A minister from the Borders who is delighted to be described as a “cheerleader for the church” has been chosen as the next moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Rev Rosemary Frew, minister of Bowden and Melrose Parish Church, will replace Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson.

He said it was “incredibly humbling” to be thought of as qualified for the role.

He said he hoped he would bring his faith, hope, passions and enthusiasm to this position.

“Someone described me as ‘the church cheerleader,’ and I love that,” she said.

“Despite all the difficult days we have gone through, I still carry the passion and excitement I had when I received my ministry license.”

Originally from Clarkston on Glasgow’s south side, Ms Frew studied theology at New College in Edinburgh.

While studying, she married her husband Dave and the couple moved to Fife, where he worked as a civil engineer.

He spent time in Largo and Kirkcaldy before moving to Melrose in 2017.

“We came to Melrose 10 years ago to walk the St. Cuthbert Trail,” he said.

“Dave was keen to take up long distance walking when he retired and this was a test to see if he could handle a week of walking.

“Two years later, I read the community profile and from there we came here.”

After his experiences in other national roles, he decided to put himself forward as a potential moderator.

“I was approached a few times about the role and it was easy to say no because the time wasn’t right,” he admitted.

“But it’s like a lot of things, like calls to the ministry or calls to impeach.

“It’s not a matter of ambition, it’s more about the calling, and as that seed of calling grows, you realize it’s not going to go away and it needs to be tested.”

He said he looks forward to meeting congregants and hearing about the challenges they face.

“I know it will be a very busy year, but it will be a very exciting and very privileged year,” he added.

Ms. Frew will begin her duties as Kirk’s ambassador at home and abroad next May.