A POPULAR Troon minister is stepping down after six-and-a-half years in the post.

Rev Jamie Milliken is leaving Portland Parish Church to take on a role as Chaplain to the Royal Navy.

And this week he thanked the congregation for their support during his time at the helm.

Jamie conducted his last service in Portland Church on April 22, where he received a warm farewell from the congregation.

Portland Parish Church Session Clerk John Reid said: “The congregation are sad to see him leave but support his calling as Chaplain to the Royal Navy. 

“He will formally demit his post as Minister of Portland Church at the Ayr Presbytery meeting on the first of May. Ayr Presbytery will appoint a Vacancy Procedure Committee to guide the congregation of Portland Church through the vacancy.”

Looking back Jamie told the Troon Times “I have been at Portland for six-and-a-half years and enjoyed my ministry within the congregation, with Troon Churches Together and partners in the community like Troon Primary and Marr College. 

“It has been great to see the Troon Churches Together Messy Church being so successful. 

“This is a shared venture among the breadth of congregations in Troon bringing great stories of the Bible alive to younger children and their families through arts, crafts and storytelling. Food is shared and fun is had.

“Portland congregation have been very supportive of my time as vice-convenor of the national Church’s Mission and Discipleship Council and of my time as a Reservist with the Royal Navy.

“I have enjoyed ministering alongside people in the highs, lows and mundane of life and being with others as we have rejoiced, struggled, persevered and grown in faith together. 

“During my time at Portland a team of members has been involved in the regular leading of worship and this has been very appreciated by me and the wider congregation. 

“Also I have enjoyed seeing our partnership with Limphasa congregation in Malawi grow over recent years. 

“We welcomed their pastor to Troon as part of a visitation from a Limphasa Presbytery and in turn one of our own members visited Limphasa. 

“We have participated in Ayr Presbytery’s alternative gift scheme purchasing solar lights, mosquito nets and seed and fertiliser for households and recently sent money to help re-roof their church and purchase their pastor Asayiwe Mwenitete a motor bike to assist him to get around the parish.

“Portland congregation have been very supportive of my time as vice convenor of the national Church’s Mission and Discipleship Council and of my time as a Reservist with the Royal Navy.

“I have enjoyed ministering alongside people in the highs, lows and mundane of life and being with others as we have rejoiced, struggled, persevered and grown in faith together.”