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Picture by Chris Flexen
Picture by Chris Flexen

"Give, Act and Pray"

Wednesday May 4 2016

Jackie Macadam meets the Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, the new Head of Christian Aid Scotland.

 

SOMETIMES controversial, sometimes moving, always incredibly charged, the Rev Sally Foster-Fulton is a woman who never stands still, never forgets her social principles and never compromises them.

Now, as her term as convener of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council comes to a close following this month’s General Assembly, she opens a new chapter as Head of Christian Aid Scotland.

Reflecting on her new role, she said: “It’s said that life is a journey. The people you meet and the experiences you encounter mould you, shape your sense of self and your space in the world. I have found that it is a beautiful thing to be part of something so much bigger than yourself and becoming Head of Christian Aid in Scotland gives me the opportunity to live that out and use my journey so far to inform the future path.”

Sally was one of three children, born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina. Both her parents were teachers. “I grew up in the early years of racial integration and some of those changes came with tension and challenges as the community found new ways to live together.

“I remember an incident when my dad as head teacher was helping two young black girls across the street to school, holding their hands to make sure they got across safely. Later that day, he received death threats. It was a time of great tension, but by forging relationships and listening to the wisdom of those who had experienced the injustice of segregation, real change was made possible.

“When you grow up watching the effects of structural injustice in your own context, it can help you recognise it all around you.”

Sally studied English and religion at Presbyterian College and then was accepted to begin her seminary training at Princeton; however, a serious road accident in her senior year meant that her planned move to Princeton was put on hold and she took some time out, working as Director of Christian Education at a church in Newnan, Georgia. The minister she worked with had been the Director of Admissions at Columbia Seminary and he encouraged her to apply there.

At Columbia, she met her husband Stuart, who was the exchange student from Trinity College in Glasgow. Sally was able to get the return scholarship for the next year, finish her studies and the rest, they say, is history. Sally and Stuart have two daughters, Alex and Gracie.

Sally applied for the Church of Scotland ministry and was accepted. Her first parish was in Camelon near Falkirk, followed by a spell back in South Carolina, before they returned to Stirling where Sally took up a position with Dunblane Cathedral.

It was during that time she became involved with the Church and Society Council. “It was an honour to serve first as a member, then as vice convener and convener.

“My work with the Council was a steep learning curve, but the people I have been privileged to work alongside those who have made the climb a joy. My predecessor, Ian Galloway, gave me a piece of advice that I have tried to hold onto. He said to be present with people, to locate yourself firmly in that place and focus your attention and energy where you are.

“I look forward to locating myself within the framework of Christian Aid, to walk alongside our partners and together, to work consistently towards transformation. I remember the first time I saw the phrase ‘We believe in life before death,’ and how it resonated! What an inspirational concept – one that calls us to give, pray and take action to alleviate injustice that drags people down. Christian Aid calls on people to ‘give, act and pray’ and I firmly believe that prayer is transformational – it is an expression of the deepest desires of our hearts. If the eradication of poverty is the deepest desire of our hearts, if life in all its fullness for all lives is the deepest desire of our hearts, then we have to be ready for what comes after the ‘amen’.”

This is an edited version of a feature in May's Life and Work. Subscribe here

This year's Christian Aid Week is May 15-21. More information here