People

Clergy

Reverend Canon Terry Taggart
Rector
I was born in Glasgow’s East End and I am the oldest of 6 children. At the age of 21, I joined the Army (Royal Military Police). I completed just under 7 years service, after which I joined Lincolnshire Police, where I spent 25 years, serving in numerous specialist roles including Uniform, a diver in the Underwater Search Unit and a Detective in CID and Special Branch. I retired in 2011 having attained the rank of Sergeant. I am married to Samantha and have two grown-up sons and one grown-up daughter. We are also grandparents to Hannah, Harriet and Daniel.
During my time with the Police, I answered the call to offer myself for Ordained Ministry, and after a period of discernment and many, many interviews; I was, in 2009, accepted for Ministry and Theological training with the Lincoln School of Theology. I completed a BA (hons) in Theology and was ordained at Lincoln Cathedral in 2013.
I began my curacy in a rural setting in Lincolnshire, and in 2015, I applied for, and took up the post of Priest in Charge at St Peter’s, Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. In 2018, I was interviewed for the vacant post of Rector at St Mary’s Carden Place. I was formally offered the post and took up position in September that year. I am currently studying for an MA in History (part time) at Aberdeen University. I was recently appointed as Diocesan Synod Clerk, a role which will bring its own challenges. I am deeply privileged to be Canon Rector of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, where I am surrounded by a wonderfully supportive Vestry and Congregation.

Fr Jason Hobbs
Assistant Priest
I was born in Consett, in County Durham, and grew up 7 miles away in Stanley. I initially trained as an Industrial Chemist but then retrained as a Music Teacher. I have worked with children with additional support needs since 2000 and now work at Hazlehead Academy.
I was ordained Priest in St Mary’s in 2013 and have been the Assistant Priest since then. It has been an honour and a joy to be part of the St Mary’s family through good times and bad.
I’ve been doing a lot to support other Charges in the Diocese over the last few years and I’m currently on long term loan to St Clements.
My interests include playing the church organ, walking, reading and watching old movies, preferably in black and white.

Fr Roger Dyer
Assistant Priest
My hometown is Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset. I trained in the construction industry, but it quickly became clear that I should be working with people rather than concrete and steel. For several years I tried to ignore the horrifying thought that God wanted me to be a vicar. But it wouldn’t go away! I started ordination training in 1983 and after ordination served for 23 years in Rochester and Durham Dioceses.
For the past 17 years I have been a full-time Carer. This chapter of my life has come to an end, and I am now looking forward to once more being in public Christian ministry. I have lived in Scotland since 2009 and am delighted to be commissioned Assistant Priest with Fr Terry at St Marys.
My interests include:- Watching sport (rugby, golf, football, cricket, etc. etc!). Being in the open (walking, birdwatching, playing golf, currently working through the list of Aberdeenshire stone circles). A meal with friends (company, conversation, laughter).
Office Holders

John Cook
Rector’s Warden
I was born and grew up in Lancashire, and have lived in East Anglia, SE England, and Edinburgh, moving to Aberdeen in 2013.
A history graduate from Cambridge, I’ve worked in pharmaceuticals, banking, and telecommunications. Today, 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 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 due to an interest in military history, but more importantly because my paternal grandfather served in the regiment. I’m mildly obsessive about Scotland Rugby, Manchester United, and Partick Thistle, the latter an inheritance from my other, Glaswegian, grandfather. I’m a Gaelic learner, and also enjoy quizzes.
Photograph by Carol Graham

Iain Stewart
People’s Warden
I’m a born and bred Aberdonian and after leaving Northfield Academy, started working for the TSB. After almost 35 years, I am still there! I was baptised into the Church of Scotland at Torry Church where my father was an elder. I remember going with my Gran on Sundays where she would pass me pan drops to keep me happy.
Like a lot of young people, I grew distant from the church, and it was only when I was working on a project for the Bank and based in Gloucester that it called me back. My ‘St Paul’ moment was on Ash Wednesday 2018 when I went up for a Blessing and somehow, I felt I belonged and was starting on a new journey. When I came back to Aberdeen, I decided to worship at St Andrew’s where I met Bishop Anne, who encouraged and guided me, leading to her confirming me on Easter Sunday 2019. With St Andrew’s temporary closure, I came to St Mary’s where I have found a new friendly and welcoming spiritual home.
In my spare time I enjoy classical music and regularly attend concerts. I also love to travel and visit new and strange places. A current passion is church architecture and I’m currently trying to visit all the Wren Churches in London.

