Minister’s Message 11 October
Dear Friends
I write to inform you that I have given notice this week to the Presbytery of Perth and
to the Kirk Session of Kinross-shire of my intention to retire from Parish ministry at
Easter next year.
When the Presbytery Mission Plan of 2023 proposed the coming together of the five
parishes of Kinross-shire and the incorporation of the parish of Arngask, the enormity
of that task was daunting for us all, but it seemed right to me to play my part in
facilitating the union. I believe that to have been the right thing to do, although it has
probably taken a bigger toll on me personally than I perhaps yet realise.
I have been in the full time employment of the Church of Scotland since July 1988
and although I might have continued for another few years until my state retirement
age I have never wanted to be the kind of minister who coasted towards retirement
and thereby held the congregation back.
I recognise that I do not have the freshness or the energy required to give the
necessary lead to enable the united parish of Kinross-shire to be all that it can be
(and needs to be) for the sake of the Kingdom and it will be for you as a united
congregation to call the right person to join the ministry team at this point and help
shape the next stage of your journey as a congregation. My giving six months' notice
of retirement allows the process to elect a Nominating Committee to get underway
as early as possible so that there may not be too long a vacancy and the momentum
of the coming together of the united parish may not be lost.
I am very much enjoying the stimulation and collegiality of the team ministry and I am
therefore most disappointed that I will not be around to see the fruits of something I
have worked hard to establish. But this is not about me. There was never going to be
an easy time to walk away but I believe now is the best time to inform you of my
intentions.
The Presbytery and the Kirk Session will determine the next steps. In the meantime,
it is certainly not 'goodbye' yet and it is my aim to give myself fully to the work of
ministry and mission in Kinross-shire over the coming months, to continue to support
you all in the development of the united parish and the team ministry between now
and Easter and to hand over my charge to my successor in good shape.
I ask your prayers for Christine and myself as we make the journey that lies ahead
for us and I assure you of my prayers for you.
With every blessing in Christ,
Alan
Rev Alan Reid