How did you come to worship at Falkirk Old and St Modan’s Church?

I attended Larbert West when I was young and then when I went off to nursing, I really wasn’t attending any particular church. However when we were getting married, Stewart’s Mum suggested that we approach Ron Smith to marry us. She had been a member at St Modan’s and now worshipped in this building. Ron agreed to marry us and Sheila Blount phoned and asked if I would think about joining the church, which I did.

Do you feel it is important to encourage your children to be part of the church family?

I do. When I was young I was involved in Sunday School and Bible Class and we had a Saturday club and discos. There weren’t so many other activities on offer and most of the activities we took part in were through the church. I wanted the same for my children – to give them what I had. I need them to know what the Church is about - you can only give them a grounding and hope that when they come to choose for themselves, they will still feel they want to be involved with church. The S Kidz leaders are very good and they do lots of interesting things which appeal to them. And Youth Station offers interesting activities too. The week in the summer at Hallglen was very good and it was rewarding that so many children without a church connection came along and brought their parents on the last night.

You have a young family and also work. What is a typical week like for you?

I work four days a week – till the children come out of school on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and a full day on a Thursday. Mornings are hectic when I am trying to get the children off to school and out to work! I work as a health visitor. I started in care of the elderly at Bonnybridge Hospital, then worked in the community visiting over 75’s and doing health checks. After I completed a part time degree in Health Studies, I did a Health Visitor’s course.

It must be a demanding job – which parts do you particularly enjoy and which parts are more difficult?

I work a lot with vulnerable families – often with alcohol and drugs problems. That can be really sad. There is so much poverty really close to us here in Falkirk. We have had values passed on to us but that isn’t the case with many of these families; no one in the family has been able to find work and they really struggle. I try to be a positive influence.

I hold a group for breastfeeding Mums and that is lovely – it’s really nice to work with the Mums and babies at this stage

And you also find time to run?

I started five years ago after having Sarah, firstly walking and then running. I have taken part in 5 mile runs, half marathons and a marathon. I’m thinking about doing a marathon again and run about 20 miles a week. I find I can switch off when I am running on my own and you get time to think. Also you always want to beat your time and to race against yourself and then you find yourself hooked!

Tell me about your faith

My faith has got stronger and more important to me as I have got older. My Mum was a Catholic and my Dad went to the Gospel Hall. Worship was important to both of them. My cousin took leukaemia about four or five years ago and I have been very influenced by how her faith carried her through her illness. All she asked for in the way of help was for people to pray for her and to talk about it. She prayed all the way through her illness herself and her faith carried her through. She gave a testimonial at the Pentecostal Church saying how God had brought her through her illness and I was really inspired listening to her.

Is attending the services important to you? What do you get from the services?

The services always make me think. Very often I want to ask Robert at the end “How did you know?” because what he has been talking about connect so closely with my situation. He doesn’t make you feel guilty, but gives you a lot to reflect about.

And when have been your happiest times in the Church?

I loved the services at Hallglen when we were out the Old Parish building.  We all sat in different seats and spoke to lots of people and it really made me feel more part of the Church. And I particularly love the Christmas Eve service at Hallglen which has become part of our Christmas.