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Tayport minister bids fond farewell (Mar, 2010)
26/Mar/2010
Tayport minister bids fond farewell - Tayport minister Rev. Colin Dempster has bid an emotional farewell to a congregation he has served for two decades. Mr Dempster conducted his final service at the town's parish church on Sunday.
He said his time in the town had been one of the most, "meaningful, endearing, difficult and joyful" experiences of his life.
While there have been plenty highlights over the years, he also spoke of the hard times when he has had to help townspeople with bereavements and difficult circumstances.
Moving to the coastal town from Lanarkshire 20 years ago, Mr Dempster and his wife Par brought up their sons Jamie and Craig in the town they now regard as home.
He said moving to the Mearns Coastal Parish Church - which incorporates St Cyrus and Johnshaven churches - would be a difficult one, but having been 'called' to his faith in 1984, Mr Dempster knows his latest calling means he has to move on.
He said: "I have enjoyed being able to preach and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ over the years, but I have also enjoyed the pastoral care I have been able to give and as a result, made many friends in Tayport."
Over the years Mr Dempster has been involved in a number of initiatives in the town including running a soup kitchen in the winter and a continental market, as well as regular visits to the primary school.
The church has also been renovated during his time there and now boasts a refurbished vestry, kitchen and toilet facilities.
The achievements are not all his own, he is quick to say, and said teamwork has been at the heart of making ideas come to life.
The annual plays he has written, however, are entirely his own work and something he hopes people in Tayport will remember for years to come.
"I have written a number of plays over the years including 'Tayporticus' about the Romans and 'Bethlehem Toon Council' a twist on the Scottish Government, which have since been published by the Scottish Storytelling Centre," he said.
"Performances of the plays always resulted in a good crowd."
To mark his contribution to the parish church, Mr Dempster was presented with a cheque and a multi-media player which he will take to his new parish.
Source: Fife Herald, Friday, March 26, 2010
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