Then Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

This is my final pastoral letter as Interim Moderator and Locum in Blairgowrie Parish Church. For almost two years I have been serving as Interim Moderator and Locum. Not something I had been expecting to be doing at almost 80. But God called me to His Service many years ago as a teenager. I responded to Him then and served in Youth Fellowship, Choir and on Seaside Mission. I have served as an Elder and was Session Clerk for a while.

I worked in a variety of jobs and finally became a Social Worker. Somewhere there was a niggle. God wanted something but I carried on and raised a family and served in the Church. Then I became ill with M.E. As I recovered I realized God was now calling loudly that I should enter full-time Ministry.

That decision had to be made, and we realised as a family this would be a huge change. I gave in, applied to Divinity courses and eventually went to Aberdeen University. Previously I had never been academic! It meant being away from home during the week and many other challenges. But I finished the four-year Honours Course and was ready for my first charge.

I was ordained in 1999 and knew that I was doing what God wanted me to be doing. After serving three charges I RETIRED in 2012!!  But that didn’t last. I was soon filling in and then in a new charge until 2020. Again, I RETIRED! I was ill at that point, moved to Blairgowrie and had an operation during Covid.

We joined Blairgowrie Parish Church and were both soon involved. After Rev. Benjamin Abeledo’s retiral. I accepted the posts of Interim Moderator and Locum in Blairgowrie Parish Church. God had certainly been leading me; in some ways he had led me back in a circle to the Church where I had first become truly aware of God and His love, under the Ministry of Rev, Howieson.

I have really enjoyed my time during this almost two years. God has shown the congregation and me what he expects of us - that includes no slacking despite age!! He has challenged us and led us to invite Rev. Michael McMullin to be our new Minister. It has been hard work at times, but thank you to not only the folk in the Parish Church, but also to the community in Blairgowrie for their acceptance and support - and to my family for their support.

God is amazing. We often don’t know what we are doing but He always does.

So, in this final pastoral letter thank you all again for support and friendship and for being part of a great community. I am certain you will give Michael and his wife, Jana, your full support, love and friendship as they settle into what is for them a completely new community.

We are not going away but are staying in this great community happily with Michael as our Minister.

God Bless

Brian