Hello everyone, Happy Easter, Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.  

Sarah has invited me to introduce myself to you all via the website and I am delighted to do so.  I am Hazel Shaw, a candidate for ministry in the Church of Scotland.  I am a probationer minister having completed my Theology degree and previous placements at EK South, Motherwell St Mary’s, Braehead House Christian Healing and Retreat Centre and EK Old Parish Church.  I am very grateful for the very warm welcome I have received from everyone since starting here in February. It has been a pleasure meeting so many of you in person at Sunday services, Kettle’s On each Thursday, Chill out and the Guild on Tuesdays and at the most recent daily services during Holy Week. If I haven’t had the opportunity to meet you yet, and you see me around, please do stop, say hello and tell me your name.  I’d love to meet you. 

This placement I am sure will be full of lots of learning and one of the first things I have learned is the wonderful welcoming nature of the congregation here at Moncreiff Parish Church.

“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you,” Romans 15:7

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME

I am married to Iain, we have two children Laura and Mark and our dog is a black Cockapoo called Alfie.  We live in Strathaven so the commute to Calderwood is easy and already my car knows the way by itself.  You may also recognise me by my small but very bright kiwi green car which stands out in a crowded car park and as I often forget where I have parked the colour is a real bonus!    

In terms of ministry I am very excited to see where God will continue to lead me and I am grateful to Sarah for sharing her experience, for guiding, encouraging and indeed trusting me to lead in worship and participate fully in all aspects of church life.  I have enjoyed and learned from each experience so far.

To finish I want to say how much I have been encouraged by all I have seen already.  To me, there is a genuine warmth, care and desire to love one another and to help and support those across the Church family and the wider community. I have seen the love and compassion of Christ in action and I hope and pray we will all continue to encourage each other in our discipleship, following Jesus’ example. 

 “So encourage each other and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO IN THE NAME OF JESUS

May God bless us all as we seek to bring Him honour, glory and praise in all we do.

Yours in Christ, 

Hazel Shaw