A HISTORY-making church minister conducts her final Sunday service in Haddington next month before moving to a high-profile post in Aberdeen.

The Rev Canon Anne Dyer was elected the Scottish Episcopal Church’s first female bishop in November.

Canon Dyer, who succeeded the Rev Judith Walker-Hutchinson as the rector of Haddington’s Holy Trinity Church in 2011, will take up a new role as the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney and is to be consecrated on March 1 in St Andrew’s, the Episcopal Cathedral in Aberdeen.

Her final Sunday services takes place at the Haddington church on February 4, when there will be services at 8.30am and 10.30am.

She said: “As the day of my final service approaches, I have just been able to think about how many wonderful things I have experienced with the congregation of Holy Trinity Church or as part of life in Haddington.

“I’m going to be leaving with quite a lot of sadness.

“People in Haddington have been wonderful.

“Lots of people have stopped me in the street – people I don’t even know – because they saw the story in the Courier [about me leaving].

“They have been so pleased for me and offered their congratulations.

“There have been lots of lovely things said but people also said they are sorry that I am leaving Haddington.”

Canon Dyer, who is married with a daughter, was also the chairwoman of East Lothian Foodbank and was a regular lecturer across Edinburgh and the Lothians on the subject of fine art and theology.

Jan Wilson, chairwoman of the town’s community council, wished Canon Dyer well in her new role.

She said: “She is such a lovely person.

“I’ve not had a lot of dealings with her but any time I have caught up with her she has been very pleasant.

“I’m sure she will be missed by the Holy Trinity congregation and I am sure she will be absolutely fine where she is going because she has got such a nice nature.

“We wish her well from the community council and thank her for the services she did for us.”

The Rt Rev Dr John Armes, the Bishop of Edinburgh, is involved in discussions to find a permanent successor for Canon Dyer at the Haddington church.

In the meantime, cover will be provided by other clergy members.