Reverend Scott pays tribute to parish

The Rector will retire this year, having served Seapatrick parish for 21 years during which he said there has been many successes. Having asked that parishioners raise £200,000 since last year’s Easter Vestry, Mr Scott thanked the 103 people present and all others who donated for reaching the financial target within nine months.

Mr Scott said the love and support he, his wife and family had received from local people had been tremendous and was greatly appreciated.

One of the biggest achievements of his time in the parish is the recent completion of the Church Spire rebuilding work. Mr Scott thanked God for the success of the funraising efforts and also the weather since Christmas which allowed the projec to make progress.

IN addressing the large crowd gathered, Mr Scott compared the responsibility of being in charge of the parish to that of being head of a household. He said mutual respect, a sense of community identity and loving care were some of the most important characteristics of the parish.

“This is expressed in the pride parishioners take in both churches as it symbolises a genuine caring, loving relationship they have for each other and between them corporately and Almighty God,” said Mr Scott.

“For this reason, a soon-to-be published commemorative booklet will have as its slogan “In the community – For the Community”.

Mr Scott said activities in the parish were vibrant, and highlighted the growth of bible studies and inter-denomintational community activities.

However he expressed his disappointment at choir membership levels and appealed to more people to join the junior and senior choirs.

Mr Scott finished his address by thanking his clergy colleagues and all those who had contributed to the smooth running over the parish during his time there.

The Rector, Venerable Archdeacon W. J. Scott, was Chairman Captain G Walmsley read a passage of scripture and Reverend M Greenstreet conducted the opening devotions. Mr H. Carson was appointed secretary to the meeting.

There was an attendance of one hundred and three persons, with apologies being received from Mrs P Burrell, Mr R Lavery and Mr S Timpany.

On a proposal by Mr C Beck, seconded by Mr N. Johnston, the minutes of the annual Easter Vestry meeting, dated 13th April 2010 were adopted. There was no business arising.

Notable changes in the parish in the past year were in the acquisition of new hardware and software to assist in its administration, and the appointment of Mr T McClimmonds as Human Resources representative.

The Honorary Treasurer, Mr N. Johnston, presented and explained the contents of the Annual Report and Statement of Accounts. He concluded his presentation by thanking the Honorary Auditors, Mr Beck and Mr McDowell, and the parish’s auditors, Jones and Peters, who audit the parish’s accounts free of charge. He then thanked the spire fundraising committee for its efforts, on behalf of the parish, during the past year.

Mr H McDowell proposed a vote of thanks to Mr N Johnston, which was seconded by Mr A Graham and passed by acclamation.

Holy Trinity and St Patrick’s church warden reports were given by Mr R. Robinson and Mr D Lowry respectively. Mr G Monteith presented this year’s glebe warden report. Mr B Minnis, who is retiring as People’s glebe warden, thanked the general vestry for giving him the opportunity to serve the parish as glebe warden during the past thirty two years. Mr Minnis was then thanked for his service.