A CHURCH minister is getting ready to bid farewell to her congregation after taking up a new post.

The Rev Erica Wishart will host her last service at Tranent Parish Church on Sunday before taking on a new role as a trainee specialist palliative care chaplain, working for St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie.

The 58-year-old told the Courier it would be “a wrench” to leave the Tranent congregation.

She said: “I feel privileged to have been able to spend the last five-and-a-half years serving the people of Tranent and Elphinstone.

“From my first day here, they made me feel so welcome and very much part of the community.

“The folk here are straight-talking and kind-hearted and, in my book, that’s a winning combination!

“To me, the church should always be at the heart of the community, to help and support wherever there is a need and to lead the way at times of reflection such as Remembrance and Lent, as well as at happy times like Christmas and Easter.”

Last year, the minister, who is a mum-of-three and grandmother-of-five, was thrilled to be invited to the royal garden party in Edinburgh after being nominated by Michael Williams, Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian.

The royal family hosts four garden parties a year – three at Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse – with more than 300,000 people attending in total.

They are designed to recognise and reward the public service of the attendees.

Ahead of her move, Erica did not rule out a return to East Lothian – where husband Bill is chaplain at Tranent Juniors – in the future.

She said: “The congregation at Tranent Parish Church are a friendly, caring community of faith and they have taken not only me but also my husband Bill, our children and grandchildren into their hearts and we will miss them sorely – although we’re only moving to my home town (Edinburgh) so I’m sure we’ll stay in touch.

“Bill and I love East Lothian and hope to retire somewhere near the coast in the future.

“We’re so thankful for all the great experiences we’ve had while living in Tranent and the friends we’ve made; we will keep them in our hearts and prayers when we go.”

Members of the congregation returned to the church for a service for the first time since March last Wednesday.

However, social distancing and coronavirus-related restrictions mean that only a certain number of people will be allowed in the building for the minister’s farewell service.

She said: “When things have settled down and back to some sort of normality, there will be some kind of big shindig.

“Hopefully that can happen but it is definitely going to be emotional on Sunday.”

A successor is yet to be appointed as the Church of Scotland goes through the appropriate process.

David Forrest, chairman of Tranent’s community council, wished Erica well in her new role.

He said: “She will be much missed. She got on very well with the community council and was always willing to help. I cannot say a bad word about her.”