Iain McLarty

Role

Anything and everything connected to music in worship! This includes leading workshops, producing new publications and recordings, reviewing the Iona Community’s work in the area of global song and supporting staff on Iona. Above all I aim to empower other people in their creativity and to work collaboratively with wonderful colleagues.

Biography

I have a background as a church musician in a broad range of styles and am passionate about empowering creative ways of expressing faith, enabling the full and active participation of all God’s people in worship, and the transformative power of music.

I have a particular interest in music and liturgy in an ecumenical and global context and am regularly involved in planning and leading worship at national and international events, including for the World Council of Churches. I also work as a freelance choir and orchestra conductor across Scotland and spent three years studying this in Denmark.

Before taking up this role, I worked for the Church of Scotland as Worship Development Worker for the Priority Areas team, which included being co-editor of “God Welcomes All”, the supplement to the Church of Scotland’s denominational hymnbook CH4.

I’m an Associate Member of the Iona Community and my faith has been hugely influenced by many experiences I have had and people I have met through the Community.

What makes me laugh?

The daft but adorable behaviour of Molly, our Golden Retriever.

What moves me at my deepest level?

I am driven by a strong sense of justice and react strongly when I see people or the planet treated badly. This is at the core of my Christian faith and also drives my activism and political involvement.