Cleve says farewell to pastor
Members from the community joined the Lutheran congregation in a parish service at Cleve on September 11th 2022, to farewell Pastor Keith McNicol and his wife Trudy as they move into retirement from full-time ministry. The Cleve Lutheran Parish encompasses the congregations of Our Redeemer’s in Lock, Cowell Lutheran Church and St. Paul’s at Cleve. Close to 100 people attended the morning service.
Pastor Keith shared his journey, from his initial call from God to come into the ministry in 1986 when he worked for the Mines Department in Perth, up to the time at Yeldulknie Weir, near Cleve, after the massive rains in January this year, when he felt again the presence of our Lord, this time granting him a peaceful dismissal. Pastor Keith was ordained into public ministry in 1998 and has served in the parishes at Bundaberg, Dernancourt, Hope Valley and, for the last five years, at Cleve parish.
Basing his final sermon on Matthew 28:16, where Jesus farewelled his disciples reminding them that he is with them always to the end of the age, Pastor Keith reminded us that our Lord and Saviour is with us always too – not just on the mountain tops but also down in the valleys, as he said he would be. Just prior to the final benediction, Cleve Parish Chair Anne Siviour invited Pastor Keith and the congregational chairmen to come before the altar for the Rite of Retirement.
Pastor Keith was retired with the comforting words that, as he moves into emeritus status, that the peace of the Lord is with him. We wish Pastor Keith and Trudy the richest blessings of our Lord – Pastor Keith’s ministry has been a great blessing to us and we give thanks to God for their time at Cleve.
Following the service a farewell gift of a sheaf of local flowers was presented to Trudy by Chair of the Parish, Anne Siviour, and, to Pastor Keith, a plaque of the Word of God inscribed with words from Hebrews 4:12.
Pastor Keith and Trudy’s move to Aldinga Beach goes with the parishes many thanks for their time with us and our best wishes for a happy retirement.
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