Departure of Minister, the Rev. Dr. Melvyn Griffiths
After being the Church of Scotland Parish minister at Trinity Church, Leslie, for five years, the Rev Dr Melvyn Griffiths left in June to take up a new charge in the Parish of Kirkmaiden linked with Stoneykirk in South Galloway.
He has served as a minister for many years – in South Africa, in England and in Scotland and will now be serving in his third parish in Scotland.
The Rev Dr Mel Griffiths will be sadly missed by the congregation at Trinity Church, Leslie. He has been a very able leader, preacher and pastor in the parish and this included the leading of bible study courses and providing pastoral care at the local care home and links with the local school.
During his time in Leslie, he continued his own studies, obtaining a Doctorate of Theology. He also took part in marathon races such as the Great North Run to raise funds for charities.
Although South African by birth, Mel (as he was affectionately known) had a passion for Scotland and would often be seen wearing a tartan bonnet during his pastoral visits.
His wife Hazel also did much work for the church through her skills in music, craftwork and baking and in leading the Guild and Young Church, and this support will also be missed.
Trinity Church remains as a separate congregation and the church remains open.
However, after 55 years, Trinity Church in Leslie will no longer have a minister provided solely for the congregation but will now share the ministry teams within a Parish Grouping of three churches, namely St Columba’s, St Ninian’s and Trinity.
The three churches are already working together under the concept of “Three churches – one family”.
At this time of change members of Trinity Church reflect on and give thanks for all the ministries at the church over the previous decades. They now enter a new chapter in the life of the church in Leslie when they will be sharing ministry provision and pursuing the Rev Giffiths’ vision of developing Trinity Church into a combined church and community centre for the town.
