Congratulations to the Rev Matthew Little, Rector of St Mary’s, Hamilton and St Andrew’s, Uddingston, who has been elected by his peers in the Diocesan House of Clergy to be a Canon of St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow.

A service to install Matthew as Canon will take place at St Mary’s in due course.

We lift up Matthew in our prayers as he prepares for this new chapter of ministry. We give thanks for all who prayerfully considered this call, supported candidates, and offered themselves for this ministry. Your faithful witness continues to be a blessing across our Diocese.

Matthew wrote: “Our Cathedral has been at the centre of my journey of faith. After worshipping at the Cathedral for nine years, and supported by the Cathedral Clergy and community, I discerned that God was calling me to take a significant step forward in ministry. With the support of Bishop Gregor, I transferred my Holy Orders from the Roman Catholic tradition to the Scottish Episcopal Church, and began to serve as a non-stipendiary Priest at the Cathedral. These years have shaped me deeply, given me an invaluable experience of pastoral ministry in the SEC, and fostered a lasting appreciation for the central role the Cathedral plays in the life of our Diocese.

“I also served as Chaplain of St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie, a ministry that gave me the privilege of walking alongside patients, families, and staff at moments of profound vulnerability and need. In 2019, I felt a new call to return to Parish ministry. At this time, I had lived and worked in Lanarkshire for 12 years, so it was a particular joy when, in 2020, I was appointed Rector of St Mary’s, Hamilton, and St Andrew’s, Uddingston.

“My new pastoral responsibility began as we emerged from lockdown. I was greatly supported by the Fresh Start programme. The wisdom, guidance, and encouragement I received from other clergy has been invaluable, in shaping my ministry and nurturing my spiritual development. When my first year on the programme drew to a close, I felt called to remain a member to offer the same encouragement to clergy newly arrived in our Diocese and to learn from their varied experience.

“Within the Lanarkshire region, clergy and laity gather to share ideas, reflect on good practice, and respond to matters raised by the Bishop, Synod, and Regional Council itself. I have sought to play an active role in this shared ministry, encouraging collaboration and mutual support.

“Among other responsibilities in the Diocese, I have served as the Bishop’s Chaplain since early 2023. I also held a similar role in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paisley! I am honoured that Bishop Nick has reappointed me as his Chaplain, and I have travelled with successive Bishops, Roman Catholic and Episcopalian, throughout our Diocese, where I have met vestries and congregations in strikingly different settings—urban and rural. This has taught me the diversity of our charges, and the distinctive challenges they face.

“Wherever I have served, I have discovered what a privilege it is to minister as a priest: walking alongside people in their journey of faith, sharing their joys and struggles, and discovering together the presence of Christ amongst us.

“I hope to bring to the role this experience of ministry in rural and urban contexts, as the Rector of a linked Charge, and of serving as a priest in the Cathedral. I enjoy working in teams, and I would look forward to working with colleagues on the Cathedral Chapter, in support of our new Bishop’s vision for the Diocese.”

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