Cornerstone No. 189, page 9
Her year as Moderator of the General Assembly will coincide with the 50th
anniversary of the decision to ordain women to the Ministry of Word and
Sacrament. She said: “I count myself incredibly fortunate that there were
people who forged the way, in order that people like me could go forward on
this path. I am not strident about it: I am a minister who happens to be a
woman.”
Mrs Brown has been married for 36 years to Derek, lead chaplain for NHS
Highland, whom she met at Sunday School aged 10. They have two children:
Simon, a novelist, and Hannah, a social anthropology graduate.
In addition to her parish ministry, she has served the church nationally as
vice-convener of the Ecumenical Relations committee and is currently vice
convener of the World Mission Council. She is also a Chaplain in Ordinary to the
Queen.
She says she will bring her love of the outdoors to the role of Moderator, making
her theme walking alongside people. “When you walk alongside people, you
listen and you exchange stories,” she says. “It gives us a chance to talk more
deeply than when we are face to face.”
“Deliberately making the time to walk in our communities, praying as we go,
talking with those we meet, listening to the stories of friends and strangers
alike, seems to me to be following in Jesus’ footsteps.”
Mrs Brown said her experience comforting families who have lost loved ones to
suicide confirmed her choice.
“I want to encourage people to get out more because while it can be one of the
hardest things to do when you are depressed it is also very healing,” she added.
The year will also coincide with centenary commemorations for the end of the
First World War, and with the Scottish Year of Young People.
“In looking back on this milestone anniversary, we need to let the past remind
us of the huge toll war exacts and we need to learn from the experience of
those young men and women who paid a price beyond asking,” she said.
“The fact that 2018 has also been designated the Year of Young People provides
a poignant reminder of the connection of the past, the present and the future.”
From
the magazine of the Church of Scotland