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Dear Friends
I am delighted that this issue of the Parish Magazine gives me a chance to say 'Hello' and to introduce myself to you. I am so aware that as an Interim Minister I have simply arrived on your doorstep and there has not been the opportunity for us to get to know each other even a little a bit - as there would normally be when you call a long term minister.
Interim Ministry is a little bit different - it is short term and it has a quite specific focus. As you will know I am with you for a limited period of time - it could be around 18 months or so, although at this stage there is no way of knowing exactly. My main task is over these coming months is to work with you on the issues that you feel are important at this stage in your history. By the time you receive this copy of the Magazine, we will have had what is known as the Aims and Objectives meeting. That took place on 2nd November and was an opportunity for the congregation to say what the task is for this time of Interim Ministry is. The Aims and Objectives document that is drawn up following that meeting becomes our priority for the coming months.
Of course, my task is also to fulfil the normal responsibilities of parish ministry - with worship and pastoral care and administration. That is going to take a bit of working out because, of course, the two congregations of Holytown and New Stevenston: Wrangholm are now linked. In the past each congregation has had its own minister. Now there is one minister serving both congregations and it will inevitably take time to work out what that means in practice.
I very much look forward to getting to know you. I hope to see you at worship, because it is certainly the central activity of our life as a congregation. I hope, too, you will feel free to be in touch if there is ever anything I can do or anything you would like to talk about. My door is open.
Finally, Janet and I would like to thank you for your welcome! The service and social on 26th October was a great evening and I am very grateful for all the effort that went into that. We are also very appreciative of the work that has been done on the manse. As I have said already, Interim Ministry is a bit different, and because I move every 18 months or so, our living arrangements are a bit different, too! While I will be staying in the manse most of the week, my wife Janet will be in our home in Dunblane. She works as a Primary School teacher and joins me on a Friday for the weekend. I usually try to get back to Dunblane some time on a Sunday, have a Monday off, and be back in the manse in time for breakfast on a Tuesday morning!
Life is a bit different for us all! That is the nature of Interim Ministry. But it is an exciting time too. It can give help us to look ahead with new eyes and to discover a fresh vision for the future. I very much look forward to walking this journey with you.
Every blessing
Iain
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