revealed 24 June 2024
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New Inverness minister Rev Pamela Kennedy knew she was going to slot in as quickly as she noticed what the newly mixed tasks of Culloden and Ardersear needed to supply.
“From the second I opened the parish profile for the cost, I had a way of match, a bit like a jigsaw puzzle piece,” he stated.
“What struck me probably the most was a cost that dominated two issues, sound and spirit, and it made my coronary heart sing. There have been too many factors of crossover that I could not apply!”
Culloden and Ardersea’s kirk periods felt the identical approach, and in April invited Mrs Kennedy to grow to be the primary minister of the United Cost, after inviting Mrs Kennedy to marketing campaign as the only nominee for the position.
Mrs Kennedy, who was beforehand on assistant minister’s contract as a pioneer minister at Innerlithen, Traquaire and Walkerburn church buildings within the Scottish Borders, was charged final 12 months as minister at Barn Church in Culloden, Culloden and Ardersear, ending a two-year emptiness. Raised in Linlithgow, Mrs Kennedy studied for the ministry by distance studying by Highland Theological School, a part of the College of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), and did her probationary interval at Lonehead Parish Church in Midlothian underneath the supervision of minister Rev. Graham Duffin.
Barn Church grew to become vacant in April 2022, when the Rev Mike Robertson resigned his duties to maneuver to the Hospital Chaplaincy, the Ardersea Church only one month later following the retirement of Ardersea and Petty Minister Rev Robert Cleland.
The 2 congregations merged in August 2023, permitting them to start the method of calling a brand new minister.
Mrs Kennedy’s induction service, led by Rev Doug McRoberts, moderator of Clare Illian Ì Presbytery, was a twin celebration, recognizing not solely her appointment however the union of two former congregations east of the Highland capital.
Mrs Kennedy stated: “It feels vital that my induction doubles as a celebration of the union between the native mission church in Ardersea and the Barn Church in Culloden.
“This opens an thrilling, God-directed journey for all of us and permits us to construct collectively, every bringing what we have now. We do not know what it is going to appear like but, and there might be challenges forward for us. , however collectively we’re Jesus.” Hear the decision to worship, to obtain from Him and share with Him in mission, and provides it to the Lord, who will obtain and enhance it for the blessing of our neighborhood.”
“Wait on the Lord”
An academic psychologist on the Scottish Borders Council earlier than coaching for the ministry, Mrs Kennedy has made the transfer north with husband Dougal and sons Roderick (14) and Struan (13), nevertheless it’s not simply the human members of the Kennedy clan who’ve been excited by their transfer.
“My husband and kids have been extraordinarily supportive of our huge transfer – from the Borders to the Highlands – and our black Lab, Callie, is loving her new stroll in Culloden Forest,” she revealed.
Becoming a member of the household within the north is “Wait on the Lord,” a portray by artist, creator, poet and Baptist minister Chris Duffett. The portray, which is considered one of a collection of three impressed by Psalm 27, has been an inspiration for Mrs. Kennedy all through her ministry.
“Two years in the past after I completed my first ministry coaching I felt led by this portray by Chris Duffett, even understanding it was for a spot of worship,” he defined.
“The Barn now has a house within the Corridor of Friendship throughout the Church constructing.
“As a parish, our posture earlier than God is considered one of expectant ready.”
