Kelso and Ednam North Parish Church Minister, Rev Anna Rodwell, delivered a virtual sermon to MSPs in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.
The session known as ‘Time for Reflection’, is an opportunity for representatives of all faiths to address MSPs in a moment of reflection and contemplation.
Rev Rodwell started her sermon with ‘Breathes there the man, with soul so dead’, a section from ‘The Lay of the Last Minstrel’ by Sir Walter Scott.
Her sermon touched on how many people may feel they are ‘missing peace’ due to the current Covid circumstances. She offered the help of the church at this time, as it ‘exists to foster community’.
The Kelso Minister finished by asking MSPs to reach out to faith communities in their constituencies, where she said ‘you will be welcomed, and I believe that you will find a group of people who are willing to respond to human need with loving service’.
Mrs Hamilton facilitated the event, which normally takes place in the Holyrood chamber, however is unable to do so due to current Covid restrictions.
The Borders MSP thanked Rev. Anna Rodwell for her wonderful contribution and looks forward to continuing her engagement with church groups following her re-election.
Rachael Hamilton said:
“It was brilliant to welcome Rev. Anna Rodwell to address the Holyrood chamber virtually at Time for Reflection.
“Her sermon was wonderfully thought-provoking and what a better way to showcase the Borders than with words by Sir Walter Scott.
“It was good to see a female Minister address MSPs too; this is something I feel strongly about as a female MSP.
“The church’s work in our local area is tremendous and I know how important it has been to see the return of church worship for so many across Kelso and the Borders.
“I look forward to working with Rev Anna Rodwell in the future and look forward to continuing my engagement with church groups in the coming months”.
Rev. Anna Rodwell said:
"It was an honour to be asked to lead the Parliament in Time for Reflection. I was sorry not to be there in person, but delighted to represent the Borders, even virtually, in the Chamber. "