We said a fond farewell to our magnificent organist and choirmaster Jeremy Wan on Sunday, August 20th, as he left us to head south to Guildford Cathedral to be organ scholar.

Jeremy, who is from Hong Kong, has been the Lafine Organ Scholar at the University of Glasgow. He restarted the All Saints church choir, which stopped during lockdown, and has been a considerable, enthusiastic asset to our church during his time with us.

During the service we sang one of Jeremy’s favourite hymns, For the fruits of his creation, with a tune by Francis Jackson.

Rev David presented Jeremy with a book about English Church Music, money and a card signed by the congregation during the service, then members of the choir presented him with another “liquid gift” and card in the church hall afterwards.

Several of our Eucharistic Assistants and Rev David went to St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday (August 19th) for the diocesan service celebrating lay ministries.

People from across the diocese gathered together for the service of Celebration of Lay Ministries with the Renewal of the Ministry of Eucharistic Assistants led by Bishop Kevin at the Cathedral.

The sermon was preached by the Rev Canon Gordon Fyfe, Bishop’s Advisor in Lay Ministries.

Pictured after the service are Louise Benson, Rev David, Hanan Atalla and Jennifer Thompson. Unable to attend were Celia Fisher and Graham Caie. The certificates signed by the Bishop giving our Eucharistic Assistants authority to carry out their ministry are being presented to all of them again by Rev David in church so the congregation can express their thanks for all the hard work they carry out during the year.

We give thanks for the ministry of lay people across Glasgow and Galloway, and we pray:
Heavenly Father, your Son Jesus Christ came among us in humility and brought with him your promise to pour your Holy Spirit on all who are called to minister in your name: give your grace to these your servants; inflame them with the fire of your love; enlighten their minds and grant them a vision of your will and purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Members of the congregation surprised the Rector, Revd David, after the morning service on Sunday July 2nd, with a cake to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

David was ordained priest by the Rt Revd Michael Baughen, Bishop of Chester, on July 4th, 1993, in Chester Cathedral, having been ordained deacon there the previous year. He celebrated his first Eucharist at St Stephen’s, Prenton, the same evening.