Anna Chaplaincy coordinator Marian Muskett was thrilled to be able to meet up with our most northerly Anna Chaplain during her recent trip to Orkney.
She writes: ‘It was a beautiful sunny day when we called to visit Sue Kirkbride and her husband at their home just outside Kirkwall and we were able to sit outside to enjoy tea and some of Sue's lovely lemon drizzle cake whilst admiring the view.
‘Rev Sue Kirkbride is the minister of the “Peedie Kirk” URC Church in Kirkwall, which is situated just opposite St Magnus Cathedral. As the Cathedral is actually owned by the people of Orkney, Sue told us that she has taken weddings and funerals there as well as in her own church. The conversation during our visit was wide-ranging, covering healthcare services on Orkney, the refurbishment of schools, the quality of care homes (very good!) and energy sources. Sue and Mark enthusiastically discussed air-source heat pumps and wave-powered energy with our daughter (an environmental scientist) and Sue told us of her hopes to install solar panels on the church roof.
‘With a particular heart for working with older people, Sue is very positive about ministering on Orkney, in a community where everyone knows everyone and you can end up planning someone’s wedding during a visit to the dentist! She gave me a beautiful tatted cross, made by a member of her congregation, which I will certainly treasure as a reminder of my visit to these wonderful islands.’