St John the Evangelist

Below is the press release that has been circulated to local media

concerning the departure in the summer of Robin, our Rector. The release has been sent to, among others, The Dumfries and Galloway Standard and The Dumfries Courier newspapers.

Mike Tyas

THE Rector of St John’s Church on Newall Terrace, Dumfries is to retire in the summer.

Canon Robin Paisley will officiate his last service at the end of June after ten years leading the congregation.

St John’s will be celebrating 150 years since it dedication, in December 2018, and Canon Paisley said this played a part in his decision to retire.

‘This will be a very good induction project for a new Rector.’ he said.

‘I have been here for 10 years and in the recognisable cycle of developments in church life another five years, which is the maximum I could serve at St John’s, would lead me into another cycle of which the 150^th anniversary is an example.

‘It has been a privilege to serve this vibrant community of St John’s.’

St John’s, which is part of the Scottish Episcopal Church in partnership with the Methodist Church in Scotland, will officially begin the process of replacing Canon Paisley, 64, after he has retired.

An interim minister will take up post after Canon Paisley leaves, aided by a widely-experienced St John’s team of currently serving and retired ministers.

In a message to the congregation David Kerr, Vestry Secretary, expected that the new Rector would be in post by the spring/summer of next year at the latest with such a transition time being normal in Scottish Episcopal tradition.

Mr Kerr wrote: ‘The first thing is to reassure you that Robin is not ill; nor is there any other negative reason for his retirement.

‘He wishes, as we all would wish for him, to be able to enjoy his retirement, Helen’s retirement, their grandchildren and all the normal things, while they are both still fit and healthy.’

Mr Kerr added that Canon Paisley will be leaving St John’s in a ‘strong position’.

He wrote: ‘We are a viable, active, diverse congregation, which has experienced competent, pastorally and spiritually sensitive leadership for the past ten years.’