Church news

The following letter was read out in church on Sunday November 16.

Dear Elders, members and adherents of St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ Parish Church
Proposed Demission from the Charge of St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ linked with Caerlaverock

On Friday November 7 I was successfully interviewed for the post of Associate minister of the charge of St Andrew’s and St Marnock’s, Kilmarnock and have now accepted the offer. As a consequence I will be seeking the permission of Presbytery to demit the charge of St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ with Caerlaverock as of Wednesday December 31 to take up this new ministry in the new year.

This is not a knee-jerk reaction to recent events in the St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ Board but rather it is a considered decision taken after much personal searching. As I have served in this charge I have had the opportunity to grow in my understanding of my own calling in ministry and as I have done so I have become increasingly convinced that a ministry development post would be much more in keeping with my passions for renewal in the Church. The post in Kilmarnock provides such opportunities through the development of a Church Centre for outreach, youth work and disciple making.

I wish you God’s guidance and blessing.

Yours sincerely

Jamie Milliken

The bombshell news of the impending departure of our minister to a call in Kilmarnock brought into stark focus the three short but fruitful years since his induction on October 25 2005 in a well-filled St Mary’s-Greyfriars’ Church. That evening was only four days before the clocks changed and marked a significant change in the leadership of our unified congregation.

His previous work experience has obviously proved to stand him in good stead in social interaction, and his Christian outreach in our sister church at Caerlaverock has lifted the hearts and minds of that whole parish, in spite of the difficulties of distance and pastoral time constraints, particularly at morning worship.

Visits by the minister to homes, residential care and hospital have proved rewarding for the visitees, and his empathy at a time of illness or loss was unpretentious and meaningful.

Minister as a verb relates to serving and administrating, and add to that his ability to correlate with unambiguous analogies to bring the Christian message home to us all. With Rev Jamie Milliken, you were guaranteed to have “the best seats in the house”.

We join in wishing Jamie and his family well in their new life in Ayrshire. His many talents will most assuredly be fulfilled.

It is intended to give Jamie a farewell gift to show our appreciation of his Ministry here with us over the past 3 years. Please either give your donation to Stewart Williamson or to any duty Elder. You can also post your donation to interim session clerk David Matheson at 44 Auchenkeld Avenue, Heathhall, Dumfries DG1 3QY. The closing date will be Friday December 19.