Captains Graeme & Wendy Parkhill with children Joshua, Isaac, Rebekah and Luke
[Note: this article is a synopsis of a longer report of the day's activities which you can read here. Click here or on the Parkhill photograph to see more photographs of the occasion. -Ed.]
On Sunday 24th of June 2012, the completion of seven years of faithful service was celebrated as the local Salvation Army congregation and the wider community of Ayr bade farewell to Captains Graeme & Wendy Parkhill and their children Joshua, Isaac, Rebekah and Luke.
In the morning service three new Senior Soldiers (members) were sworn in, and 2 new Junior Soldiers (children) were enrolled by Graeme Parkhill and Penny Sullivan making the day special for Marjorie, Jackie & Fiona and new Junior Soldiers, Rebekah & Jack.
The farewell celebration lunch catered for over 100 people, and tributes were presented from representatives of the corps' youth and adult fellowship. Nicola Black spoke about how Wendy and Graeme had brought so much joy and fun into the activities enjoyed by the young people as well as the example of dedication they had shown. She also noted how much like family they had become.
Bobby Irvine spoke on behalf of the senior fellowship, noting that Graeme and Wendy "came as a package", and how their leadership, musicianship and Love of the Lord had been appreciated throughout the years. The family were then presented with gifts to remind them of their time in Ayr.
The Evening Celebration Service was led by Bobby Irvine, allowing the wider Ayr district to say its own heartfelt thanks.
The Reverend Liz Crumlish of Castlehill Parish Church paid tribute to a couple who demonstrated Christian love and values in all they did. Miss Iris Richardson – Deputy Headmistress at Forehill Primary School - expressed the gratitude of the school where Wendy helped with the Scripture Union, led the Choir, and along with Graeme, undertook assemblies and counseling during tragic events at the school. The Reverend Fraser Aitkin of St Columba Parish Church spoke in moving and humorous terms about Graeme & Wendy, bearing witness to Graeme’s Christian demeanour in all he did.
The crowd of more than two hundred were treated to a number of musical items during the evening, including “Christmas Joy” (Wendy’s favourite march) by the band; “Somebody Prayed for Me” by the Ayr Songsters (choir); puppets by the Performing Arts Club; “This day" by the Ayr Community Gospel Choir; and - by special request - Peter Graham singing "A Different Man" accompanied by his wife Margaret.
Capt. Graeme introduced a special item as a farewell gift from his family. The audience was delighted to hear Wendy, Joshua, Isaac and Rebekah sing “Going Up A Yonder”.
Graeme thanked the Community, the Corps and its Leadership Team for their support over 7 fruitful years of service. He noted that it was God’s plan that has not just brought the Corps home to a permanent facility and the promise of a newly refurbished building, but also to a position where the Lord will fulfill the next part of his plan through the new leaders of Ayr Citadel, Lieutenants Tim & Cheryl Stone.
The evening concluded with a song of affirmation “I’ll Go in the Strength of The Lord”.
After the service supper was provided for everyone, which gave time for fellowship and personal farewells to Graeme, Wendy, Joshua, Isaac, Rebekah and Luke.
Robin Black
