This week, I have been attending a meeting of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) at Harrogate. I teach and research pharmacology, the science of how drugs work and have been a member of the BPS for over 25 years. The society organises a large meeting every year just before Christmas; there are talks about matters of current scientific interest and there is also the opportunity for people to show their latest findings my means of posters. This year, my PhD student had a poster. Over the years my routine at the meeting has changed; once I avidly attended all the scientific sessions and sought out the big names in the field who I wanted to impress. Now I am more inclined to linger drinking tea by the posters and chatting with old friends before retiring to a nearby tea room or pub. There has been another change; now, when I attend, I wear my clerical collar. I have occasionally got some strange looks, but I have never encountered any hostility. Instead, people who do approach me often want to talk about their own faith or are curious about mine. The dog-collar is obvious, but there are other forms of identity such as cross lapel-badge that achieve much the same thing. A symbol can be powerful.
We are delighted to welcome the Rev Kina Robertshaw as our new rector, who was formally installed as rector of all the parishes in our benefice on April 18th. Kina was previously Associate Minister at Bromyard where she gained considerable experience of working in rural communities. Kina was born in Angola and left home at 17. She was a successful entrepeneur in the fashion industry until she started to train for full-time ministry. She carried out research on Christian entrepreneurs for a master's degree and has co-authored a book on the subject. Kina can be recognised by her broad smile, her enthusiasm for meeting and talking to people and her dog, which she takes for walks. For those who want to know more about Kina, her website is Kina Robertshaw
