A FORMER GP has swapped her stethoscope for a clerical collar to become minister at a Paisley church. 

Dr Sonia Blakesley, who treated patients for 23 years, was ordained into St Mark’s Oldhall Parish Church, in Ralston, this week.

The 52-year-old said she was looking forward to exploring the spiritual side of life with people which is something that is not encouraged in medicine.

Dr Blakesley, who worked as a GP in Moffat in Dumfries in Galloway, said: “I am excited to be starting my new role as minister.

“I have been training for this for a long time and am keen to get into my new position.

“This is an opportunity for my life and faith to dovetail in a way greater than before as I devote most of my time to God's work.

“I am prepared for the challenge of working with the Kirk Session and wider membership to discern how we best do God's work in this community, serving the people of Ralston and sharing God's love with them.

“I have good experience from my training placements, but I don't have all the answers.

“We will seek God's leading together.”

Dr Blakesley, a mother of two grown up daughters, said she “really enjoyed” being a GP.

“But I became aware of God calling me into another vocation for the later part of my working life,” she added.

“I have good people skills and I am used to dealing with people in all kinds of life situations which stands me in good stead for my time as a minister.

“I have learnt to be efficient with routine administration and have good time management skills and have learnt to care for myself whilst also caring for others.

“However, what excites me about ministry is being able to talk openly about the spiritual side of people’s lives which was not really encouraged in medicine.”

Dr Blakesley, who enjoys walking her Border Collie/Spaniel Cross, Mylo, cross stitch, knitting and meeting friends in her spare time, is a member of St Andrew's Church in Moffat and served as session clerk for five years.

She did placements at Burnside Blairbeth Church in Rutherglen, the Tinto parishes in South Lanarkshire and Cranhill Parish Church in Glasgow.

Dr Blakesley spent her probationary period at Springfield Cambridge Church in Bishopbriggs.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond