A RESPECTED priest from Pendle well-know for his energy and enthusiasm is set to retire aged 70.
The Rev. Priestly Brook, of Trawden, has been a stalwart of the community in the Colne and Villages Parish for more than 20 years.
Mr Brook has held many offices in the church including churchwarden, parish treasurer, reader and member of the Parochial Church Council.
He felt the call to ordained ministry after retiring as an investment brokerage director and served the Methodist Church for many years before translating to the Church of England.
He was recommended by former Bishop of Blackburn Nicholas Reade for three years training in theology, while serving as a reader. This led to his ordination as a deacon in 2007 and to the priesthood one year later.
Mr Brook served in all churches and communities of the parish and adjacent parishes. He also acted as chaplain to staff and children at St Michael and All Angels CE Primary School, in Foulridge, and Christ Church CE Primary School, in Colne, and is greatly appreciated by both.
He is also Anglican Priest to the Favordale, Grange and Sycamore Rise registered care homes and conducts regular services of worship for the residents.
His energetic family services in church, developed with the co-operation of the Sunday School leaders at St Michael’s, have broken new ground.
Mr Brook has become renowned for the delivery of the Occasional Offices, including baptisms, marriages and funerals.
He was appointed as the High Sheriff of Lancashire’s chaplain between 2010 and 2011. He was called to serve with the High Sheriff on both formal and more casual occasions and he described the role as an honour and a privilege.
Speaking about his retirement at the traditional age of 70, Mr Brook said: “I am so grateful for all who have in many ways contributed not just to my ministry but to the wider ministry of the church and community.
“In retirement Christine and I intend to spend more time with the family and while we will miss the regular contact with the church, schools and homes, we will continue to live in Trawden, and therefore we will still be very much part of the community.”
A special service and buffet to mark the retirement of Mr Brook will be held on Saturday, July 28th at 7-30 p.m. at St Michael and All Angels Church, Foulridge.