Lydia Ross
Vestry Treasurer
I was born in the north of England but moved to Scotland as a child and first came to St Mary’s with my family when we moved to Aberdeen in the late 1970’s. I have been a regular member now for around 30 years and was part of the Sunday School team for many years, beginning when my children were young.
After studying modern languages at university, I changed direction to qualify as a chartered accountant and have been Treasurer of St Mary’s since 2007, looking after all aspects of church finances and reporting to the Vestry and regulatory authorities.
My interest in languages continues along with classical music, theatre and spending time outdoors.
Photograph by Elizabeth Mills

Vestry Secretary
(Vacant)

Graham Thomson
Protection of Vulnerable Groups Officer
I am originally from The Lothians but grew up in Luxemburg. I moved to Aberdeen in 2006 to do my teacher training and stayed in the city to work as a physics and science teacher. I started coming to St Mary’s in 2007 when I moved into the area. Though I have since moved slightly further away, I keep coming because I like the style of worship and the variety of people I have met in my time here.
I am the safeguarding officer at St Mary’s and if you have any concerns about anyone’s wellbeing, no matter how minor, I would appreciate it if you could get in touch.
Photograph by Elizabeth Mills

Nicola Mills
Lay Representative
I’ve been attending St. Mary’s for nearly twenty years, and love being part of the church community. We moved to Aberdeen from Sussex having previously lived in Edinburgh, and I’m a freelance archivist and writer. I have been the lay representative for around 18 years. This role means I represent St. Mary’s congregation at diocesan synod and some other diocesan events. Based on this, I also represent the diocese at General Synod and on Faith & Order Board. I very much enjoy the chance to meet members of the broader Episcopal family across Scotland and to see how the church functions nationally. Outside church I enjoy woolwork and netball.
Photograph by Carol Graham
Vestry Members

Freddie Stephens
Vestry Member
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.
Photograph by Carol Graham

Louisa Donaldson
Vestry Member
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!
Photograph by Carol Graham

Jennifer Cruickshank
Vestry Member
I arrived in the world at Dorchester Hospital in the beautiful County of Dorset. Initially I was brought up in a village of Loders, three miles from Bridport. As a child I went to the village schools, 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 on 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.
Photograph by Elizabeth Mills
Other Church Roles

David Rose
Webmaster
I was born in Aberdeen but spent my early childhood in Wiltshire. The family returned to Aberdeen in time for an interesting secondary education at Northfield Academy. I went on to study at the University of Stirling, gaining a degree in Management Economics. After a gap year I was lucky enough to gain a Shell scholarship to study for a Masters in the Economics of Natural Resources at the University of Aberdeen.
My first professional job came about through an invitation to work as a Research Assistant with Professor Alex Kemp on the economics of petroleum taxation. After six years as a research economist, Professor Kemp and I started up a university company to commercialise the research work. I retired as Director of Aupec Limited at end of 2018 having successfully led the company for over 32 years.
My wife, Gillian, brought me to St Mary’s over 30 years ago before we were married, and I’ve attending ever since. I’m a member of two of St Mary’s committees: the Fundraising & Social Group and the Buildings Committee. I’ve been a member of the server team for about 15 years. I enjoy the fellowship of St Mary’s and like to contribute my skills when and where I can.
In retirement I enjoy road and mountain biking, travelling, listening to music and being in the company of family and friends.

Anne Farquhar
Sacristan
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.

Matthew McVey
Organist at St Mary’s
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!