New minister is the missing piece of the puzzle for Culloden congregation

New Inverness minister Rev Pamela Kennedy knew she was going to fit in as soon as she took a first look at what the newly united charge of Culloden and Ardersier had to offer.

"From the moment I opened the parish profile for the charge I had a sense of fit, a bit like a jigsaw puzzle piece," she said.

"What struck me most was a charge that prioritised two things, Word and Spirit, and that made my heart sing. There were so many points of crossover that I couldn't not have applied!"

The Culloden and Ardersier kirk session felt the same and, after inviting Mrs Kennedy to preach as sole nominee for the charge in April, invited her to become the first minister of the united charge.

Mrs Kennedy, who was previously on an assistant minister contract as pioneer minister in Cardrona at Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn Church in the Scottish Borders, was inducted as minister of Culloden and Ardersier at Culloden's Barn Church last year, ending a two-year vacancy. Brought up in Linlithgow, Mrs Kennedy studied for the ministry via distance learning through Highland Theological College, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), and did her probationary period at Loanhead Parish Church in Midlothian under the supervision of minister, Rev Graham Duffin.

Barn Church became vacant in April 2022, when Rev Mike Robertson demitted his charge to move into hospital chaplaincy, with Ardersier Church following just a month later on the retiral of Ardersier and Petty minister Rev Robert Clelland.

The two congregations united in August 2023, allowing them to begin the process of calling a new minister.

Mrs Kennedy's induction service, led by Clèir Eilean Ì Presbytery Moderator Rev Doug McRoberts, was a double celebration, recognising not only her appointment, but the union of the two former congregations to the east of the Highland capital.

Mrs Kennedy said: "It feels significant that my induction doubled as a celebration of union between Ardersier Local Mission Church and the Barn Church in Culloden.

"This marks the beginning of an exciting, God-ordained journey for all of us and allows us to build together, each bringing what we have. We don't yet know what this will look like, and there will be challenges for us ahead, but together we have heard the call to worship Jesus, to receive from Him, and to partner with Him in mission. We offer all that we are and have to the Lord, who will take and multiply it for the blessing of our community."

"Wait on the Lord"

An educational psychologist with Scottish Borders Council before training for the ministry, Mrs Kennedy has made the move north accompanied by husband Dougal and sons Roderick (14) and Struan (13), but it is not just the human members of the Kennedy clan who have been excited by their relocation.

"My husband and children have been extremely supportive in our big move – from the Borders to the Highlands – and our black Lab, Callie, is loving her new walks in Culloden Forest," she revealed.

Joining the family in the move north is "Wait on the Lord", a painting by artist, author, poet and Baptist minister Chris Duffett. The painting, which is one of a series of three inspired by Psalm 27, has been an inspiration to Mrs Kennedy throughout her ministry.

"When I first finished ministry training two years ago I felt led to this painting by Chris Duffett, knowing even then that it was for a place of worship," she explained.

"It now has a home in the Hall of Friendship within the Barn Church building.

"As a parish, our posture before God is very much one of expectant waiting."