SO, IT’S really happening! After several weeks of uncertainty, medical examinations, interviews, phone calls, conversations and discussions and votes, the decision is made – and I’m off to Geneva to be minister in the Church of Scotland, the very church Haddington’s own John Knox was minister in around 1557.

Feelings are mixed. There is the excitement of a new challenge and the thought of new things to learn and discover – and there is the hard, hard business of goodbyes, farewells and letting go. When a place and a people have been in your heart, in your blood, for almost 39 years, connections go deep and are full of precious moments.

It also means letting go of other connections within East Lothian. The delight and privilege of this little column in the legendary Courier; the fun and opportunity of Mr T’s Pleasant Sunday Afternoon on East Coast FM (what do you mean you don’t listen?); long years as part of that wonderful team of caring professionals at Belhaven Hospital; long and valued associations with the primary schools in the town, and the grammar school – and including Belhaven Hill School; my chaplaincy at Dunbar United. In fact, the whole rich tapestry of life as parish minister, in a wonderful part of the world among amazing people.

Letting go of all of that was always going to be impossibly hard, but perhaps the harshness of the blow is softened somewhat, by the thought of new challenges, new opportunities, and new people to share and enjoy.

The few remaining weeks before January will pass all too quickly – so, just time to say a profound thank you to everyone for their patience, graciousness and love.