WEARER OF THE WEEK

It's interesting to know who wears Holy Socks and how they found out about them so we're beginning a feature called
"The Wearer of the Week."
We'll be asking a wearer of Holy Socks about their faith and where they've walked in Holy Socks.
For reasons which will become apparant, our first Wearer of the Week is the Rev. Tina Kemp.

That's Tina at her ordination with Rev. Fred Booth, former minister of St. Columba Parish Church in Helensburgh -Fred will be a "Wearer of the Week" in a few weeks time.
Name
Tina Kemp

Where do you live?
Dumbarton, a large town about 20 miles north of Glasgow, close to Loch Lomond.

How do you spend your time?
I work full-time as a journalist with The Lennox, a local weekly newspaper. I was also ordained six months ago as a Church of Scotland auxiliary minister. Auxiliary ministers are the same as full-time C of S ministers only they work part-time and their role is non-stipendiary, ie they do it for nothing! I am currently an assistant at the West Kirk of Helensburgh, a large church in the centre of the town, where I undertake all the traditional ministerial roles including weddings, baptisms, funerals, leading worship and pastoral visits. When I'm not working at either of my two jobs, in my (rare) spare time I enjoy swimming, hillwalking and reading.

What difference does your faith make to the way you approach life?
Hard to say because I can't imagine life without it. I like to think it makes me more grateful for the things I'm blessed with and more aware of the world around me. It also makes me more discontent because of the lack of faith and the problems in the world. As Christians, I think that's the uneasy peace with which we are invited to live – contentment within because of our relationship with God, yet an uncomfortable awareness that the world in which we live is far from how God wishes it to be. I believe that tension is necessary for us to fulfill our calling as Christians. We were never meant to sit back and be happy in our own faith. Just look at the disciples and at Jesus himself.

What is your earliest memory of church/religion/spirituality?
My earliest memory of church is sitting in the balcony of our old church in Dumbarton (now a shopping centre) and drawing patterns with my finger on my suede skirt! I also remember refusing to sit with the "babies" in Sunday School and insisting being with my older sister in the "big" class. As a family, we always used to holiday in the Highlands of Scotland and I vividly remember, from an early age, the sense of excitement and awe I felt at the vastness of the landscape around me. I still get that same sense of wonder and amazement whenever I'm in the great, remote outdoors. That's when I feel most at peace with myself and God. That's how I understand spirituality.

For what in your life are you most grateful to God?
For all the people he has surrounded me with – good family and friends; for all the opportunities he has presented to me – many of which I didn't understand or grasp at the time; for equipping me with the skills and the tools to give something back.

Which part of your character do you feel God has done most work on?
I am happy to admit that I ignored my calling to the ministry for a long time. I did a 'Jonah' and went in the opposite direction because I wasn't prepared for the commitment. I also didn't feel I was good or able enough. Looking back, I can see how God very gradually encouraged and challenged me along the way until I felt ready to say "yes".

Which do you feel needs a bit of work?
I'm incredibly stubborn. I'm famous for it. If I make up my mind about something then nothing will change it. I need to learn to ease up a bit. God managed to persuade me to change my mind about ministry so who knows…?

If you could witness an incident in the Old AND New Testament, what would they be and why?
I love the Old Testament story of Abraham and Sarah when she overhears the conversation in which her husband is told she will bear him a son. I love the humour of the unexpected arrival of the three men at the couple's tent at Mamre and how a flustered Abraham rushes around arranging food for the guests. Mostly I love the way Sarah, much too old to bear children, has a good chuckle to herself when she hears the news – then how she tries to deny it when challenged. I think it would be a little like watching an episode from a sitcom! Seriously though, for me the story says two things – firstly, that with God anything is possible and, secondly, it's reassuring that even people as full of faith as Abraham and Sarah had doubts.

As for the New Testament, I've always been fascinated by the role of food in the life and ministry of Jesus. Much of his teaching – both verbal and by example – is done at table. I have always loved the story of the risen Jesus cooking fish for his disciples on the beach. I would love to witness the joy of the weary disciples as they recognise Jesus and the subsequent happy reunion of friends over a beach barbecue. The wonderful thing for me about the story is the way the disciples, Peter in particular, are reminded of their calling in such ordinary, familiar surroundings. Every time I eat al fresco, whether at a barbecue or when out walking the hills, I think of that story and remember my own calling.

Is there a particular Bible verse which you keep in mind?
Psalm 139, verse 1 – Lord, you have examined me and you know me. That about sums it up for me. There is no-one who knows me like God. He knows me better than I know myself. For me that's comforting in times of uncertainty, distress, anger, happiness and challenge.

A particular hymn?
Be Thou My Vision. It's my favourite hymn of all time. I love the words and the tune. To me, it's the ultimate prayer.

How would you describe your spiritual journey so far? Like a trip I once made to Stornoway as a child. We had a dreary, rocky, interminable bus ride through Skye. I knew that beyond the rain streaked windows was a spectacular landscape but it was blotted out by the clouds and drizzle. It was only when we got on to the ferry and I was able to climb onto the deck that I got some sense of where I was and what was around me. On arrival in Stornoway, the sun broke through the clouds and I could see my friends waiting at the pier to greet me. Sometimes I'm back on that bus, sometimes on the ferry, sometimes watching my friends wave in the sunshine.

How did you first encounter Holy Socks?
I was there at the start! Margaret and I are old friends and I remember the first time she came up with the idea and I thought it was brilliant. It's slightly quirky but with real depth of faith at its heart – a bit like Margaret herself!

Which design and to whom will you send a pair of Holy Socks?
I'll send my friend Colleen a pair of camel socks. She's been on a long and sometimes difficult journey over the past few years – literally and spiritually. I know she'll appreciate the gesture, the story and the humour.

Where have Holy Socks walked on your feet?
I do a fair bit of travelling so they've been lots of places. Probably the most significant journey one pair of my socks took was earlier this year to Jordan and Egypt. In fact, my camel socks enjoyed the trip so much they never returned! They disappeared from my hotel room in Petra. I like to think they were drawn by the beauty of their homeland and are still journeying there albeit, I suspect, on someone else's feet!