After 35 years of dedicated service, Rev Kenneth Elliott bids farewell to Prestwick South with heartfelt gratitude and cherished memories
Prestwick: It was a touching day at the kirk as Rev Kenneth Elliott led his final worship service. The atmosphere was filled with emotion and gratitude.
Kenneth and his wife Fiona arrived in Prestwick South back in November 1989, starting a journey that would last 35 years. A special service of thanksgiving brought together family, friends, and colleagues in a packed church.
After the service, everyone gathered in the church hall for lunch, where they celebrated with a beautifully designed cake. Kenneth shared how emotional it was to say goodbye after such a long and fulfilling ministry.
He reflected, “Everyone has a shelf life, and with me hitting retirement age, my time was up. I couldn’t be happier with how it ended.” It was heartwarming to see many familiar faces, including those who had moved away but returned for his final service.
One notable guest was Reverend George Prentice, who had been with Kenneth during his probationary period and is now in his 90s. Kenneth said that having him there made the day even more special.
Before coming to Prestwick, Kenneth completed his training in Paisley after studying at Glasgow University. He mentioned, “Once you finish your training, you can apply for vacant churches, and Prestwick South was the only one I applied for.”
He admitted he didn’t know much about the town at first, having only visited occasionally. But over the years, he grew to love Prestwick, where his children, Richard and David, were born.
Kenneth highlighted many memorable moments, including trips abroad and modernizing the church. “We’ve made various changes to the interior and adapted to the 21st century,” he said.
He also shared that their services are now streamed live every Sunday, which has been a significant change. Kenneth organized church trips to places like Israel, Iona, and Rome, creating lasting memories with the congregation.
“Getting to know the people has been one of the best parts. They’ve become not just my congregation but my friends,” he added. Kenneth expressed his gratitude, saying it has been a privilege to serve Prestwick South and thanked everyone for their support over the years.
