Presentation To Douglas & Annette Clyne                    Peter W Nimmo  

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the gift of £2113 for Douglas and Annette Clyne. I presented it to Douglas on Sunday 2 March, and for the sake of those who could not be there, here is what I said:

“Before we begin our worship today, I'd like to make a presentation on behalf of the congregation to the Rev Douglas Clyne, and to his wife Annette. As you know, Douglas has been looking after the congregation for the best part of a year, during my illness. He became our locum and our Interim Moderator, so he's been very busy for a retired minister.

Someone pointed out to me a few weeks ago that the date for this presentation was planned to be Mother's Day. Maybe that's quite a happy coincidence, for today is a day when we honour people whose role is to look after their family. Douglas, we can't say that you exactly 'mothered us', but you did look after our Church family during a difficult time. Your worship and preaching has been greatly appreciated, as also has been the care and kindness you brought to your pastoral work. 

We appreciated, also, the time you took to ensure that the work of the Kirk Session and Board continued. And you even entered with enthusiasm into one or two extra projects, like the artist-in-residence programme. For all that you were a parish minister for many years, you've had some strange new experiences at Old High St Stephen's - I know that until you came here you had never before blessed a pavement!

In all this you have been ably assisted and supported by your wife, Annette. Annette, we thank you as well today. You have to have lived in a manse to understand the vital, if often quiet and hidden role, which a minister's spouse has in supporting their work. I've been all too aware that just at a time when you and Douglas ought to have been enjoying more time together, we have asked a lot of you and Douglas, and we greatly appreciate your patience!

We look forward to continuing to have Douglas on board as he reverts to his original role as Pastoral Assistant, taking particular responsibility for the less-able members of our congregation.

So, this is a gift for both of you, a mark of our great gratitude, given with our very best wishes and our prayer for God's continuing blessing on you both.

Peter Nimmo

And a response from Douglas and Annette...

Thank you! Thank you!

We would like to thank everyone in the congregation for the extremely generous cheque we received last Sunday. This was, we felt, quite unnecessary, as the kindness and friendship we have experienced from you all has been reward enough. The gift, therefore, is even more appreciated, and we hope to have an opportunity to thank you personally soon. Thank you again, Douglas and Annette.