THE Rev Jan Gillies gave her last service on Easter Sunday before retiring as minister at Tranent Parish Church.

Mrs Gillies had spent five and a half years at the church and will now use her retirement to spend more time with her family, including her grandchildren.

The 65-year-old was bowled over by the support she received throughout her time at the church and by the numbers who attended her final Sunday service last week. An official farewell takes place on May 9 in the form of a praise evening.

“It was a very emotional but happy time,” she told the Courier. “I have had a very hard-working and supportive congregation. They turned out in good numbers to say farewell.” During her time at the church, Mrs Gillies oversaw the £200,000 upgrade of the church building, the creation of an extra room for the Sunday school, a kitchen and improved toilet facilities.

“The first major project was the refurbishment of the church building,” she said. “That has made a big improvement on us as a congregation; a vast improvement when it comes to congregational life.” With a new minister yet to be appointed, Mrs Gillies hopes that whoever takes over will continue the progress the church has made.

“There has been a real growth in the spiritual life of the church,” she said. “We have grown together. I couldn’t have done it without the faithful support within the congregation.

“I will miss it, I am bound to. I just pray the new minister will continue to find the same support and love that I have had from my congregation and continue to take it forward.”