Rev John G Carrie

Published on Sunday 23 March 2008 20:09

Church of Scotland minister

Born: 1943, in Glasgow. Died: 5 March, 2008, in Queensferry.

JOHN Gilbert Carrie was born in Glasgow. He studied and graduated in science at the University of Glasgow before turning his attention to the ministry at Trinity College.

John spent two years as an Assistant at Linwood before accepting the call to Queensferry Parish Church in November 1971. It was to be his lifetime charge. He served not only the congregation but the people of South Queensferry and its surrounds with great dedication and distinction for over 36 years.

He saw many changes during his ministry as he watched the community grow from a small independent burgh to become a part of the Edinburgh Council area. As the area grew in size and population so too did the congregation of the church which currently stands at around 800.

John was a man of original thought. Over the years he continuously introduced new projects to involve the congregation and new orders of service to encourage and maintain its interest. This, by no means, applied only to adults. The full pews at the family service on Sundays reflected his interest in the young and their affection for him. There was always great interaction, stimulating thought and, more often than not, a smile on everyone's face.

One of his great interests was Christian education of children and he was the chaplain at the local primary schools and Queensferry High. He was held in high regard by the youngsters and their teachers. He even used one of his sabbatical periods to compile a book and further his knowledge of this particular subject

A further credit to his Christian education commitment is indicated by the fact that he acted as mentor to more than 12 student ministers who were appointed to the church for their final placements prior to the completion of their training.

Being technically minded, one of his early projects involved the installation of solar-panel heating to one of the buildings in the church complex at Iona. Using his particular skills in the art of getting folks to use their own talents, he encouraged a group from the congregation and friends to carry out the works. His interest and enthusiasm in environmental matters continued throughout his life. It pleased him greatly when Queensferry Parish Church recently became an eco- congregation.

John always showed a great interest in the ecumenical side of religion. He was contributory to the involvement of the congregations of the various Christian churches in Queensferry in joint services and projects. This undoubtedly played a role in the respect which he received from so many people in the community. At the town's Priory Episcopal Church the congregation held a moment's silence for him and at his funeral service, St Margaret's Roman Catholic Church just across the street from the Kirk opened its doors and made room for many mourners.

He showed great interest in international church matters and spent not only another of his sabbatical periods in Kenya but also a period in America. He was a very strong supporter of the Amazon Hope Project in Peru and encouraged the congregation to be likewise.

Outstanding in his ministry were two significant innovations thought of and established by him, both of which in their own way have left lasting benefits. The first of these was the Forth Bridge Cross, a sponsored fun walk, back and fore across the Forth Road Bridge. This was started in the first year of John's ministry to raise money for and awareness of Christian Aid. His vision resulted in the setting up of teams of helpers to cover all the complex arrangements for such an event and the encouragement of large numbers of walkers to participate each and every year. Incredibly, more than a million pounds has been raised from this source since its inception.

The second, more local, but equally important was the establishment of Queensferry Churches Care in the Community, a charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of the elderly and infirm in Queensferry and surrounding district. Again, this confirmed his talents in uniting the local church leaders, gathering together a team of volunteers and obtaining a grant from Edinburgh Council to employ a professional to manage the project. This project has developed over the years and is now much larger. It is a company limited by guarantee with a team of paid staff and many volunteers, providing day care sessions, carer support, home support visits and other services. He remained involved in the project and its management until 2005 and continued an interest thereafter.

In recent times, a linkage took place between Queensferry and Dalmeny churches with John being appointed as the minister. A happy relationship has ensued between the two congregations largely contributed to by his enthusiasm and pleasant manner

John Carrie put his life into his parish and devoted himself to the care of people. Many will comment on the comfort he brought them in times of trial and grief, on his willingness to give advice and on the joy he brought to social events that he attended. There are very many families at home and abroad who will remember him with grateful thanks and affection.

He might well have become a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry but his heavy commitment to his parish precluded that. It was significant however that last year the club elected to honour him with a Paul Harris Fellowship, itself a considerable tribute made by Rotary Clubs in this country to Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike who have contributed to local and international causes and who meet the demands of the Rotary motto 'Service above Self'. John surely did these things.

To relax he enjoyed running and walking with his friends and indeed sponsored marathons and the like were entered into with his usual enthusiasm. His favourites, however, were the conquering of the Munros and spending time on other hills and mountains. Psalm 121: "I to the hills will lift mine eyes" certainly applied to him.

A loving and caring family man, John is survived by his wife, Annette, his daughter, Jennifer, and his son, Gordon, and his four grandchildren.

John Carrie was a wonderful, thoughtful, caring man. We will also miss his mischievousness.