliary Minister at St Columba's Church of Scotland in London.
Alistair is 48 Years of age and was born and brought up in Scotland, more specifically in the North Ayrshire town of Kilbirnie.
Alistair left school and joined the British Transport Police and served in that Force for 29 years, before leaving in July 2009. Alistair now combines his Ministry work with being a Learning and Development consultant specialising in training young people in third world and developing countries.
Until recently Alistair was an active Rugby referee with The Scottish Rugby Union, and Chairman of the Kent Society of Referees.
He now lives in Wimbledon with Nikola and their two daughters Aislinn and Áine. He also has two older sons Douglas and Stuart.
David Terry MA ARCO ARCM
David Terry
David Terry was appointed St. Columba's Organist and Director of Music in 2005. David was educated at the Tiffin School, Kingston-upon-Thames. 1993 saw his appointment to the organ scholarship at St Bride's, Fleet Street and in 1994 he became organ scholar at Lincoln College, Oxford. During his time at Oxford, he ran the Chapel Choir. His work as a director was produced on a CD, the development of the Magnificat in church music. In September 1997 he moved as organ scholar to Wells Cathedral, while teaching at Downside School.
David came to London to take up his present post as Head of Junior House Music and School Organist at the London Oratory School. As of September 2007 David and Clare Dawson (a regular singer in St. Columba's Professional choir) took charge of the Chamber and School Choir. He regularly tours abroad with the school choir and has undertaken recent trips to United States, Czech Republic, and Italy.
David directs our professional and congregational choirs and arranges special music programs throughout the year. An organ scholar program has been developed and David provides the leadership and direction for this appointment. As a result of David's talent and leadership, St. Columba's ministry of music has become an integral part of our outreach. He is committed to establish St. Columba's as a venue for the performance of music both sacred and secular.
You may contact David at dterry@los.ac
