Dornoch congregation says fond farewell to minister
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A HIGHLAND congregation has bade farewell to its minister.
Rev Duncan Macleod, who hails from Lewis, preached his final sermon as minister of Dornoch Free Church. He and his wife Morag are moving to Inverness in the new year.
A former Gaelic teacher, he spent 38 years in the ministry and served first at Helmsdale Free Church for 13 years before a 15-year stint at Perth.
His final decade of ministry was with the Dornoch congregation when he became a regular Food for Thought columnist for our sister paper, The Northern Times.
Under his leadership the the first phase of a project to renovate and modernise the church building was completed. The final phase should be finished next year.
The congregation held a retirement reception in Clashmore Hall last Friday, which was attended by more than 100 people.
Free Church ministry support worker Al MacInnes said: “Duncan and his family will be greatly missed in Dornoch, but leave behind the legacy of a warm and growing family of believers.”
A thanksgiving service was also held on the Sunday evening.
Mr Macleod said: "I have very mixed feelings leaving a congregation whom I have become very attached to and have had the great privilege of serving since my return to Sutherland ten years ago.
"Morag and I would like to put on record how much we appreciate all the kindness shown to us over the years and especially the labour of love that was so evident in their organising of our farewell events.
"We are especially grateful to the leadership of the congregation for allowing us to have the manse as our base for the next three months as we prepare to move to Inverness at the end of February."
