Reverend Donald Prentice of St Leonard’s Church Forres is retiring after decades of service including as an Army Chaplain during the war in Afghanistan
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A local church minister of more than 12 years held his final Sunday service on February 19.
The Reverend Donald Prentice of St Leonard’s Church, 43 High Street, is officially retiring at the end of March following a career that included military service as an Army Chaplain during the war in Afghanistan in the early 2000s.
St Leonard’s Church Session Clerk, Roy Anderson, made a presentation speech to Rev Prentice before lunch on Sunday.
He said: “One of the hallmarks of Donald’s ministry over the past 12 years has been his resolve to ensure the congregations of Rafford and Dallas received equal share of his time and attention as St Leonard’s. Every ministry has its particular strengths – Donald has offered pastoral care and support widely across the community of Forres and beyond. Whether it be in response to the death of a loved one or the illness of a family member, his visits have been greatly appreciated.”
Mr Anderson also highlighted Rev Prentice’s “innate ability” to counsel and offer practical support to people whose lives have gone off the rails.
He said: “There are many people who can testify to the positive influence Donald has had on helping turn their lives around.”
Rev Prentice has also been involved in many civic initiatives promoting social justice and care of the environment.
Mr Anderson added: “Whether seeking to address local poverty and deprivation or collecting and delivering items for the local food bank, Donald’s passionate contribution is gratefully appreciated.”
Rev Prentice came to the joint charge of St Leonard’s Church, Rafford Church and St Michael’s Church, Dallas in November 2010. He had returned to his Moray roots in the footsteps of his late father, who ministered in Knockando.
This followed a lengthy spell as an army chaplain, including years on the front line of Afghanistan at the height of the conflict. British service personnel were tasked with finding the leaders of al-Qaeda after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. By the end of 2001, the Taliban regime had collapsed but an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) remained to oversee the transition to a new government and provide security for redevelopment. In 2006, British troops were sent to the southern province of Helmand, provoking a violent response from a resurgent Taliban. In 2014, British combat troops left Afghanistan.
Mr Anderson said: “Transitioning from the rigours and discipline of army service to the demands of parish ministry was not easy but Donald gradually settled into his three-way linked charge.”
Rev Prentice plans to enjoy his retirement with wife, Alison, from their new home in Burghead.
A local church minister of more than 12 years held his final Sunday service on February 19.
The Reverend Donald Prentice of St Leonard's Church, 43 High Street, is officially retiring at the end of March following a career that included military service as an Army Chaplain during the war in Afghanistan in the early 2000s.
St Leonard's Church Session Clerk, Roy Anderson, made a presentation speech to Rev Prentice before lunch on Sunday.
He said: "One of the hallmarks of Donald’s ministry over the past 12 years has been his resolve to ensure the congregations of Rafford and Dallas received equal share of his time and attention as St Leonard’s.
"Every ministry has its particular strengths - Donald has offered pastoral care and support widely across the community of Forres and beyond.
"Whether it be in response to the death of a loved one or the illness of a family member, his visits have been greatly appreciated."
Mr Anderson also highlighted Rev Prentice's "innate ability" to counsel and offer practical support to people whose lives have gone off the rails.
He said: "There are many people who can testify to the positive influence Donald has had on helping turn their lives around."
Rev Prentice has also been involved in many civic initiatives promoting social justice and care of the environment.
Mr Anderson added: "Whether seeking to address local poverty and deprivation or collecting and delivering items for the local food bank, Donald’s passionate contribution is gratefully appreciated."
Rev Prentice came to the joint charge of St Leonard's Church, Rafford Church and St Michael's Church in Dallas in November 2010. He was returning to his Moray roots in the footsteps of his late father, who ministered for many years in Knockando.
This followed a lengthy spell as an army chaplain, including years on the front line of Afghanistan at the height of the conflict. British service personnel were sent as part of a coalition tasked with finding the leaders of al-Qaeda after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. By the end of 2001, the Taliban regime had collapsed but an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) remained. ISAF's role was to oversee the transition to a new government and provide security for the redevelopment of the war torn country.
In 2006, as part of a reorganisation of ISAF (now under NATO control), British troops were sent to the southern province of Helmand which provoked a violent response from a resurgent Taliban. In 2014, British combat troops left Afghanistan.
Mr Anderson said: "Transitioning from the rigours and discipline of army service to the demands of parish ministry was not easy but Donald gradually settled into his three-way linked charge."
Rev Prentice plans to enjoy his retirement with wife, Alison, from their new home in Burghead.
