Fond farewell for Pastor Roy Cowieson

Rev Roy Cowieson (70) and wife Christine (68) retires from St Johns Church, Carluke
17/6/13 — Rev Roy Cowieson (70) and wife Christine (68) retires from St Johns Church, Carluke 17/6/13

The manse is almost emptied, the few items they are keeping have already been shipped across the Atlantic, and Roy and Christine fly out to Canada on July 10.

Canada is home, but he has enjoyed his ministry in Carluke.

“It has been brilliant,” he said.

“I have loved every minute of it. I really enjoyed being in the Church of Scotland.”

His time in Carluke came at the end of an already busy life.

He and Christine, both from Renfrewshire, were houseparents in the faith-based Quarriers Homes before Roy went into the ministry.

As soon as he graduated, they and their two sons left for Canada.

Roy spent a decade with the United Church of Canada, but then he and Christine set up their own church, the Shallow Lake Community Church in Ontario, which grew to have 750 regular attenders.

And then the couple came back to Scotland.

For more on this story pick up a copy of the Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.