Two decades of service Church news in brief
The World Day of Prayer will take place this year in Our Lady of the Assumption and St Meddan Church on Friday, March 3 at 7.30pm.
The theme is “Am I being unfair to you” written by the Christian women of the Philippines. South Prestwick Guild is holding a coffee morning on Saturday, February 25, from 10am - noon. There will be a sales and baking stall. Entry costs only £ 2.50 for adults and 50p for children.
It will take place in Prestwick South Church Hall in the Main Street from 10am.
Proceeds will go to the Guild projects and the church redecoration fund. Even a major stroke couldn’t keep the Reverend Ian Robertson from the pulpit.
But now at the age of 70 the devoted minister at Ayr United Free Church has decided it is time to retire.
He will step down after more than two decades at the Kirkholm Avenue church in Ayr.
The grandfather- of- two said his time left him with so many precious memories.
The former mechanic said: “It is a big wrench at the end to remove yourself.
“I would love to go on for years and years. In a sense there were too many highlights to mention.
“Sharing the gospel was a constant highlight. It was a privilige to get to know people and be incorporated into their lives rather than be the outsider looking in.”
Despite suffering a serious stroke four years ago he returned to his post.
He said: “I wanted to lay the job down in my own terms - not let a stroke take what I love away from me.”
His wife Margaret, 69, said: “When he was in the hospital and paralysed down his right side he told me the feeling in his face was coming back. He lay in bed and looked at the ceiling and said: ‘ Well, Lord I may not recover physically but I can still speak and tell your story’. ”
Describing his dedication over the years, Margaret said: “He had boundless energy. I couldn’t keep up with him. He would run everywhere.
“Ian fell in love with the congregation. God filled him with love.”
Discussing the low points, he related how it was hard “saying goodbye” to folk who lost their lives.
He said: A lot of the personality of the minister ends up in the congregation and vice versa. It becomes a melting pot.
“I want to say thank my wife and sons for being there for me. “It can be a lonely job.” The Reverend Robertson faced a tight turn around on a Sunday morning splitting his time between a chuch in Stevenston and the one in Ayr, which has a 40 strong congregation.
He said: “I would do my morning service in Ayr at 10.30am and then go straight to Ardeer to deliver the other sermon at 12.30 noon.”
Originally from Glasgow, the couple who have three sons, will continue to live in their home close to the Ayr church.
As he leaves on Sunday, February 26, he plans to deliver a “big vote of thanks” to his congregation for their support and “wish every one of them God’s blessing.”