The Scottish Episcopal Institute this afternoon (19 November) announced its new Chaplain will be the Rev Canon Elaine C. Garman. She will take up the role from December 2025 for an initial term of three years.

Canon Elaine, who is currently Assistant Priest at St Andrew’s, St Andrews, succeeds the Very Rev Graham Taylor, Rector of St John’s, Perth, and Dean of the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, who has served as SEI’s Chaplain since 2018.

Commenting, she said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as SEI’s chaplain. Having been both a student of SEI and an Institute Council member for almost eight years, I hope to be able to bring my experience and reflections of previous encounters to the post.

“As an Assistant Priest and as a Rector I also plan to bring understanding of self-supporting ministry and incumbency to the role. The formation and training of lay readers, priests and deacons is vital to the lifeblood of the SEC, and it is a privilege to join the SEI community as their chaplain.”

The SEI website describes the role of Chaplain as someone who: “provides pastoral care in concert with the ethos of the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Scottish Episcopal Institute in praying for, worshipping with, listening to, encouraging and supporting students, staff and families.

“The Chaplain engenders a sense of community among all associated with SEI, and counsels students, staff and families around their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ, self-care, wellbeing and pastoral supervision.”