Goodbye, Philip

It was in 1970 that Philip Fox became our organist and choirmaster. It was a period of great change in St. John's as for 7 months there was no minister either, Alan Reid having just accepted a call to Helensburgh the year before.

Philip has been our organist for nearly 37 years. For most of us, he is the only organist we have known in St John's. He possibly played when some of you got married or your children got married. It's likely he played when your children were baptised. He has most certainly played at a family member's or friend's funeral. And whilst we are used to seeing him occupying his usual place in the church Sunday by Sunday, Philip's involvement goes deeper than that. Not only has he been organist and choirmaster, he has played for the Easter Services in the Market Place, carols at Braidwood House, services at Shotts Prison, and accompanied praise at men's breakfasts. He has been a regular at the Thursday mornings' Kettle's on, leading worship as well as often playing the organ. In addition he has been a stalwart at both the Monday and Wednesday Fellowships. And during those times when the church has run an Alpha Course he has always been in the forefront. As an elder he has always attended to his duties faithfully, even managing to continue his district visiting during the last years of his wife, Cathy's life which I personally appreciated.

Philip is a Christian who has a deep and enviable relationship with God. His prayers reflect this as well as his concern for those people round about him. His way of relaxing is to go to Iona, a place both he and Cathy loved, for a week's worship, prayer, meditation and the opportunity to accompany praise in a variety of ways.

As you know, Philip enjoys most sports. He played rugby in his youth and continues to swim, play tennis and golf today. He is extremely competitive. Ask Dr Ann. She plays bowls with him. Or fellow golfers like Billy Johnston or myself.

But, like me, you will also know him as a friend. And yes, it is as a friend that we will remember him most. He can be an infuriating man at times, but he's the first person you think of when your car breaks down at 3am or you need a lift to the airport at midnight. He's always ready to lend a hand whether it be to fetch or carry or if you are moving house and you need help with the flitting then Philip is your man.

Philip was married to Cathy for 38 years. Indeed, she died on their 38th wedding anniversary. We remember the two of them, involved in virtually every activity in the church for years until Cathy's illness and death two years ago. The name Fox was synonymous with the social fabric of St. John's. Our hearts went out to Philip during the last few years of Cathy's life as the symptoms of Huntington's became more debilitating. He has two sons, Timothy and Andrew and now has a grand-daughter, Abbie, upon whom he dotes, especially when she calls him Papa. In January, Philip married Shena and we wish the two of them every happiness together. After the sadness of the last few years, Philip deserves as much.

And so Philip is leaving St. John's after nearly 37 years, and we are sad to see him go. He is a fine musician. As one person recently put it, other people can play the organ but Philip is an organist. And he is going to be a hard act to follow. It will not be easy to find someone of Philip's calibre. But, we have to let him go. Philip has made the decision to worship in Lanark. It's only natural that he should want to worship the Lord he loves in the same church as the woman he loves.

Graham Jackson