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Tom’s Column - 28th September 2008
Someone has asked me to say how I became a Christian and a Minister. Cutting a long story short. My mother was a Christian and took me to church. There I was influenced by two outstanding ministers. Thus I came to see Christianity as a viable option for my life and the Ministry as a worthy calling. When I was thirteen I realised I had to make a personal decision to follow Christ and did so at a Scripture Union Camp. The following year I confirmed that decision publicly at a Billy Graham Crusade meeting. Leaving school at sixteen, study for the Ministry was not an option for the time being, but the Call was growing. After eight years in ‘secular’ employment, which I still value as a time when God taught me a great deal, I was able to proceed as a candidate for the Ministry of the Church of Scotland, and seven years later was ordained to my first charge. These are the bare bones of the story. In truth it really has been an adventure, and I know it will continue in a new way in retirement.
“Time makes all of us liars” I think Shakespeare said. Politicians, of course, know all about this! But so, too, does anyone who has a concern to serve the public but finds that service pressing too many demands and obligations to realistically fulfil. And Ministers find themselves in a similar place. I therefore apologise for promises I hoped to fulfil and haven’t and promises I’d like to have made but which I knew could not be kept. Having said that, Jenny and I have been amazed and deeply moved by the extended affirmation we have received over these past weeks. We feel deeply privileged to have served with you, and we hand you over to the care of future Ministers with a great deal of satisfaction. The Interim Moderator has already remarked on the high morale shown among you.
Thank you for entertaining us to a memorable dinner last Friday. I was not looking forward to it as I had no idea what was planned and was quite nervous about how I could appropriately respond. However, Jenny and I, and the family able to attend, had a wonderful time. We were amazed at the range of folk there, some who’d been with us in the earlier years, some whose lives we’d touched at meaningful times. We were especially thrilled to see a table of former students, now mostly Mums and Dads. Thank you to all who planned a most wonderful occasion.
It was the school’s turn on Friday. We were treated to a most imaginative presentation with songs and collective thanks from the children and a book of suggestions for what I might do in my retirement! As you might expect from children, there were some very shrewd observations. Ian Murray shared with us and so raised his profile as link-person with the school. In token of our gardening interests, Jenny was given a collection of the most beautiful orchids and I was given a twelve foot tree! What a wonderful way to remember.
From 30th September, I shall no longer be your Minister, but Jenny and I hope to remain your friends and our door in Newmills, Fife will always be open to anyone from Priestfield. May God richly bless you in the years to come.
TNJ
NEWS
Sunday 28th 6.30pm Informal Communion in the Lounge
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