New minister called to serve Edinburgh churches

A new minister has been called to work with a group of Edinburgh churches to develop exciting new opportunities for mission outreach work.

Fiona Kennedy will also be tasked with attracting new members and leading congregations in worship and prayer.

The 62-year-old will work with Barclay Viewforth, Craiglockhart, Polwarth and St Michael's churches which are currently exploring how they will work more closely together to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Her call is to Ordained Local Ministry (OLM) which will see her work in a non-stipendiary role with parish ministers and Kirk Sessions for 10 hours a week as they develop fresh new ways of being the Church.

Mrs Kennedy will be introduced in front of family, friends and colleagues at Polwarth Parish Church at 7pm this evening.

She said: "God has been calling more people into OLM service in recent years and it is exciting to see the plans He has for us.

"The four congregations are exploring a shared future in light of current mission planning proposals and I look forward to sharing in this journey.

"This is a challenging time for the Church but with the challenges come opportunities.

"My role as an OLM will be to develop opportunities for mission, discipleship, prayer and sharing in worship times.

"I hope to encourage and equip members of the congregations to explore their gifts and enable them to use them in the service of God.

"It is increasingly important in these difficult days to place our trust in the God who will never leave us."

Call to service

Mrs Kennedy grew up in Kilbirnie in North Ayrshire and is married to Rev Gordon Kennedy, minister of Craiglockhart Parish Church in Edinburgh.

The couple, who met at Partick South Church in Glasgow, have two grown up sons.

Mrs Kennedy said: "After my husband was called into ministry, we moved to charges in New Cumnock, Stranraer, Portpatrick and latterly Edinburgh, where we have been for the last 10 years.

"The experience of being part of different churches in different geographical areas has been good and that experience will benefit me as I start my own ministry."

Mrs Kennedy used to work in administration for The Salvation Army at its Scotland Office in Edinburgh.

"Working with and getting to know officers (ministers) in The Salvation Army encouraged me to explore my call to service within the Church of Scotland," she said.

Mrs Kennedy studied theology via distance learning at Highland Theological College in Dingwall and did her probation at Barclay Viewforth Church supervised by Rev David Clarkson.