Jim says farewell to town after six years (From Dorset Echo)

Jim says farewell to town after six years

7:44am Saturday 3rd January 2009 in News

AFTER six years’ work in the town, The Rev Jim Thorneycroft is leaving his Weymouth ministry for pastures new.

Mr Thorneycroft has been the minister for Radipole United Reformed Church since 2002 but is now moving to Kent with his wife Sue.

He has seen great changes at the Weymouth church during his time but added that he will be sad to leave.

In a public statement to his congregation, Mr Thorneycroft said: “The church has changed enormously since we arrived in 2002.

“We now have a comfortable, modern, multi-purpose building which will ensure that the vision of those who planted the church back in 1906 will continue on into the future.”

He added: “But the church is not a building, it’s made up of people and the people in the fellowship at Radipole are a warm, kind-hearted group who love God and want to share his love with others.

“That’s what I’ll miss more than anything.

“I have been proud to hear people saying to me that my church always makes people feel welcome.”

Mr Thorneycroft will lead his last service, Holy Communion, at Radipole United Reformed Church next Sunday (11) and will be inducted into his new ministry on Saturday, January 31.

Anyone wishing to travel to Kent for the service is asked to contact church secretary Fiona Kerr, who is trying to arrange a minibus to the service.