Rev. James Watson and wife Anna May - Summer guest pastor from Scotland
“There’s a word in my warne, but it’s o’er far down”
(An old Scot’s saying used to indicate that one cannot think of the right word at that moment. A bit like having a word on the tip of your tongue!)
In some respects that is how Anna May and I feel as we seek to find words to introduce ourselves to the people ofWillow Grove. We were a little overcome/ excited/ thrilled when Pastor Cynthia telephoned to offer us this unique opportunity of participating in your great adventure – ‘out of the boat’; now it is all about planning and getting to know each other – so here goes.
James was born in Glasgow an only child: according to him his parents got it right first time! He was educated at Jordanhill College School before going to Glasgow University where he graduated as a Bachelor of Science majoring in Astronomy and Mathematics. From there he attended Trinity College,Glasgow studying for his Bachelor of Divinity under Professor William Barclay.
James’ first Church was in Dunfermline after which he included education in his career choice serving as Principal Community Education Officer for Greater Glasgow followed by being invited to be National Director for Youth for Understanding UK, which involved world-wide travel and establishing the first scholarship programme with the Japanese Government. In between he served as Parish Minister for Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk, in the Scottish Borders, before concluding his ministry as Parish Minister for Coldstream & Eccles where we continue to live after his ‘second retirement’ in March 2011.
James’ hobbies include golf, bridge, reading, walking, Rotary and The local Burn’s Club and 1513 Club. He has, of course switched allegiance from the Chicago Bears to the New York Giants – not a hardship since they have a Scottish kicker (Lawrence Tynes).! He has three daughters and is grandpa to two boys in Dunfermline, Andrew (nearly 13) and Cameron (11) as well as one due in Glasgowin February 2012.
Anna May was born in Glasgow, of Edinburgh parents and has an older brother, William. She trained at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, specialising in Burns and Plastic Surgery after qualifying and then going on to practice District Nursing in Glasgow.
Anna May had three sons though David, the eldest, was unfortunately killed in Canada in 1986, shortly after she had moved to Langholm to become Matron of the Thomas Hope Hospital, where James was the chaplain. She, too, is a grandma to Drew, aged 7) near Carlisle. During the re-furbishment of the Hospital they worked closely together and became good friends. After James left Langholm to take up a post with Greater Glasgow Scouts they kept in touch and married in 1993 in Glasgow University Chapel.
Anna May’s hobbies/interests include music, theatre, reading, bridge (novice), walking, Inner Wheel and most of all meeting people.
We have travelled widely in Western Canada, America and Europe and enjoy seeing new places, sampling new cultural experiences and meeting people. We are both very excited about living in Scotch Plains, New Jersey and being part of this great Willow Grove Journey with Pastor Cynthia.
James and Anna May
Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland
