People

Hello, I, Frederica, have lived in Aberdeen, close to St Mary’s, for some 15 years. With professional qualifications I stopped work, became a mother, and have lived abroad. From University in Southampton to Brunei, I have always chosen to attend my local church. In Scotland, with a plethora on my doorstep, my father IDed St Mary’s for me. I have attended and enjoyed my two other local churches here, but St Mary’s is ‘my’ church.

We genuinely care and please know you are always welcome here, occasional stop or long stay. I aim to help out where and when there is a need, volunteering is always welcome and, in my case, allows me to identify and meet other members of the church – coffee and a chat is more work for me.

Umm… I like, and treasure, having the opportunity to enjoy and explore life.

I am a born and bred Aberdonian and as such a lifelong member of St Mary’s. I can remember attending at a young age with my grandma and family, attending Sunday School and as a member of the choir and now Vestry member also.

I studied at Aberdeen University where I graduated with an Honours and Masters degrees in theology with a particular interest in Church history including that of St Mary’s. I have continued my University connection as a member of the Choral Society where I have been lucky enough to sing with some amazing people and in venues such as Pluscarden Abbey, St Giles’ in Edinburgh and our own St Machar’s in Aberdeen.

When I’m not singing, I have a Jack Russell who keeps me busy and I love meeting my friends for a catch up over a coffee or possibly a cocktail. I also enjoy my garden and the guilty pleasure of Gardeners’ World!

I was born and grew up in Lancashire, and have lived in East Anglia, South East England, and Edinburgh, moving to Aberdeen in 2013. After a degree in history from Cambridge, I worked in a number of industries, including pharmaceuticals, banking, and telecommunications. These days, I’m an Aberdeen City Councillor, representing the Hazlehead / Queen’s Cross / Countesswells Ward, which covers St Mary’s, and also help my wife who runs her own media and communications company.

I first came to St Mary’s simply because it was the closest Episcopalian Church, but was immediately made to feel welcome. I also like the style of worship, as it’s similar to what I grew up with – my father was an Anglican priest. My wife Erikka and I had our wedding blessing at St Mary’s in 2014. I have two grown-up children, Anna and Oliver, both of whom work in London.

I’m on the Council of the Friends of the Gordon Highlanders Museum, partly because of an interest in military history, but more importantly because my paternal grandfather served in the regiment. I’m also mildly obsessive about Scotland Rugby, Manchester United, and Partick Thistle, the last an inheritance from my other, Glaswegian, grandfather. I’m a Gaelic learner, and also enjoy quizzes.

I arrived in the world at Dorchester Hospital in the beautiful County of Dorset. Initially I was brought up in the village of Loders, three miles from Bridport. As a child I went to the village schools and sang in the Church Choir until my parents moved to Surrey when I was nine. I completed my education locally, and on leaving school I went to Secretarial College followed by employment in two different settings.

At the age of 19 I decided to take a completely different route and was accepted at Kingston-upon-Thames Hospital to undertake SRN general nurse training, followed by psychiatric training at Epsom, Surrey. I returned to general nursing gaining a post at Lewisham Hospital initially as a Staff Nurse and subsequently as a Ward Sister.

In 1973 I married my Aberdeen-born husband John, making my home in Aberdeen. Initially I worked as a Sister at ARI, until the arrival of my late daughter Susan and subsequently my daughter Paula. Returning to work I joined the staff at Foresterhill College of Nursing and was fortunate to be seconded to undertake an M.Ed [Nurse Education] at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1981. In 1987 I was elected to serve as a Nurse member of the statutory body for Nursing and Midwifery before retiring in 2003.

I was baptised at St Mary’s on the 18/10/1959. While growing up in the church there were lots of families and young children, so it was and still is a very friendly church. As I grew older and was confirmed I joined the choir along with my father and brother. As a teenager I rebelled, but as Canon Alexander said “she comes to all the festivals“, so I think I got away with it.

On the 15/10/1988 I got married at St Mary’s.

I came back to the church properly when my mother was ill and was asked to be a server. The sacristan at the time, Mary, taught me her role so I could cover her holidays. When Mary left, I was approached and asked if I would take on the role of sacristan to which I agreed. My role is about to be more challenging now that we are Pro-Cathedral, but I have lots of support from Father Terry, Father Isaac, and the servers from both churches.

I was appointed as Organist at St Mary’s when I moved to Aberdeen in September of 2019 to commence my studies of Music at the University of Aberdeen. Prior to this, I was Organist and Choirmaster at St Ninian’s in Nairn for three years, starting when I was only 15.

As well as playing here in the church, I always enjoy finding the time to read and expanding my ever-growing library that I have to shuffle around! And of course, I very much enjoy the walks along the beach that Aberdeen is so ideal for on the days when the weather allows!