revealed 20 August 2024
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A background in training will assist considered one of North’s new ministers bridge the generations.
The Rev Pamela Kennedy, who was appointed minister of the newly united parishes of Culloden and Ardersire in June, mentioned her earlier profession as an academic psychologist and earlier than that as an English trainer made her enthusiastic about making certain younger individuals may discover a place. Kirk right now
Talking as a part of the Speaking Ministry collection, Ms Kennedy mentioned: “As a church, we want to consider our younger individuals. We have to create an area the place younger individuals really feel they belong and it is not simply tokenistic.
“I believe we now have an imbalance to treatment as a result of most of what the church does is aimed on the wants of older individuals. What wouldn’t it appear to be if we actually obtained to know our youthful individuals and attempt to construct issues the place they’re coming from?
“It isn’t about saying they’re extra essential than anyone else. It is about attempting to equalize issues in order that they really feel they’ve a spot. It is one thing I am fairly enthusiastic about.”
Mrs Kennedy’s ordination additionally celebrated the union of Barn Church in Culloden and the congregation within the coastal village of Ardersea.
Though the 2 communities east of Inverness are fairly totally different in character, one suburban and the opposite extra rural, Mrs Kennedy sees the union of the 2 as new alternatives for the congregation and a chance to study from one another.
“There is no different church presence in Ardersear, however they’ve a major college and there is a enormous alternative for us. They’re at the moment main the divine play on the college and Barn Church in Culloden has lots of expertise working with youngsters and younger individuals, so there are methods that everybody may help one another. can study from,” he mentioned.
“Whether or not there’s alternative or not, the issue isn’t a lot what for now. We have to ask the Lord to assist us determine what’s alternative for this season and what could also be subsequent. I nonetheless really feel that I’m. The lie of the land. And attempting to determine how that works, however I am very excited.”
Constructing relationships
Initially from Linlithgow, West Lothian, Mrs Kennedy is married to Dougal and the couple have two teenage sons, Roderick and Struan.
After finishing his examination at Lonehead Parish Church in Midlothian below Rev Graham Duffin, Minister, he was appointed as Minister of Wards and Sacraments at Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn Parish Church buildings within the Scottish Borders, the place he labored with Rev Fraser Edwards. .
This noticed him work in pioneering ministry within the village of Cardrona, making new connections with the neighborhood.
“There was no church constructing and just about nothing by means of neighborhood amenities other than a village corridor,” Ms Kennedy mentioned.
“The opposite problem is that it is successfully a commuter village. Folks go to work and after they come again within the night, they go to their homes and shut their doorways. The query is how do you join with individuals in a neighborhood? That?”
A technique was to carry American soccer coaching periods on the village inexperienced, which Ms Kennedy described as nice enjoyable, but in addition attention-grabbing.
Extra notably, he additionally grew to become the coordinator of the lunch membership provided by native residents.
Mrs Kennedy added: “I used to be solely there for 20 months, however in that point, we constructed relationships and helped the neighborhood perceive that we have been there for them.
“I believe that usually, individuals imagine that the church isn’t for them, so there’s lots of work to be achieved to persuade folks that we wish to care and present love in a sensible method. It is a very tender, light starting, however I believe that that And not using a tender begin, we can not then do the opposite issues we wish to do
The teachings she has realized about neighborhood engagement within the Borders will assist inform what Ms Kennedy does in her new function in Culloden and Ardersear.
“Our subsequent activity, as a united cost, is to find out what our priorities are throughout that cost, to take heed to our neighborhood and attempt to perceive what must be achieved there,” Ms Kennedy mentioned.
“I might additionally actually love to attach with different church buildings within the space as a result of there are such a lot of of them and we now have the potential to take action many thrilling issues collectively.”
You may learn Rev Pamela Kennedy’s full interview and sources for August on our Speaking Ministry web page.
