IT WAS a fond farewell for ‘inspirational’ Malvern vicar Rev Paul Finch, who has retired after 40 years.
Rev Finch has been leading services in the town at ‘The Chase Team’ churches for about 14 years but has now given his last sermon.
The 64-year-old, who has been reverend at St Andrew’s, All Saints’ and St Mary’s, can also count 26 years of experience at churches in Weymouth, Derbyshire and Chester.
Rev Finch is now looking forward to spending his time on photography, cycling and watching more cricket.
“It has been brilliant,” he told The Observer. “I have had a great time in Malvern seeing the church grow and people finding a living relationship with God.
“The church has been innovative in reaching out to people who would not ordinarily think of coming to church on a Sunday.
“When you have been doing anything for 14 years you will miss it but it is always good to move on and do something different.
“I also think for the church to move to another level it needs to have someone to move in and take it to that level.”
Parties have been held at the three churches over the past few weeks to mark Rev Finch’s retirement and Heather Williamson, a lay reader at St Andrew’s, said he would be ‘greatly missed’.
“He is inspirational, energetic and able to relate to all sorts of people,” she added.
“One of the things that was said by more than one person is that he doesn’t seem like a normal vicar. He is very down to earth and very approachable.
“I have certainly flourished in my own Christian life under his leadership — it has been very inspirational.”
