A former minister of the United Reformed Church is coming back to Ilkeston this weekend.
Reverend Mark Dunn, who served for six years at the Green Spire church on Wharncliffe Road, is returning for the Sunday morning service.
In a letter to the paper he told us: “For six years I was the Australian Minister serving there. At the conclusion of my ministry in Ilkeston, I returned home to Australia with my family to serve in two further parishes. I also became an Australian Army Chaplain.
“Now in my retirement after 43 years of ministry, I have left home in Melbourne to make a big trip back to Ilkeston after hiking 300 kms of the Camino pilgrimage through Portugal and Spain.”
Rev Dunn has many happy memories of his time here.
“During those years 1992 to 1997 I was privileged to conduct many baptisms, weddings and funerals. I responded to many such requests because at the time, I was the only minister in town who was happy and comfortable to work with people who had been divorced. We attended many wonderful baptism parties, wedding receptions and some memorable wakes.
“One Sunday following a funeral, a man turned up in the foyer just as the service was starting. He opened his big overcoat to reveal a brace of pheasants saying, ‘Give these to Vicar; bloody good funeral!’
“My wife and I are looking forward to a return visit to the church at the 10.30am Sunday service on June 9th. Apparently there is a special morning tea being planned (cake, coffee and a chat) to help us reconnect with the good folk there.
“My purpose in writing is to extend an invitation to any community members we may have connected with to say hello all these years later. I’m assured that there will be plenty of room in church.”
