ONE of the Kirk’s longest-serving ministers in a single parish, whose ministry spanned almost half a century at one congregation, has died after losing his fight with cancer.
Reverend Andrew Scobie, minister of Cardross Parish Church in Dumbarton Presbytery, passed away peacefully on Monday morning. He was 75.
Mr Scobie was inducted to Cardross in 1965, and still preached up until very recent times. He was one of few Church of Scotland ministers eligible to continue service beyond the normal retirement age of 65, and did so with the utmost passion and dedication.
Friend and colleague Reverend David Munro said that Andrew was an “exceptional” minister: “Andrew was a very keen parish minister, who was always trying to bring the church and the community together.
“He was one of the old school type – his congregation knew they could contact him any hour of the day because he was totally committed to the ministry.
“Nothing was ever too much trouble, and in his younger years he would drive hundreds of miles and back in a day just to train Sunday school teachers.
“He will be a big loss for the church and community alike.”
Born in Windygates on 9th July 1935, Andrew was educated at Whitehills in Glasgow before going onto successfully complete studies at Glasgow University and Gottingen, Tubingen and Marburg University in Germany.
He became assistant at New Kilpatrick Church in 1962, before being inducted as parish minister at Cardross on 27th May 1965.
During his time at Cardross Andrew served on numerous national Church committees, represented the Kirk at the Church of England’s General Synod and also contributed to a number of musical books, including Songs of God’s People (1988) and the Book of Common Order (1994).
Mr Scobie’s funeral takes place on Friday at Cardross Parish Church at 12noon, and thereafter at Cardross Crematorium. The service will be conducted by Reverend David Munro, with Reverend Douglas Galbraith giving the tribute.
He is survived by his wife Jeannette, two grown-up children, and three grandchildren.
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Email: gbell@cofscotland.org.uk
Website: http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk
