For Rev Adam Dillon, who serves as minister for St Andrew’s Parish Church, includ- ing Kirkpatrick Juxta and Wamphray Church, is set to leave his post after 10 years.
A Glasgow native, Rev Dillon, 39, trained at Glasgow Univer- sity before heading stateside to continue his studies at prestigious Princeton University in New Jersey.
In 2003 he returned to Scotland to take up a post in Knightswood, Glasgow, for five years before moving to Moffat in 2008.
Discussing his path to religion, he said: “I resisted the call to be a minister for a long time thinking I would be a minister when I would be older than I am now.
“However, when I was working with homeless people in Glasgow at a day centre called the Lodging House mission, I realised that I needed to do what God was ask- ing of me, and become a minister.
“I wanted to minister to a community of people, where that sense of community and really getting to know folks was still possible. I am glad to say that this is exactly what I have found in Moffat, Beattock and Wamphray.”
Mr Dillon says it’s the people that he’ll miss the most.
And talking about highlights of the past decade, he said: “I have seen an entire generation of kids through the school as chaplain.
“The children that were in pri- mary one when I arrived are now leaving to go off to new ventures beyond school. That has been an enormous privilege.
“I have been able to share in many different family events with folks, and there are families where I have now married all of the children and watched them start their families. When I first arrived here, they would have all have been at the school.”
The reverend and his family – wife Sheila and children Rebekah, Oliver, Callum and Isabella – are moving on to pastures new as he takes over as minister for St David’s Memorial Park, Kirkintilloch.
But before he departs, locals will have a chance to say a proper goodbye at two farewell services, the rest at 9.45 am at Kirkpatrick Juxta, followed by a second at 11.15 am at Moffat St Andrew’s this Sunday.
Afterwards, at 2 pm, a community celebration and a farewell social will take place at the Moffat church.
There will be musical entertainment from different groups within the community and refreshments served afterwards – everyone is welcome.
There is also an opportunity to make contributions to the pres- entation by contacting Adam Anderson on 01683 221164.
The following week a farewell service takes places at 4 pm at Wamphray Church and Mr Dillon will be inducted to his new charge on Wednesday Septem- ber 12 at 7 pm and he hopes locals will make the journey to see him.
