The congregation of Trotternish Free Church met together on Friday 26th June to say farewell and thank you to its minister, Rev Nigel Anderson and his wife Janice. Nigel was retiring from the ministry on 30th June having faithfully served the Free Church for 21 years.
We met in Columba 1400 in Staffin for lunch, fellowship and presentations. This was the third farewell for Nigel having had a curry night with the Presbytery members in Kyleakin and a ceilidh in Kilmuir Community hall organised by the Kilmuir Hall Committee. Nigel and Janice were faithful supports of local events held in the hall and Nigel was involved in Easter and Christmas services held in the community.
Nigel began his ministry in Ayr where he served for four years then in Livingston where he served for 13 years. While in the Edinburgh Presbytery he also lectured in the Edinburgh Theological Seminary.
Nigel was inducted into the ministry in Trotternish in March 2022. It was a homecoming for Nigel and Janice as, before entering the ministry, Nigel was teaching history in Portree High School. Both their daughters, Cathryn and Seona spent their early school years in Portree.
The past few years have been difficult for the Trotternish congregation – a number of deaths of faithful members and Nigel’s has retired earlier than planned But God is sovereign.
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ (Romans 8:28)
The congregation is seeking God’s blessing as it looks to the future. There is a hope that more people will come to know Jesus, bringing in new people, new members, and growth in the congregation.
We wish Nigel and Janice God’s blessing for a happy and healthy retirement and we will remember them in our prayers over the coming days.