The Big Question

The Rev Dr Karen Fenwick is minister at Forfar: Lowson Memorial Church

“We have missed out on so much this last year, but personally, I have really missed travelling.

“Living in the heart of Angus, it is only a short drive to a walk in the hills or a walk along the east coast, whilst still complying with the regulations. But for someone who loves to drive, it doesn’t fulfil my longing to travel.

“For many years, in the summer holidays, we have met up with other family members at Lindisfarne, Northumberland. So many places to visit while also exploring the Northumberland coastline, watching dolphins leaping and seals basking and catching up with loved ones – it’s an absolute tonic. People and places can both bring a wonderful sense of well-being and both have been in short supply over this last year.

“Also, at least once a year, we have spent at a week or two at Scarfskerry on the north coast of Scotland, taking time to drive along and explore the north coast too. The wonderful scenery never fails to open my eyes to the awesomeness of God and his creation.

“However, the long journey, up or down the east or north coast, is all part of process – taking in the beautiful coastline, stopping off at cafes and coffee shops along the way, picking up on the slight change of accent at every stop – singing until I’m hoarse to my favourite tracks on Spotify while driving along –I have SO missed travelling, but I’m happy to wait –a bit longer – until we are all safe!”

The Rev Christopher Wallace, minister at Hoddom Kirtle- Eaglesfield Middlebie in Dumfries and Galloway

“The excitement of planning long-haul trips. For me it’s not just the destination that’s important but the journey. Travelling is like preparing a Sunday service – there’s as much blessing in the preparation as in the Sunday delivery.

“I enjoy travelling long-haul on a youth hostel budget, it all starts with the flight – how many stopovers can I fit in for less than the cost of flying direct? I once managed to fly to Perth with nights in Singapore and Sydney for less than the cost of a direct flight.

“Travelling to the airport – can I use my bus pass and save on parking?

“I am odd because I like the airport experience, checking in – the excitement of asking for an upgrade, a better seat, can I have lounge access using loyalty cards or for free with a credit card? I’ve spent hours in a Qantas lounge with showers, unlimited unpronounceable French food, being waited on hand and foot, it was better than a hotel spa break!

“I miss meeting friends, trips with grandchildren, weird and wonderful street food, immersing in a different culture, coming across fellow solo travellers at the hostel, exploring and getting lost together and, often, questions about what it is like being a minister.

“I miss sitting in a wet suit after diving with mantas in Bali, people watching in Sydney Harbour, attending far-flung churches, seeing how they do ‘church’, forging new friendships and links to encourage our church at home. “

The Rev Betsi Thane, minister Malta: St Andrew’s

“As long as I remember I was on the move. In my childhood travelling was restricted to our own country only, and a trip abroad was almost impossible.

“Therefore my parents took us, as often as possible, on shorter and longer trips to explore the different regions of Poland and its historical sides.

“After the Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall) came down and the borders were open I emigrated to Germany. There I experienced and enjoyed the freedom of travelling!

“This lockdown during Covid-19 restricted my travelling again. And I miss it a lot. It made it impossible to see my family in Poland and even worse, my daughter, who stays in Scotland while I am in Malta. I miss our trips together and the quality time we had while hiking in Portugal or walking on the Chinese Wall. I miss our laughter and the good time when she had to feed me in Korea because she mastered the use of chopsticks whilst I am rubbish at it.

“I miss sharing dreams in hushed voices while gazing at stars in Egypt. Although flying can be exhausting, staying overnight in sleeping pods in one of the capsules hotels in Tokyo make it worthwhile.

“Every travel enriched us with new knowledge and experience.

“This is what I miss most about travelling: the meaningful time with my daughter, visiting the family, going for a Doenner Kebab in Berlin and just having experienced the diversity of this beautiful world.”

The Rev Mike Gargrave, minister at Glasgow: Thornliebank

“We have lived through the Covid-19 lockdown for the past year and it has brought many challenges.

“I’ve missed the freedom of being able to travel to visit my parishioners, and the sense of isolation we have all felt has been palpable. That sense of wanting to be with some of my more vulnerable folk, and only being able to contact them by phone, text or email has led me to sense failure as a pastor, which I know is silly but the feeling is there nevertheless.

“We opened Thornliebank Church last September before having to close at Christmas, and our parish crosses two local authority boundaries so it was frustrating having members who wanted to come to worship on Sundays, but were unable to do so.

“But I think the most difficult aspect of the inability to travel has been in the stories I have listened to from people who have been unable to see their families. To hear grannies and grandads express their longing just to be able to hug and laugh with their grandchildren has been difficult, and I have people who have had loved ones ill in hospital that have been unable to visit them because of the travel ban and lockdown. 

“On a more selfish note, I have missed being able to jump on the train and visit my home city of Edinburgh and go for walks (socially distanced of course) with friends and family. However, I hope and pray that the lockdown and travel ban will be over this year if we all abide by the guidance we have been given.

“Meanwhile, I pray for those most affected by the travel ban and hope they have a sense of God’s presence in and around them.”

The Rev Neil G Campbell, Chaplain and Chaplaincy Co-ordinator, HMP Dumfries

“I don’t go on exotic holidays so the travel ban has not meant that I have had to cancel trips abroad but I have felt the impact of not being able to see friends and family, especially our grown-up children and their partners who live in other regions of Scotland.

“I have had two significant bereavements in the last year and, because it has not been possible to travel to see people, I have realised just how important it is and the extent to which we take for granted the ability to jump onto a train or into a car and go to spend time with people.

“Like many others, I have joked that lockdown hasn’t affected me much –I have worked throughout the whole period – but it has.

“When the opportunity to do so is taken away, then we understand the value of being able to see people face to face.

“In some ways this has been a useful learning experience because the individuals with whom I work in my job in the Scottish Prison Service experience this to a far greater degree than I ever have. I always knew what it meant in theory but in this last year I have had a small taste of what is a permanent or long-term reality for many people – and not just those who are in prison but many others, for a whole variety of reasons.”