The Chair's Visit to the Shetland District of the Methodist Church

 As a way of supporting the remote Island Districts of the connexion it has been agreed that Chairs from across the country will from time to time visit each of the Island Districts. As a result I was invited to travel to Shetland, meet with Jeremy Dare - the Chair there, visit various churches and preach.

 When Methodist Conference was held at Wolverhampton last July I and other members of the District led morning prayers focusing upon Rwanda. As a result the two representatives of the Shetland District asked if I would use the visits to churches to talk about Rwanda and the growing relationship the District has with Rwanda.

Our Hosts - The Chair, Jeremy Dare & his wife Sheila - as we shared a Seafood Meal on Bressay.

Mary and I set out early on Monday 26^th October and flew to Sumburgh via Aberdeen. Jeremy met us at the airport and we drove the 25 miles to Lerwick where he lives, and where we were to stay. It gave us the first views of the treeless wild landscape of the islands. After lunch we set off to see some of the Shetland  mainland before heading on to Vidlin Methodist Church (see photo below) where I spoke to a very warm and welcoming group from this scattered community. The church is surrounded on three sides by the sea -  though as it was dark by the time we arrived there all we could see was darkness!

Vidlin Methodist Church

 Tuesday took us north, via two ferries to the northernmost church in Britain - Haroldswick. This is a modern church - built some 15 years ago. Its a light, attractive building, and we met an ecumenical group - my talks had been advertised locally on posters and on Radio Shetland. Though a small church, the folk are in good heart.

Haroldswick - The most Northerly Church in Btirain

 Wednesday took us to more local sights, and a talk in Lerwick, the capital of Shetland and the largest  church in the District.

Lerwick Church

Though quite an elderly building it has been modernised very tastefully, and the people there were very interested in the political background to the history of Rwanda and the genocide there. It was also rather a nice change to be able to get back to our 'home' without a long dark drive!

 Thursday saw us on the way to the west of Shetland - to Walls a pretty fishing village.

The Fishing Village of Walls

Unlike other days Jeremy and Sheila didn't come with us - we were met by Janet a retired GP who took us to her home - right on the harbor front - with her own jetty. Her husband Robin had been the local GP for some years but was now retired. They treated us to stories of island life - such as a desperate night time visit via lifeboat to an ill patient on a remote island. Janet then took us to meet Alma who ran a croft a few miles out from the village. We 'bladed the kale' (taking off the outer leaves of the crop and then feeding it to the cattle). We (or rather Alma and her dog) rounded up the sheep, and we collected the eggs. Later we all went to the Methodist Church at Walls for an evening talk. Though an old building it is now a modern well lit facility - they use it as a cafe drop in for local people. My illustrated talk was again well received.

Enjoying some of the views.

Friday was meant to be  at Scalloway but as a result of a double booking at the church this had to be canceled and so we had a quieter day and caught up with service preparation and e-mails. The weather was poor but we did get out to Eshaness (see photo) when the weather improved in the afternoon.

The view from Eshaness

 Saturday was planned as a rest day - but we did go off to Bressay by ferry for  a sea food meal and on the way saw this seal in the harbor !

On Sunday I lead worship at Lerwick: a good congregation of mixed ages - as many below 25 in age as above. They have a modern projection and audio facility in the church and I was able to use some of my Windows Media Maker slides both about Rwanda and in prayers of intercession for Africa. It was then time to head back to Sumburgh airport for a flight home - which turned out quite eventful as a result of a flooded runway at Aberdeen. I am writing this while waiting for the flight to Birmingham - hoping for an uneventful journey on!

 It has been good to visit the folk far north - I find them in good heart - open, friendly, faithful people  who made Mary and me very welcome! Jeremy and Sheila were wonderful hosts who love their work and are deeply dedicated to the people of Shetland.

John Howard