The Reverend George Lind bades a fond farewell to Annan for pastures new

Jan 29 2010 by Sharon Liptrott, Dumfries Standard Friday

A DUMFRIES-born banker who became a Church of Scotland minister in Annan 12 years ago has left for pastures new.

The Reverend George Lind was inducted as minister of St Columba’s Parish Church, Stewarton, near Kilmarnock, yesterday.

But says he will maintain the many friendships he has made in Annandale over the years.

A former Dumfries High School pupil, George worked in the Bank of Scotland for 25 years before his call to the ministry.

He studied Divinity in Glasgow from 1993 to 1996 and was a probation minister in Falkirk for 18 months before getting his first charge – St Andrew’s, Greenknowe, Erskine Church in Annan which is now known as St Andrew’s Parish Church in Annan.

After six years he was also given the ministry of Brydekirk Parish Church.

His final services at the weekend were packed as the congregations presented gifts to him and his wife, Rae, a former occupational health nurse at Seafoods in Annan.

As well as individual gifts and cards they received £2,304 from the linked churches.

George said: “Rae and I were quite overwhelmed by the massive wave of support and affection which surrounded us in both congregations.

“As in every congregation, we had our joys and sorrows but the over-arching memories of goodwill and wholesomeness are the ones which we shall carry with us.’’

George helped establish the successful Meals for Malawi project and as Convener of the Presbytery of Annandale and Eskdale World Mission Committee played a leading part in raising £30,000 in cash and kind which helped build four houses in Malawi and provided a container of much needed equipment for the country.

During his 12 years in Annan the congregations have seen a number of changes in church including the introduction of a new Sunday School called Faith, a new youth club, One Of The Crowd, midweek daytime fellowship, a church visiting time, and the Kate’s Kitchen drop-in centre within St Andrew’s Church hall.

Until a new minister is elected, the linked churches will be looked after by Interim Moderator, the Reverend Kate Vivers, who completed part of her training in 2003 and 2004 at St Andrew’s.