Philatelist minister set to make his stamp on new Angus congregation

Newtile Church held a joint service of union, coordination and introduction as Kirk appeared ahead to the long run in rural Angus.

In addition to marking the creation of Strathmore Parish Church following the amalgamation of Ardler, Ketins and Meigel, EC and Newtile and Glamis church buildings, Rev Carlin Robertson, previously minister of EC, Neva and Newtile, launched the brand new congregation as minister, the service Rev Tim Poser an ordained native minister ( OLM) celebrated ordination and introduction.

Mr Poser might be connected to the brand new cost and would be the first of three new OLMs to be appointed to the Presbytery of Perth over the subsequent few months.

After finishing his probationary interval at Newtile, Mr. Poser will stay to help Ms. Robertson in her expanded obligations.

“Though I used to be formally at Newtile, as a result of Carlin was interim moderator at Glamis, on Sunday morning we might have a service at Newtile after which at Glamis,” he defined.

“I coated pastoral work throughout two parishes and sometimes an extension to a 3rd parish. Apparently, folks thought I did a adequate job that they wished me again.”

In turning into an OLM, Mr Poser was fulfilling a former faculty chaplain’s prediction that he would turn out to be a member of the clergy, though that trainer had the priesthood within the Church of England in thoughts on the time. Mr Podger thought-about coaching to turn out to be a non-stipend minister, the Anglican Church’s equal of an OLM, however with marriage and a brand new job about to start out, the timing wasn’t proper.

As a substitute, he pursued a profession within the chemical and oil and gasoline industries that took him around the globe with postings in Germany, Italy, Belgium, america, and a brief stint in Singapore and elsewhere, in addition to the UK.

Nonetheless, when he and his spouse Lynne moved to Scotland in 2006, they vowed to place down roots and never transfer on till their two sons completed faculty.

This led to their involvement with the Church of Scotland, with Mr Podger turning into treasurer and later an elder within the native church.

sense of name

Then, when he was made redundant from his job and determined to take early retirement, a passage in Luke about service he learn in a Bible examine obtained him eager about ministry once more, particularly when it was shortly adopted by an e mail from Church of . Anybody considering attending one in every of Scotland’s on-line prudence webinars whereas in-person occasions are on maintain as a consequence of Covid.

“I felt a way of name from that passage, and three days later I used to be given one thing to do about it,” Mr. Poser stated.

Though lacking the age restrict to turn out to be a Minister of Wards and Sacraments, he started finding out to turn out to be an OLM, an unpaid and part-time ministry position.

He graduated from the College of the Highlands and Islands Highland Theological School final summer season earlier than occurring his probationary interval at Newtile.

This implies much less time for journey or Mr Podger’s curiosity in philately, finding out and accumulating stamps – he’s a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society of London, and has written a ebook and articles on the topic, in addition to profitable worldwide awards. After an exhibition on his foremost pursuits, the Straits Settlements and Singapore’s income stamps.

“I solely acquire stamps from Singapore, which was a part of the Straits Settlements with Penang and Malacca, after which turned a crown colony and at last a republic,” he stated.

“My father is a philatelist, as is my brother. My father collected Cyprus and he obtained my brother to gather Cayman Islands stamps, however my grandfather was in Singapore earlier than the battle, so there’s a household connection.

“I used to be very fortunate as a result of I spent a variety of time in Singapore and I used to be capable of go to the library, which opens at 10 within the morning and closes at 10 on weekends, and I’d go to their analysis space and have a look at outdated archival supplies to assist me write my articles. “

Though her mother and father, brother and youthful son have been unable to attend the service, Mr and Mrs Podger have been joined by their eldest son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter in addition to members of her house congregation and church the place she had executed her exams and different placements, and different buddies and colleagues. , together with members of the Perth Presbytery OLM Community.

The Rev Karen Fenwick preached the sermon and the Moderator of Perth Presbytery, the Rev Alan Learn, performed the remainder of the service to mark an thrilling new starting for Strathmore Parish Church.

Mr Poser is now trying ahead to persevering with his work within the new joint parish. This goes past simply church-based actions and features a well-liked Thursday morning espresso membership, which non-churchgoers have begun to affix as nicely.

“One of many issues we acknowledge in rural parishes is isolation. It is a small step, however in case you have a look at the numbers throughout the entire parish, on the final census there have been solely 3,849 folks dwelling right here so it is a very rural space,” he added.

“Considered one of my jobs is to get members to concentrate on that missional facet and see what we are able to do to help folks.”