Goodbye, Mike
It was with mixed emotions, that, on 13 November 2005, a packed church heard Mike Frew's last sermon in St John's as our minister.
After a "normal" service of worship, the congregation were asked to remain seated, while Session Clerk, Graham Jackson, gave a short speech of farewell to Mike and then presented him with a gift from the congregation in the form of a sizable cheque, representing donations made by members of the congregation over the last 3-4 weeks.
Graham said:
It was with surprise and regret that I heard the news that Mike had accepted the call to go to Edinburgh Slateford Longstone. After 14 years, making Mike the third longest serving minister at St. John's, Mike and Maggie had become fixtures here, and many, like me, expected him to remain here until retirement. But, who are we to question God's will. Mike has been called to another charge where God has plans for him. We all wish him and Maggie God's richest blessing for his new ministry in Edinburgh.
In St. John's, Mike has had a very successful ministry, and his preaching as well as his pastoral care will be missed by many. This is evident in the comments I've heard over the past few weeks and in the generosity of the members in contributing to a farewell gift. Whilst Mike and Maggie were holidaying in New Zealand, many people approached me wanting to know how to mark Mike's leaving. Plans were quickly made and people were given the opportunity to make a financial gift. A sizable sum was collected. A massive tribute to a very popular minister I think you'll agree.
However, it poses a question. What do we do with the money? What should we buy Mike? If he shared our vices the matter would be easily remedied. But, as you know, he is one of the clean living types. However, an investigation revealed that Mike intends to take up golf once he has moved to Edinburgh. Apparently, his new parish lies adjacent to a golf course. Whilst he has a set of clubs, I believe they once belonged to his father and have strange sounding names. He has never had a set of clubs of his own. I believe that this is a situation that should be remedied. However, selecting a set of golf clubs is rather a personal matter so it has been decided to give Mike a cheque so that he can choose his clubs at leisure. But, if he needs any assistance in this respect, there are countless experts in the church who would be delighted to share this shopping duty - including me.
Actually, I believe we could get a set on e-Bay for about £150. That would leave plenty for Maggie to spend on curtains for the new manse.
And so the time has come to say good-bye. Thank you, Mike, for what you have done at St. John's. We will all miss you. And, may you be as successful in Edinburgh as you have been here in Carluke. God Bless you both in your new ministry. The parishioners of Slateford Longstone are very lucky indeed to acquire your services. Although the family are not moving with you, we also tender our good wishes to Joanne, Douglas, Malcolm and David.
After Graham had made his presentation, Sandra Peat was invited to say a few short words to Maggie. Anyone who knows Sandra will know that short is not necessarily a word in her vocabulary. However, she restricted herself to just the one anecdote about a time when she was left to look after the 4 Frew children while Mike and Maggie were away from home. She then presented Maggie with a bouquet as a token of the esteem in which she is held by the congregation.
Finally, Officer-in-Charge, Richard Allan and Corporal Gordon Robson presented Mike with a rosebowl from the 3rd Carluke BB Company, of which mike was the chaplain throughout his ministry at St John's and, in the last 2-3 years, was acting Captain.
Speeches and presentations over, the congregation were invited to the Large Hall, where they could share a final congregational meal with the Frews.
Goodbye, Mike and Maggie. You will be missed by many in St John's. May God's richest blessings go with you to your new charge in Edinburgh and may He empower you, Mike, to lead the congregation of Edinburgh: Slateford Longstone as ably as you did Carluke: St John's.
Click here to see more photos of the presentations.
