View from the pulpit

The Rev Gillean MacLean reflects on the privilege and gifts of ministry.

I HAVE often noted that ministers talk about the privilege and honour of being called to a congregation and it is, of course, both of those things. However, for me as I approach retirement after 30-odd years it has been a veritable rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. I have been at times frightened and frustrated, energised and excited, amazed, surprised, delighted, despondent BUT never ever bored!

I have served in chaplaincy, ecumenical team ministry, island, rural, city and now an international charge and every one has been both challenging and wonderful with the most amazing variety of people and experiences!

I was a shy and introverted island child who hid at the back of the class in case someone asked me to speak and so I blundered into ministry with a burning sense of call and no clue what I might be asked to do!

It was in ministry that I discovered who I really was. Having trained formerly as a registered nurse I found that my ability to do a repair job was one of the things that I was good at, with strategic planning and administration being bottom of my skills list!

With the Iona Community I brought students and members of congregations to visit the Abbey and learn new styles of worship. I learned how to build a really solid pathway, dig ditches and sleep reasonably well despite a variety of snoring styles and most importantly I learned how to practise silence, patience and tolerance of differences. I received in return, support and unconditional love from fellow Members, Associates and Friends of the Community.

I was the first female Chaplain to Aberdeen University. It was there that I found myself blundering into serving as a Moderator’s Chaplain, again the first woman which had its interesting moments! Thinking that prayer and messages of support were what might be required I was surprised to find that I had to drive him all over the place listening to shouted instructions from behind and checking baggage and frills and speeches when required, to say nothing of writing out literally hundreds of invitations by hand. My long-suffering husband endured being introduced as my ‘wife’ and receiving a letter from 121 suggesting when he would be required to wear a hat and carry gloves while attending the Assembly! He bought the only suit he has ever owned and wore it bravely without either of those embellishments!

In my final few years of ministry, I have had to tangle with the French language and even lead bilingual services for a mixed group of at least 23 nationalities in one of the most beautiful cities of the world. My French teachers who bemoaned my lack of application and resultant ‘C’ at Higher level would be incredulous.

I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and enjoyed many experiences as a contributor to Radio Religion with the BBC and Independent Radio but my favourite claim to fame was being ‘let go’ by North East Community Radio for not being holy enough!

God and my varied congregations have been incredibly tolerant and loving and they have resourced me every step of the way. I should finish by apologising to my ever tolerant family and friends for being shamelessly used over these amazing years and for continuing to love me despite everything.

What’s next God?

The Rev Gillean MacLean is minister at the Scots Kirk in Lausanne, Switzerland.