Rev Rennie lays down his preaching scarf and says farewell
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SUNDAY saw the end of a decade-long era for a popular far north minister as the Rev Lyall Rennie gave his final sermon at Canisbay.
He had many in the congregation reaching for their handkerchiefs as he said his final words prior to retirement.
"Until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hands," he said.
"And may the blessing of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon you and all those who you love, this day and forever more."
The congregation responded with a choral "amen" and that was the end of the service.
Mr Rennie was then thanked by church elder Sheila Cormack, speaking on behalf of the congregation. A further farewell is planned for the Britannia Hall in Dunnet on September 20 which will include congregations from other churches Mr Rennie ministers in.
Many of the parishioners leaving the ancient Canisbay kirk in the afternoon sunshine expressed their gratitude for the minister's tenure at their church. Sheila Moir said: "It's sad that he's retiring but at least he's not leaving the district and we'll still see him."
Issy Currie reiterated those words and added that the minister was "a wonderful person to have in the kirk" and how she had enjoyed working with him doing the special pet services.
Mr Rennie oversaw the introduction of the services at Olrig Church in Castletown and Canisbay Church in which the congregations had an opportunity to give thanks to God "for all our pets and for what animals do for us".
"In particular, we want to thank God for all the pets who help us, like sniffer dogs, guide dogs and therapy dogs who go into old folk's homes," Mr Rennie said at one of the animal services earlier this year.
There were even two dogs present on Sunday to say their goodbyes to the minister – Poppy the Chihuahua and a Pets as Therapy Labrador called Corrie.
Speaking after saying his farewells to both parishioners and dogs, Mr Rennie said that even after retirement he will still be able to pray for his congregations and together with his wife, Isobel, he will attend services at Canisbay.
"I won't be taking notes or be critical of the new minister," Mr Rennie joked. "Marcus Cornah is in Halkirk and will be taking over from me as locum minister. The Church of Scotland is still looking for a full-time minister to fill the position."
"I was the minister for Pentland parish which includes Keiss, Olrig, Dunnet and Canisbay churches – a union of the four places of worship in which I ministered," he said.
Mr Rennie said he was "looking forward to retirement" in which he hopes to spend time building a model railway.
"It's a day of mixed emotions, I have to say, and I will miss taking services at this church and the others."
Canisbay Church was rebuilt in the early 1700s but the area is associated with much earlier sacred buildings. Jan De Groot, the man who founded John O'Groats, is buried in the cemetery – his tombstone, dating from the 1500s, sits in the church building and is a popular tourist attraction. The church was also a regular place of worship of the late Queen Mother and is still visited by Prince Charles on his visits to the Castle of Mey.
