Ave atque vale ..

Another long day to see Andrew, Rector of our church for the past eight years, consecrated Bishop of Brechin in St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee. This photo, one of several shot from my pew, shows the new bishop leaving the Cathedral at the end of the two- hour service.

We feel strange, we in the congregation left looking for a new priest. We feel proud - proud that the priest we have so valued over these eight years has been recognised as the leader we all know he is. But for us, the day was not one of unmitigated rejoicing; we are left alone and searching for a new Rector. We are missing him already.

We have given the wider church a priceless gift. For now, we are feeling the loss. The diocese of Brechin has chosen well.