By Nicola Stow
Minister’s wife Rosalynd Rennie went into labor in church – but continued to sit through her husband’s sermon because she “didn’t want to make a fuss.” She was having regular contractions when hubby Athole was in the pulpit.
But she waited until the hour-long service of Grace Church Leith, in Edinburgh, was over and the congregation had left before saying, “I think the baby’s coming.”
Rev. Rennie, 34, then whisked Rosalynd to hospital, where she gave birth to a 7 pound, 6 ounce daughter – fittingly called Grace.
The proud dad said, “Rosalynd had been complaining of a few twinges earlier in the day, but we didn’t think it was anything to worry about. I remember glancing over at her throughout the sermon and thinking to myself, ‘She’s concentrating hard today.’ I had no idea she was having contractions.
“She was sitting there sweating and grimacing through her pain while I carried on preaching. It was only after the service that she told me what was going on. I took her home for a couple of hours and then everything speeded up. The baby was born within an hour of us arriving at the hospital.”
Grace, who was delivered at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary’s Simpson maternity unit six hours after the service, is a sister to 2-year-old Erskine.
Rev. Rennie added, “I had been preaching about the importance of grace during my sermon when Rosalynd’s contractions started. We couldn’t think of a name more fitting for our precious baby girl. She really is a gift from God.
“We had already decided on Grace for a girl’s name. And the circumstances leading up to her birth make her name all the more special. She also shares the church’s name. We have a lovely story to tell her one day about how she came into the world.”
Rosalynd Rennie, 34, a human resources officer, said, “We’re absolutely delighted. I actually enjoyed feeling the labor pains. It felt special knowing Grace was on her way during Athole’s service.
“I’m just glad I didn’t cause a massive drama inside the church.”